Tag: 4.5/5 gavels

Oct 13

{ARC Review} Tonic by Staci Hart @imaquirkybird

Tonic is a new adult romantic comedy by Staci Hart. I would put this one more in the vein of a contemporary romance because it takes some time for the comedy part of the romantic comedy to gear up. But either way, I loved Tonic. I was in the mood for a really great romance and it totally hit the spot. I have been wanting to read another Staci Hart book for a while now, because I knew that I would really enjoy it and I was right. She is right up there with Penny Reid and Meg Cabot as my romance go to authors. I loved the perspective that Tonic took. I am a reality tv show junky and Tonic is about a tattoo shop that is getting it’s own reality show. But the story itself is told in dual narrative between Annika and Joel. Joel is the shop owner and Annika is a tv show producer. That is the interesting perspective I am talking about. I think it… Read more »

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Sep 10

{Review} The Possibility of Somewhere by @AuthorJuliaDay @GriffinTeen

The Possibility of Somewhere is a young adult contemporary romance by Julia Day. I loved The Possibility of Somewhere. It is a fantastic young adult standalone novel, that will make you fall in love with the characters and will have you genuinely wondering how the story will turn out. It is the kind of story that you know does not guarantee a happy ending. This is a book that I would re-read in a heart beat. I can’t wait to read more from Julia Day. She has really impressed me with her skill. I don’t often reach for young adult dramatic contemporaries anymore, because often the characters play into stereotypes, and I find them lacking…something. I have been turning more and more to new adult for my contemporary romances. But, sometimes I love a good dramatic read. The key word here being good. I don’t like drama for drama’s sake. I don’t like it to feel forced, but I never felt that way with The Possibility of Somewhere. And there… Read more »

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Aug 22

${Review+Giveaway} Laws of Attraction by @RC_Boldt$

{Review+Giveaway} Laws of Attraction by @RC_Boldt

Laws of Attraction by R.C. Boldt is the fourth book in the adult romance teach me series. Each of the books in the Teach me series work as standalones. I have not read any of the previous three books,. but I wasn’t lost at all. I will say this though, now that I have expereinced the magic of R.C. Boldt’s books, I need more. I really loved Laws of Attraction. This is why I loved this book so much. Does the above quote look like the words of a player. A guy who would not settle down for anyone? No, but he is just a big ole softie. I love it when anti- love guys are the most romantic ones of all. And the Laws of Attraction was a very romantic story. At least, it felt that way to me. I loved Lawson so much! All the way down to his goofy t-shirts. I loved him so much that I felt bad for pegging him in a certain stereotype from… Read more »

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Aug 12

{Review+Giveaway} #ItEndsWithUs by @ColleenHoover @AtriaIndies

“Colleen Hoover reminds readers that love is a fragile thing, built from courage, hope, and tears. Every person with a heartbeat should read this book.” – Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author Visit www.ItEndsWithUsBook.com for teasers, tour dates and more. It Ends with us is a new adult standalone by Colleen Hoover. Man, does she write emotional reads. This one really got to me. Actually, this quote from author Anna Todd explains the book to a T for me: I agree with her 100%. Colleen Hoover is the QUEEN of emotional reads. It Ends with Us totally broke my heart, but in a good way. If that is even possible. I have a feeling that my review is not going to do this story justice. It Ends with Us is the kind of book that you simply must read and experience for yourself to truly get it. This is a book that will reach in and grab your soul. I immediately connected with Lily. Her voice and speaking… Read more »

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Aug 11

{Review+Giveaway} Playing by Her Rules by @AmyAndrewsbooks @BrazenBooks

Playing by Her Rules is the first book in a new contemporary romance series, called the Sydney Smoke Rugby series, by Amy Andrews. I suppose you could call this a second chance at love novel, but it is like an ex novel. I really liked the story line in this one, because surprisingly it is one that I have not seen done much. Matilda is a writer, and she gets assigned to cover one of her ex-boyfriend’s rugby team- sparks fly. And I don’t necessarily mean positive sparks. I loved how feisty Playing by Her Rules was. It was so much fun to read! I have to say, the whole cover makes Tanner seem all kinds of devilish. And at first glance, I can’t say that description is too far off. But make no mistake, Matilda can more than hold her own. She is not letting go of the past, even though Tanner is determined to get her to change her mind. It was a battle of wills between these… Read more »

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Aug 10

{Review+Giveaway} The Playboy’s Proposal by @AshleeMallory @entangledpub @RomanceIsBliss

The Playboy’s Proposal is the third book in the contemporary romance series from author Ashlee Mallory and the Entangled Bliss imprint. Each of the books in the Sorenson family series can be read as standalones. I read, and thoroughly enjoyed, the first book in the series, Her Backup Boyfriend. I really enjoyed it, but I never got around to reading the second book in the series. When I saw the third book was out, I couldn’t pass it up. I love a makeover story. And I’m not sure what it is, but I have been reading a lot of books that have been good but kind of meh lately. So I was very excited to see how much I was truly enjoying The Playboy’s Proposal. It was a book that I didn’t want to be over. Benny is great. I love how spunky and sassy and down to earth she is. I loved that she didn’t back down from her loud neighbor when he was stealing her parking spot and… Read more »

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Jul 26

{Review} #WickedBeautiful by @JTGeissinger @JacksHouse18

Wicked Beautiful is the first in the Wicked Games series by J. T. Geissinger. The Wicked Games series is an adult contemporary romance series, and I have just been eating this series up! Book two, Wicked Sexy is already out, and as soon as I finished book one, I immediately started scouring my kindle to find and start book 2. It is that good. (plus, I am super excited for the hackers story in Wicked Sexy! I love me some hackers) Wicked beautiful really has something for every kind of contemporary romance lover. There is some good ole revenge plots going on, some second chance love, some enemies to lovers, some mystery, and a whole lot of fun! When I tell you that I devoured this book in one sitting, I truly mean it. This book jumped to top of my to-do list the moment I started reading it. It was predictable and a little contrived in the sense that Man-hater Victoria just happens to be Parker’s long lost ()… Read more »

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Jul 07

{Review} Hitched: Volume One by @KendallRyan1 @EverAfterRom

Hitched is the first book in the new adult Imperfect Love trilogy by Kendall Ryan. I loved this book! It is a fun, flirty and more than a little sexy read. I think this sums it up perfectly, in fact. Except they don’t even start out as friends. They kind of hate each other. (at least, Olivia hates Noah.) Hitched is a three volume trilogy, with each of the books set to release in rapid succession. And trust me, that is a good thing. Because you are not going to be able to get enough of Olivia and Noah. You are going to want the next book in your hands ASAP. I know I do! I am already itching to start volume two. I need it in my life right now. Everything about this story worked for me. I loved how cocky Noah is. And how standoffish Olivia is. They clearly have a big history with each other and they know each other really well, they just start out hating each other. I liked… Read more »

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Jun 30

{Review} Mate of a Dragon Villain by Mandy Rosko @Rizzorosko

Mate of a Dragon Villain by Mandy Rosko is part of the Skeleton Key book series. I really love the set up of this series. It is a group of almost 30 authors, each one writing a book featuring a skeleton key that unlocks a secret world. But all of the books are vastly different. Different themes, different age groups and different sub genres. I just love that idea. So whether you like young adult, new adult or adult, you will be able to find a book for you. If you want to know more information about the series you can check out the website dedicated to the books. Skeleton Key Book Series One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures. https://skeletonkeybookseries.com Mate of a Dragon Villain is up there as one of my favorite of the books I have read so far in the Skeleton Key series. It might even be my very favorite one. Stick with me on this one. I know the title threw me for a loop before I… Read more »

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Jun 16

${Review+Giveaway} Crossing the Line by @AudraNorth @Barclay_PR @SMPRomance$

{Review+Giveaway} Crossing the Line by @AudraNorth @Barclay_PR @SMPRomance

A reporter looking for a big break gets involved with a race car driver with a secret that could destroy his entire team if they find out. Crossing the Line is the third book in the adult (though it felt more like New Adult to me) Hard Driving series by Audra North. Audra is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I absolutely LOVED Pushing Her Luck and now I have really loved Crossing The Line as well. This is the first book that I have read from the Hard Driving series, and now I want to race out (ha- see what I did there.) and get the first two books in the series. Crossing the Line is the final book in the series, and each one of them can be read as a standalone. Crossing the Line is the story of an up and coming journalist that is trying her hardest to make a name for herself, and a racing driver that is trying his hardest to create a… Read more »