Consequence of Rejection (Consequence #4) by Rachel Van Dyken

BLURB

You know the universe is trying to tell you something when you get struck by lightning, but only after getting hit on by the elderly, almost getting ran over by a semi, and running into the one who got away.
Why do they say it like that anyway?
Like I accidentally lost her when she was the one that got in the car with my best friend and left me.
The day after I proposed.
We were eighteen.
I wanted forever.
She didn't.
It's been ten years.
I tried to move on, tried to get married, had that same wedding crashed by my now best friend who says the only way for me to stop pissing off the universe, is to gain closure with the one woman I can't forget.
So I do it.
I embark on a journey down memory lane that not only lands me in prison but on the receiving end of a fist fight in front of the entire town, this naturally happens after drunken pool sex, climbing the same girls window, and getting threatened at gunpoint by her father.
To say the universe is trying to tell me something anything, is a giant understatement.
I just hope I survive the message.
And then, I hope I survive her--again.

MY REVIEW

 

The Consequence of Rejection by Rachel Van Dyken is a Romantic Comedy from her Consequence series.  Although completely fine to read as a standalone, without having read the previous in the series - this is the first in the series for me & I really enjoyed it.  I will say however that I’ll be circling back to read book 3 of the series, especially after Max-the oh-so tough to love friend, had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.  “This is a good time for you to run along and grab some popcorn, because things? They’re about to get good.”

 

This is a story of best friends, turned high school sweethearts.  From a small town, these two fall victim to the rejection of young love, loss & hearts broken out of uncertainty & insecurities…left lost, out of pride “I drove away from him and left my heart on his front porch.”  Fast forward ten years to find Jason-aka officer friendly & Maddy-the literal girl next door, living lives they hadn’t imagined, only to cross paths once more “Everything was the same. And yet. Everything had changed.”  Funny, sexy & emotional at times “…both my heart-and my savior.”, this quick read with hot chemistry & fierce friendships, ensures laughs throughout, “Now go get your woman and stop crying during ESPN. It’s pathetic.”  In pursuit of closure, understanding & forgiveness, so these two can move on with their lives “…this wasn’t about rekindling anything. It was about ending it.” to come to thoughts of exploring the risks of handing over your heart again.  “I’ve never hated, and loved, someone so much in my entire existence.” 

Ultimately – “It’s about Jason either getting closure, or getting his girl.”

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

 

 

Born Sinner (Se7en Sinners #1) by S.L. Jennings

BLURB

Twenty-two years ago, I was cut from a cold, sodden womb, and cradled in the filth and poverty of Chicago’s concrete arms. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to survive these streets past the age of eighteen.

Fate had a different plan.

I was bred for one purpose and one purpose only: to unleash death and destruction on my world.

My thoughts are power.

My words are weapons.

Evil created me then grace tried to save me. But first… they tried to kill me.

They call themselves the Se7en. They are sin and salvation, and everything we’ve feared from the beginning of time. And their leader is the deadliest of them all.

He doesn’t lose.

He doesn’t compromise.

And most importantly, he doesn’t distract himself with mortal weakness.

Not until me.

Kill one to save a million.

That’s what he told me when he took me as his prisoner.

Kill one to save a million.

That’s what he’s been trying to tell himself ever since he took me into his arms.

MY REVIEW

Born Sinner by S.L. Jennings, the first book in her Se7en Sinners series.  Told in third person, from dual perspectives, & set on the south side of Chicago - this paranormal romance hits the ground running.  Action, mystery, disturbingly evil with erotically steamy moments that “…could melt the bulletproof glass just by squeezing my thighs…” ~ all will leave you squirming in your seat.  “Sinful yet sweet.”  Friendships are forged, only to expose betrayals of the deepest kind.  “…steeped in secrets and myth…”  Protectors, possession & love are found between the born sinner & ambassador of evil “You were bred for destruction. I was sent to stop you.” during a time where they are “…different, yet kindred in so many ways.”- in pursuit of an ever evolving purpose – to save human souls “Lost souls like him…and me.”  A story of trust, forgiveness, saving souls & becoming worthy of salvation, of power “It’s what you do with that power that sets you apart.”  The ultimate battle of light versus dark – where Eden “…would stand and fight, despite her mortal weakness. Despite her destiny. She would fight…” Secrets & a shocking fate are revealed, with a cliffhanger that will have you ready for more.  Be ready to “…to usher in the End of Eden.”, book two of the Se7even Sinners series.

“We’re all sinners…Some of us just sin differently than others.”

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

AMAZON US/UK

Confessions: Robbie by Ella Frank

 

 

BLURB
Relationships are complex. Love ever-changing. And when it comes to rules of the heart, they were made to be broken…

That’s what Robert Antonio Bianchi was telling himself, anyway. Otherwise, he really had no excuse for what—or who—he’d done.

No excuse, except for his lonely heart, a pitcher of margaritas, four Bitter Bitches, and the apparent need to confess all his weaknesses to the two men he knew would bring him nothing but trouble.

But trouble was nothing new.

Just ask his crazy sisters or any of his friends, and they’d be the first to tell you: If there was a bad decision to be made, Robbie always had a knack for making it.

And thus begins the story of the priest, the princess, and the prick.

Confessions: Robbie, from Ella Frank, such an anticipated Contemporary M/M/M Romance read – will have you hooked right from the dedication!  Starting right where we left off with Robbie in Ella’s Temptation series - A story of three very different personalities, from “…the most stoic bastard Robbie had ever met,” to “French. Gorgeous. Flirtatious.” & “…loud, proud, and fucking fabulous, right down to his matching magenta Oxfords.”  You’ll find a funny “Gays, Girls, and Italians. We could keep the phone companies in business for life.” & sexy mix of love, family, friendship & dedication that extends beyond.  A deliciously unorthodox “complicated, jagged puzzle” of a relationship, with “…an intensity he’d never felt before and, yeah, okay, it’s totally hot.” where there is no going back from hot “…gripping sex” -not that you’d want them to. – Journey to let go & be yourself, revealing all, to take a chance on yourself & others…no regrets. “Regrets only happen when you aren’t brave enough to try something that scares you.”  Emotional & satisfying, yet leaving you ready to learn more about these characters – the ghosts that haunt them, the baggage they carry & all that makes them the men they are.

 

My natural attraction to assholes makes it impossible not to be instantly addicted to Priest.  Add in his devilish grin, genuine heart & protective nature – yeah, no going back.  I love Robbie, his “perfect blend of sass and sex…” & his family of strong Italian women. Julien honest & intense – always feeling so much.

Thank you Ella for the cameo with “…the best first love a boy could ask for…” 

Looking forward to the second book in the Confessions series, coming May 2018

~Confessions: Julien~

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US/UK

 

Possessive by Willow Winters

Blurb

Some men are born with a black heart and a tainted soul.
I never liked to admit it back then; I thought I could outrun who I am and lie to myself.
But I accept the truth now.

It’s in my blood and in my bones. In every impure thought and desire.
I tried to leave. To do the right thing and walk away from my past.
But then she came back into my life.

Stumbling towards me and looking up at me as if I’m the one she’s been looking for all this time.
As if I could be her savior and take her pain away.
If only she knew.

She turns me into what I hate most about myself.
Selfish, ruthless, possessive.
I tried to be a good man. To be cold and distant and warn her away.

She should have taken the hint and run.
She didn’t…
And now she’s mine.

MY REVIEW

 

Possessive by Willow Winters, a contemporary romance that is edgy & emotional, sexy & suspenseful.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives with flashbacks throughout – you’ll find darkness & desire “…she’s the only addiction I’ve ever had and the only one I desire.” in this will they, won’t they forbidden romantic suspense “He makes me hot and cold at the same time.”  A story of first love, “…fall in love with someone who loves you back just a little more.”, finding a home, finding a family to call your own, with the love & security that comes with it.  Only to be struck down by loss- ”…fate chose to take one of the good ones, and leave the ruthless and depraved behind.”, having to cope with guilt, sadness & loss “Forgiving others is easy. It’s forgiving myself that’s hard.”  Coming of age “…on my way to find what I was looking for.” & coming to terms with who you were meant to be with.  Mysterious twists, before it’s all said & done, a war will be brewing & an alliance that won’t be refused…

I love the bond between brothers, “…the feeling of family and acceptance…” & the draw between Daniel & Addison.  Sexy “…he kisses me like he’s dying for the air I breathe.”  Dark “…simultaneously strikes a bit of fear in my heart and heats my blood with lust.”  Emotional “…I don’t care about anything that happened yesterday as long as I get you tomorrow.” 

Carter’s story, Depraved – coming May, 2018 

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

White Knight by CD Reiss

Catherine's long-lost love is found.

Catherine Barrington is a rich girl. Chris Cartwright is a poor boy.

He left her to make something of himself. A man she could be proud of. A man she could bring home to her parents. A man she could marry.

On the trading floor he became the man he knew he could be. Now, it’s time to return.

Rich girl.

Poor boy.

She didn’t care about his money, but he didn’t believe her. Soon after he left, all the money was gone.

Her life is hell.

Now he’s back, and he’s different. Pristine. Gorgeous. Rich.

Rich boy.

Poor girl.

Money was never the barrier, until now.

----

 

MY REVIEW

White Knight from CD Reiss is a standalone from the same world as her King of Code & Prince Charming “with its own beginning, middle, and end. You don't need to read anything else to read White Knight.” I’m usually a stickler for reading series & companions in order so to speak but can honestly say you truly do not need to read the others to enjoy this story.  That said, read King of Code & Prince Charming when you get a chance – they are too good to miss.

 

 Told in first person, from dual perspectives, with flashbacks throughout, this is a sweet, sexy “Whenever I feel rose petals, I think of your skin.” & passionate “I’d break walls and set the town on fire for what he made me feel.” sad at times, a regretful coming of age & sorrow filled second chances romantic tale.  A story of small town royalty, first love “What we had, I’ve never felt before or since.”, lost opportunities & discovering purpose & the things that matter most in this life.  “…but I wanted to be wanted more than I wanted happiness.”  Loyalty between family & friends who protect as their own “…that they take care of us, and when folks here agreed, it was a solemn oath.”  The internal struggle of each of these characters & the way they strive to ultimately be “Two people making it work despite all the odds.” understanding that all they went through made it possible for them to “… become what you were meant to be.”
 So much emotion, a short read that was just enough – with nothing left “…undone, unsaid, broken.”

“Respect the thorns. Love the rose.”

 “Not even winged monkeys Not even.”
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK