Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

Irish men are a complicated sort.  They'll knock you on your arse when you're not looking.

 

 

 Willa is on her way to Dublin, Ireland after winning the trip through a photography contest.  The trip comes at a perfect time - as she just broke it off with her "perfect" boyfriend of two years - and she feels the need to get away from all the reminders of him, and her feelings of not being ever what he really wanted or needed.  She wants to find her "old self" instead of the person she has been pretending to be for the past two years.

 

 

Shane is helping his mother and sister run his family's Inn and Bar after his father passed away six months ago.  It's not where he wants to be - he has other dreams he needs to chase, and is battling with his decision of how to handle the situation he's been put in.  Being trapped at the bar which reminds him too much of his father, is really not where he wants to end up.

 

I knew I was going to love Willa right from the beginning - especially with how she totally "sassed" Shane right back within minutes of meeting him at the airport - and then left him at the airport and got her own cab to the Inn.  Right from the start - there is the constant battle of wills and attitudes with these two - not to mention the sexual tension that radiates off of them.

"It's inevitable, Willa.  We are inevitable.  When you stop fooling yourself, come and find me."

 

Both are struggling with their life and decisions they have made that led them to where they are.  Both are trying to figure out who they are and where they actually belong.  Both are made for each other - but Willa feels guilty for having feelings for Shane so soon after her breakup with Evan, not to mention the fact that she's only in Dublin for a month.
 

Shane is just too irresistible and charming to resist - even though she tries her hardest to avoid him at all costs.  She finally gives in to her feelings - but there's still the question hanging in the background, of what will happen to them once it's time for her to go home.



 

Dammit, Willa.  I didn't see you coming.

 

 

I loved watching as Willa finally let go, and opens up herself to Shane - finally realizing that she wasn't "Unfixable" at all.  Loved this story.
 

 

 

Scarred By Love by C.A. Harms

 

 

Riley is a college girl healing from ending a relationship with an abusive ex.  She has four very protective brothers - and two loving parents.  She's finally ready to start living life again and return to college - so she moves in to an apartment with her best friend, Kate. 

 

Xander is finishing up college with an architectural degree, moonlighting in a band.  He's been dealing with the death of his mother who battled cancer.  To him, his father is just a "sperm donor" who never had a hand in raising him - but continues to force himself into his life.  The one constant in his life has been his best friend, Beth.

 

After a quick introdution - a cheese "stormy eyes" pick up line - Xander and RIley don't see each other for a couple of weeks.  It's actually Beth, Xander's friend who convinces Riley to come and see him play - and it's there they find out Xander knows Riley's brother.  Xander and Riley hit it off - the attraction is definitely there, and Riley is ready to take another chance with someone new.

 

 

Things seem to move fast with them - but Xander takes the lead to slow things down. He wants to make sure she knows he wants something more out of their relationship then sex. Oh man he is sweet - you can tell it's taking everything in him to control himself. He wants it to be perfect. They spend a lot of time getting to know each other alone - and with her friends and brothers and his friends.

 

There's one issue that keeps popping up though - and it's Beth, Xander's best friend. They are very close and comfortable with each other - while her boyfriend is used to this, Riley is not - and it's hard for her to accept sometimes. Xander tries to make her realize they are JUST friends, but she sometimes isn't sure - and the way Beth treats her at times, you have to wonder yourself. At times I really wanted to smack Beth - she was so rude to Riley.
 

  

Beth really becomes a thorn in their relationship - not only that, Xander has at times picked Beth over Riley - and continues to turn to Beth for emotional support - and not Riley.  It wasn't intentional on Riley's part, it's just how he's lived his life for years.  I worried whether Riley and Xander could work things out or not.

 

This was a sweet love story - about two people, trying to figure out how to move ahead with their lives - together, leaving the past behind, but not forgetting it.  Riley and Xander are both two amazing people - and you will love their story.  I sure hope that there are more books to come that include Riley's brothers!

A Season for Hope by Sarra Cannon

4 out of 5 Sizzling Stars

 

"I think it's time we both moved on, Bailey.  The past three years have been amazing, but I feel like I'm changing.  I want different things than I wanted a few years ago."

That's what Preston, Bailey's boyfriend for three years tells her the day before Thanksgiving.  Bailey is heart broken - skipping classes and missing work.  Luckily though she has an awesome best friend, Monica, as her roommate.

"Breaking up sucks balls.  I get it.  But there's more to life than Preston fucking Wright."  Monica

I really think Bailey knew that at the time, she's was stronger than she thought herself to be - and when she thought about the relationship she had with Preston, I think deep down she knew she was better off without him.  She decides to pick herself up and leave her apartment - her best decision ever!

"It's time, you did a good 'Bella Swan in the woods after Edward left' impression, now it's time to rejoin the land of the living and prove to him he made a huge mistake."  Monica

Going to work she literally runs into med student, Judd Kohler.... twice in one day - fate? karma?

See - good decision - and from there her life gets interesting and scary all at the same time.  Her feelings for Judd develop quickly, but it scares her - and she's unsure of herself.  This isn't a fling for Judd and he knows about her past relationship.

"I just didn't want you to wake up in the morning and feel like you'd made a huge mistake.  If I ever take you to my bed, I want it to be because you really want to be there.  And I don't want you to have any reason to regret it"  Judd

Really??? - Judd is proving himself to be awesome boyfriend material.

"It's amazing how fast someone can enter your life and start to change everything.  Amazing and terrifying all at once."  Bailey

I really enjoyed this book a lot.  I sometimes have a hard time getting into novella's because they are short and things seemed rushed - but not this story - I felt like I got a lot of history and the story actually moved at a pace that seemed believable.  I loved Judd and Bailey's story - it just shows that when you least expect something - sometimes that's when the very best things can happen. 

Catch My Fall by Ella Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 Sizzling Stars



**ARC kindly received from author in exchange for an honest review by the girls and I at www.sizzlingpages.com **

This was definitely a heart wrenching story at times - Mia's and Macy's story is one that will break your heart, as will Tristan's and Trace's - but along with Darby and their families you will be inspired by the strength all of them have as they face their past and look forward to a better future. It's not all drama though, there are plenty of moments to make you smile with "Stan and Mimi" - so grab a bunch of candy, lots of licorice and enjoy this great story of first love.


Check out more reviews and good times at www.sizzlingpages.com and follow us on twitter @SizzlingPages

View all my reviews

Courageous by Gloria Foxx
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definite 4.5 Stars

What a great, refreshing read - Abbi hasn't felt loved for the past 12 years, but she hasn't given up - she's trying to change and figure it all out. Dominic is so gentle and strong with her, but it isn't always easy for them - they both struggle with what is truly best for themselves and the other. A great story about first love.

View all my reviews