Review: Fly, by Molly McLain

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? Yes.

Category/Genre: New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance

Self-published

Pages: 162

Blurb:

Meet Colton Wade, FMX rider…

I’m just a small town guy who caught a lucky break. Now I’m living the dream, on the brink of high-flying super-stardom. But something’s missing.

That something is Taylor.

She’s my best friend. The one who makes me want to push harder and higher. The one I fall back on when shit gets tough. The one I’d give it all up for.

I’d do anything to protect her. To make her dreams come true too.

But a single night changes everything.

And now the one she needs protection from…is me.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review. 

Fly is the first book in the Velocity series and it ends on a little cliffhanger. This book is a really quick read and fast-paced. I look forward to the next book.

I have to be honest here. What first caught my attention is not the blurb, but the cover. In my opinion, it’s perfect to make you want to pick up the book and it reflects the story itself nicely. I’m glad I got to read this book because while I expected a bit more, I still had a good time reading Colton and Taylor’s story.

Do you want to know something completely dumb? Either way, I’m obviously going to tell you so…

Every time I would read the name Colton I kept thinking about K. Bromberg’s Colton from the Driven series. Both characters are nothing alike and the stories themselves have nothing in common, but somehow the name Colton is already taken in my mind. I told you, it’s dumb.

Anyway, at first it threw me a bit, but it has nothing to do with the author’s story or this Colton. I rather like Colton Wade even when I wanted to knock some sense into him and/or when I was mad at him. He has flaws and I like that in books. But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have liked to see, experience and feel more growth. To me, Colton, while a great character and a nice male interest in this romance, is still not up to par for me to be completely on board with him.

Taylor, Colton’s best friend and romance interest, is a good female character. She’s not a doormat even though she does a lot for Colton and doesn’t get enough credit for it. I like how the author manages in showing us a female character that doesn’t always swoon when the male character is close by. She’s her own person and it’s nice.

But…

I would have loved to be more invested emotionally speaking.

The romance is there, don’t get me wrong, but I think the emotions aren’t really showing. I like the relationship between Taylor and Colton, but strangely enough, I felt a lot more their friendship than their budding romance. And when the angst showed up, I barely felt it.

I had a good time with this book,  but considering the potential in this novel and the flowing writing, I expected feeling more and rooting all the way for Colton and Taylor. But, I think the next book has as much if not more potential than this first book. And I look forward to seeing more of some of the secondary characters. 🙂

I like the world in which Colton is living in and I’d love to see more of it. Honestly, I had a really nice time with this book and I think so far it’s rather nicely executed even though I do think the author could have gone deeper emotionally speaking to better keep me riveted.

I’m now waiting for the next book coming out in a few months. I don’t expect to be that surprised by the plot itself, but I hope Taylor and Colton have something to show us that will make me swoon once and for all.

RATING:

3.5 to 

Review: The Hurricane, by R.J. Prescott

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category/Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Sports Romance.

Publisher: Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group UK)

Pages: 300

Blurb:

Emily McCarthy is living in fear of a dark and dangerous past. A gifted mathematician, she is little more than a hollow, broken shell, trying desperately to make ends meet long enough to finish her degree.

Through an unlikely friendship with the aging, cantankerous owner of an old boxing gym, Em is thrown into the path of the most dangerous man that she has ever met.

Cormac “the Hurricane” O’Connell is cut, tattooed and dangerous. He is a lethal weapon with no safety and everyone is waiting for the mis-fire. He’s never been knocked out before, but when he meet Em he falls, HARD. Unlike any other girl he’s ever met, she doesn’t want anything from him, but just being around her makes him want to be a better person.

They are polar opposites who were never meant to find each other, but some things are just worth the fight.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

The Hurricane is the first book in the series and the second book is now available. It’s funny because up until a few days ago I’ve never heard of this book. I must have been under a rock somewhere because when I see the amount of ratings this book has I don’t understand how come I’ve never heard of it.

Anyway… Because I love sports romance novels and fighters romance books even more, I had to read this one. And…

I’m disappointed!

I expected to love this one so much that I’d be gushing shamelessly like so many reviewers but in the end it doesn’t live up to my expectations. I don’t feel like all the readers that seem to be so in love with this book.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad book and it has its moments when I’ve easily lost myself to the story, but these moments are too few and “far” between moments when I got bored. I know, some of you must be cursing me already and thinking I’m nuts or something, but I think the author is mostly telling and not especially showing, even when the emotions are running high or when there are scenes with the two main characters that should have me either afraid or swoon. For example, when the main character says that a room stinks, I want to actually “feel” it. You know what I mean? Basically, I don’t find the writing vivid enough to make me experience this story as I should and I wouldn’t be this disappointed if this story wasn’t calling for gut wrenching emotions at times.

Also, while Emily and O’Connell are so sweet together, I didn’t see the actual falling in love. To me, it feels like they meet, feel lust and soon after deeper emotions. It would be fine if only I was on board, but somehow I kept expecting something more and truly feel the chemistry. And the sex scenes were… honestly, I don’t like these scenes because it goes back to what I said above: I don’t feel the chemistry. Somehow, I don’t feel like so many other readers and I am honestly wondering if I’m not turning into a very tough reader.

Overall, it’s a nice story with interesting supportive characters, but if I’m being honest there’s not much happening (and I mean in a term of actual conflicts) throughout the book. It’s mostly in the end and it’s over pretty fast, but isn’t badly executed. I think some chapters are more filler chapters than anything else and usually that’s when I got a bit disconnected.

So yes, I’m not blown away and it makes me really sad. I guess I’ve missed the mark here. To me, it’s an average read, entertaining in some parts, but the overall story could have been a lot more powerful if only emotions and feelings could have been felt through the writing itself. I want more “showing” and less “telling”.

I’m tough and I apologize, but I don’t know if it’s only me but when I expect a lot of a book I end up a lot more difficult once I’m finished if it doesn’t meet my expectations.

But don’t worry, I’m not rating this book badly! I know that when reading my review you’d think I hated it, but I didn’t. It’s a nice story with a lot more potential in my opinion.

RATING:

Review: Crave the Rose, by Karen Kincy

Part of a series? No.

Genre/Category: Contemporary Romance.

Self-published.

Pages: 117

Blurb:

She’s not a good girl. He’s not an alpha male. This isn’t your ordinary love story.

Cassia’s a tattooed bad girl, a bitch, hurt one too many times to believe in a happy ending. While studying abroad at Oxford, she loses her boyfriend in an accident–the night after she catches him screwing another girl.

Bram’s an Irish charmer whose wolfish smile hides his darkest secrets. He knows how it feels to be broken. He’s no alpha male, but he’s sweet, sexy, and the only man who makes Cassia feel anything but numb.

Together, they work on Wolfenwold Hall, a crumbling manor house tangled in a garden run wild, while the attraction between them blazes out of control. This is sex, nothing more, with three little rules:

No cheating.
No lies.
No falling in love.

But rules are made to be broken…

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

I want to apologize for this very, very short review. I went back and forth between posting something or not regarding this book, but ultimately I felt bad for not writing anything after receiving this book via Netgalley.

First, I must admit that I fell for the cover. It’s what attracted me to begin with and the blurb intrigued me. Unfortunately, upon reading the very first chapter I knew it wasn’t for me.

I only read 27% of the book and that’s why I feel conflicted for writing a “review”. I will probably not finish this novel and I hate not finishing a book. But this time around, I can’t connect with the characters and I find the writing way too stilted and the dialogues seem to jump around a bit and don’t flow.

I really like the premise and maybe the plot and characters would appeal to me more if I kept reading, but I’m not into it.

DNF at 27%

RATING:

I will not rate this book as it is a DNF and I would feel bad for rating it 1 star because this novel is readable.

Review: Never Loved, by Charlotte Stein

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category/Genre: Contemporary Romance, a mix between NA and Adult erotic romance.

Publisher: Loveswept

Pages: 207

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of Abbi Glines, the first novel in the Dark Obsession series tells the story of a beautiful wallflower who falls for a chiseled street fighter—and learns just how dangerous love can be.

Beatrix Becker spent most of her life under the thumb of her controlling, abusive father. And now that she’s free and attending her dream college, she has no idea how to act like the normal crowd: partying, going on dates, even having a conversation. Then she meets Serge Sorensen. Big and surly with a whole host of riotous tattoos, Serge is supposed to scare the hell out of her. But beneath his harsh exterior, Beatrix discovers a kindred spirit who knows what it’s like to be a misfit. Most exhilarating—and terrifying—is what he does for a living: illegal street fighting.

There’s nothing like the rush Serge gets from the intense athleticism and brutal glory of combat—though his chemistry with Beatrix comes close. Slowly at first, he introduces her to his world, where he lives by instinct, passion, and desire. He even helps her out with her equally traumatized brother. But when Serge gets in too deep with the wrong people, he ends up paying in blood. And suddenly, just as Beatrix has been drawn into Serge’s perfectly sculpted arms, she’s thrown once and for all into the fight of his life.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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Review:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review. 

This is the first book in the Dark Obsession series, but it is a standalone.

Before you read my review, I apologize. I didn’t like this book at all and it was quite difficult for me to finish it actually. While I see the potential and the intent, the end result is a complete miss for me. I will try and express my thoughts as much as possible without giving too much away of the storyline if you decide to pick the book up.

The premise of this novel is good and when you state in the blurb that this book is for fans of Abbi Glines, you have to hold on and expect readers to be very demanding. I was eager to read this book, was sure I’d fall for the story and characters, but in the end I could only focus on what bothered me and think of ways the author could have made this book amazing.

Bea, short for Beatrix, is supposed to be very new to everything related to friendship, relationship, sex and life as a whole. She went through a lot before going to college and I’m sad that the author didn’t give us more of a background for Beatrix. That’s my first issue. The author decided to give a very awful upbringing to her main character who happens to be the narrator of the whole book, so I think it’s important to give us something to work with so we can understand the character fully and feel for them. The author gives us a very tiny peek into Beatrix and her brother’s past that raises more questions and disbelief than serves the characterization. The characterization lack depth in my opinion.

You see, considering Bea is so new to this freedom, to feeling drawn to a man, to friendship and considering what her and her brother went through, I don’t understand her. She doesn’t seem as innocent as you’d expect, she doesn’t have any hangups once she’s with Serge, we barely see her with her brother or her supposedly friend (and roommate). Other than Serge, nothing else matters it seems.

Speaking of Serge… He has everything to be an interesting character but ends up being rather strange to me. His hangups are barely talked about, we don’t know anything about him and it’s like he’s Bea’s savior and protector five seconds after meeting her.

Bea and Serge’s relationship is quite made of insta-love mixed with insta-lust. Maybe I could have bought it if only the dialogues flew and if the character’s voice (Bea’s voice) didn’t overtake everything to make the dialogues and the descriptions stilted, sometimes all over the place and overblown. I understand what the author tried to do here, but I don’t think it’s working that well. At least it doesn’t work for me.

Now, the plot itself is basically nonexistent. I’m fine with stories focusing on characters and on their journey to overcome their issues if I see the growth of said characters, but here? I don’t exactly see that. It’s mostly about sexual tension and sex scenes with no real plot, no major conflicts that could have been woven throughout the book. The only real conflict happens at the end and comes out of nowhere to be solved so easily it’s maddening.

I’m sorry, but while I see the author has a certain talent, here the story and characters didn’t do it for me. I’m very disappointed and unfortunately it doesn’t make me want to read the second book featuring another set of characters.

RATING:

1.5 to 

Review: The Hierarchy of Needs, by Rebecca Grace Allen

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category/Genre: Contemporary romance, “new adult”, adult

Warning: Explicit sex scenes.

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Pages: 163

Blurb:

Jamie Matthews is stuck in a rut. After hitting a wall with her dream career, she’s back in her hometown, living a life as monotonous as swimming laps in the neighborhood pool.

Being surrounded by her perfect brothers is a painful reminder of her failure to launch. The last bonfire of the summer is an ideal way to let off steam, especially when she runs into Dean Trescott, the playboy friend she had one hot-as-hell night with back in high school.

Since the day Dean met Jamie, he’s loved her beauty, talent, and smile that lit up the whole damn block. But dating isn’t an option. She has a bright future ahead of her, and he refuses to chain her to his—helping run the family business that’s barely staying afloat.

A “what-happens-in-Vegas” weekend was supposed to get their craving for each other out of their systems. But neither counted on the past repeating itself, drawing them together in even hotter and dirtier ways and dangling the possibility they might both be able to get exactly what they need…

Warning: A friends-to-lovers twice over story that contains some hot ’n’ heavy kissing in the waves, hair pulling, and a man who knows how to use his hands. It may also feature a few practical jokes—only the fun kind, of course.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

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REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. This book is a friends-to-lovers type of story. It’s a nice story, quite fitting when you’re at the beach, but I think it’s lacking what’s important (to me) to make it a must-read and/or a book to remember.

You see, in this book, I think there is a lot of info dump, and not only in the opening chapters, but throughout the book. I’m all for a real background given to us, readers, to better appreciate and understand the main characters, but I’d rather it be more subtlety done as to not break the rhythm. Here, the characters go on and on about how unhappy they are in their life, how stuck they feel, how much they can’t forget that night together when they were in high school… All this would be good if I had been swiftly eased into it. Of course, at some point the focus is on Dean and Jamie discovering each other between the sheets, but in my opinion the story isn’t always flowing that well.

And strangely enough, even though the author took the time to really describe some things at length (like Jamie’s ”career” as a swimmer through her college years), what I feel is important isn’t enough described.

The sex scenes while good overall, aren’t always showing how the sex is making the main characters feel beyond the obvious lust and pleasure. They’re supposed to be drawn to each other for the past few years so that means we should have seen or felt more while reading these scenes. In the end, while the chemistry between Jamie and Dean is nice, it’s not as thrilling as I expected and not as intense as I wanted it to be.

Also, while the story is really nice and easy to read (and fast), I don’t see the real climaxes other than a half-convincing push and pull between the characters. I miss a little something to make me feel more toward this couple and fear for them and in turn, root for them.

But then again, it’s a really good book to read when you’re in between read or heading to the beach. Sometimes it’s good to read a nice romance between characters that are internalizing (a bit too much for my liking). If you’re looking for a book to relax, then I think this one could appeal to you.

I was probably expecting too much when it comes to the love story, the angst and the characters development that would go beyond the simple issues regarding their choices for their future career and their family.

It was nice, but I don’t think I will remember this story when summer ends.

What do you think of Dean?

RATING:

Review: Broken Juliet, by Leisa Rayven

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category/Genre: New Adult, Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Pages: 288

Blurb:

How do you fix a love that’s been broken beyond repair?

For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises?

Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him.

Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

 

REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Starcrossed series and it concludes Cassie and Ethan’s story. If you remember my review of Bad Romeo, the first book, you must know I have been eagerly waiting for this one. I didn’t think I would fall even harder for Cassie and Ethan, but Broken Juliet proves me wrong.

Brace yourself because I’m going to gush. 😀

Lisa Raven is on my auto-buy list from now on. She has won me over completely, not only because of these characters and the plot, but also because her writing is flawless, vivid, fresh and the dialogues are amazing to read. Reading this book, and the previous one, is a wonderful experience because I quickly forget the words and I end up living the story.

Ethan and Cassie come to life in this sequel, just as much if not more than in the first book. Their love story is epic, intense and feels incredibly real. I couldn’t help but be mad at Ethan and also feel for him. And Cassie moves me. These two characters are strong, have flaws, feel human and I believe in their story. Actually, it’s crazy but it’s almost as if I know them now that I’m finished with Broken Juliet.

And don’t get me started on the chemistry between Ethan and Cassie. These two are very h-o-t together and yet the scenes stay tasteful and are all the more incredible to read.

Yes, this book truly went above and beyond my expectations. This series will stay my favorite for a very, very, VERY long time.

Once again the plot itself is flawless. The author manages to show us Ethan and Cassie in the present, but also their past when they were still students. The past and the present resonate to better characterize Ethan and Cassie, but it also adds depth and emotions. It’s easy to follow and it all blends to perfection.

The set of characters is a good addition to still create a full world that breathes life. Every characters serve the plot and the love story between Ethan and Cassie. I can’t find a single thing to criticize. It’s embarrassing!

It’s difficult to find a second installment as good as the first book and yet here Broken Juliet is as good, as thrilling, as emotional and as moving as Bad Romeo. If you love Bad Romeo, you’re going to love Broken Juliet. Don’t wait to 1-click this one!

Guess what I’m going to do next month? I can already picture these two books on my very real shelves in my apartment. And I look forward to re-read Ethan and Cassie’s story because their love is so compelling that I’m not ready to let them go. 😉

 

What do you think about Ethan? I’m telling you right now, he’s in my book boyfriends list!

RATING:

Review: The Line Between, by Tamsyn Bester

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Self-published

Pages: 254

Blurb:

There’s a fine line between love and hate, so fine that you don’t know you’ve lost balance until it’s too late.
I’m not sure exactly when I lost my balance, all I know is that he was to blame.
Dane Winters.
The boy who’d spent most of his life hating me for reasons I never understood.

** ** ** ** ** **

It was no secret that I hated her, but only I knew why.
She was off-limits.
And then our separate worlds collided with one tragedy.
It wasn’t her fault, I knew that, but I wanted her to hurt the way I did, and I needed someone to blame. She was an easy target.
Kennedy Monroe.
The girl I’d picked on all our lives.
And the woman I barely tolerated.
Until the line between love and hate was no longer visible…

*New Adult Contemporary Romance*
*Due to mature content this book is not suitable for readers younger than 18*

 

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

 

REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

 

The Line Between is the first book of the series with the same name, but it can be read as a standalone.

 

First, I have to talk about the cover, because it’s what first attracted me. I’m in love with this cover and I think it fits to perfection both the story AND the title. I’m glad because when I first saw this book on Netgalley, I hesitated considering that the blurb doesn’t say much regarding the plot and the characters. I’m happy that I took a chance on this book. 🙂

 

Dane and Kennedy are a hot mess. Because of the Winters family and the Monroe family feud, they’ve always been at each other’s throat. But as I kept reading this novel, I soon realized that the tension, the sparks, the contradictory feelings of these two went beyond the family feud. The author does a wonderful job at showing the complexity of Dane and Kennedy’s feelings and relationship.

 

If you’re not fond of the hot and cold kind of trope, then this one may not be for you. It’s all about their issues, their preconceived idea of each other getting in the way, and something far more tragic that added to their already difficult relationship. I actually bought this right away even though I would have enjoyed to see a lot more of their families and of the family feud that supposedly runs from generation to generation, I couldn’t put down this book.

 

I loved reading how Dane and Kennedy started to get closer, mostly against anything and everything that should have kept them at arms’ length. It was touching and oh so hot! Seriously, I think I have a soft spot for Dane. 😉

 

The author’s writing is flowing really well and she is able to show the college life and a wonderful group of friends that is entertaining to follow. That being said, I think some characters don’t have enough purpose in the story. The first one that comes to mind is Chase. His role is not enough developed and used, I think.

 

The plot is one of a great love story that swept me off almost immediately. It’s common in a way, but the set of characters, the voice of the story and the chemistry between Dane and Kennedy make it entertaining and it also kept me on my toes.

 

The ending is rushed and the epilogue maybe too short for my taste, but I’m often unhappy with endings, finding them often rushed. But it didn’t impact my reading pleasure, so don’t hesitate and pick this book as your next read. I’m pretty sure Dane is going to make you swoon. And I’m sure you’re going to have to fan yourself. 😉

 

RATING:

Review: Everything Has Changed, by Mia Kayla

Part of a series? No.

Category: New Adult, but can also be read as an adult book.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Self-published

Pages: 304

Blurb:

Imagine finding the love of your life at the age of six.

Bliss Carrington did.

Bliss has known Jimmy Brason since first grade. He took on the role of the big brother Bliss never had, breaking Bliss out of her shy shell, encouraging her to have fun in high school, and pushing her to live her life to the fullest. They have always been friends—until one day, Bliss wanted more. Now seeing women everywhere swooning over Jimmy, head quarterback of the New York Cougars, is enough to drive her to madness.

Jimmy has been in love with Bliss forever, but she doesn’t know and she can never find out. In all the craziness of his fast track to fame and money, Bliss is the one person who has kept him sane. He firmly believes that history repeats itself and with his tainted past, he’s afraid that he’s fated to hurt her if he allows himself to follow his heart.

Bliss has watched Jimmy grow from a boy into a man, and it’s not fair that someone else will get to keep him when she knows in her heart that he only belongs to her.

When they tiptoe on the edge of love, can their friendship remain intact with both of them ignoring the rumblings that’s threatening to explode?

EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED is a story of love, loss, and longing for the one you grew up loving.

 

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW:

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

 

This is a standalone novel and I’m in love with it. I still have a huge smile on my face. It really is a great contemporary romance novel, filled with emotions, wonderful lines and a set of characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with.

 

I love friends turned to lovers stories when they’re well-done, and this one is, in my opinion, amazing. The romance is very slow to start, but in a way it’s ever present. Jimmy and Bliss are the best of friends and you don’t have to wait several pages to pick on their dynamic and Bliss’s true feelings for this gorgeous and sweet football player.

 

I absolutely love how the author describes this friendship, I love how she shows us how deep their attachment to each other runs and how much their lives are entwined. For example, I think the “flashback“ scenes are smartly introduced and add more to the depth of Jimmy and Bliss’ relationship. It’s almost as if the characterization is effortless and done naturally. It flows with the plot, with the dialogues.

 

But while there are some lightness to this story, emotions run rampant. My heart had hurt for them, but it also sped up significantly. I went through as many emotions as Bliss did and I lost myself in this book, rooting for Jimmy and Bliss. It’s been a while since I’ve last felt so invested in characters. Ah… It feels really good. 🙂

 

The plot itself is great. You have everything from long distance, family drama, hang ups and issues to the fear of losing a once in a lifetime kind of friendship. Everything is covered in this book and not in an overwhelming or over the top way. Once again, it flows. The author mastered her story and her characters, creating a heart-warming, sometimes heart-breaking love story, mainly based on a wonderful friendship.

 

The writing is a perfect match for Bliss’ voice in this story told from her POV. I was never bored and I didn’t have to wait a few chapters to be hooked. Bliss is a character I easily identified myself with. I understand her, I get her reactions, her fears and her feelings. She is a good lead character, one I enjoyed following.

 

If there’s one thing I think is a little rushed it’s the moment when they finally open up to each other, and also the resolution at the end of the book. I wouldn’t have minded a little more details, but to be honest with you, I don’t even know if it’s because I enjoyed reading this book so much that I didn’t want it to end or if it’s an objective comment. Yes, I really, really enjoyed reading this book.

 

What do you think of Jimmy? He’s one of my new book boyfriends. 😉

 

RATING:

4.5 to 

 

Review: Mending Michael, by J.P Grider

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Fated Hearts Publishing

Pages: 371

Blurb: 

There is a fine line between love and hate.

When bartender Mick Ross first sees Holly Buchanan walk into Donny’s Bar, his heart comes to a halt. That is, until she serves him her fake ID and reveals her true nature when she’s declined her drink.

Holly thinks Mick is an ass, and she has no clue why he can’t stand her. Though, she does enjoy looking at his ass.

So, when Donny hires Holly to waitress at his bar, she must either deal with Mick’s hatred toward her or give him a taste of his own medicine.

Tensions are high.
Comments are made.
Hearts are hurt.
But if there really is a fine line between love and hate, then Mick and Holly must decide on which side they stand.

 

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

REVIEW:

I received this novel via Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Hunter Hill University series, but it can be read as a standalone. Each book features different main characters.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’ve read many, many new adult books these last couple of years. They often are quite steamy with flawed characters and while this one has flawed characters, broken even, the steam is very mild because that’s not the focus of the story. Believe me, it’s a good thing here.

What I enjoy the most in this book it’s the way the author doesn’t take the easy way. Her characters are attracted to each, but they don’t fall into each other’s arms. They fight along the way, fight against themselves, against their issues and also for themselves. While it’s obvious it’s Michael who has more issues here, I like Holly’s journey too. She’s the perfect example of what a new adult female character is. She’s strong and yet has issues finding what she wants to study, what she wants to do with her life, she’s also trying to emancipate herself from her family and especially from her father. Isn’t that what we’re expecting to find in a NA contemporary book? At least, that’s what I’m often looking for.

The only thing I have an issue with when it comes to Holly it’s how the author manages the talk she has with her father. For me it should have been way more climatic, way more intense and difficult to go out. In the end, the build up is really great, but the result is lacking. That’s how I feel, but I’m sure other readers don’t feel the same. Sometimes I can be very picky.

Michael is a great character and I hurt for him. That’s exactly what I love. When I feel for a character it’s a given that I’m going to end up really liking it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to slap him a couple of times while reading. For example, I think some things are too drawn out.

Now, there’s something you don’t often see in contemporary romance books. Here, the romance is a very, very slow building one. The characters don’t fall into each other after a matter of ten or twenty pages. It’s a good thing and it goes with the characterization of both Holly and Mick. That being said, I do think it comes a little too late in the book and isn’t as powerfully showed as I would have loved. But it’s well built and I enjoy the few banters between Holly and Mick. Some are a little over the top, but it’s very entertaining.

I will probably add to my TBR the other books in the series.

What do you think of Mick?

RATING:

Review: Trade me, by Courtney Milan

Part of a series? Yes.

Cliffhanger? No.

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Self-published.

Pages: 279

Blurb:

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Technology. But when he makes an off-hand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart…but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

 

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

 

REVIEW:

 

I received this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

Trade Me is the first book in the Cyclone series. It can be read as a standalone.

It’s funny sometimes how it’s taking a little while to get into a story. Here, at first I was intrigued and even hooked, but I quickly got bored. And then, getting closer and closer to the end I went back to being hooked. In the end, I do think it’s a really good story, a story worth reading.

Blake and Tina are interesting characters. They have hang ups, issues that come in the way. The author did a really great job in showing us how difficult it is for them both to overcome their issues and take risks and stand up for themselves.

But, I had a hard time at one point with Tina’s issues. It’s believable and really well-done, but unfortunately I got bored. It didn’t last, of course, but at one point I was afraid that it wouldn’t evolve. I think Tina’s evolution came late and slightly rushed. But, it’s very well-tied up.

Blake’s problem was a mystery for a little while. I picked up on some things, but I think we were kept too long in the dark considering that it’s not used all that much later on when it came to light. That being said, it’s very understandable, well-written and I was on board with him. It’s not an issue often used, if at all, for male character. It’s also great to read about a nice male lead character, a character that isn’t cold, that isn’t an alpha-male and who isn’t a womanizer either. It’s a good change.

Considering that this story is written in dual POV, I expected to see more of a difference between Tina and Blake’s voice, but it’s pretty similar when it’s all said and done. Of course, you pick up on whose POV it is, but I didn’t necessarily felt the difference.

The plot itself is pretty straightforward and based on a switch between Tina and Blake’s lives. It’s not unheard of, it’s not necessarily unique and it’s not the most interesting aspect of this novel. The interesting thing is witnessing Blake and Tina overcoming their fears and issues and getting closer.

The writing style is flawless, but maybe a little too descriptive at times for my taste and for the tone of the book. It’s a matter of personal taste here. But, I can say this without a doubt: this author is talented.

In the end, Tina and Blake are very alike, they’re good characters, have a nice chemistry and their romance is akin to those you can find in modern romantic movies. It’s a nice distraction, a refreshing contemporary romance from what I often read. I will read the next ones in the series.

What do you think of Blake? 

RATING: