Friday, June 27, 2014

Breaking Free by Alexis Noelle

Breaking Free
I love to throw in a shorter read in between all my longer, more in depth stories, but I usually don't expect much out of the story lines.  But Drew and Holly in Breaking Free caught me by surprise and captured my interest immediately - and had me totally loving this story.

Drew was definitely as described; self-centered, cocky, and definitely not prince charming.  He was dominating, controlling and protective.


Holly was just existing, still affected by an attack a few months ago.  She hadn't shared what had happened with friends and family and couldn't stand to be touched by anyone.  That was until Drew touched her.  With him she could be feel "free" and feel like she was "normal" again.

I love when a bad boy who doesn't do relationships falls face first for a girl. I loved how Drew might not have admitted his true feelings at first, even denied them - but his actions sure spoke volumes.
Holly had a lot to deal with - scared of what happened in the past, afraid to share it - even though she knew she'd have to tell Drew everything soon.  She just didn't know how he would handle it.  I felt her confusion as she struggled with what she was feeling, and if she was making the right decisions with her relationship with Drew or heading to another mistake that this time would totally destroy her.

I loved all the different characters in the story, especially Drew's sister and mom - who gave Holly some sage advice.  Holly just didn't know that it would really matter in the end.


If you need a shorter read - but with lots of depth and a great story - that includes a hot, sexy controlling guy - then definitely pick this one up for a great summer or anytime read!  I'm definitely going to be checking out this authors other books for sure.




Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2) by Alice Clayton


Rusty Nailed (Cocktail, #2)

This story is the continuation of Wallbanger and Pink Nightie Girl's story (aka Simon and Caroline).  It's a super light read, with little drama that basically takes them through the ups and downs of their relationship and career, as both grow and change in ways they never imagined.

Was I blown away by this story? - No, but it was a sweet follow-up that included some back story on Simon, all their crazy friends, some good laughs, a few banging walls, Caroline's hot boss's husband, and Clive the cat.
Perfect for an easy summer read!



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Overwhelmed by You (Tear Asunder #2) by Nashoda Rose

Overwhelmed by You (Tear Asunder, #2)
Before I started reading, I wondered if this book was going to be able to live up to the first book in the series, Logan and Emily's story. Luckily, I realized a couple pages into the book, that I had absolutely nothing to worry about.   Reams and Kat's story had me in its grips the entire time - and it sealed the deal, putting Nashoda Rose on my list of "must read" authors.

There is so much to Kat and Ream's story, so much from their past and current issues that will even affect their future - it kept me entranced and guessing what would happen next the whole time. I could barely put the book down, especially the last half - when the angst picked up and got my heart racing, as I wondered what would happen next.


I'm not going to recap anything in my review or talk about anything specific that happened during the book - because I think in doing so it would take away from your pleasure of experiencing their relationship for yourself.  You need to feel their anticipation, joy, fear, dread, and hope.  You need to read this and go through all the ups and downs with them - experience the laughs and the heartache of both Ream's and Kat's life, including their past, present and possibly their future.


Absolutely Loved It!



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Against the Cage (Worth the Fight #1) by Sidney Halston

Against the Cage (Worth the Fight, #1)

For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer... in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.


I really enjoyed this light, hot read.  I laughed so much just picturing Chrissy "hand" over her license and insurance to the "officer" and accidentally bringing him to his knees with that action.


Chrissy wasn't a love-struck teenager anymore.  She was a woman now, and not naive and defenseless like before.  Even if she was still totally smitten with Jack, she was not going to let him trample her heart.  She was in town to bail out her brother - get her money back and leave.  Having a fling with Jack wasn't on the agenda.

Jack wasn't going to miss this opportunity with Chrissy.  After eleven years, she had grown into a beautiful woman, and he wanted a shot at her.  He could feel the attraction between the two of them, and Jack being the smooth, dirty talker that he was - took the first opportunity to make his move and get her all flustered. Geeze, he even got me all flustered with his dirty talk!
Chrissy had so many things to work through on her trip home.  Not only did she have this whole new "relationship" with Jack happening, she had to reconcile a few issues with her brother.  Once she could work some things out - maybe things would become more clear about what decisions she should make for her future.  The problem was, she felt like running again - but Jack was not going to let her stay away again.  He knew she was definitely "worth the fight".


I loved Jack so much in this book, he was a good sport, and he definitely had a great sense of humor.  I loved how he didn't mess around with telling her how he felt about her, showed his interest right away - before she ran again.  And, how could you not love a man named Jack Daniels, with a Chihuahua for a pet that was part pit-bull.
If you're looking for a sweet, spicy romance this book is for you.




Sunday, June 8, 2014

Second Chance (Running Into Love #3) by Annalisa Nicole

Second Chance (Running Into Love, #3)
 
I always know that I will get a both happy and sad tears with this series, and Adrian and Shays story did not leave me dry-eyed.
 
Teenage sweethearts who got married after graduation, planning on attending college together, excited about the life ahead of them.  Unfortunately an argument, a car accident, and over hearing some conversations - unexpectedly divides these two permanently.  That is until 17 years later, when fate steps in and these two literally run into each other again, bringing back up all the pain and questions about what really happened back then.
 
 
Shay had come back to town to take care of her mother who had a stroke.  She knew there was the possibility of running into Adrian or his family, she just didn't know she would end up working with him.  Seeing him was breaking her heart all over again.  Sure, she was the one who ran, but she had her reasons - even if he didn't know all of them.  She knew Adrian and his family blamed her for everything.
 
Shay was not the same person from 17 years ago.  She had lost her spark, and Adrian needed to find out why - along with why she just took off 17 years ago without any explanation.  He's determined to find the answers because he still loves her, never stopped, and he's thinking this could possibly be their second chance at love.
 
 
Oh, my heart broke so badly for both of them - for all the things that Shay felt 17 years ago.  I could really understand her actions and pain - especially realizing that she was so young at the time, and didn't know what to do.  I could also understand all the questions Adrian had, and was so glad he was bound and determined to not let her run again - and get all the answers he needed.
 
 
I absolutely loved this story.  I enjoyed watching Adrian and Shay find their way back to each other, giving and accepting forgiveness, rediscovering the people they are now, and moving forward creating a new life together again.  I love how we get to experience all their ups and downs, not just with Shay and Adrian, but with the entire Wellington family and their extended friends.  This is a beautiful series and I am anxiously awaiting for Chloe and Max's story.
 
 

Saturday, June 7, 2014

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

Best Man With Benefits (Wedding Dare, #4)
 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!