Cruel Water by Freya Barker - @freya_barker

Wow, it's kind of hard to know where to start with my review.  This book left me feeling full, satisfied, unbelievable honored that I had the chance to read this touching story.  I absolutely loved this story.  At times it brought tears to my eyes, other times it made me laugh and chuckle, and then there were those moments with Viv and Ike that made me all tingly.  It's not an easy story at times to read at all - because there are a lot of things that come up that could cause "triggers" for some readers.  But, it gripped me, and once I started reading, I could not put it down.

I'll start with Viv.  I loved Viv - who she was, what she believed in, how unbelievably strong she was .  She was a survivor in every sense of the word.  You couldn't help but cheer her on, shed a tear for her, want to hold her close and celebrate with her all her victories.  I was so proud of her.

Then there's Ike.  Isaac.  Talk about a fine specimen of a man.  I'm not just talking about his appearance, I'm talking about the true man that he was.  How he handled Viv was perfection.  He knew just when he should stand beside her, behind her, or lead the way for her.  The care he took with her feelings warmed my heart, and made me fall in love with him along with Viv.

 I don't want to give much of this story away - it should be read and experienced by each person reading - learning of Viv and Ike's past life and their future as they go.  Their authentic story felt so real - the way situations were handled and dealt with were actually how things really happen in life.  The secrets, the facing the truth, the denial, the owning up, the repairing of relationships and the moving forward were perfectly handled and I could see this as a real life story.  Please, definitely take the time to read this amazing story, I don't think you will be disappointed at all.

Risking It All (Crossing the Line #1) by Tessa Bailey - @mstessabailey

Bowen is the best kind of Anti-hero type man.  He's tortured by what he must do, yet tries to find a way to make the best of his situation, and find a way out of his predicament.  Plus, he's sexy, dangerous, demanding, caring, protective, and has a hidden talent that many don't know about.

With a proposition, which he really doesn't have a choice to turn down - he finds himself trying to help Sera get out of the precarious undercover position she got herself in to.  The problem is Sera doesn't know that Bowen's there to help her.  She's stubborn and determined to get the information she needs.  She's going to use Bowen's help to get what she needs - luckily she gets even more, when they both give in to the attraction and let the sparks fly.

I don't want to give away too much of the ending - since there's some twists and turns - and Bowen and Sera are faced with some facts that could destroy everything between them.  This story kept me anxiously turning the pages, anticipating what would happen next.

This book is definitely an insta-love read, which at times had me doubting things, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the story.  And, while sometimes I wished I remembered more of Bowen's back story from "His Risk to Take" which was Ruby and Troy's story - it wasn't necessary that you read that book before this one.  Even with both of those things, I am still looking forward to the next book and getting Connor's story.

Ready or Not (Ready #4) by J.L. Berg - @authorjlberg

I have a lot of book boyfriends - I'll admit it - but let me tell you, I'm throwing them all to the side - because Jackson Reid is my perfect man.  I dare you to disagree with me, and try to find a flaw with him, because you won't.

Jackson, a single father to Noah, moves in next door to Liv.  From the very first day he moves in is where the adventure of their relationship starts.  With a little bit of a rocky start as neighbors - these two become fast friends and then something way more.

I enjoyed watching Liv and Jackson's relationship grow.  It felt real and authentic, and grew at a pace that was actually believable.  I definitely laughed at some of their antics towards each other, but it all was in good fun which only brought them closer.  They were definitely perfectly made for each other.

Jackson was just so awesome, with his sense of humor, his love for his son, his caring gentle ways with Liv - I could gush about him for hours.  He just knew when to give Liv her space, and when to be right at her back protecting and taking care of her.  Oh, and he was the perfect amount of bossy when it mattered too! 

Liv has been estranged from her family the past eight years.  She wasn't living up to the standards her mom and dad had hoped for.  So Liv broke the ties, and was living her life, and doing what her heart wanted, and succeeding very well.  The one area where she kept closed off though, was with men, she just never let a man in to her heart, and had no plans on it.  But, her new neighbor and his son quickly changed that.  Liv didn't only get Jackson in this relationship, she also got Noah, a wonderful, caring boy, who will steal your heart - who she nurtured and loved just like he was her own son.

 I absolutely adore this series and J.L. Berg's writing style.  She never disappoints, and her books always leaves me feeling good and happily satisfied when I finish them.  If you need a beautiful love story series, with little angst, but lots of steam and great characters, than this series is definitely for you.

Best Man with Benefits (Wedding Dare #4) by Samanthe Beck

 Sophie crushed on Logan the first time she saw him fourteen years ago when he was Colton's roommate his freshman year in college.  Even though she was eight years younger than him at the time, and hasn't seen him now for years - she knew immediately when she saw him again - she was still "crushing" on him.

 

Logan was shocked when the hot, petite woman he had approached turned around and it was Sophie - Colton's little sister.  The last time he saw her, she was still a teenager, but now he was appreciating the way the years changed her body.  He was especially glad that Colton had asked him to watch out for her during their stay at the resort the week before the wedding.  Keeping Sophie occupied was not going to be an inconvenience in any way for him.

 

As these two spend time together, Logan slowly helps Sophie battle her insecurities, and come out of her shell.  To say Sophie surprised me, is an understatement.  I didn't think she had that "boldness" in her, but she sure did surprise Logan.  I wanted to cheer "You go girl!!"  Logan was definitely shocked with Sophie's "forward" advances - but he was not complaining.  It gave him the perfect opportunity to explore their feelings for each other.  He just didn't know how to tell Colton, and he had to figure out how to find time with running his company, and starting a relationship with Sophie.

 

 

Even though Logan really gave no reason for Sophie to doubt his feelings for her, she still had them.  Her insecurities still plagued her and she thought he was interested in the other bridesmaids, that she just wasn't pretty or thin enough for him.  Then she overhears him talking to Colton - and other assumptions are made.  She doesn't even give him a chance to explain things.  Once again it takes some advice from friends and family to straighten things out.

 

I'm still trying to decide who my favorite couple is, and I've realized they are all so different - that I just can't choose. I really loved the ending to this wedding series, enjoying all the different personalities of the all the different characters.  I was glad there was more of the wedding in this book and enjoyed the epilogue that followed gave us more snippets into everyone's lives.

 

If you're looking for a series that is

 

then this series is definitely for you!

 

Baiting the Maid of Honor (Wedding Dare #2) by Tessa Bailey

Hold on a second here - I need a moment or two to compose myself from enjoying all of Reed's dirty talking!  Wow - I'm almost speechless, and I think I can say, that I found my perfect groomsman from Kady and Colton's wedding party.  Reed is the one for me!  Hold on tight girls, Reed is going to make you get all hot and bothered, and then some!

Reed is an unexpected fill-in for a groomsman for the wedding party, and he and Julie are paired together.  Talk about opposites! 

Julie is a good, sweet, Southern girl.  Raised with perfect manners, a smile always on her face, always the pleaser, putting others needs first - taking care of everything and everyone.

Reed is...well, not romantic, rough, a dirty talker with tattoos and scars, doesn't do the romantic afterglow, doesn't cuddle or reassure, doesn't give out sweet nothings. 

 

"What can I say? I'm an emotionless son of a bitch."

 

So, just imagine these two together.  I don't want to give too much of their explosive relationship away, because you really need to read it to experience it enjoy it yourself.  But I won't leave you totally hanging - here are some of my favorite lines.

 

 

 

 

For two people so opposite and who "don't know who they are" with each, it's completely obviously these two are meant for each other!

With each book I love this series more! 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearts in Harmony (Five Senses #2) by Gemma Brocato

 

I went into this book really not knowing what to expect, especially since this was only the second book written by this author, and let me tell you I have to say I was extremely glad I took the chance and read Hearts in Harmony.

 

Pippa is a widow with six year old twins, Mason and Mia.  She became a widow when her husband was killed in the military while she was just a few months pregnant with the twins.  Her life has been consumed with taking care of her children and putting them first.

 

Clay comes to town every year before Christmas to help his mom with her Christmas tree farm during the busy season.  His job as a novelist and security consultant for the government makes his traveling easy, since he can work from any location.  This year though, he's been in town longer because his mom suffered a stroke during the summer - and he is staying in town until she recuperates and can move back home.

They first meet under less than favorable circumstances in a cemetary - and let me say that Clay was not exactly a "smooth talker" during his first couple of conversations with Pippa.  Actually, I was shocked she just didn't give him a good smack - or kick in the shin!

 

Their lives suddenly start to intermingle more - and the attraction and sparks can't be denied between the two of them.  Both have their own issues for not getting involved in a relationship - but these two are drawn together.

I loved the way that Clay was with Pippa's children - he truly enjoyed spending time with them and doing things with them - it wasn't just a ploy to get to their mother.  I love a big, strong sexy man showing his gentle side with kids.  Clay was so protective of all them - and he was starting to doubt whether he would be able to leave town again when his mom got healthy. 

 

 

Honestly there is so much to love in this book.  The military storyline with a little suspense, the different relationships between Clay and Pippa, her kids, and his mother, the mother who struggles raising her children alone-deciding when to start living again after the death of a spouse, and even how music therapy can help stroke patients.  This book kept me wrapped in it the entire time.  I haven't read the first book in the series, but definitely plan to go back and read that, and look forward to more from this author.