Unavoidable Chance (Running Into Love #5) by Annalisa Nicole - @annalisanicole4

I knew Ava would fall good and hard, when she finally met the one for her.  Jax was unexpected and not what she imagined she would fall for.  He was running his own restaurant, raising two little girls and she wasn't thinking ready-made family, she was thinking making partner in her law firm by the age of 30.  But sometimes our best laid plans, sometimes get a kink in them for the better.

 

Jax was so perfect for Ava, he totally knew how to handle her and take care of her.  But don't let me make you think he was all sweet and lovey - no, he was hot, sexy and bossy too - all those good qualities wrapped up into one seriously sexy man.  Now these two just need to figure it all out.

 This really is a sweet romance about a woman, who knows that her priorities are a little out of whack - and then literally runs in to the man who helps her put what she always wanted to be first in her life - "family".  If you need a HEA story, then this series is definitely the one for you.  It never disappoints.

Breaking Free by Alexis Noelle

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.

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

 

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.

 

 

I'll Take a Chance (Running Into Love #2) by Annalisa Nicole

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed this story about two people finding each other unexpectedly and taking the chance at being happy and starting a new relationship.  Amelia is still dealing with the hurt her ex caused by his words and actions, and Kyle has been denying himself happiness since his twin sister disappeared.  They were the perfect pairing.

 

 

I could really feel how much Kyle was interested in seeing Amelia, wanting to spend as much time as possible together, but not wanting to move to fast and scare Amelia. The excitement of a new relationship and all those "butterfly" feelings between the two was fun to experience.  But just because there were alot of sweet moments - there were just as many hot, sexy moments that had me all hot and bothered!

 

 

Amelie was such a down to earth girl, you couldn't helf loving her and Kyle was definitely a catch - and he proved his loyalty and love throughout all the ups and downs that happened even at the beginning of their relationship.  It was good to get to know their other family members too - and I think I may have to go back and read the first book in this series - because I am surely looking forward to the next book about Adrian and Shay. 

The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez

Kaiya Marlow has always been cautious, precise in every decision she makes. When her dark past threatens to resurface, she decides to take precautions to protect herself by enrolling in self-defense classes at her gym.

Her instructor, Ryker Campbell, is the tattooed womanizer everyone warns about. Kaiya attempts to resist Ryker's advances, but the more time they spend training together, the harder it is for Kaiya to resist him.

Ryker's view on relationships is simple: strictly sex, nothing more. Haunted by demons from his past, he never allows himself to become attached to any woman. No attachment means no weakness, no vulnerability, no pain. He doesn't realize that his whole world is about to be turned upside down when Kaiya enters his self-defense class. Determined to have her, at least for one night, Ryker sets a plan into motion that will change both of their lives forever.

Will love be able to heal their scars, or are they too deep to overcome?

I really need to start this review by stating that if you are sensitive to the issue of sexually and physically abuse, specifically by a family member - than this book may not be for you.

The topic was definitely handled with care, but I feel the need to just put that warning out there.

Even after 8 years, since the “incident” – Kaiya is still dealing with the demons of the abuse she suffered growing up.  Her brother, Kamden has been her rock during this time.  He’s always been protective of his “Sorella”, sister, but he’s been even more so after the “incident”.  They live together – and he is always there to help chase the demons away, when they show.

Kaiya meets Ryker at the gym where Kamden works out at.  Attraction is immediate – but, she pushes it away because she knows he’s a player – and she’s sure he would never agree to all her rules about sex.  After a few encounters that get hot really quick – and usually end in her freaking out – Ryker is left confused what to do about this girl he can’t get out of his head.

Kaiya can’t deny her attraction to Ryker – and after joining a self-defense class, which Ryker happens to teach, she finds it even harder to keep her feelings for him at bay.  Ryker knows he’s affecting her, he’s sexy and loves to tease her – just to prove that she can’t deny what’s there.

 

But they both have trust issues.  Both have been hurt by people they loved and believed they could trust.  They both struggle with letting go – and giving each other a chance at finally opening up and trusting another person.

 Riker is so perfect for Kaiya – he’s so sweet, loving and sexy – and knows how to give her exactly what she needs emotionally and physically when she needs it.  He promises never to let anyone hurt her again – and she’s finally going to take the chance and believe him. 

 This was a beautiful story of a woman finding love and trust and becoming the true "Warrior" that she is, after being hurt in an unimaginable way.  Ryker was the man who stepped up to the plate, and helped her heal – not letting her run.  Their love would help heal all of their scars.

Fighting Love (Love to the Extreme #2) by Abby Niles

 

 

Tommy and Julie have been friends since she moved in next door to him and on the first day he was there he found her lost puppy and decided he would be her “knight” and she would be his “lady”.  For Julie though, she's always secretly loved Tommy as they grew up and became teenagers and adults, but she always kept those feelings to herself.

 

Best friends, always there for each other – honest to the core with each other, never backing down letting the other know how it really is – that’s the friendship they enjoyed over the years.  But, when Tommy has to move in with her because his house burns down – she’s having a hard time ignoring her feelings.  She's not alone, Tommy is freaking out because he is finally realizing the kind of feelings he really has for Julie, and they aren't "just friend" feelings.  She wants to cross the friendship line – he’s freaking out, and holding back.

 

 

This was a hot friend’s to lover’s story.  I wondered sometimes if it was ever going to happen or if it would even work out in the end, because sometimes crossing that line into a relationship is the worst thing that could ever happen – and then sometimes it’s the best idea in the world!