Review: Tied (Carian Cole)

Tied
Series: All Torn Up, #2
Author: Carian Cole
Publication Date: November 12, 2018
Genre: New Adult, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Tyler Grace was many things.
A myth. An outcast. A hero.
My prince.

My childhood and innocence were stolen when I was kidnapped at five years old. For eleven years I clung to my childhood fairytale books, waiting for the prince I hoped would someday save me and carry me off to a happily ever after.

I had no idea my savior would come in the form of a scarred recluse, covered in tattoos, who can’t–or won’t–speak a word.

But the moment our eyes met I knew he was the one. My prince.

Tyler Grace is haunted by his tragic past and he’s sentenced himself to a lifetime of solitude in the woods. He’s as lost in society as I am; scarred just as much on the inside as the outside. Just like me.

He saved my life that day he found me and killed my captor with his bare hands. I was warned to stay away from him. But I can’t stop thinking about him. I ache to hear his voice and see him smile. And I want nothing more than to be the one to break through his walls.

I think he’s the only one who can break through mine, too.

Together we can have love, happiness, and a closeness that once felt impossible to have. But can we overcome the horrible, twisted past that ties us together?

** Tied can be read as a single book, and has a happy ending


Tied is a book that has been around for several years now, but it’s one I hadn’t heard about until Tanya mentioned it was one of her favorites in a TTT post a while back. I downloaded it and it sat on my Kindle for a while. I finally had a chance to read it, and I’m so glad I did.

Carian Cole’s writing is emotionally addictive. I devoured this book. I couldn’t have put it down if I wanted to. I was so invested in Holly and Tyler’s story. It’s a sweet romance filled with so much sadness. Neither of them has had it easy.

Holly was kidnapped and abused for years before she is found and saved by Tyler. Her story is gut wrenching and horrifying. It is sometimes hard to read about. She has so much healing and reconnecting to do. Tyler’s life has been in upheaval for years after two devastating accidents changed his appearance and life. His freedom has been taken, but in a different way than Holly’s. Tyler hides from those who might judge him and has imprisoned himself in doing so. Both Holly and Tyler have to find a way to move on from their trauma and live outside the shadows. It’s hard and painful, but also beautiful. They way Holly and Tyler found solace and hope with each other was everything.

Holly and Tyler were not alone in this book. Family also has a big presence. Returning to her past life with her parents and siblings isn’t as easy as Holly thought it would be. Everyone has a different idea of what is best for her. I loved seeing her reconnect with her brother and grandmother. Tyler is loosely connected to his brothers, sister, and mother, but holds them at a distance. The interactions he has with them are sometimes surprising but always greatly needed. There were so many complex dynamics and I loved how Cole wrote them.

I don’t really know what else to say about Tied. It’s a book that will stay on my mind for a long time. I’m very happy that Holly and Tyler got their HEA.

CW: kidnapping, child physical and sexual abuse, starvation, PTSD, past alcohol and drug abuse

Review: Rebel (Ginger Scott)

Rebel
Series: The Boys of Welles, #2
Author: Ginger Scott

Publication Date: September 8, 2022
Genre: Mature Young Adult / New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

On the surface, Cameron Hass always seems a bit risky. First to take the dare, last to leave the tracks in the face of an oncoming train, the Boston rebel has always liked to flirt with danger. But underneath, he’s terrified. Not about breaking an arm or getting pulled over for driving twice the speed limit, but about the man he’s going to become when he graduates from Welles Academy. His role models have never really been much to look up to.

Brooklyn Bennett, on the other hand, always appears to have it together. Every button is done, every hair in the perfect place, every grade not just an A, but an A+. Beautiful, smart, and from political royalty, Brooklyn set her future goals at the age of five, and she’s never strayed from the path of following in her parents’ diplomatic footsteps.

Until now.

Surviving a terrifying car crash her junior year left Brooklyn questioning a lot of things. Losing her best friend left her feeling alone. But Cameron’s always been a good listener. And messy or not, his heart has always been in the right place. And when Brooklyn needed someone, he was right there. Maybe . . . he’s been there all along.

But how do chaos and rules go together? And what happens if the rest of the world wants to keep them apart?


The Boys of Welles series started off strong with Loner, but it got even better with Rebel. I loved this book. The Cameron-Brooklyn match up was perfection. I loved the mix of drama and emotions their story held. I was surprised at how many times I laughed. This was one of those reads that had me wanting to pick it up and read any spare minute I had.

Cameron was the wild child class clown type that everyone but authority figures adored. Brooklyn was the good girl who always followed her parents’ rules. Cameron has crushed on her for years, and Brooklyn has just realized she maybe likes him as more than a friend. They were so sweet together. I loved the moments he was cheering her on in her physical recovery. Those were balanced out by the times she stood up for him. Their relationship was a good give and take and proved what a great couple they were despite their differences.

Rebel shows once again why Ginger Scott is a master of mature YA romances. Cameron and Brooklyn were exactly what I want all of opposites attract romance couples to be like. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to find out what’s up with their friends Morgan and James.

Review: Misfit (Elle Kennedy)

Misfit
Series: Prep, #1
Author: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Publisher: Elle Kennedy Inc.
Genre: Mature Young Adult/New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

Finding out your mom is marrying some rich dude you’ve never met is enough to make any eighteen-year-old guy’s head spin. But for RJ SHAW, it only gets worse: he’s being sent to Sandover Prep for senior year. If there’s one place a misfit hacker like RJ doesn’t belong, it’s an ivy-covered all-boys boarding school for rich delinquents.

RJ knows his stay at Sandover will be temporary. Which means there’s no point making friends or trying to fit in. But the plan to remain antisocial goes awry when he meets a gorgeous girl in the woods on campus. SLOANE TRESSCOTT is pure temptation, with a sharp tongue and an ice princess attitude RJ’s determined to crack. Except there’s a catch. Sloane is the one girl he is forbidden from touching.

The headmaster’s daughter.

Good thing RJ doesn’t believe in rules. Sure, Sloane insists she’s swearing off guys this year, but their connection is impossible to deny. He wants her bad, and he’s going to win her over if it kills him.

Unless her ex-boyfriend kills him first.

DUKE, the ruling king of Sandover, will stop at nothing to get rid of his competition. Luckily, RJ’s unwittingly made some friends—his new stepbrother FENN, a pretty boy with a self-destructive streak; LAWSON, self-proclaimed agent of chaos; and SILAS, the All-American Good Guy who can’t actually be as nice as he seems.

If RJ wants to survive prep school and win Sloane’s heart, he’ll need to adapt—and fast. 


I was really looking forward to this new series from Elle Kennedy. I was hoping it would have some Erin Watt Royals vibes (it did) and I was intrigued by the blurb. Did I end up loving it? Not really. I guess I liked it. I’m having a hard time deciding. There were a lot of great things about it, but there was also some stuff that bugged me.

The first chapter of Misfit got my attention in the best way. I was instantly into the story and curious as to where it would go. I loved the idea of a boarding school for rich, troubled teenage boys. The atmosphere at the school set a great tone for the story. RJ, our main male MC, was a lone wolf who didn’t want to conform to the social constructs of Sandover. He’s a hacker who is too cool for school. Despite wanting to avoid everyone and everything, he ends up in his stepbrother Fenn’s friend group. I liked his character.

Fenn, Silas, and Lawson are the guys who also have POVs. Yes, there are multiple POVs in this book. It worked and it didn’t. Each of these four young men is interesting in his own right. Fenn had the hots for a girl he shouldn’t. Silas has a girlfriend but it’s hard to tell if that’s who he’s really into. Lawson is a freaking mess who is partaking in drugs and all sorts of sex. All have mommy or daddy issues. I enjoyed getting to know them. Only problem is their POVs slowed down the story/romance between RJ and Sloane. It took so long to build up to anything that I found myself getting bored and having to push myself to keep reading. Which kind of sucked because once I got to all the fun stuff in the last 1/4 of the book, I was ready to be done with it. Honestly, maybe a prologue novella introducing all the guys would have been better and less distracting. It might have been better if it was just RJ and Sloane.

Sloane did get her own POV in this book as well. There weren’t enough of her chapters to endear her to me, honestly. She was an “ice queen” who was all about hooking up, running, and taking care of her sister. Despite that, I did like her with RJ. Their relationship moved fast but had some sweet moments. I also liked how her ex-boyfriend Duke played into the story. There was also an interesting mystery surrounding something that happened to her sister Casey that I wouldn’t have minded spending more time on.

I think what it comes down to with Misfit is that there was too much included in one book. Taking out the POVs other than RJ’s and Sloane’s might have helped. It would have given more time to develop the relationship between RJ and Sloane and moved the story along faster. Each of the other guys is getting their own book anyways. Maybe the multiple POV over the series will make more sense than just in this one book. I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out later.

My favorite parts of this book were the beginning, the characters, and then the end. I’m really curious about these characters and where their story is headed. The last 1/4 of the book had the action I need to be enthralled with the story. It also ended with a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. I was thinking I might not continue the series at one point when I was pushing through, but who am I kidding? I want to know what is going to happen to these guys.

Review: The Best Bad Thing (Jay Crownover)

The Best Bad Thing
Series: The Point
Author: Jay Crownover

Publication Date: June 15, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Fiction, New Adult
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

Vesper Bell is a good girl. At least, that’s what everyone keeps telling her.
She was the perfect daughter. A straight-A student. The very best friend. And an adoring potential girlfriend.
However, when her life took an unexpected detour into darkness, suffering, and betrayal, Vesper realized being good hadn’t gotten her anywhere. An enthralled audience watched her dramatic fall from grace and clearly wanted her to crash and burn. Those she once trusted the most made it no secret that they wanted her to lose everything…and she did.
But all those years of being such a goodie-two-shoes built Vesper some powerful cosmic karma. On her birthday, she begged for a second chance, an opportunity to right all the wrongs and undo all the bad things she was forced to endure. She made a wish, not knowing that sometimes they really do come true.
Now, right before her fall, she’s back at the beginning, and she has no plans to be a good girl anymore.
Lucky for her, she has the perfect person to teach her how to embrace her rebellious and daring side: a boy with candy-colored hair and eyes as dark as the night sky. They were born on the same day, but that is about all the two of them have in common. Everything about him screams that he is a very bad boy, but Vesper sees the good in him.
He doesn’t seem to care if she’s perfect or pitiful. He keeps stepping in to save her, and he always makes her feel safe even when everything else feels uncertain. He feels real and honest when the rest of her life seems to be built on lies on top of more lies.
One thing Vesper knows to be absolutely true: the surprisingly sweet delinquent is the very best bad thing to ever happen to her.

Ooo! I loved what Jay Crownover did here. The Best Bad Thing was her compelling writing and characters but with an unexpected twist. I tried to guess what would be so different in this surprise book before starting, but I was wrong. There are a couple of other authors’ books that I could maybe compare it to, but no way am I telling you whose or which ones. I’m not giving anything away. I LOVED going in blind and trying to figure out what was happening.

There were a few things that made this book such a good, entertaining surprise. First, was the way the story was set up. There was so much going on and a lot I didn’t see coming. Second, the characters were fantastic. We got one main POV to set the tone and Vesper was very persuasive. Everything she did or said made me even more curious about everything that had happened. I loved everyone she interacted with. All of the characters were vibrant in different ways. My favorite, of course, was Oscar. Third, well can I just say everything else? I just wasn’t expecting this story to be what it was. Honestly, it was right up my alley. I wouldn’t be mad if Crownover wrote a similar type of book in the future.

I should probably mention that this book is related to Crownover’s Welcome to the Point series. I haven’t read that one (yet), and I didn’t feel like I was missing out. In fact, it made me want to read that series even more! The Best Bad Thing was a big win in my book. LOVED IT!

Series Review: Stage Dive (Kylie Scott)

Lick
Series: Stage Dive, #1
Author: Kylie Scott
Narrators: Andi Arndt

Publication Date: February 24, 2014
Publisher: Macmillian Audio
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

I listened to Lick based on a couple of recommendation comments on my “Accidentally” Married in Vegas TTT post. This book was a fun take on that trope. I liked that Evelyn didn’t remember the night she married rockstar David and how that made the entire story/romance play out. I enjoyed unravelling that night in Vegas right alongside Evelyn. This was a surprisingly sweet romance with some great ups and downs. I’m now going to have to read the rest of this series.

Play
Series: Stage Dive, #2
Author: Kylie Scott
Narrators: Andi Arndt

Publication Date: April 11, 2014
Publisher: Macmillian Audio
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

Play was even more fun than Lick. David’s best friend and bandmate Mal is a new favorite character of mine. His antics made me smile and I loved how Anne reacted to him. I loved how their fake relationship turned into the real thing. Listening to this book was addicting!

Lead
Series: Stage Dive, #3
Author: Kylie Scott
Narrators: Andi Arndt

Publication Date: July 29, 2014
Publisher: Macmillian Audio
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts: 

To be honest, I read this book after Deep. I honestly thought I might not go back and read it. I wasn’t really interested in Lena or Jimmy. That would have been a mistake. Lead was my favorite book in the series so far. I adored Lena and I loved how she got Jimmy to open up. Jimmy made me irritated for most of the book, but he made up for it. I wouldn’t mind a second book for this couple, and I don’t normally say something like that with series like this.

 Deep
Series: Stage Dive, #4
Author: Kylie Scott
Narrators: Andi Arndt

Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Macmillian Audio
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

This surprise pregnancy story was good. I loved Liz and how she dealt with her circumstances. Ben was an idiot, but he won me over in the end. I liked how all the bandmates reacted and added to the story.

Review: Nightingale: An Anthology for Ukraine

Nightingale: An Anthology for Ukraine
Authors: Katee Robert, Siobhan Davis, Robin Covington, Xio Axelrod, Vanessa Vale & Renee Rose, Terri E. Laine, Lucy Lennox, C. Hallman & J.L. Beck, Sara Ney, Willow Winters, Rebecca Yarros, Sienna Snow, Ana Huang, Willow Aster, Pepper Winters, Piper Rayne, Rebecca Zanetti, Honey Meyer, Alta Hensley & Livia Grant, Samantha Chase, Parker S. Huntington, T.K. Leigh, Kate Canterbary, Laura Thalassa, Carian Cole, Natasha Knight & Ashleigh Zavarelli, Rina Kent, Lauren Rowe, Rachel Van Dyken, Karla Sorensen, Claudia Burgoa, Kelsey Clayton, Helena Hunting, Aleatha Romig, K.A. Linde, Carly Phillips, Meredith Wild & Chelle Bliss, Kelly Elliott, Brenda Rothert, A.L. Jackson, Jenika Snow, Katie Ashley, Amo Jones, Susan Stoker, Harloe Rae, L.B. Dunbar, Gina L. Maxwell, Tijan, Amelia Wilde, Skye Warren, Penny Reid, Susannah Nix, Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Dylan Allen, Kandi Steiner, Raine Miller, Toni Aleo, Natalie Wrye, Debra Anastasia, Brittney Sahin, Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland, Jay Crownover, Catherine Cowles, Roni Loren, Shantel Tessier, Aly Martinez, Julia Kent
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Genre: Multiple

Rating: Novellas rated individually below

Synopsis:

NIGHTINGALE is a romance anthology with over FIFTY original, never-before-seen stories from bestselling authors. 100% of the royalties will be donated to relief and human rights organizations working in Ukraine. NIGHTINGALE is only available for a limited time, so one-click your copy before it’s gone.

All royalties from this project will be donated to relief and human rights organizations working in Ukraine. We aren’t affiliated or endorsed by these charities. We are simply authors who want to help.


I feel kind of weird reviewing/rating an anthology that was released to support Ukraine, but I also know readers are bound to be curious about this massive compilation. I hate to admit it, but I didn’t read every single story in this book. I am only reviewing the ones I read below.

She’s the One by Helena Hunting – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 
If you have read and loved A Favor for a Favor you’re going to love this novella. It’s Shippy’s brother Nolan and Stevie’s friend. They meet at a game and cuteness takes over. I couldn’t get enough and wanted more.

Expansion by Kate Canterbary – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I’ll never get enough of Will and Shannon from The Cornerstone. This short and sweet novella reminded me why I love them so much. It also had me wanting a novella for Erin.

A Little Surprise by Katee Robert – ★ ★ ★
Neon Gods wasn’t my favorite book by Robert, so I was surprised this novella wasn’t my favorite. It was sweet but didn’t endear me more to the characters.

Aveke by Tijan – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Zeke from Rich Prick getting his own novella? Yes, please. I loved hating this guy so redeeming himself was pretty awesome. I loved his connection with Ava. I’m excited that Tijan’s going to expand this to a longer story at some point.

Bonus Epilogue from Boyfriend Bargain by Ilsa Madden-Mills – ★ ★ ★
It was fun being back with Sugar and Zach, but it also felt like a really long time since I had read this book and it wasn’t fresh in my memory.

The Dance by Kandi Steiner – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a poem, and it was surprisingly sexy. Great imagery.

Beard in Hiding Extra Scene by Penny Reid – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ah, Diane and Jason. The couple I never knew I needed but love none the less. This little additional scene was perfection and made me want more of them.

Homecoming by Rebecca Yarros – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
How is it Rebecca Yarros can make me fall in love with two characters in a short novella? I adored Braxton and Summer. I love a friends to more romance and this one hit the spot. It was a sweet taste. I need more!!! I want more!!! Can we please get this as a full-length novel???

Hard Score by Rachel Van Dyken – ★ ★ ★
I didn’t know this couple because I haven’t read the series, but I am more interested in it than I was before. I thought this was really sweet!

Love Letters by Jay Crownover – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
JAY CROWNOVER! YOU KILL ME! This novella was FABULOUS. Like it was perfect as is, but I would read it as a full-length book so hard. Ani and Devlin were just amazing.

Twisted Bonus Scene by Ana Huang – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I haven’t read Twisted Love, so I wasn’t familiar with this couple. That didn’t take my enjoyment out of this scene. It was so sweet and adorable.

Hacker in Love by Lauren Rowe – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
WE FINALLY GET HANNAH BANANA MILLIKIN AND HENN’S STORY!!! This novella was such a delight. Hannah and Henn were a-freaking-dorable. I wouldn’t be upset if Ms. Rowe wanted to expand this and turn it into a full-length novel. I couldn’t get enough of this couple.

Taken by Moonlight by Pepper Winters – ★ ★ ★
I haven’t read this author before, but I’ve always been curious. This was the beginning of a dark romance she’s going to release, and I found it intriguing. I might want to finish it once the entire thing is released.

The Last Ward Wedding by Karla Sorensen – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was basically a couple of really sweet moment from Logan Ward’s POV with his 4 sisters and then Paige. I loved it.

The Night We Met by Susannah Nix – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Um… This was adorable! Two bookworms meeting at bar where both are reading? Yes, please. I just went and requested the book about Tanner and Lucy from my library.

Movie Night by Roni Loren – ★ ★ ★ ★
Oh, boy. I totally wasn’t expecting this love-triangle piece. I loved the movie references.

Our New Forever by Claudia Burgoa – ★ ★ ★
I am not familiar with this author or story, but this was a sweet epilogue-y type story. It made me interested in Leyla and Pierce’s story. I might have to go back and read their book at some point.

Playhouse by Amo Jones – ★ ★ ★
It’s been a while since I read one of Jones’ books, so I gave this a try. It felt more like a sneak peek than a novella. It did make me a little curious about Parker and Ivy.

Room for Two by Sara Ney – ★ ★ ★ ★
I LOVED this novella! Eva and Robert were an accidental match made in heaven. Who knew a pediatrician and a football player would be so adorable and fun? I would love to see this made into a full-length book.

Overall thoughts:

This was a great anthology with some really good novellas. Some weren’t quite what I was hoping, but for the most part they had me wanting more.

Review: Worth the Chase (J.D. Hollyfield)

Worth the Chase
Author: J.D. Hollyfield

Publication Date: April 7, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

From USA Today bestselling author J.D. Hollyfield comes a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about falling in love with your one-night stand. But of course, it can’t be that easy.

CHASE
Hit it and quit it.

That’s always been my motto. Falling in love is for chumps and I vow to never go down that road again. So, when a bombshell blonde approaches me at the bar looking to hook up, I am more than willing to oblige.

One night is my limit, but after our night of passion, I would change my rules for another round with her. Shame, the only proof she even existed is the lingering scent of cherries and the damn smile I can’t get rid of.

Or so I thought.

BRIDGET
Losing the love of your life puts your whole world into perspective, especially when the one man who is supposed to protect you is the very man who took it all away. I’m done feeling betrayed. From now on I make the rules. And currently, my eyes are set on the tan, muscular, guy sitting at the bar. I don’t know him. He doesn’t know me. One night together is exactly what I need.

But when I open the front door to my cousin’s house, and I see him standing on the other side…that’s the moment everything gets complicated.


J.D. Hollyfield took me on a rollercoaster ride with Worth the Chase. It started it off as a romantic comedy as advertised. Then it took a more serious turn into contemporary romance for a bit, and then wound up with a bit of romantic suspense. It was a wild ride and well worth feeling slightly discombobulated at times trying to figure out where things were headed. Luckily, that was an HEA for Chase and Bridget. So, I’m going to break the rest of this review into romantic comedy, contemporary, and romantic suspense to explain my thoughts and feelings on this one. I think it will be easier that way.

ROMANTIC COMEDY
Chase and Bridget started out in a funny way. He’s a known lady’s man and she’s a sweet young woman. They have a one-night stand that lingers in their minds. You wouldn’t think these two people would necessarily mesh well, but their personalities kind of offset each other. I have to admit I didn’t know if I was going to love Chase’s character at first, but he was hilarious and ended up being more than I thought he would be. Bridget was a character I loved from the start. Bridget kind of mellowed Chase out in the best of ways.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Everything wasn’t all laughs in this book. Both Chase and Bridget had some dark moments in their past they were hiding behind. Meeting each other and opening up helped them try to move on. I loved how being with each other helped them begin to heal. It was sweet and emotional.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
There was evil lurking in the background as I read this book. I could see it coming in a couple of ways, but I wasn’t sure how it was all going to play out until it happened. One thing I expected didn’t come and I was actually grateful for that. Another blew things up in a crazy good way. I normally am not a big fan of a romantic suspense subplot, but it worked here for me. I actually loved where it took this book.

HEA
Surprise! I’m actually throwing in the HEA, too. Well, I’m not going to give anything away other than to say that I loved how this book circled back after all of the humor, emotions, and suspense to the humor and romantic comedy aspect of the beginning. I loved how Chase and Bridget ended up. Their story was fun to read.

So, yeah. This was an entertaining read. I’m really hoping we get their Chase’s friend Ben’s book next/soon. I guess this is where I should also mention Worth the Chase has characters from Chicks, Man. While it isn’t necessary to read that book first, it will help with all the side characters and relationships.

Review: Tutoring the Player (Rebecca Jenshak)

Tutoring the Player
Series: Campus Wallflowers, #1
Author: Rebecca Jenshak

Publication Date: March 29, 2022
Genre: New Adult, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis: 

A sexy opposites attract standalone novel from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak.

I have a type.
I love the good guy.
Responsible and stable. Safe.
So when a beer-drinking, quick-witted, tattooed hockey player asks me to tutor him, I’m suddenly thrust into the world of bad boys and bad decisions.
Jordan is a renowned player on campus.
He doesn’t take anything seriously, except hockey and partying.
But he gives me butterflies.

I’m a wallflower tutoring Valley University’s hottest player.


I’m just going to put this out there. I will read ANY and ALL spin-off series/novels Rebecca Jenshak wants to set at Vally U. Every new series she sets in this location bring me joy. If you couldn’t guess, that means I LOVED Tutoring the Player. Here’s why:

  • Jordan and Daisy were adorable together. I loved their opposites attract vibe.
  • Daisy was a “wallflower”. She was a quiet girl who focused mostly on her studies and wasn’t into partying.
  • Jordan was a player in more than one sense of the word. He was on Valley U’s hockey team, and he also had a reputation with the ladies.
  • I loved how Daisy met Jordan and his friend Liam in science class when they were forced to work together. This led to Daisy tutoring Jordan and them getting to know each other.
  • Daisy’s tight knit friend group was cute. Their flower inspired names and attitudes were perfect for this series.
  • Jordan also had some fun friends in Liam and Gavin. I’m really intrigued by Gavin and can’t wait to find out if he gets a book next.
  • This was a fun story to read overall, and I loved the romance.

My tiny and maybe dislikes…

  • I still don’t know how I feel about the Liam-Daisy-Jordan love triangle-ish vibe that was going on through much of this story. It wasn’t a true love triangle since we had both Daisy and Jordan’s POV from the beginning and knew they were going to be the couple. I guess it was kind of fun. I don’t know. See, maybe dislike. I can’t decide.
  • Daisy’s reaction at one point in the story felt a little overdramatic. I don’t know if that was because the moment was in Jordan’s POV or if it was because I could see what was going to happen coming?

But like I said, this was a fun romance to read. I loved all the characters and it’s made me excited for what’s to come in the series.

Review: Good Girl Complex (Elle Kennedy)

Good Girl Complex
Series: Avalon Bay, #1
Author: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: February 1, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

She does everything right. So what could go wrong?

Mackenzie “Mac” Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It’s exhausting, really, always following the rules. Unlike most twenty-year-olds, all she really wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but first she must get a college degree at her parents’ insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Mac’s had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edges. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Despite his disdain for the trust-fund kids he sees coming and going from his town, Cooper soon realizes Mac isn’t just another rich clone and falls for her. Hard. But as Mac finally starts feeling accepted by Cooper and his friends, the secret he’s been keeping from her threatens the only place she’s ever felt at home.


I’m here for this new Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy. It was the writing I’ve always loved from Kennedy with an exciting new setting and cast of characters. It was nice to read something set in a world other than college hockey — not that I don’t love me some college sports, I just loved how different this was. It had an 80’s movie vibe with the townie versus rich kid thing it had going on. I had a lot of fun reading it.

Mac is a young woman who has grown up with every privilege she could have asked for, but is confined by what is expected of her. I loved how she was trapped between pleasing her parents and going for what she wanted. That part of the story was so relatable, whether you’re rich or poor. Mac was also very likable with her wanting to do good and always willing to help others. Cooper wasn’t as lovable from the start. He had some big biases and a huge chip on his shoulder. I may not have always liked him, but I enjoyed reading his POV even before he became someone to love. Mac and Cooper were opposites in what life had given them, but they complimented each other well. Their relationship was sweet and feisty all at the same time.

I was a little nervous going into Good Girl Complex. I knew going in there was a cheating aspect to the story from what I had seen on social media from the author and some early reviews I read. I am not a fan of cheating, so I was worried this wouldn’t be a hit for me. Surprise, surprise. The cheating didn’t bother me. That is due to Elle Kennedy’s character development and plotting skills. I actually ended up liking the direction this book took with it. I was still uncomfortable in certain moments, but it wasn’t horrible for me.

One of the things that makes Elle Kennedy’s NA romances so much fun is the cast of characters she gives each book/series. I loved the new people she introduced us to in this book. Cooper has a twin, Evan, who I want a book for. I also loved all of Cooper’s friends (minus Heidi, but I got her in the end). Mac had a fun roommate, but her parents and Preston were awful. I loved to hate Preston. All of these characters have me wanting more books set in Avalon Bay!

So, yeah. Good Girl Complex was a strong start to a new series for Elle Kennedy. I loved where she went with this book, and I can’t wait to get more stories for the rest of Cooper and Mac’s gang of friends.

Review: Pieces of You (Jay McLean)

Pieces of You
Series: Pieces Duet, #1
Author: Jay McLean

Publication Date: July 1, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Sports Romance 

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

They could’ve been perfect.
In another time. Another world.
Where his wasn’t falling apart.

And hers wasn’t already in pieces.

High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.
He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge.
He never expected that challenge to come in the form of a girl…
A girl with zero fashion sense, a filthy mouth, and a bullsh*t attitude.

Unlike Holden, Jameson Taylor had no choice but to grow up.
Neglected, isolated, and forced to raise herself, Jameson only has one goal in life: graduate and move on.
The last thing she needs is some guy she can’t stand suddenly declaring her as his new hobby.


Their lives couldn’t be more opposite.
Their pasts a complete paradox.
But in each other, they find the unexpected…
They find solace.
Fragments of forever…
A forever that might tear them to pieces. 


Pieces of You took me on an emotional ride. I already knew I liked Holden from Leo (Preston Brothers, #3) and Jamie won my heart immediately. I couldn’t wait to for their relationship to blossom. It did that in a sweet way. There were a lot of bombshells dropped throughout this book, so it’s hard to navigate what to mention in this review. I guess I’ll just finish up quickly by saying I loved Holden, his relationship with his mom, and how he tried to keep peace and keep everyone happy. I felt for Jamie, and I wanted happiness and everything for her. I hated Holden’s friend Dean, which surprised me because I expected to love him. I buddy read this book with Ari. We waited until we heard McLean was going to release the second book in the duet soon because angsty and emotion. If you’ve read McLean’s books, you know what I’m talking about. I hate to say it, but we probably should have waited until the second book was released because WHAT IN THE HECK WAS THAT ENDING!?!? We both need some answers and we need them NOW.

CW: alcoholism, domestic violence, child neglect, death of a parent, mentions of the following for a side character: suicide, eating disorder, teen pregnancy