Review: Lisa Renee Jones's "Damage Control (Dirty Money #2)."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2uYzdcF

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2w5IIH7

Synopsis: 

Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy in Damage Control, the smoldering, scorching next novel in the explosively sexy Dirty Money series.

The only thing more dangerous than a dark secret is a damaged heart…

Shane Brandon has been pushed to the brink, torn between his corrupt family and his explosive, all-consuming desire for Emily Stevens, who he now knows is not who, and what, she seems. Has he trusted the wrong person? Will she, not his brother Derek, be the ultimate destruction of his family Empire?

Emily tries to run from Shane, but he will stop her, confront her, force her to reveal all — one hot touch and kiss at a time, under every intimate detail of who this woman is, and what she wants, is exposed. But as he tears away the dangers of the unknowns with the woman in his bed, and in his heart, The Martina Cartel has set their sights on his company, his family, and the one piece of leverage they believe he won’t gamble with: Emily.

Review: Jo 

I loved the first book in the "Dirty Money" series, it was one of my favourite books from last year, so I was itching to get started on this second part. "Damage Control" started off brilliantly, continuing with everything that I loved from Shane and Emily's story. The first few chapters were fast paced, exciting and full of passion. I was once again hooked and couldn't read it fast enough. 

Unfortunately, once I had reached the thirty percent mark, things started to go down hill for this story and I found myself beginning to lose interest. For me, I felt as though the second half lacked the same heat and intensity and I also felt dizzy with everything that was going on between Shane, Emily and their families. There was so much drama surrounding the couple that it affected the flow of the story and the direction was moved away from Shane and Emily's relationship which meant that I was missing the romance element. Despite my feelings, I did continue with the book, hoping to see a return of the passion, however I was left disappointed as my pulse rate remained at the same steady pace. 

I had high hopes for this book and I was truly gutted that it didn't meet my expectations. 

"Damage Control" gets 3 hearts from me.

Review: Tara Sivec's "The Story of Us."

Amazon.com:    http://amzn.to/2r5x0Mj

Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/2rp8hUd

Synopsis:

From USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec comes an emotional, breathtakingly romantic new book about the power of first love and the promise of second chances.

How much can a man take before he breaks?

1,843 days. That's how long I survived in that hellhole. They tried to break me, but I resisted. And I owe it all to the memory of warm summer nights, the scent of peaches, and the one woman who loved me more than I ever deserved to be loved. Now, I'll do anything to get back to her. 

Only Shelby Eubanks isn't the girl I left behind all those years ago. She's someone else, a stranger. My Shelby-my little green-eyed firecracker-would never give up her dreams, would never disappear into her mother's ambitions. But I won't give up on her. On us. I may be broken, and scarred, and not the man I used to be, but I will do whatever it takes to remind her of the story of us.

Review: Surj

After reading the synopsis for Tara Sivec's "The Story of Us," I was really looking forward to reading what looked to be a heart breaker of a read, the prologue and first couple of chapters only reinforcing my initial thoughts. Right from the get go, the angst levels were through the roof and I immediately felt a connection with the two main characters Shelby and Ely, their plight really striking a chord, bringing me close to tears. I mean who doesn't love characters that are broken and who are in desperate need of some tender loving care and a whole heap of glue to help put them back together, right? 

Set in the deep South, "The Story of Us" was about two people who made sacrifices in the name of love. It was about two people who bore the brunt of betrayal, double crossings, selfish wants, family loyalties and of course greed. The aftermath of which would change each of their lives forever, leaving them so scarred by everything they had gone through, that going back to how they used to be wasn't even a possibility. War changes you and Shelby and Ely had fought the ultimate war. 

Sounds great, right? So it could just be me but somewhere along the way, the story lost something  and my connection to the main characters was severed which absolutely gutted me. Every now and again something would happen that made me feel like I would get those initial feelings back but then I'd lose it again leaving me with that deflated feeling all over again.

There were a number of things that didn't work for me. The first was the letters. For me, they were revealed too late. I wish they had been woven throughout the whole story. Also, the letters didn't have that "letter" feel. The way they were written was way too detailed, far too much emotion written down and too much dialogue within them. They felt more like the writing in the main body of the book that heart felt letters (IMO). 

Secondly, towards the end of the story there were so many curve balls thrown in, my head was left spinning. The one involving Ely directly was  fab and I definitely didn't see it coming. The others were (unfortunately) kind of hit and miss. 

The walls have officially crumbled on this house of lies and I'm finished. 

This is probably a case of it being me and not everyone else but I really wanted to love this one and instead, just liked it. "The Story of Us" gets ❤️❤️❤️ from me. 

Review: Debra Anastasia's "Poughkeepsie (The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood."

Amazon.com:    http://amzn.to/2sLG4V8

Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/2ren8wu

Synopsis:

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day. 

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

Review: Surj 

"Poughkeepsie" was one of those few books that has left me at a loss as to how to rate it. It was such a mixed bag that had me feeling so many things, sometimes not of the good variety. There were even a couple of moments where I almost DNF'd. Luckily there was something inside of me that felt compelled to see where this story would go and so despite taking a week to read, I made a point of finishing the book. 

“You make the rest of the beautiful things in the world cry 

for even trying at all. You make it hard for me to breathe.”

If you've read the synopsis, you'll know that the main plot for "Poughkeepsie" revolves around Blake and Livia. However this book was about so much more than just Blake and Livia. There were so many different stories that had a connection to the main plot and I guess this is where the problems arose. There were some stories that I absolutely loved and there were others that were okay but for me, it was the main plot that really didn't cut the mustard. There were parts I found slow, other crucial parts rushed and unfortunately, I didn't really connect with Blake and Livia. I'm not sure whether this was because the book was written in third person or whether there was another reason I can't quite put my finger on but I found myself skimming pages of their story to get to some of the other juicier bits. 

I absolutely loved Beckett and Eve. Their individual stories and their journey together captivated me from the get go. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect but I couldn't wait to see the direction their story was headed. It was raw, gritty and often brutal with a truck load of heart ache. Yet there was also a hint of hope in there and it was this that kept me glued to the pages. 

"Beckett is probably the hardest person there is to love, 

he does life wrong for all the right reasons."

Cole and Kyle's story felt like it had been a little diluted by everything else that was going on in "Poughkeepsie" which is a shame because this as a book in it's own right would have more than likely made for excellent reading. both characters had quite  history and I would have loved to have delved deeper into each of their backgrounds instead of only getting glimpses here and there. 

Actually, come to think of it, maybe this is where the problem lies. There were three stories that could have been brilliant on their own but unfortunately felt diluted packed into one jumbo book. Add to that, the fact that "Poughkeepsie" was written in third person and the writing didn't really gel with me, and I guess there was a level of disconnect on my part. I am glad I finished the book though and I am desperate to dive into the second book in this series but that's because it's about two of my favourite characters that I'm desperate to see get a HEA. 

"Everytime I think i couldn't love you a bit more, you stretch my heart again"

I rated "Poughkeepsie" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Helena Hunting's "Shacking Up."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2rQiy9b

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2qWaGmq

Synopsis: 

Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed—and then coughed on—her at a party the night before.

Luckily, her best friend might have found the perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick.

Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.

Review: Jo 

I absolutely loved Helena Hunting's "Pucked" series so reading this new standalone was a no brainer for me. I couldn't wait to get started and although "Shacking Up" started off well, I found that the rest of the story disappointingly didn't meet my expectations. I so wanted to love Ruby and Bane's story and I am feeling so sad that it wasn't the book for me. 

As I already said, this book did get off to a promising start. I liked the characters and was enjoying the familiar Helena Hunting style of humour. Ruby was turning out to be an hilarious character who couldn't seem to do anything right. Calamity should have been her middle name. I found myself laughing out loud at the majority of her actions during the first few chapters and I was pretty sure that this was going to be another fantastic read. Sadly, this is where the fun ended for me. I found that the remainder of the book became increasingly slow paced. It was an agonising slow burn and I was getting more and more frustrated with each new chapter. By fifty percent I was ready to throw my kindle at the wall and at seventy percent I was tempted to give up. Even when, finally things started to happen between Ruby and Bane, I found that I had gone passed showing any signs of excitement and enthusiasm. I was so upset. 

I know that I am in the minority with this book because a lot of reviewers have loved it. If you are a fan of slow burn romance, you might love it too. Unfortunately it wasn't my kind of read. 

"Shacking Up" gets 3 hearts from me.

Review: Heidi McLaughlin's "Blow (Virtuous Paradox #1)."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2fjKIHx

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2f5Pt2b

Synopsis

Bodhi McKnight has always had everything handed to him on a silver platter: fame, success, money, girls. The raven-haired, blue-eyed hottie is the son of Hollywood A-listers, and when he’s asked to join the boy band Virtuous Paradox, his star shoots even higher. But so do expectations, leading Bodhi down a destructive path of addiction—until a drop-dead gorgeous guardian angel shows him her sizzling brand of tough love.

When Bodhi ends up in rehab, he doesn’t expect to meet someone as cool and down-to-earth as Kimberly Gordon. Although he’s enjoyed the company of beautiful, charming women before, none of them have tried to get to know the “real” Bodhi. But Kimberly isn’t fazed by his stardom. She’d rather go horseback riding, teach Bodhi to play guitar, or ask him about his feelings. Soon Bodhi realizes he’s fallen head over heels for her. He just hopes that he’s strong enough to protect what they have from all the pressures and temptations of the outside world.

Review: Jo

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought that this would be one that I would love. The premise of the story kinda sounded like there was a bit of forbidden love about it and I am usually sucked in by those stories. As I progressed through the pages, disappointingly, I discovered that this story was lacking in the things that I had most wanted. I failed to feel any kind of anticipation or excitement at what was happening between the two main characters. Everything happened far too easily and quickly in my opinion which made Bodhi and Kimberly's relationship unrealistic given the challenges that I would have expecting them to face. I also have to say that I was horrified by the use of the word "Twat" for Kimberley's vagina. It completely grossed me out and I just couldn't understand why the author would use that terminology. 

Moving to the positives of the book; I found Bodhi and Kimberly to be likeable characters and I enjoyed the way the story played out in the end, especially the final few chapters where I was given a tiny bit of excitement. There was also a sweet epilogue to finish the story off. I am always a fan of epilogue's and this was one that made me happy. 

As you can see there were things that I enjoyed about this book, but there was also a lot of things that I didn't like. Despite this, I don't think that it was an overall bad read, it just was not the one for me, unfortunately.

I rated "Blow" 3 hearts.

Review: Whitney Barbetti's "Back To Yesterday (Bleeding Hearts #2)."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/2e3lLfW

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2euZnu9

Synopsis

The distance from Colorado to Maine is not far enough to escape the memories.

The time I've been away is not long enough to heal the pain.

I left Colorado, determined to discover who I am outside of my grief, but I fell apart along the way.

I'm lost again.

When Jude follows me, I can't turn him away. But I can't let him in, either.

Not all the way.

I know when he finds out my secret, the one I keep hidden in the darkest part of my heart, he’ll leave me.

Alone.

Like I was before.

Review: Jo 

After enjoying the first book from the "Bleeding Hearts" series, I was very much looking forward to starting this book. I was eager to discover what happened next for Trista and Jude. When I had finished book one, I was left with an hopeful outlook for the couple's future together and I couldn't wait to catch up with the pair, especially Trista. That girl had been through such a miserable time before Jude came along, so I was optimistic for happier times ahead. 

Unfortunately, I soon realised that Trista's life had yet again took a depressing turn. "Back To Yesterday" saw Trista battling with the many issues in her life. Not only was she trying to make sense of everything that had happened to her, she was also dealing with her insecurities. In the previous book, I was sympathetic to Trista's situation, however this time around, I became increasingly frustrated with the way that Trista was choosing to live her life. To be honest, I was so disappointed with Trista's actions. The direction that the story took made me so sad. 

The only small light in this story was yet again the lovely Jude, however even his presence was not enough for me to change my opinion on how this book made me feel. I was so disheartened with the way that the everything was playing out for Trista and Jude and for that reason "Back to Yesterday" gets 3 hearts from me.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Vi Keeland's "Bossman."

The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Blog Tour for Vi Keeland's "Bossman."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/29N8CZE

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2a8FkEj

Synopsis:

The first time I met Chase Parker, I didn't exactly make a good impression. I was hiding in the bathroom hallway of a restaurant, leaving a message for my best friend to save me from my awful date. He overheard and told me I was a bitch, then proceeded to offer me some dating advice. So I told him to mind his own damn business―his own tall, gorgeous, full-of-himself damn business―and went back to my miserable date. When he walked by my table, he smirked, and I watched his arrogant, sexy ass walk back to his date. I couldn't help but sneak hidden glances at the condescending jerk on the other side of the room. Of course, he caught me on more than one occasion, and winked.

When the gorgeous stranger and his equally hot date suddenly appeared at our table, I thought he was going to rat me out. But instead, he pretended we knew each other and joined us―telling elaborate, embarrassing stories about our fake childhood. My date suddenly went from boring to bizarrely exciting. When it was over and we parted ways, I thought about him more than I would ever admit, even though I knew I'd never see him again. I mean, what were the chances I'd run into him again in a city with eight million people?Then again...

What were the chances a month later he'd wind up being my new sexy boss?

Review: Surj 

If your looking for a "Sunday afternoon, kick your shoes off, sink into an arm chair with a glass of wine" kinda read, then look no further because Vi Keeland's "Bossman" is for you. This was a quick, easy read that was (for the most part) light hearted, cute and very funny. It did however have a touch of angst and side order of mystery that ensured I was kept on my toes throughout. 

"I'm up for the challenge."

"What challenge?"

"Waiting it out. Or breaking you down. One or the other."

Having read the synopsis, I was expecting a typical office romance. Did I get that? No. This book put a whole new spin on mixing business and pleasure which really made for a refreshing change. I absolutely loved how Chase and Reese met. It was hilarious and I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with Chase in that moment. The guy had balls and his story telling abilities .. wow, my sides hurt from the things that came out of his mouth. Equally, I enjoyed how the couple's connection developed. 

The chemistry they shared couldn't be denied but Reese had been burnt before and had no intention of going there again. So where did that leave the pair? Well, let's just say, there was a whole lot of banter and of course plenty of dirty talk courtesy of Chase because he wasn't the kind of man who gave up quite so easily. When he wanted something, he usually got it and he had no intention of letting Reese get away. 

"You didn't put up that wall to keep him out. 

You put it up to watch him break it down to get to you."

Chase's character was just gorgeous both inside and out. His cockiness was almost endearing and just added to his appeal. He was funny and persistent and even sweet but in such a good way. He was the type of man that wore his heart of his sleeve. I was desperate to know about his past and we were given little heart breaking glimpses of it and that just made me love him even more. He really was quite the guy. Now Reese, where do I start? I liked her but at times she frustrated the hell out of me. There were moments I just wanted to knock a bit of sense into her but nope, there was no telling this girl. 

“Don’t ask me to explain it, but when I’m around you, 

I’m happy. That’s all I’m after.”

In terms of the writing, as I said earlier, this was an easy read. However, for me, there was a bit too much superfluous detail for things I didn't necessarily care for which meant I did scan read parts. 

All in all, "Bossman" was a good read but not one that necessarily blew me away but sometimes, that's just what you need... an easy, light hearted read. 

I rated "Bossman" ❤️❤️❤️

Excerpt:

“Sorry, I wasn’t looking where—” 

I froze.

The sight of Chase standing there was almost enough to knock me over. I’d secretly hoped to see him, yet never thought I actually would. What are the chances? I did a double take, sure I was seeing things. But it was him all right, in the flesh. And what flesh it is. Standing there shirtless and wet—wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung swim trunks—he had me stuttering. Literally. 

“Ch…Ch…Ch—” I couldn’t get the word out. 

Of course, Chase didn’t miss a beat. He smirked and leaned in. “You do a cute train impression, Buttercup.” 

He remembers me.

I shook my head, attempting to snap myself out of it. But it was no use. He was so tall, and I was so short, I had no choice but to stare at his body. Water trickled down his abs. I was mesmerized watching it speed up and slow down as it crossed the rippled lines of his six-pack. Damn. 

I cleared my throat and finally spoke. “Chase.” 

I was pretty freaking proud of myself for getting that much out. He had a towel slung around his neck and lifted it to dry off his dripping hair, revealing even more flesh. His pectoral muscles were carved and perfect. And—oh, my God…is that… Holy shit. It is. His nipples were cold and erect, and one of them was….was…pierced. 

About the Author:

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Best Selling author. Over the last three years, eleven of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and four on the New York Times Bestseller lists. 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vi-Keeland/435952616513958

Website:  http://www.vikeeland.com

witter:  @vikeeland    https://twitter.com/ViKeeland

Instagram:   http://instagram.com/Vi_Keeland/

Giveaway:  Signed Copy of Bossman & $50 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: J.L Berg's "Remembering Everly (Lost & Found # 2)."

Amazon.com:   http://amzn.to/1QCaDQ0

Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/1V4s8Qt

Synopsis:

After a stunning cliffhanger ending in Forgetting August, USA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg delivers the happily ever after that fans have been waiting for in the sequel, REMEMBERING EVERLY.

He's forgotten his past, but it hasn't forgotten him. After losing two years of his life trapped in a coma, August Kincaid will do anything to win back the love of his life. But his past threatens to destroy his second chance at happiness, it's Everly who is in danger of paying for his crimes.

Review: Surj 

"Forgetting August (book #1 in the Lost & Found series) was such a beautiful, emotional yet (equally) angst ridden second chance romance that completely swept me off my feet. I loved the characters and their story (with it's air of mystery). But it was the cliff hanger ... that ball buster of a cliff hanger that had me desperate to read the second and final book in this duology entitled "Remembering Everly." I wanted to see this couple get their HEA but there was still much I didn't know. So much about August Kincaid that remained locked in the past... a past he didn't completely remember. And then of course there was Everly's own little secret that really did throw a spanner in the works too. So of course, with thoughts of the pair going crazy in my mind, the minute I got my hands on this conclusion to their story, I couldn't resist. I got stuck right in. 

"Remembering Everly" began more or less where "forgetting August" finished which was great but very quickly, I found myself feeling a little bit disconnected from the story. I don't think I could give you one specific reason but the further I read, the more the little niggles started to bother me. The pace of the book definitely felt much slower than the first book and I guess there seemed to be a lot of content that (in my opinion) was unnecessary. There were so many occasions I found myself skimming paragraphs and even pages just to get to bits that I felt influenced the overall story instead of (what felt like) fillers. 

In terms of August and Everly, I loved these characters in the first book but felt completely disconnected from them in the second. I kept hoping this would change and my feelings for each of them would resurface but it didn't happen. Each of them had so many moments where they drove me crazy. Where I found myself going round and round in circles with the couple to the point where they  frustrated the hell out of me. The decisions they made,  the paths they chose felt so ... I don't know... forced and in the same breath unnecessary. I needed more from them but I felt I just got the same thing time and time again. As August's past continued to resurface, I was hoping something would come to his mind that would bring back that nervous, unsettling sense of foreboding I'd had in the first book but it just didn't come. When everything did finally come to ahead, I felt so disconnected from the characters and the story that it just didn't affect me the way I had hoped. 

I'm really gutted this conclusion to Everly and August's story didn't 100% work for me. There were definitely good bits but those were unfortunately overshadowed by the bits that just didn't work for me. I rated "Remembering Everly" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Georgia Cates's "Tap (Lovibond #1)."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1NbPf2h

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1Oa6LG7

Synopsis:

Craft beer and the sexy men who brew it.

A faceless name. That’s all she was when I agreed to play a part in deceiving her. But then the unplanned happened.

We met. And all I wanted from her was a dirty weekend . . . until that wasn’t enough and I longed for so much more.

Lawrence Thorn suddenly means the world to me. And that’s a problem. She’s my business partner’s sister. Forbidden fruit. Pursuing her can mean trouble for me at Lovibond Brewery. But I don’t care.

I yearn for her skin against mine.

I crave her smell on my body.

I want to make her laugh and then hear her moan my name.

And she does for a brief moment in time.

But Lawrence wants more than I’m able to give. And it’s a damn shame because there’s no one on earth I want more than her.

An epic love.

A miserable ending.

Unless it’s not. 

Review-Jo 

Georgia Cates has remained one of my favourite authors ever since reading "Beauty From Pain." "The Sin Trilogy" was one of my favourite reads from last year, therefore I couldn't wait to begin this new series. Unfortunately "Tap" didn't quite meet my expectations and I was left wandering if this new trilogy is for me. 

The "Lovibond" series is centred around three guys who own a brewery, this story being focused on Tap, who fell madly in love with his business partners sister, so there is a touch of forbidden about it. I really liked the premise of this story, but I felt that the delivery of it was why I was left feeling disappointed. I have always enjoyed Georgia's writing style, however in this book there was something different about it that I didn't like. The constant internal monologue of the main characters distracted me from the story and upset the flow. For this reason, it took me quite a while to get into the book. 

I really wanted to be excited about "Tap" but I have to be honest and say that it didn't hit the spot for me. I had no feelings towards Tap or Lawrence so I failed to become invested in their relationship. The only parts of the story that I did enjoy were the sex scenes! Lol. I feel so sad that I didn't fall for "Tap" but I do know that some readers have loved it, so if you like the sound of this one and want a sexy read with not much drama, this could be for you. Even though this series is not the one for me, I still love Georgia Cates and I am looking forward to reading other books from this author in the future. 

"Tap" gets ❤️❤️❤️  from me.

Review: Jill Sorenson's "Against the Wall."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1ZLtL3K

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1ViGDNk

Synopsis:

Eric Hernandez is the bad boy of every schoolgirl’s fantasies—and every mother’s nightmares. But after serving time for manslaughter, he’s ready to turn his life around. He just needs a chance to prove himself as a professional tattoo artist. The one thing that keeps him going is the memory of the innocent beauty he loved and left behind.

Meghan Young’s world isn’t as perfect as it looks. The preacher’s daughter is living a lie, especially now that Eric is back. Tougher, harder, and sexier than ever, he might be the only person she can trust. But there’s no telling what he’ll do to protect her if he learns the truth, and that’s a risk Meghan won’t let him take. And yet, back in the arms of the troubled boy with the artist’s soul, Meghan can’t help surrendering to the man he’s become.

Review-Jo 

Well, I don't really know where to begin with this review. It was a book that held so much promise, but sadly it never quite lived up to my expectations. I loved the synopsis and the idea of the story sounded like one that would I usually love. I immediately became engrossed in what I was reading and I warmed to the main couple straight away. I also found the writing easy to follow, so my first thoughts were all positive ones. "Against the Wall" had a lot going for it. 

This story was focused on Eric and Meghan. Two people who had previously been lovers until Eric found himself incarcerated. Eric was now released and determined to keep on the straight and narrow but with his dark past creeping up behind him along with the reintroduction of Meghan into his life, he had a hell of lot to deal with. My heart went out to both of the main characters, life was not easy for either of them and I was looking forward to seeing Eric and Meghan's story play out. 

As the story progressed, I began to realise that my hopes for this book were not going to be met, especially as I approached the final few chapters. The pace of the writing had started out slow and never really picked up speed. I kept on turning the pages waiting for the story to heat up, dreaming of a hundred different things that could happen to provoke my excitement, but it never did. I was so disappointed. By the time I reached the last page, I was left feeling a little flat. 

"Against The Wall" was a story about redemption, hope and second chances and with all of the subjects that were covered, it could have been a brilliant book, however it failed to make much of an impression on me and for that reason I rate it ❤️❤️❤️

Blog Tour & Giveaway: K Webster's "This is War, Baby."

The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Blog Tour for K Webster's "This is War, Baby."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1TgFatP

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1XccvF9

Synopsis:

My life had a plan. Until he invaded it and stole it all away. My captor took me and I became a pawn. 

His strategy changed and he sent me away to WAR, because money is everything in this world. 

In my WAR, though, I found peace.

I couldn’t help but find love where I least expected it, with a man who lived a battle every day of his life

…all inside his head. 

But then my captor came back for me.

Yet, this time, battle lines had been drawn and I was protected.

So we thought.

Even though my WAR was raging,

my captor would fight to the death.

The good guys always win, right?

Not always.

All’s fair in love and WAR, right? 

Not this time.

Review: Surj

Where do I start with this review? For me, "This is War, baby" was a book of two halves (both in the physical and metaphorical sense) and each part elicited very different feelings from me. The first 30% or so left me so conflicted. I knew this was a dark read... a very dark read but this was something else. This was stark raving bonkers. Nothing seemed to make sense. It was warped and completely f**ked up. I couldn't work out motives and struggled to see where the story was heading. It wasn't helped by   this air of mystery that surrounded the plot and certain characters which also drove me mad.  Was this even a romance? would it ever be? 

“Sometimes, sweetheart, you have to make sacrifices. You, doll, are a sacrifice. 

Your part is small, but it is so significant.”

Equally, this first part of the story really made for uncomfortable reading. Think of every taboo subject when it comes to literature and this book ticked most of the boxes and then some. There was so much of the content that felt unnecessary. It was almost like it was there simply for shock value and to get a reaction out of the reader. What I would say is, if you have triggers when it comes to reading or if you have hard limits, tread carefully with this one. There was dubious consent and even no consent (which was horrific TBH) so like I said, take note of this warning and proceed with caution. On top of the that, the lead character was 17. Did she need to be? Did it have any bearing on what she went through? Not really. In fact, most of the time, in my head she felt older than her age by a good few years. 

"Your light is already seeping into the dark parts of my soul 

and I'm not about to let that slip away for a second."

So I hit the 30% mark with "This is War, baby" and wow, my view of this book completely changed. It was almost like I was reading something completely different. This second half definitely wasn't dark and I absolutely loved the direction the story took. I was introduced to War who I absolutely fell in love with. His character was so different to what we are used to reading about in romantic fiction. In fact he was as unconventional as they come but he was an absolutely brilliant character. His quirkiness, his habits, his condition and his past all made for very interesting reading and getting his POV really did add something special to the story. 

Baylee's character did leave me a little torn. I was expecting her to be more affected by everything that had happened to her in the first half of the book (trust me when I say it was brutal) but I didn't feel that from her. Also, very quickly she developed feelings for War but in the same breath commented how much she loved her boyfriend. I guess there were too many times she became a walking talking contradiction for me to actually connect with her. I'm hoping my feelings will change in the second book. 

“Why won’t you move your queen, Bay? It’s the only move.”

She starts toward the door but gives me a tender smile.

“Because the queen always protects the king.” 

And then she whispers the last part. “Even from himself.”

With this book, what started off completely gaga and so very dark really did morph into something quite beautiful and spectacular. The ending (although predictable) now has me itching for the next book. Thank god we don't have to wait long. The end of March so only a few weeks. 

I rated the first half of "This is War, Baby" 2 hearts  and the second half  4 hearts so overall, this one gets ❤️❤️❤️

About the Author

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she's active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

Website: www.authorkwebster.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bllgoP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkwebster

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KristiWebster

Giveaway: $25 Gift Card
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Review: Blake Austin's "9 Letters."

Amazon.com:     http://amzn.to/21t37zn

Amazon UK:      http://amzn.to/1UkUFQB

SYNOPSIS:

Luke Cawley is a broken man. After his wife's tragic death, he lost everything that mattered in the world. Now, his life is filled with hard days, harder nights, and a steady stream of alcohol and the wrong kind of women. Nothing helps.

Until the letters arrive on Luke's doorstep.

Nine envelopes. Nine messages. Nine chances to find his way back.

Rae Goode is looking for the real thing. After fighting her way out of a string of bad relationships, she's ready for something different--something true.

She meets Luke while piecing her life together, and right away she can tell that he's different. Drawn together by fate and the desire to heal, Rae and Luke discover new ways to mend their broken hearts--one letter at a time. 

Discover Blake Austin's debut novel of loss, redemption, and ever-enduring love.

REVIEW: SURJ

"9 Letters" had all the makings of a book that could have been quite spectacular. I loved the title and of course "Mr Man bun" on the cover. In fact I thought the title, the cover and the synopsis went perfectly together. I'd even go so far as to say, everything about Luke Crawley's story screamed "must read" to me so of course when the opportunity arose, I went straight in. So what went wrong and why 3 stars? 

"You're a disaster area. Luke Crawley. Hell you're practically a crime scene. I should 

wrap you up in police- line- do- not- cross tape and start scaring away the reporters. 

Very early on, I realised that I wasn't connecting with the main character, Luke. I don't know whether it was because of the writing or his way of thinking, but he just wasn't giving me what I needed. He was a man and was of course thinking like a man. As a female reader, I wanted more than that. I needed him to not just skim the surface but get right down to the nitty gritty of stuff. I wanted emotion. I wanted to experience his heart break right along with him but I didn't get that. Sure his story was a tragic one which of course I READ but did I  FEEL it? For the most part, no. 

Would I say this was a love story? not in the conventional sense, No. It was about man dealing with grief and guilt. It was about  man unable to move on from the death of his wife, merely existing but not actually living. Luke Crawley was stuck and without a clear way out, he was drowning in his loss. Those nine letters were like nine steps to healing, nine steps to being able to move forward. Did they move me? Were they touching? To a degree. I think the reason for me was that I just didn't get enough of Emily and Luke and the life they had shared or should I say, enough detail or enough depth. 

When everything’s dark for so damn long and your eyes get used to it, 

just a little glimmer of sunshine lights up the whole world.” 

In terms of Rae, again she was a character that I just didn't connect with and for me, she came second to Emily. This story was more about Emily, Luke and grief than it was about Rae and Luke and a HEA. Part of me wishes "9 Letters" had been told from dual POV but I know that would have been difficult because Emily was, well dead and Rae only popped in here and there. 

So I guess all in all, this was one of those books that was an okay, quick read but not one that tore my heart out and left it in pieces at my feet. The premise was good, the execution... for me was average. However, I know others have loved Luke's story so your never know, it could be for you. Maybe I'm just a tough nut to crack when it comes to heart break and angst. 

I rated "9 Letters" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Teresa Mummert's "Pretty little things."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1RmMmTn

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1nVYqPM

Synopsis:

I was young enough not to understand that my life was different. Colin became the one person that I could count on to protect me. He suffered for the both of us by carrying the burden of our secret. 

We were the lucky few that got a chance to start over. A fake family, a new home and a pretty little life built on lies. But while our lives continued to intertwine, we were put on very different paths. Now it was only a matter of time before they collide and the beast behind the beauty is exposed.

Review: Surj

I really had high hopes for Teresa Mummert's "pretty Little Things," especially with the vague yet intriguing synopsis but for me, this one really fell short. Looking back, the premise of the plot was fantastic and the characters definitely piqued my interest. Equally, the air of mystery and suspense that slapped me in the face very early on and this had the makings of something quite spectacular. 

So what went wrong? For me, the length of the book really let the story and the characters down. "Pretty little things"  was a short read, in fact you could probably finish it in an afternoon. On top of that, it was really fast paced which meant for me, I just didn't get the little intricate  detail I craved right the way through. I needed more... so much more. More information on the background of these characters, their past relationship instead of what seemed like brief flashbacks. I wanted to feel the depth of the connection this couple had shared way back when and the point at which Colin had gone from someone that was kind and caring to someone that had turned into a class A jack ass. 

In terms of the present, I felt the sexual tension between this couple. That couldn't be denied but what I wanted when I got inside their heads was the emotional struggle each of them faced when being forced apart and having to keep their emotions in tact. I just didn't feel the "love" they supposedly had for one another. He slept around but still found it in him to control and dominate Annie and Annie, well Annie backed down at every turn. I wanted her to keep up with her stubbornness and her fighting spirit. Instead, every time Colin was a bastard to her, every time he was mean, she just bowed down and took it. I know it was supposed to show her need to be submissive but there are ways and there are ways... this was not the way for me. 

All in all, I guess I just needed more depth to "Pretty Little Things" and more character development and in terms of both of those elements, this book fell short. 

I rated "Pretty Little Things" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Laurelin McGee's "Love Struck (Miss Match #2)."

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1STKkKk

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PPg8uJ

Synopsis

SHE'S GETTING INTO THE GROOVE 

Lacy Dawson is a young singer-songwriter with a record deal, a studio gig, and a serious case of writer's block. After looking for love songs in all the wrong places, she finds inspiration at an online support group called Song Writers Anonymous. Thanks to one mysterious member who motivates her and inspires her, Lacy's career is back on track. But is she ready to meet her sexy musical muse...face to face?

HE MAKES HER HEART SKIP A BEAT

Eli is definitely interested in hooking up with Lacy, aka "LoveCoda." But between writing her new album and his band's success, they can't find the time to face the music-or each other-about their burgeoning online romance. All that changes when Eli and Lucy get booked on tour together. In person, the attraction is all too real and explosive. They both should walk away, but once they are in each other's arms, there is no turning back...

Review-Jo 

This story has evoked so many different feelings for me, from swooning over the romantic scenes to being driven crazy by some of the characters actions. "Love Struck" started off brilliantly. I was immediately entertained by the story and I loved Lacy and Eli. I had a big fat smile on my face after reading Lacy and Eli's beginning. I adored the pair's flirty dialogue and I was excited to discover what their future would hold. I thought that I had pretty much predicted how the book would play out. However I soon realised that I had guessed wrong and things didn't go as well as I had first anticipated between this couple. To say that I was gutted with the change in direction would have been an understatement. 

For the majority of the story, the range of emotions that had been stirred were mainly negative. Anger, frustration and impatience all played a part in my journey through this book. I was disappointed with the direction in Lacy's character and saddened by some of the choices she made. I found some of her behaviour to be quite hurtful and it shocked me how Lacy could change my opinion of her so quickly. I was also surprised when I learnt Lacy and Eli's age. I had expected them to be a lot younger, especially Lacy. Thank goodness Eli was a hell of lot more endearing. He was the only character that I enjoyed throughout. Eli was a kind, caring and loving guy and I thought that Lacy was nuts to act the way that she did towards him. 

So, by the time I had reached the end of this novel, I was feeling extremely disheartened by what I had read. I so wanted to fall in love with this story but because of my disappointment, I ended up losing interest in Lacy and Eli. My initial excitement had popped and even a HEA could not bring me any joy. I was truly upset that this one wasn't for me as I loved the previous book in the series and I have loved every single book from Laurelin Paige. I know that some people have loved Lacy and Eli's story but unfortunately it wasn't a book for me. 

"Love Struck" gets 3 hearts from me.

Review: Tara Brown's "The Lonely (The Lonely #1)."

Amazon.com:    http://amzn.to/1SzQ91e

Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/20fVauP

Synopsis:

The truth is subjective to what the lonely lets in. 

Emalyn Spicer has lived with it for a long time. She thinks it goes back further than her memories do. She knows it goes back further than the OCD.

When she arrives at college, her OCD's and the lonely refuse to let her have her wish to be normal. 

When she meets Sebastian and starts to fall for him, she lets herself believe it's possible to outrun the things chasing her from the past. But how to you get away from the things inside of you? How do you run from yourself?

Just as she gives up and succumbs to the lonely, the unthinkable happens. She finds herself once again trapped in the dark, once again held against her will.

This time she meets the lonely head on. In the darkest corners of her mind, she discovers there is more to her world than she ever imagined. She discovers that the lonely was there for her, protecting her from herself and her secrets.

How far would you go to find yourself?

This is a dark and captivating novel, tread lightly

Review: Surj

Tara Brown's "The Lonely" is one of only a hand full of books that have left me at odds with myself in terms of how I feel about the story that unraveled before me. Sure there were bits that had me glued to the pages, but equally there some pretty left field moments too that resulted in a whole lot of confusion which had me going back and making sure I hadn't missed anything. Yup, this was quite the addictive yet crazy read that I can't decide if I loved, liked or simply tolerated so that I could get to the end and find out what all the random bizarreness was all about.

They don’t really know him, not the dark and scary parts, but then again 

they don’t know those places in me. Only he does. Only he has seen the 

darkness. Only he embraces the darkness inside of me and turns it into love and light.

For me, "The Lonely" was a book of two halves. The first half I absolutely loved even though the first few pages had me thinking I'd walked into some parallel book universe. It was like Emalyn's story had started without me and with all these characters making an appearance and very obviously already a part of some bigger picture, I felt a little lost and very late to a party that appeared to be in full swing. Fear not though because the more I read, the more I got used to this and found myself desperately trying to connect the dots. I needed to find out more about these people. Who were they? What role did they play? What was their relationship to the other characters? How had they all met? Why were they in each other's lives? What was their motive? What were they hiding? See, so many questions that needing answering and my inquisitive nature meant I wouldn't not be putting this book down until I had all the answers. 

The dark is a quiet place. Reflection and contemplation are the only things to do in it. 

Well that, and imagine the worst things possible. I don’t have to reflect or contemplate 

or any of those things. I know what the worst things possible are. 

I know about the things that hide in the dark. Insanity is the least of them.

The second half of the book for me was a little bit of a let down. With a lot of stuff out in the open, this was more a journey of self discovery. It was about learning to let go of the past and embracing the  future. It was ok but I did find myself rolling my eyes a few times and equally wondering whether the main character would do some of the things she did. As for Emalyn's benefactor.. Uncle Daddy weirdo.. his character definitely intrigued me. He was dark and mysterious and I couldn't wait to find out more about him. Let's just say he was as f**ked up as Emalyn which meant this definitely made for car crash reading. 

The premise for "The Lonely" was a good one but I guess for me, some of the execution was a little random and as a result, parts of the story was a little disjointed. This story is dark and it is twisted. The sex scenes are hot, heavy and definitely on the erotic side and the author does touch on many a sensitive subject matter so you have been warned. 

He smiles and the world is okay. It feels like it grew a tiny bit. 

Like I let him into the small corner where I live.

All in all, I'm still struggling to work out how I felt about this book. Would I recommend it? I think I would just to get someone else's perspective. 

I rated "The Lonely" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Abbi Glines "The Best Goodbye (Rosemary Beach #12)."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1RoBHHU

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1GAFskK

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next sizzling novel in the Rosemary Beach series, featuring well-known playboy and Blaire’s half brother, Captain.

The look on Rose’s face had screamed that she was hiding something. Hell, she’d practically run away from me. There was something to that. I knew there was...

After ten years in the employ of a mysterious crime boss, River “Captain” Kipling is ready to leave his sordid past—and his cover occupation as an upscale restaurateur—behind him. The only thing standing in the way of his “retirement” is his commitment to launch a new restaurant in the resort town of Rosemary Beach. With his sister, Blaire, nearby, Captain can delay his dream of running a humble bar on the waterfront, but the unwanted attentions of his head server, Elle, have him itching to get out.

Until he notices Rose Henderson, the new server at the restaurant. All he knows about the pretty redhead with the cute glasses is that she’s a hardworking single mom from Oklahoma. But there’s something overly familiar about her laugh...something strange about the way she looks at Captain...

Review: Surj

Another Rosemary Beach story by the lovely Abbi Glines and I couldn't wait to dip my toes back into that lovely town and get soaked up my that wonderful sense of familiarity I always get when reading a book in this series. BUT.... please don't all throw stones at once but this one wasn't quite for me... I know, I know. It really does gut me to have to say but Captain's story was so different to the other books and although many of you out there loved that, for me, it just didn't work. 

You can't tell your heart to stop loving someone. I've been trying that for years. 

"The Best Goodbye" started out brilliantly and I loved the back stories of both River and Rose. Chapters told from the past were both heart waring and soul destroying in equal measure and clearly highlighted the devastation each of these characters had experienced and tried to leave behind. Yup, be prepared for Abbi Glines signature truck load of angst which she definitely didn't scrimp on in this book. I loved the whole secrets element of "The Best Goodbye" too. Both Captain and Rose had pasts that they were trying desperately to keep locked away and that's what kept me engaged. I mean who doesn't love a good secret right? And these were good... really good!!! 

Because when River Joshua Kipling decided you were worth protecting, 

he did it with everything he had.

So what went wrong when things seemed to going along on the right tracks? For me, the minute things came out in the open, the characters started to frustrate me. There was so much push and pull, will they won't they and so much jealousy that it drove me crazy in the end. I wanted to shake the characters, especially Rose who became increasingly annoying, the further I read. Unfortunately, she knew how irritating she was becoming because she owned it and apologised (to River of course over and over again!!!). Grrrr. 

On top of that, the main thing that keeps me coming back to this series of books is that overwhelming sense of familiarity I get when I turn the pages of a Rosemary Beach novel. The surroundings, the characters, that sense of community. For me, this was something that seriously lacked  in "The Best Goodbye" with only Blaire, Mase and Reese making an appearance very briefly. 

“I can’t remember what my life was like before you,” I told him honestly. 

“And I don’t want to remember.” He smirked. “I remember what mine was like before you, 

and I don’t ever want to live without you again.” 

So all in all, an ok addition to this series but probably one of my least favourites Abbi Glines books to date. Gutted but that doesn't mean I'm giving up. Hell no... we have Nan's book on the way and I can't wait for that one. I rated "The Best Goodbye" ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Britney King's "Anywhere With You."

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1MrBj4o

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1Mo90ba

Synopsis:

They say opposites attract. For Jack and Amelie, that statement is about as close to the truth as it gets. 

She runs from anything that so much smells like love. And, well, as for Jack, he's always been a fan of the chase. Especially where she's concerned. 

Which is exactly what happens when he proposes... to accompany her on a cross-country road trip. 

A bet is made. True to form, Jack puts everything on the table—while Amelie keeps her cards tucked close to her heart. 

The question remaining when it all shakes out—is whether it's possible they can both win?

Will a road trip across the country finally teach them to meet in the middle? Or simply drive them further apart? 

This is the continuation of a love story that (like many) was never really over.

Review-Jo 

Having loved "Somewhere With You", I was excited to start this one. I couldn't wait to discover what had happened to Jack and Amelie. Now, this story didn't quite begin in the way that I had expected it to. I was almost certain that when I had left Jack and Amelie at the end of the previous book, they were finally a couple with a HEA firmly within their grasp, however this was no longer the case. The couple were apart yet again, and I was completely confused to what had happened between the pair. 

So, the story wasn't what I had envisioned and I was feeling a little disappointed with the way it began to play out. Jack and Amelie's relationship continued to be all over the place. One minute they were just friends, the next minute they were having sex and confessing their feelings for one another and then they were going their seperate ways again. To say I was frustrated was an understatement. I also felt that Jack and Amelie had lost the chemistry that they had once shared. I was not a happy bunny! Lol. 

Unfortunately I was also disheartened by the main characters. Amelie was no longer the easy going character that I had met in book one of this series. She was now depressed and unhappy most of the time and Jack was also living a life that was filled with little joy. He drove me a little crazy, to tell you the truth. It was obvious that he still loved Amelie with all of his heart but he was too fearful to go after what he truly wanted. Because Amalie and Jack both struggled with their feelings they both wasted a hell of a long time. 

To be honest I was feeling so sad after reading this book. I wanted a swoony, romantic story and I was gutted that I didn't get that. The only time I became excited by Jack and Amelie's relationship was for the final few chapters and the epilogue. I hate to say it, but I felt as though this story was just one long tease. 

"Anywhere With You" gets ❤️❤️❤️   moving to ❤️❤️❤️ from me.