Signed by Marni Mann

 

BLURB

 

A one-night stand with James Ryne, the hottest actress in LA, was a night I’d never forget…

James: I can’t stop thinking about you.
Brett: I didn’t know America’s sweetheart was such a dirty girl.
James: It gets better.
Brett: You’re too young for me.
James: Eighteen’s the age of consent.
Brett: The things I want to do to you right now…
James: Are you ever going to tell me who you really are?
Brett: The best you’ve ever had. That’s all you need to know.
James: When are you coming back to LA?
Brett: Next week—and you’d better not be wearing panties.
Brett: What the hell did I just watch?
James: Oh my God, Brett! It’s going viral!
James: My life is ruined. My career. My reputation.
James: Are you there?
James: Will you let me explain?
James: Brett?
Brett: Forget everything I said before. Forget us.

I tried to forget her…until she walked into my office, begging to get signed.

 

Marni Mann’s Signed is a hot contemporary romance - “It was hotter. More intense.”  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, the struggle is real as James works through salvaging her career & reputation after a scandal of Hollywood proportions “…she was taking her situation by the balls, and she was trying to make it better.”  Brett is just the man for the job – but can he move past the instant attraction & reservations “…one of the things holding me back was her age…” to do what he does best?  Sexy & emotional, James is “Tired. Defeated. And sexy as f*ck.”  These characters are shaken by secrets, lies & betrayals.  Trust is tested & feelings are put on hold to focus on putting careers first, while managing matters of the heart.  The paparazzi are relentless in this tale of hot sex, lies & video tape. 

I love the way in spite of everything James isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.  That there wasn’t enough restraint for Brett to resist his attraction.  The supporting characters were sarcastic & funny. 

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Desire (Twisted Hearts Duet, book 1) by Max Henry

Synopsis 

Four simple rules when you’re a man on parole: 

1. Don’t lust after your best friend’s daughter. 

2. Don’t get into a physical fight over her. 

3. Definitely don’t f*ck her. 

4. And whatever you do, don’t fall in love. 

I have a bad habit of breaking rules.

My Review

Desire, book one of Max Henry’s “super angsty & taboo” Twisted Hearts contemporary romance duet will leave you ready for more.  Loaded with angst, “language” & some of the most lust filled romance-- you will not be able to put this book down.  This story really does have it all “Love, relationships, heartache, and suffering…” Realities of adulthood are realized “School’s out motherf*ckers- welcome to adulthood. Where mistakes are made, and dreams are shattered. Living the dream.”  Friendships are tried & torn apart “What the f*ck happened to Thelma and Louise? Seems Thelma found Brad Pitt is what.” only to be found again in those you’d least suspect.  Family bonds are tested & secrets, lies & betrayals are revealed in a surprising twist.  Mutual attraction – doesn’t even touch what these characters feel for one another “She was built to lie with me, and I was built to love her.”  Drawn together by the way “…you were the only one I saw. The only one who saw me, too.”  So incredibly sexy – “You taste like the best kind of sin, dove.”  Tormented by forbidden desires “…the warm kiss of a girl who could never be mine haunts me every hour of every day.” & the pain of rejection “The risk is too great, the chances too high. A fire that burns as bright as ours will barely last the night.”  Ultimate lessons of acceptance, sacrifice & never settling “Don’t settle. Always look for more.” 
 

I have to say, at the start I was hooked.  Then I began to question myself – that I was enjoying the story too much “It might not be wrong, but it isn’t exactly right either.”  By the end HOLY CRAP I couldn’t get enough of Belle & the way she lives in the moment & owns it.  Zeus with his fierce protective nature, oh my.  I simply can’t wait to see what book two brings because “I. Want. More.”

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan

The first time we met was at a party.
 

Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.

 

I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.

 

The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.

 

The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.

 

I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it.

 

You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.

 

I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be your adviser and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too.

 

xo, Zach

xo, Zach is a hot forbidden contemporary romance “God, why did the word forbidden make me feel even hotter?”  Told in first person from dual perspectives, full of sexual innuendo riddled banter, it is witty & funny “The truth was, the only thing that went down on me this weekend was my Wi-Fi.”  Surprisingly emotional at times ~ hopes of bringing meaning & purpose to each other’s lives.  You won’t be able to put this page turner down. 

 

As the assistant director of academic advising, Zach is a passionate writer in his own right.  His job is to ensure the success of the students he over sees - will he sacrifice a successful career & that of his newest advisee because of an off-limits attraction?  “We were supposed to be studying literature together. Instead I wanted to take her off the shelf, crack her open, and read the shit out of her.”  So very sexy, “Just looking at him made me feel like I’d committed a sin.” Poppy is a woman strong beyond her years – working hard for a life that is far from mediocre.  Ever-cautious to protect herself & those she holds most dear “We didn’t have much, but we had each other, and we had love.”  With “The constant look-but-don’t touch…” this story has so much angst!  A romance that is “Addictive. Enchanting. Impossible.”

 

With characters after my own heart -  “…both agreeing that the concept of having an actual favorite book was the most absurd idea we’d ever hard.”  I really enjoyed Zach’s close relationship with his “…adorably progressive.” mother.  Couldn’t get enough of our cheeky wordsmith, xo Zach!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

Sex, not Love by Vi Keeland

My relationship with Hunter Delucia started backwards.

 

We met at a wedding—him sitting on the groom’s side, me sitting on the bride’s. Stealing glances at each other throughout the night, there was no denying an intense, mutual attraction.

 

I caught the bouquet; he caught the garter. Hunter held me tightly while we danced and suggested we explore the chemistry sparking between us. His blunt, dirty mouth should’ve turned me off. But for some crazy reason, it had the opposite effect on me.

 

We ended up back in my hotel room. The next morning, I headed home to New York leaving him behind in California with the wrong number.

 

I thought about him often, but after my last relationship, I’d sworn off of charming, cocky, gorgeous-as-sin men. A year later, Hunter and I met again at the birth of our friends’ baby. Our attraction hadn't dulled one bit. After a whirlwind trip, he demanded a real phone number this time. So I left him with my mother’s—she could scare away any man with her talks of babies and marriage—and flew back home.

 

I’d thought it was funny, until the following week when he rang the bell at Mom’s house for Sunday night dinner. The crazy, gorgeous man had won over my mother and taken an eight-week assignment in my city. He proposed we spend that time screwing each other out of our systems.

 

Eight weeks of mind-blowing sex with no strings attached? What did I have to lose?

 

Nothing, I thought.

It’s just sex, not love.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans…  

Sex, not Love by Vi Keeland is a super sexy Contemporary Romance standalone.  Set on both coasts, Natalia & Hunter make a connection that unexpectedly sticks.  Natalia is doing the best she can to protect more than one delicate heart – while Hunter hasn’t let his truly feel for too long.  Both of them are holding on to a fear of relationships, even if for very different reasons.  But then again, “It’s not an adventure without a little fear.” 

Told in first person, from dual perspectives, with some flashback action- this is an angsty, funny, sweet, heartstring pulling & steaming hot read you won’t be able to put down.  “…extremely sexy. There’s some insane chemistry here, and I think we should explore it.”  SO FUNNY “Why am I attracted to assholes?”, “I’d just been schooled on life and love by a sixteen year old.” SO SEXY “I was eye to eye with his happy trail-and boy, did it make me happy.”  “It was so intimate, so passionate.”  These characters will wage a “…battle of head vs. heart.”, face their fears & decide whether or not to hold on to hope & take a chance.  And struggle to recognize that you don’t have to sacrifice in order to protect.  With beautiful family & friend ties along the way, sharing life lessons & wisdom “When you spend too much time looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong, you’re missing out on moving forward.” 

I love that these characters are both “…just as attractive inside as out.”  Natalia-such a strong, smart, loving woman, & Hunter OH HUNTER – forward & crude, easy going & open.  He is “A priest…” & one “…persistent man…” who you won’t be able to get enough of.

 "Life isn't about the big win. It's about the person you call first to tell that you've won."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

 

 

Infraction (Players Game #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

  

BLURB

 
Pro footballer Miller Quinton would do anything for his best friend and teammate—including “fake dating” his friend’s sister. What no one knows is that seven months ago in Vegas, Miller and Kinsey did a whole lot more than just kiss. Miller knows that this cheerleader is off-limits to him and any guy on the team. Still, he can’t stop himself.

Kinsey’s whole world is on the verge of crumbling. Her dad has cancer. Her overprotective brother is falling apart. Dating Miller may be a fake-out, but he’s the one guy who can make her forget about everything—including all the reasons she stayed away from football players. With each heated moment, Miller feels more like a safe place…even though he’s not safe at all.

Now temptation is testing every rule in the game of love. But how long can they go on playing when winning is a harder goal than either of them imagined?

 

MY REVIEW

Infraction, book two of Rachel Van Dyken’s sexy contemporary sports romance series, starts right where Fraternization left off… in Vegas, “the morning after” with Miller “…the hottest tight end with a tight end made for sin.” & his quarterback besties little sister, Kinsey “…off-limits little firecracker-“.  Will this third wheel to Fraternizations love triangle get his happy ending?  “Everything in life comes full circle. Everything.”

Told in first person from a triangle point of view – the range of this story limitless – you won’t want to put it down.  From secret keeping, lies by omission, to heartbreak, loss, sadness & betrayal, this story is surprisingly emotional with its focus on how “It’s important to use every minute of the life you’re given…” because “…the future is never certain.” Connections between lovers, friends & family are so incredibly strong ~ “That deep-pull. The connection that you feel without using words.”  All the while funny "He made his coffee strong enough that I was worried that one day I’d wake up with chest hair.", witty, incredibly sexy “God bless football, and God bless the V,…”, & heart felt “I had a spot, they always made sure I had a spot.” This is a story of love, shared grief & mourning, of overcoming “Hurt. Sadness. Anger.” & realizing the importance of living life to its fullest.  What happens when it’s time to lose control & share the responsibilities of “…protecting everyone and everything around you, fighting for what’s good, what’s right.” These characters work through their pasts & fears so they can “…have the heart of a lion.” & take a risk for a future with a full life & heart.  “The heart is strong. The heart can convince the body of anything. It can convince your mind of anything. Your heart allows you to be whatever you want to be, you just have to trust it.”

Another impressive read from Rachel, whose ability to deliver a perfect mix of angst, humor & emotion never fail.  I cried, did I mention I totally cried?  Such a beautiful combination of a hot romance with gut-wrenching, heartstring pulling grief & the ability to survive loss of the deepest kind.  “My body is giving up. But my soul is a fighter, so when I leave this earth, I want you to remember that even though my body’s broken, gone, dust, my soul’s free.”

“It may hurt, but it’s good. Life is good.”

So good – I’m hoping the next story will be a hero & his brazen little elf.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.


Amazon US/UK

The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde

       

I was just his best friend’s little sister.

But he was always more than that to me.

After twelve years of pining over Patrick’s easy smile, baby blues, and captivating charm, I decide to take matters into my own hands—and completely blow my chance.

Who knew a self-proclaimed manwhore would decide to be a gentleman the first time I’m naked in his bed? Definitely, not me. But when I land there again, neither of us has any intention of stopping.

There’s only one problem: nobody can know. Especially not my three older brothers. If they found out, all hell would break loose.

So I’m willing to keep our secret. Because I want him Wright here, right now. 
 

The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde is a Hot Contemporary Romance focuses on Morgan Wright.  Part of her Wright series, this is a standalone with cross-over characters from The Wright Brother, The Wright Boss & The Wright Mistake.  Morgan, following in the eldest Wright brother’s footsteps, she is “A slightly neurotic workaholic with a heart of gold.” who has been head over heels for her brother’s best friend for as long as anyone can remember.  A dangerous combination - “Soft and supple met hard and solid. It was temptation at its finest. The serpent’s apple dangling from a thread.”

Told in first person from dual perspectives, this page turning forbidden romance is full of flirty banter, funny sarcastic wit, angst & internal conflict of the heart.  So many emotions play out from “...friend-zoned…” rejection, to fear of “…screwing up a lifetime friendship…”, the struggle to find work-life balance, broken hearts & a surprising twist of new family betrayal “Blood didn’t always equal family.”  A sexy mix of seduction & romance, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away, “I see you. All of you,”…”I see you and feel you and want you.”, Close friendships transcend, "Bossy girls are strong. Bossy girls take over the world. Bossy is a compliment. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”  & family bonds continue to shine thorough “Family was always more important than things.” This story will have you blushing “The kiss was unimaginable, raw, and addictive” & laughing out loud one moment “I didn’t have another fake pageant girl smile. I only had resting bitch face and zero fucks to give.” & teary-eyed in the next “I hated crying to begin with.”…”Nothing was worth my expensive mascara.” – with twists you'll never see coming.  "Just appreciate what you have when you have it.”… “You don’t want to wake up one day and remember all the things you never said.”

 Another enjoyable read from Linde, whose ability to deliver a perfect mix of angst & emotion never fail.   I so enjoyed “Mini Wright” & the realizations these characters come to as the story progresses, the way they made each other a better person & turned each other’s world upside down!  Love the Wright family & the dynamic between them.

“It’s good. Feels like home.”

Hoping to see something soon for the youngest sibling…

  ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Most Likely to Score by Lauren Blakely

 

BLURB

It should have been a simple play…

She needed a football player to step up and be the star for a charity calendar. I needed a sharp and savvy publicist to manage a brand-new sponsorship deal. I scratched her back. She scratched mine. And oh hell, did Jillian ever drag her nails down my back on one hell of a hot night. Okay fine, it was several hot nights on the road.

Now we’re back in town and it’s time to set the play clock back to when we were simply player and publicist. Given the way the last few years have gone, I can’t risk this deal, so it's hands off for us once again. Trouble is, I want more than than just another night with her.

What’s a guy to do when he's always been most likely to score, but the woman he’s falling for is just out of bounds?

I don't date players.
And I definitely don't sleep with players.
And I absolutely don't fall for a certain player when I get to know him and learn he's more than just sexy -- he's clever, funny and has a heart as big as his . .. well, you get my drift.

But my job is at stake, and I can't afford to lose that as well as my heart. The problem is, I think I've already lost that game.

What's a girl to do when the clock is running out, but the man she's falling for is off limits?

My Review

Most Likely to Score is a funny & sexy read that compliments Lauren Blakelys’ Most Valuable Playboy with sports star Jones ‘The Hands’ Beckett story of forbidden love. 

“Be truthful. Be honest. And be prepared for the fallout.”

Told in first person from dual perspectives, this hot, sexy, no-strings-attached sports romance is full of funny, “…he makes a six-month –old puppy named Lulu fall for him. That dog might be my soul sister.” flirty banter & so much angst!  Secret crushes are realized, after getting to know each other in a new light, turning these two into “,,,secret – one-time clandestine lovers…”  Sweet & as sexy as it gets “The V. Dear God, the V.”  These characters are put to the test – as they venture into “…uncharted territory.” of the heart.  They must decide if it is worth the risk putting hearts, careers & reputations on the line “Sometimes, we have to take a chance even if the odds are we’re going to fall.”  Full of strong family bonds “The least we can do is take care of the ones who took care of us.” & friendships “I’ve got your back. I always do.” & surprising “…moments that melt my heart.”   

“A reminder to keep making your own luck.”  

Hoping we get to read more about Harlan & Katie

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Prince Charming by CD Reiss

 

Synopsis

Keaton Bridge is exactly the kind of guy a straight-arrow like Cassie doesn’t need.

For one thing, he’s a criminal—and she fights crime for a living. And being criminally handsome isn’t helping her say no, either. Everything about him screams trouble, from his British accent to his mysterious past.

And Cassie doesn’t do trouble.

Keaton’s got his own trouble. He’s trying to go legit, and an FBI agent hanging around is the last thing that will help his credibility. All it took was one night of passion to sear her into his skin. Now he can’t imagine living happily ever after without her.

All they have to do is walk away.

But neither of them ever walks away from danger.

 

 My Review

Prince Charming is part of CD Reiss’ Silicon Valley series & is a story I’ve been waiting for since I read the first book, Kind of Code.  These books are standalone & although you don’t necessarily have to read them ‘in order’, I do recommend it.  Like King of Code, Prince Charming is so sophisticatedly written – flowing smoothly turning this into a quick read for a finish that happened all too fast. 

Told in first person, from dual perspectives, this story is full of intrigue with Keaton- a genuine international man of mystery - it is smart, “Everything about him is calculated and deliberate.” & funny with its cheeky banter & extraordinarily sexy “I can smell her. Vanilla and gunpowder. My God. She’s made of candy-coated bullets.” romance.  There are twists & turns before secrets are revealed, all the while spinning an unexpectedly hot romance “I come so hard I have to bite back a scream that might scare my grandmother.” full of emotions that are “…complex, real and intense.”  Keaton & Cassie are laser focused, with plans to attain the futures they’ve strived toward for years – goals that neither of them ever thought would or could change.  With wonderfully strong family, friendships & loyalties “There are some things I don’t talk about. Not with my best friend. Not even with those in my family with the same secrets.”  Ultimate struggle between Truth & Reality…who can you trust – at what cost?  “…peel back the danger, the sharp edges, the puzzles…” & enjoy every minute!

 

 I love the push and pull between Keaton & Cassie as they work through where their loyalties truly lie.  Couldn’t get enough of Keaton’s “…hot sense of protectiveness.”  I feel smarter just from reading it!  “Being around him is like stepping into a world where every part of my body is sending data to my brain.”  Love supporting characters like Cassie’s grandmother & the way they exude the power of strength & perseverance in spite of what the world has dealt “My grandmother conned me into being my best self when I was on the path to becoming someone completely different.”

Looking forward to – White Knight, Catherine & Chris’ story coming this summer.

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK