Review: Almost a Bride (Jo Watson)

Almost a Bride
Series: Destination Love, #2
Author: Jo Watson

Publication Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Annie knows life isn’t always fair. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you get mistaken for a crazed intruder when you come home early and find your boyfriend wearing nipple clamps with a coworker on the night you thought he was going to propose to you.

The important thing is to move on, and for Annie that means treating herself to a tropical vacation. But when she runs into her ex and his new woman staying at the same resort, reason is washed out to sea. Caught off guard, Annie pretends she’s with Chris, a cute screenwriter she meets on the beach. With his own writing blocked, Chris is happy to help Annie craft a story to save face. Soon Annie isn’t just getting over her ex, she’s getting under Chris. As her fictional feelings grow increasingly real, Annie has to decide if she’s ready to risk her heart on a new relationship.


About six months ago, I was asked if I would like to participate in the blog tour for Jo Watson’s romance novel Burning Moon (Destination Love, #1). Saying yes was one of the best book decisions I’ve ever made because it introduced me to Jo Watson’s brilliant writing and witty humor. I loved every moment of reading Burning Moon, and when the option to be part of the blog tour for Almost a Bride (Destination Love, #2) came about, I said yes without hesitation.

Almost a Bride follows Annie as she tries to mend the heart her cheating ex-boyfriend broke. When her ex-boyfriend, Trevv, and his new girlfriend show up at the same resort Annie’s vacationing at, she’s forced to take desperate measures to show she’s happily moved on. Annie introduces them to her new fake-boyfriend, a man she’s just met. Luckily for Annie, Chris is looking for some writing inspiration and is willing to join the charade. The longer Annie and Chris play boyfriend and girlfriend, the closer the more their relationship starts to feel less fake and more real.

Once again, Jo Watson has crafted a hilariously heartwarming romance. I love how she’s able to take a character from heartbreak and bring them full circle through self-discovery. Her characters may be hurt, but they’re not down for the count. They always find their true selves and the things in life they’re made for. It’s so refreshing!

I fell in love with Annie Anne the minute I began reading her story. She was so awesome, and I identified with her brokenhearted madness. (I kind of feel like the author modeled her after me in my early 20’s, but I probably shouldn’t be admitting that!) I mean, who hasn’t played up their lives in front of an ex? Annie pulled off what we all wish we could have at some point in our lives.

Chris was the perfect guy for Annie to meet. He was sexy in a cute, goofy way. I loved the instant connection and joking nature Annie and Chris had. It made their quick decent into love feel possible. They were so perfect together, and the chemistry between them was palpable. Every minute of their romance was adorable.

I probably shouldn’t love the villains in this story but were just too dang perfect. Trevv and Tess were something else. Seriously, I laughed so hard at their antics.

If you love contemporary romances and haven’t yet met Jo Watson’s novels, you’re missing out. She’s quickly become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. I highly recommend both Burning Moon and Almost a Bride.

Top Ten Tuesday: Did Someone Order a Six Pack?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is All about the visuals: Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels/Comics or Ten Comics on My TBR or Top Ten Favorite Picture Books. I’m going to take a different direction and focus my post on covers I’d like to lick stare at for hours. My choice for this week is Did Someone Order a Six Pack?

You’re welcome. 😉


1. The off-campus series
elle kennedy

2. Hudson valley series
alice clayton

3. big rock, Mister o, well hung,
Lauren blakely

4. the gridiron series
jen frederick

5. The Brooklyn bruisers series
sarina bowen

6. billionaire bad boys series
max monroe

7. stroked series
meghan quinn

8. porn star
laurelin paige

9. him series
sarina bowen & elle kennedy

10. knock out love series
kelley r. martin


P.S. You’ll have to excuse my blatant lust for these covers. I’m writing this post while on pain killers. LOL. Like that’s really an excuse! 🙂

Review: Taking Care of the Target (Cindi Madsen)

Taking Care of the Target
Author: Cindi Madsen
Publication Date: January 23, 2017
Genre: New Adult, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating:

Synopsis:

Vince DaMarco always liked Cassie, the shy waitress who works at the restaurant that serves as a front for his mob boss uncle. Unfortunately, she witnesses a back alley hit, and while fleeing, she’s struck by a truck. Now she’s at the top of the hit list. Desperate to stop anyone who’d draw out Cassie’s death, Vince volunteers to take care of it.

Cassie Dalton has no recollection of her accident, but she’s told she’s lucky to be alive. A few years are missing from her memory, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t right—along with the creepy sensation that she’s being watched—won’t go away.

Vince shows up right when Cassie needs him most. In a world of confusion, the rugged stranger is the one thing that makes sense. But little does she know, she’s found refuge in the arms of the very man who’s been sent to kill her.


This is a difficult review to write. I wanted to love Cindi Madsen’s new release, Taking Care of the Target, but I had a hard time reading it. The writing was good — I just never connected with the characters or the mob-related story. I tried several times. I would put it down, and then come back later to see if it was a mood I was in or something. Sadly, I just wasn’t pulled in enough by a third of the way through to care about what was going on or to have a desire to finish reading it. I wish that wasn’t true. I have no doubt Taking Care of the Target will speak to other romantic suspense reader, but it just wasn’t for me.

Review: Bossman (Vi Keeland)

Bossman
Author: Vi Keeland
Publication Date: July 16, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

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?


Get ready for some gushing because I loved every single thing about Bossman. It was unlike any other office romance I’ve read. Chase ended up being Reese’s boss, but the story was so much more than that. It had its moments of feeling like an office romance, but it was a much deeper story than two people hooking up at work.

From the moment Reese and Chase met, sparks flew in the hottest and most enjoyable way ever. They clicked. Every moment of them together was electric. It didn’t matter whether they were joking around, battling it out or making love. There was an undeniable passion in every situation. Their combined humor delighted me from the first chapter. Their emotional connection made me swoon. Their drama made me long for a happy ending. And their ending…Well, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

This is my first time reading a book by Vi Keeland, but it’s not going to be my last. I’m in love with her writing. I feel the need to search out all of her other titles and read them ASAP. Obviously, I highly recommend Bossman. Now, go read it!

Review: Just Kiss Me (Rachel Gibson)

Just Kiss Me
Author: Rachel Gibson
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson returns with this dazzling love story filled with sizzle, sass, and just a bit of southern charm…

“Hello, Ms. Vivian . . . it’s been a long time.”

And with those words, Vivian Leigh Rochet nearly melted. It’s been years since she last saw Harrison Whitley-Shuler. She was a teenager scrubbing houses for a living. He was the gorgeous son of rich parents, not fit for the likes of her.

Vivian had vowed to get out of Charleston, become a big Hollywood star, and stick it to the snooty girls who made her cry.

She got what she wanted—and more—but why does her glamorous life seem so trivial?

Harrison got out too . . . making it all the way to Wall Street, until a heart attack forced him to trade in his cufflinks for a good set of hand tools.

Making furniture soothes his soul, but escaping the Whitley-Shuler heritage is nearly impossible. And now he’s come face-to-face with the one who got away. He’s not looking for love. He’s not even looking for sex . . . so why is resisting her the hardest thing he’s ever done?


Rachel Gibson is one of the first contemporary romance writers I fell in love with when I became an adult. She combines humor with a touch of Southern charm that makes her romances stand out from the pack. It’s been a while since she released a new book, so I was excited to read Just Kiss Me.

Just Kiss Me was a solid contemporary romance. It had witty dialog and the Southern charm I look for in Rachel Gibson’s books. The plot was cute and filled with super sexy moments. It should have been another knock out book from Gibson for me, but there were a couple of things that didn’t gel with me.

I had a hard time connecting with Vivian. There was something about her didn’t like. It was hard for me to pinpoint at first, but I think it was her personality. I had a hard time connecting the entitled starlet with insecurity issues to the somewhat nasty little girl in her journal entries. The entries tried to create a enemies to lovers connection between Vivian and Henry, but instead they made me wonder if the adult Vivian could really be who she seemed to be. It also left me with questions of what happened between her adolescence and adult lives. I felt like I was missing a big piece of Vivian’s story.

The other thing that I wasn’t fond of was the overly dramatic turn of events the story was based on. It was too convoluted. Not that it didn’t work, it did. It just wasn’t realistic or maybe even needed. The romance between Vivian and Henry would have worked without it.

My favorite thing about Just Kiss Me was the relationship between Vivian and Henry. Their dislike for each other and confusion about their attraction to each other was fun. It made their initial sexual encounter explosive. I could feel their connection and liked them together.

Even though this wasn’t my favorite Rachel Gibson romance, I would still recommend it to readers who love contemporary romances. It has a complex plot that will keep you captivated to the very end and a romance that will make you swoon.

Review: Lila (Elizabeth Reyes)

Lila
Series: Boyle Heights, #1
Author: Elizabeth Reyes
Publication Date: January 26, 2017
Publisher: Elizabeth Reyes
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

When two unlikely paths cross . . . compatibility seems improbable.

Adrift in a foul-mouthed world of ass kicking to survive life on the tough streets of Boyle Heights, Lila is anything but a refined girlie girl. Fighting tooth and nail for those she loves has left her with a chip on her shoulder as big as the gloves on her fists.

After years of being surrounded by glamorous glitzy women, Sonny didn’t even realize how much he’s yearned for someone of real substance. So, when he meets the unapologetic, sexy-as-hell Lila, her in-your-face candor awakens something in him he’s never felt before.

Despite Lila’s suspicions about Sonny’s intentions, the two begin a seemingly innocent, yet deliciously dangerous, online flirtation as his business keeps him away a lot.

The more their rapidly growing connection intensifies, the more Lila feels Sonny is too perfect to be true. But when she’s blindsided by the truth about who Sonny really is . . .

Compatibility suddenly feels impossible.

The first in my new series “Boyle Heights.” A spin-off of 5th Street. Will feature character crossings from other series’. Stay tuned to find out who Lila’s love interest will be. 😉


Elizabeth Reyes was one of the first new adult authors I fell in love with. Her stories are filled with a diverse group of characters who are all mentally tough and willing to fight for what they believe in. I always appreciate the little connections she weaves in between her series, and the incredibly alpha males she creates.

Lila is a sports romance with a little romantic suspense woven in. It’s told in dual points of view. Lila is a badass fighter just trying to get by. Sonny is the guy who sees past her tough exterior to the woman she really is. I have to warn readers, Lila and Sonny kind of have an insta-love thing going on. That didn’t bug me, though. Their relationship might appear a little rushed, but it felt natural. I can see a lot of relationships being formed the way Lila and Sonny’s was with technology being what it is these days.

Lila was one tough chick. I loved how fierce she was and how she stood up for those she cared about. Her determination was amazing. I also liked that she was the fighter in this one. What I loved even more about her was her ability to get a little soft when it came to Sonny. It made her seem like a real human with insecurities like the rest of us.

Sonny was a surprise. I won’t give away who he is or how he’s connected to Reyes’ other books, but fans of hers are going to freak when they figure out who he is! I did. It made me happy that Sonny finally got the girl. He was a lot sweeter than I remembered him, but maybe that’s because he found his perfect match in Lila.

Sonny isn’t the only character making an appearance from Reyes’ series. The entire cast of the 5th Street novels are involved in this story because Lila trains in their gym. It was fun to see some favorites again. I’m hoping more of her characters will continue to pop up in the Boyle Heights series.

The only thing that kept me from giving Lila 5 stars was the ending. Things got a little crazy, and it wasn’t what I was hoping for the story. I did like the character growth shown by Lila. I just didn’t like how she was able to prove herself. I also felt things were sped through at the end with Lila and Sonny. I didn’t feel their relationship got the focus it should have at the end. Instead, the time was spent on Lila’s sister Ali and setting up the next book — which I can tell is going to be suspenseful! I liked the little preview but would have liked more Lila and Sonny time.

That being said, I still really enjoyed Lila. I loved that Elizabeth Reyes created a character like Lila, who was both physically and mentally tough, and also gave her a soft side. It showed off her talent as a writer. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s up next in the series.

Review: Back Check (Kelly Jamieson)

Back Check
Series: Aces Hockey, #4
Author: Kelly Jamieson
Publication Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

The so-bad-they’re-good alphas of hockey’s Chicago Aces are back in this emotionally charged novel of sex, love, and second chances from the bestselling author of Top Shelf and the Heller Brothers series.

Tanner Bennet hates weddings. They just remind him that he simply isn’t cut out for any kind of healthy, committed relationship—never has been, never will be. After getting rejected by the girl he thought was “the one” all those years ago, he made a huge mistake and married the wrong person. Now that the divorced heartbreaker has reluctantly agreed to be a groomsman for one of his NHL teammates, the last thing he expects is a chance at redemption with the one that got away.

After Marc Dupuis of the Chicago Aces hires wedding planner Katelyn Medford, she discovers that her big break comes with a twist: a reunion with her college sweetheart. The way she dumped Tanner still haunts her. Eight years—and three broken engagements—later, Katelyn knows she’ll never have that kind of innocent, wide-eyed passion again. Still, she and Tanner soon generate enough body heat to burn up the sheets. And even with Tanner’s career with the Aces up in the air, Katelyn’s wondering whether the time is right to let him in for real.


I can’t believe that this is the first Aces Hockey book I’ve read! I’ve been missing out. Back Check was such a fun book to read. It combined two things I love: second chance romances and hockey players. I really have to thank Cristina @ My Tiny Obsessions for cluing me into this series by reviewing Back Check. I might not have found this book otherwise!

Kelly Jamieson’s writing is impressive. It takes a lot to pull off a third person, dual point of view narrative and she nailed it. There was no problem connecting with the characters or their thoughts and feelings. I barely even noticed the story wasn’t in first person! I also loved the way she set up this second chance love story. The reasoning behind the characters’ original breakup was perfect. I loved that it was traumatic to them, but not overly dramatic for the reader.

Tanner and Katelyn were both haunted by their past mistakes and dealing with their current pressures. Reconnecting heightened their concerns about what was to come, but it also brought them comfort. Their rekindled relationship was amazing, and while complicated, it also felt simple and right. Their chemistry was incredible, and I loved the moments they spent getting to know each other again.

Back Check was an entertaining romance. I loved all of the characters and their hilarious interactions. I couldn’t get enough of this book, and I’m so excited to go back and read the rest of the series! Kelly Jamieson has a new fan!

Review: Strawberry Wine (Darly Jamison)

Strawberry Wine
Author: Darly Jamison
Publication Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: Zebra Shout
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

How do you know if a first love is made to last?
Addison Monroe was eighteen when she fell for Jake Grady, a college student working on her family s farm for the summer. With his sapphire eyes and killer smile, Jake could have had any girl in Lakeside, Georgia. But he wanted Addy, and for those brief, wonderful months before circumstances drove them irrevocably apart they belonged to each other.
Ten years later, Addy is engaged to a doctor and working in Atlanta as a physician s assistant. Life feels full and satisfying. Yet memories of that long-ago summer and wine-flavored kisses are hard to shake. On a return visit to Lakeside, Addy crosses paths with Jake again, and soon finds herself at an unexpected crossroads. So much has changed, and Addy has chosen another route. And the magic of first love can never be rekindled…can it?”


Strawberry Wine is the story of a teenage girl experiencing her first love only to lose him. Flash forward ten years later, and Abby runs into her first love Jake again. Their reunion is bittersweet because Abby is engaged to marry another man. Seeing Jake again makes Abby begin to question the life she has chosen.

Strawberry Wine was a of mix of romance genres. Part One was a young/new adult romance filled with lots of immature teenage drama. It was the story of Addy’s past with Jake, and it nicely led into Part Two. The switch from Addy’s teenage viewpoint to her adult one was well done. She felt like the same person just older, which is what you would expect. Part Two was an adult contemporary romance.

Addie was a typical teenage girl navigating falling in love for the first time. She was dramatic and teenage girl crazy. There was an innocent sweetness of her relationship with Jake that I really loved. In some ways, I wish time hadn’t jumped so much in Part Two and that they could have resolved their issues earlier.

Jake was that hot cowboy of your dreams with a sensitive side. I couldn’t find much wrong with him other than he let Addie slip through his fingers, and he made a questionable decision at one point in Part Two. Otherwise, he was perfect.

What kept Strawberry Wine from earning a higher rating from me was the inconsistency in pace of the story. The slow, drawn out beginning of Addie and Jake’s relationship in Part One didn’t feel cohesive with fast-paced conclusion of Part Two. Part Two felt like it abruptly ended and then everything was quickly explained in the epilogue. It felt like something was missing. I would rather have experienced the time between the end of Part Two and the epilogue.

Strawberry Wine was a good debut novel. Darly Jamison is an up-and-coming writer with the potential to become great. She created an entertaining story with interesting characters and a lot of fun drama. I’m looking forward to reading her next novel.

Review: On Second Thought (Kristan Higgins)

On Second Thought
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publication Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Following in the footsteps of her critically acclaimed novel If You Only Knew , multi-bestselling author Kristan Higgins returns with a pitch-perfect look at the affection—and the acrimony—that binds sisters together. 

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is for Eric to blind side her with a tactless breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her half-sister, Kate, who’s already struggling after the sudden loss of her new husband.

Kate has always been so poised, so self-assured, but Nathan’s death shatters everything she thought she knew—including her husband—and sometimes the people who step up aren’t the ones you expect. With seven years and a murky blended-family dynamic between them, Ainsley and Kate have never been overly close, but their shared sorrow dovetails their faltering worlds into one.

Despite the lifetime of history between them, the sisters must learn to put their differences aside and open their hearts to the inevitable imperfection of family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.


I was so impressed with this book. Not because I haven’t always loved Kristan Higgins’ writing, but because On Second Thought felt so much rawer than her other novels. It still had that sassy humor and sparkling romantic element to it, but it also had heartbreak so deep and jarring. I wasn’t expecting it, but I loved it. (Here’s where I have to admit that I didn’t expect it because I didn’t read the blurb of this book before reading it. I just saw Kristan Higgins wrote it and was in.)

The characters in On Second Thought were spectacular. I loved every single one of them — even the evil ones. I was especially impressed with the two main characters, Kate and Ainsley. Kate and Ainsley were sisters, but they weren’t close. When both of their lives implode, they find themselves leaning on each other for support. I empathized with both of them. I’ve never been through what Kate was going through, but I could understand her despair and confusion. I loved the frankness of her point of view. Her thoughts and feelings felt natural. Ainsley was very easy for me to identify with. The feelings of contentment with taking care of her loved ones and being pleasant with those around her really hit home with me.

One of my favorite characters in this book was evil Eric. Higgins couldn’t have made him more perfect. Everything he did made me want to smack him. I hated him, but I loved what his character brought to the story. Plus, his stupidity made me laugh.

The thing that made On Second Thought truly special was the journey Kristan Higgins took the reader on. I experienced heartbreak, grief, healing and the possibility of life after all of those things. The journey through all the emotions was beautifully crafted and well-timed. I loved every moment of this book.

On Second Thought is Kristan Higgins’ second foray into women’s fiction and exploring the bonds of sisterhood, but hopefully it won’t be her last. I loved this story so much, and I know other readers will as well.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books That Made Me Crave A Tasty Treat

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is Freebie. My choice for this week is Ten Books That Made Me Crave A Tasty Treat.


1. Garden Spells
Sarah Addison Allen

2. Sweet Addiction
J. Daniels

3. Deep Dish
Mary Kay Andrews

4. Sweet on You
Kate Perry

5. Savor the Moment
Nora Roberts

6. Nuts
Alice Clayton

7. Cream of the Crop
Alice Clayton

8. Candy Store
Bella Andre

9. Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise
Ruth Reichl


Have you read any books that have made you crave tasty morsels?