Worth the Risk (The McKinney Brothers #2) by Claudia Connor - @Claudia__Connor

I liked Hannah instantly.  I loved what she did for a living, and the care and love she had for the people that she helped.  How she took what she was handed in life and made something good out of it.  It also helped that she has some hot, protective brothers looking out for her!

Stephen was hard to like at first, but I have to say he did grow on me.  He isn't one of those perfect Alpha males - and to be honest, I still like his brother Matt better.  This doesn't mean he was a bad person, he just let what happened with his finance harden him, and his walls were harder to break down.

Stephen and Hannah's relationship is not easy, and it really takes some hard work on both parts to get through it all.  I seriously wondered if they would make it at times.  But, have no fear, you will get your HEA - and included in that you get more of Matt, Abby and all the kids and other family members.  Once again, looking forward to the next McKinney's story.

Worth the Fall (McKinney Brothers #1) by Claudia Connor - @Claudia__Connor

Devoured. That's what I did with this book. I really had a hard time putting it down and go to work. I wanted to see if Matt would finally make his move. I wanted to know if Abby would be able to let herself be loved, and not be afraid of not being good enough, or having someone leave to never return. Then there were Abby's four kids, who I immediately fell in love with.  I wanted to see what cute thing they would say or do next, and watch them as they learned to love and trust Matt too.

Matt definitely got more than he bargained for on his trip to the beach when he met a pregnant Abby and her four amazing children.  He was immediately mesmerized by Abby's charming children and taken aback by Abby's beauty and kindness.  Too bad he had commitments that would only allow them a "friendship" during their week at the beach.  But, let me just say, the sexual tension between these two during this week was crazy!  I was screaming to myself "just kiss her already!!"

When they both get back to real life after their vacation is over, is when they truly realize just how much they've bonded and miss each other.  Even the kids can't get Matt off their minds - they want to see him again.  Between the distance, Matt's job and Abby's fear to let someone in - they have a lot to overcome to finally be together.

This was a sweet, beautiful love story that had me entranced the whole time. I think what made really fall for Matt was the way that he handled Abby's children.  He took great care with each of them separately, and totally opened his heart up to them along with Abby.  I totally fell in love with Matt, Abby, Annie, Jack, Gracie, Charlie and Baby Mary and I'm sure you will too.  Absolutely looking forward to the next book in this series!

Tamed (Tangled #3) by Emma Chase - @emmachse

If you enjoyed the first book in the Tangled series - then you are definitely going to love Matthew and Dee's story.  Their story goes along the same timeline as when Kate and Drew started out, but you get their side of things and how they got together and became a couple.

After the second book in the Tangles series, which was so angsty to me - I was so glad that this book had way less drama and was just an enjoyable light-hearted love story - with just a little trouble from Dee!!  These two together had me laughing at times, as Dee sure gave "clit-boy" (a.k.a. Matthew) a run for his money.  She was sure she couldn't "do" relationships and wanted casual - but Matthew was going to show her that she was wrong.

Matthew really tried to prove himself to Dee as he battled her constant insecurities, trying to continually show her that he was there for the long haul.  I actually felt bad for him at times, because you could really feel the depth of his feelings for her - and she just couldn't grasp or trust those feelings.  Luckily, Dee finally realized what Matthew really meant to her.

I loved the humor in this book the most - and these two people together were classic.  A great romance that will have you smiling along the way!!

Grace for Drowning by Maya Cross

When I saw the cover for this book, I really thought, without reading the synopsis, that this was just going to be another story about an MMA Fighter finding the girl of his dreams.  But, let me tell you that the story went so much deeper than that.  This was a story about two people struggling because of events that have happened in their life, and addictions that haunt them on a daily basis.

I totally fell in love with Logan.  It was more important to Logan to be a good, caring friend to Grace first - before daring to think that they could become something more.  He knew she was struggling, and he was going to do his damnedest to help her overcome her addiction.  He knew personally how it could destroy a person.

They tried to fight the attraction, but it was too strong to ignore - and when they came together the first time - WOW!!  Grace finally opened up about her past with Logan, and with his help, she started to heal, and find ways to occupy her time instead of drinking. His encouragement and attention was so sweet and endearing.  He always seemed to keep her best interests first.  That is until another situation occurs - and this time it's Logan who needs someone to help him out of the darkness.  Grace just has to dig down deep and see if she has the strength to be there for him this time.

I truly enjoyed Grace and Logan in this book.  After all Grace had been through, she truly was a strong person deep down inside - and it showed through at the end.  Then of course there is Logan, what else can I say about him, as I've already gushed over him enough.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this beautiful story about two people helping and healing each other through the difficulties that life throws at them.

Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2) by Alice Clayton

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!

In Your Corner (Redemption #2) by Sarah Castille

Jake and Amanda - two years ago they had an intense couple months together, but then Amanda got scared, she doesn't do serious.  Amanda was focused on becoming a partner in her law firm, trying to become what her father always wanted - she didn't have time for a relationship, she just wanted the physical.  The problem was when she ended things with Jake, she realized then that there were some of her emotions involved with him - she felt things for him that she hadn't for anyone else.  But that was over now, it's been two years - but the moment she unexpectedly meets him as a prospective client - everything comes rushing back for her, all the memories and feelings.  Unfortunately, it ends with her having to decline him as a client, and him walking away.  And that's just where the worst day ever begins...

 

But sometimes, what you think is the worst thing to happen - becomes an open door to so much more, and that's exactly what happened to Amanda.  Luckily the door also opened up to more encounters with Jake, and oh man, these two togethew - phew! - smoking hot!!

 

Oh man, I love Jake.  As I read, all I could think about was "what the heck was Amanda thinking ever letting him go!"  Sometimes I really wanted to smack her too, with the way she would push him away, because to me - seriously, Jake was "The Man" the total package and then some!  This wasn't a man in it for a good time, he wanted it all.

 

 

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much Amanda frustrated me, until she finally came to the realization of what she had to do to make Jake realize that she was going to take a chance with their relationship.  Not only did she have to take a chance with Jake, she needed to take a risk with her career and give forgiveness to her parents.  She definitely had some tough choices to make.

 

"My life is better with you in it." - amanda

"You have me, all of me." - jake

 

Sarah Castille is definitely one of my "must read" authors.  I enjoy this series so much, what's not to love about some hot mma fighters - plus there are so many other characters we got to know in this book that I need to learn more about.  I really can't wait to see who the next book will be about... honestly I'm hoping that it's about Ray!

 

 

 

Twisted (Tangled #2) by Emma Chase

 

I have to admit - I was nervous about reading this book. I loved the first book, and was glad how things ended with Drew and Kate - I really didn't think another book needed to be written about them. Well, I can admit when I'm wrong - and I was so wrong thinking they didn't have more of a story to tell.

I don't want to give much of the story away with the review - but let me just say, in typical Drew fashion - you will be wanting to knock him up-side the head, or maybe kick him in the junk.  But, Kate isn't totally off the hook here in the issues that arise in their relationship. Misunderstandings, assumptions and a lack of communication create a firestorm for them.

This book is told from Kate's POV, unlike Drew's in the first book - but have no fear, you still get all the crazy family and friends, all the funny jabs at each other, a few tears and of course - lots of money for the swear jar! The epilogue is pure Drew and from his POV - and the perfect way to end the story, especially seeing as he always has to have the last word!