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.

As Dust Dances by Samantha Young

 

AS DUST DANCES:
Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

 Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

 Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

 Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…

MY REVIEW

So first off, although I'm a huge fan of Samantha's, having not read Play On yet, I wasn't expecting to love this book as completely as I did.  Set in Glasgow, Scotland -"...the city of music..." a place & its people that are characters all their own.  This is an emotionally intense romance filled with struggle & sacrifice, on a journey of survival & love, to rejoin this thing called life.  A story of "Music that will heal you.", becoming "...an artist in your own right.", moving on & finding your place in the world.  

Witty - oh so smart, emotional with the perfect balance of humor & sarcasm - not to mention skin prickling, "...loving and passionate..." sexy as hell. "...it made my girly bits very happy."  Skylar has worked hard to escape who she was, positioning herself to disappear & keep her distance from the world.  Talented & smart, there's no avoiding being discovered in more ways than one, all over again.  Enter Killian - "...attractive, brooding bastard with a hot accent." He is just as broken, just as driven, just as complicated.  Their connection is undeniable, no matter how hard he tries.  Closure is sought & lessons in forgiveness are learned, while putting past wrongs right.  There are moments when the raw emotion of it all is almost to much to take - "...I loved her the best. Always."  

I love the fierce protectiveness of Killian & Skylar's wonderfully smart mouth "Actually, my current policy is to give zero fucks."  Grief, healing, longing & attraction, Samantha makes it all tangible.  This book left me gobsmacked.

"Simple and elegant, but a little different."

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

The Wright Mistake by K.A. Linde

BLURB

I spent six weeks screwing Austin Wright’s brains out and all I got was this broken heart.

He can’t be trusted. Not with my body or my heart. Yet, two years have passed and I still crave him like an addict needing a fix.

The last time we tried this, it nearly ruined me. I know I should run and never look back. But his dark haunted eyes and razor blade smile speak to my soul. His touch sets my body on fire. And we all know what happens when you light gasoline. Someone is bound to get burned.

MY REVIEW

 

The Wright Mistake by K.A. Linde is a Hot Contemporary Romance focuses on Austin Wright.  Part of her Wright series, this is a standalone with cross-over characters from The Wright Brother & The Wright Boss.  Austin, the alcoholic jackass of the Wright family had his chance with small town Ohio girl, Julia... "It had been nice, but it hadn't been right." 

 

Told in first person from dual perspectives, this steady page turner has more to offer than steamy romance.  Although "Preferably with a lot of mind-blowing sex." & fun definitely play a part, this story has more depth than first meets the eye.  Through love & loss, both broken in their own way, Austin & Julia are working to fix each other & to find a way to fix themselves.  Close friendships "Girlfriends are here to cheer you on and commiserate when sh*t goes down.  Also, for Buffy marathons, ice cream dates, and shopping."  & family bonds shine thorough this multi-layered story line that will have you blushing & laughing out loud one moment & gasping in shock, teary-eyed in the next - twists you'll never see coming.  "...you never know how much time you have together.  Forgiving someone is easier than living without them."

 

 I was so happily surprised by the way Linde beautifully combined a hot romance with gut-wrenching, heartstring pulling life consuming tragedy & ability to overcome addiction.

Plus, who couldn't adore a story that includes a pink-sequined unicorn named Waffle? 

 

 ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK