The Rivals by Vi Keeland

Title: The Rivals

Author: Vi Keeland

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: July 12, 2020

Blurb

The feud between Weston Lockwood and me started at the altar.

Only neither of us attended the wedding, and the nuptials happened decades before either of us was born.

Our grandfathers had been best friends and business partners, at least up until my grandfather’s wedding day—when his bride-to-be blurted out she couldn’t marry him because she was also in love with Weston‘s grandfather.

The two men spent years fighting over Grace Copeland, who also happened to be their third business partner.  But in the end, neither man could steal half of her heart away from the other.

Eventually, they all went their separate ways.  Our grandfathers married other women, and the two men became one of the biggest business rivals in history.

Our fathers continued the family tradition of feuding.  And then Weston and I did, too.

For the most part, we kept as much distance as possible.

Until the day the woman who started the feud died—and unexpectedly left one of the most valuable hotels in the world to our grandfathers to share.

Now I’m stuck in a hotel with the man I was born to hate, trying to unravel the mess our families inherited.

As usual, it didn’t take long for us to be at each other’s throats.

Weston Lockwood was everything I hated: tall, smart, cocky, and too gorgeous for his own good.  We were fire and ice. 

But that shouldn’t be an issue. Our families were used to being at war. There was just one minor problem, though.   Every time Weston and I fought, we somehow wound up in bed.

MY REVIEW

The Rivals by Vi Keeland, another in a long line of sexy & witty enemies-to-lovers contemporary romances from Vi.  This page turner & its impulsively hot headed characters does not disappoint.  Fasten your seat belt for push and pull, feuding, explosive chemistry, heart-string pulling story of life struggles that may or may not define Sophie & Weston.

Told in first person from dual perspectives, this story literally takes off with palpable attraction & wit, bringing the personal touch of the hospitality service industry to a whole new level.  Sophie intelligent, willful & a real beauty, with trust issues to spare, she is working to prove her worth in a world dominated by her father & grandfather, while tasked with taking on the family rival.  She's had a glimpse of what she's up against (literally) with Weston, now she's getting a brand new view of the makings of a good partner in more ways than one.  Closed off & protective, carrying baggage full of self-doubt, Weston is a man who pays attention to detail in the boardroom & the bedroom (AMEN).  He isn't afraid to do what it takes to get the job done in any room.  Loyal to a fault, Weston is "...positively sinful."

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.  Sophia & Weston are such a amazing fit.  Equal in intellect & tenacity.  "...like a tornado and a volcano. It's rare the two meet. But when they do, it's explosive."  Such a tangible spark between Sophie & Weston, this whirlwind romance has a level of intimacy & caring, I couldn't get enough of.  Their love-hate relationship, with a twist of betrayal & fear of taking a risk; add in the wonderful feel good friendships that bring wisdom of imperfect perfection this life has to offer.   

"It's magical."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

SYNOPSIS:

It all started with a mysterious blue note sewn into a wedding dress.
Something blue.
I’d gone to sell my own unworn bridal gown at a vintage clothing store. That’s when I found another bride’s “something old.”
Stitched into the lining of a fabulously feathered design was the loveliest message I’d ever read: Thank you for making all of my dreams come true.
The name embossed on the blue stationery: Reed Eastwood, obviously the most romantic man who ever lived. I also discovered he’s the most gorgeous. If only my true-love fantasies had stopped there. Because I’ve since found out something else about Mr. Starry-Eyed.
He’s arrogant, cynical, and demanding. I should know. Thanks to a twist of fate, he’s my new boss. But that’s not going to stop me from discovering the story behind his last love letter. A love letter that did not result in a happily ever after.
But that story is nothing compared to the one unfolding between us. It’s getting hotter, sweeter, and more surprising than anything I could have imagined.
Something new.
But I have no idea how this one is going to end . . .
  

So, I have to be honest & say that I didn't think anything could top my love of the Rebel Heir duet which these fantastic authors collaborated on recently. Well - man was I wrong. Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward is a wonderful contemporary romance that will have you fully captivated from start to finish.  "God. So dirty, yet at the same time, so beautiful."

Told in first person, from dual perspectives, this story of heartbreak, unexpected closeness, forgiveness, & fresh starts, won't disappoint. Sexy, funny "The dress was my spirit animal..." & get you in the gut - will they, won't they angst.  Charlotte is wise beyond her crazy "Deep down, buried underneath all that crazy, was a woman who believed in fairy tales." She'll make you want to too...  Reed is bent on keeping his distance to protect his heart & the secret behind the decisions he makes.  A few surprising emotional & gasp worthy turns add depth to this romance.  Loving & fun supporting characters bring this story full circle.

"...love the life you have, while you work on the life you want."

I love the internal dialogue, no holds barred bickering & cat-and-mouse chase.  Sexy as hell  -  So many great wise words to live by 

"Just keep swimming."  

"...focus on things that make me happy instead of dwelling on the past, which I can't change."

"...strong - perfectly imperfect."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland

It was just a typical Monday.

Until the big boss asked me to make the pitch for a prospective new client.

After two years on shaky ground at work because of my screw up, an opportunity to impress the senior partners was just what I needed.

Or so I thought…

Until I walked into the conference room and collided with the man I was supposed to pitch.

My coffee spilled, my files tumbled to the ground, and I almost lost my balance.

And that was the good part of my day.

Because the gorgeous man crouched down and looking at me like he wanted to eat me alive, was none other than my ex, Gray Westbrook.

A man who I’d only just begun to move on from.

A man who my heart despised—yet my body obviously still had other ideas about.

A man who was as charismatic and confident as he was sexy.

Somehow, I managed to make it through my presentation ignoring his intense stare.

Although it was impossible to ignore all the dirty things he whispered into my ear right after I was done.

But there was no way I was giving him another chance, especially now that he was a client
…was there?

 MY REVEIW

 

 The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland is a sultry hot second chance romance with "...raw, sexual chemistry..."  making this page turner impossible to put down.  Layla & Gray meet under crazy circumstances & yet find a connection like nothing they've ever known.  So sexy, so much hunger & deep desire "...his possessiveness and jealousy were a turn-on...".  Layla's self-protection mechanism is in full affect - all to avoid more heart break, while Gray is looking to put lessons learned into practice - to live & love smarter than before.  "That being said, we're not over. We're just getting started."  Overcoming lies, broken trust & a broken heart; best interests & selfless acts; "...fear, grief, loss." ~ the struggle is real.  You'll be invested in these characters & their journey through to a surprise twist & all the way to the very end.  "Love changes everything."

 

I love the many different sides of Layla & Gray that Vi lets us see.  Giving so much more to this story than the standard hot contemporary romance.  Don't get me wrong, this story is squirm in your seat sexy - but also romantic & heart wrenchingly sweet. I really enjoyed the supporting characters & the backstories they all brought.  "Real, true, raw, painfully beautiful love."

 

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

 

Rebel Heart (Rush Series Duet, Book Two) by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

 

BLURB
 

How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons:

Sleep with your boss. Check.

Blow all your money on a rental you can’t afford. Check.

How to walk away from a man you fall in love with at the end of a summer:
 
…I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

 

 

Rebel Heart is the conclusion to the Rush Series Duet by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, & picking up right where book one left off - this sexy contemporary romance book two will not disappoint.  Be prepared for a ridiculous amount of angst that will have you damn near coming out of your skin. "This shit was better than a Jerry Springer episode." A witty, sexy, & sweet second-chance romance that showcases uncertainty & resilience of the heart.

 

Rush & Gia have been through so much "...complex and amazing." in such a short time & "...so damn intense..." now they will face a truth that may very well break them.  The happiness they've had, sadly short-lived when a gut-wrenching twist of fate is revealed.  Journey with this couple as they work through life, death & shattered dreams to see what their hearts can hold & their future will be "The strength was within me all along. You brought it out in me." Still sexy in all the best ways, "...sweet, yet sensual and erotic." With continually loyal & protective friends & family.  A lesson in looking forward instead of back & letting love out weigh hate.

 

I loved this match from the start.  The way they both protect each other at the risk of everything they desire. "...the best and most bittersweet thing I'd ever witnessed."  The relationship & wisdom of Gia's dad "...kind and loving and the most dependable person on this planet." - simply love.

 

A beautifully complicated love story. 

 

"Life should be about living with uncertainty while we watch beautiful sunsets with the people we love."

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

 

Rebel Heir (Rush Series Duet, Book One) by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

BLURB
How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons:

Snag a gorgeous rental on the beach. Check.

Get a job at a trendy summer haunt. Check.

How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons:

Fall for the one guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the tony looking crowd. A guy you can’t have when you’ll be leaving at the end of the season.

Check. Check. Check.

I should add—especially when the guy is your sexy, tattooed God of a boss.

Especially when he not only owns your place of employment but inherited half of the town.

Especially when he’s mean to you.

Or so I thought.

Until one night when he demanded I get in his car so he could drive me home because he didn’t want me walking in the dark.

That was sort of how it all started with Rush.

And then little by little, some of the walls of this hardass man started to come down.

I never expected that the two of us, seemingly opposites from the outside, would grow so close.

I wasn't supposed to fall for the rebel heir, especially when he made it clear he didn’t want to cross the line with me.

As the temperature turned cooler, the nights became hotter. My summer became a lot more interesting—and complicated.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

Rebel Heir is the first book in the Rush Series Duet by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, this extremely sexy contemporary romance started a little slow for me - but once it got going - I couldn't put it down.  A funny, witty, angsty & super sexy, romance with a twist you would think couldn't be topped, until the cliffhanger that will leave you ready for Book Two, Rebel Heart, releasing in May.

"It's a romance set in a summer house." Gia, a daddy's girl with attitude, after my own heart "I vomit the truth sometimes." She has an opportunity of a life time that's gotten a little off track.  Rush ~ "...a rebellious heir to a vast fortune..." is a guy full of "...dry sarcasm and hard wit." living only by rules he sets for himself- no commitment, no fear of consequences.  Drawn to each other in an instant physical attraction, that quickly grows possessive, emotional & complicated.  Sexy in all the best ways "It's like I want to protect you and corrupt you at the same time." With loyal & protective friends & family, mixed with unexpected ups & downs.  A story that takes a startling turn toward emotional, that was moving & sweet.

I loved Gia & her no-holds-barred attitude, together with Rush who's protectiveness & carnal nature I couldn't get enough of.  Not to mention his mamma's boy side "...my mother's the sh#t."  What really took me by surprise was the twist & then the cliffhanger.  Knowing this is a duet I assumed the twist was the cliffhanger - when it wasn't, wow, I was blown away.  Simply can't wait for the conclusion to the Rush Series Duet ~ Rebel Heart coming next month (thank goodness!)  

"It's all written in the stars."

ARC received 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

 

 

Dear Bridget I Want You by Penelope ward and Vi Keeland

BLURB:

Dear Bridget, I’m writing this letter because it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.

So, here goes.

We’re totally wrong for each other. You’re the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I’m just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.

But here’s the thing… for some bloody reason, I can’t stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.

I want you.

The only reason I’m even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don’t believe it’s one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we’re joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.

So, what’s the purpose of this note? I guess it’s a reminder that we’re adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it’s to let you know that I’m leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you’d like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.

No questions asked.

Think about it.

Or don’t.

Whatever you choose.

It’s doubtful I’ll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.

--Simon 

 

 

Dear Bridget, I Want You is a funny, super sexy contemporary romance set in Rhode Island, USA.  Dr. Hogue is finishing his residency & gearing up to start his practice back home in Leeds, UK.  Bridget is a ER nurse & single mom, putting her son first & trying to make it from one day to the next. An awkward meeting that turns into potential for so much more... but it's only temporary.

 

Told in first person from dual points of view, this fast-paced read is laugh out loud funny~ "Now I'm going to get some action tonight, even if it has to come from your e-reader."  & super sexy "The last time my kitchen felt this hot, there was an actual fire." even though “It’s not porn. It’s a romance novel.” with a softer vulnerable side "In for a penny, in for a pound. I might as well have fun with it.".   These characters will work through their mutual attraction, fears of moving on from “…devastating life circumstances.” in their pasts, to possibilities for filling emptiness they didn't realize was there & being brave enough to face insecurities of the unknown for something that could be "Game changing. Life changing."  Because "You can't write a new story for your life when you won't let new characters in.".  Heart string pulling bonds are built & there's even a bit of a twist at the end that left me gobsmacked.

I love that stories from these authors have you invested from the start.  I could practically hear Simons British accent as I read!  I couldn't get enough of the heart-on-your-sleeve, honest banter between Simon & Bridget.  Really enjoyed that Bridget was a real woman, one who's been through more than her share - the kind I think so many of us can relate to. 

"The greatest risk is not taking one."

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

 

 

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

 

BLURB

 

The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.

He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.

When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight—telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.

You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married. 

He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.

Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.

Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy. 

Oops.  My mistake. 

Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology. 

I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?

That’s what I thought…until I walked into class the next morning.

Well, hello Professor West, I’m your new teaching assistant.  

I’ll be working under you…figuratively speaking.

Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing—working under Professor West.

This was going to be interesting…

    

My Review

 

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland is a very hot contemporary romance & so much more.  Rachel tends bar in Brooklyn, by night & is a feisty Teaching Assistant by day.  She's got a past she choses to lock away.  Caine is a college professor who doesn’t do long term relationships & keeps his own past buried. Together, their love of music, growing up in New York & having names that come straight from the bible aren’t the only things Rachel & Caine have in common.

 

Told in first person, from dual points of view, with some flash back action, this fast paced read has a little bit of everything.  It is sultry, sexy & funny - "If there was such a thing as arm porn, I was watching my very own channel.", with tug on your heart strings tear jerker potential (if you're a little bit of a sap like me) before it's all said & done.  Great friendships & working through forgiving pasts to live life to the fullest in the future.  Some surprising twists & the angst - so much push-pull "I'm the last person who should be giving relationship advice.  But if it's not there, you can't force it.  No different than when it is here and you try to make it not be."  Begging the question, do you believe in guardian angels?

 

I loved this book - initially pulled in by the witty dialogue, chemistry & combination of no holds barred honesty & intense pride of these characters.  The secondary characters held their own & were key to this dynamic story of selfless love between family, friends & even strangers ~ "She wants him to truly be happy, even if he finds that happiness with someone else."  All the love-hate romance & super sexy oh. wow. from Vi were wonderful as always - but it was luck & fate that sealed the deal - I don't want to give to much away, so will just say ~ I laughed, blushed & even shed a tear - enjoyed every minute!

 

"True love is selfless." 

 

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK