Review: Own Me (K.A. Tucker)

Happy New Year!!!
I hope 2024 treats you well. 

The Wolf Hotel
Series: The Wolf Hotel, #5
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publication Date: December 14, 2023
Publisher: K.A. Tucker Books Ltd.
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

Own Me is Book Five in the highly addictive forbidden romance The Wolf Hotel series.

Eight months ago, I was a naive, small-town farm girl nursing a shattered heart. Then hotel billionaire Henry Wolf picked me up off the ground (literally), and my entire life changed.

Now, I live in a luxurious Manhattan penthouse, and I’m starting my first company while planning a beautiful wedding to the man of my dreams.
I knew these first months would bring plenty of drama. I expected the savage media attention surrounding our engagement, and I braced myself for Mama’s theatrics about the wedding.

But nothing could have prepared me for the big secret that just stormed through our front door, altering the course of our future.

Own Me should be read after Tempt Me, Break Me, Teach Me, and Surrender to Me.


To be honest, I had forgotten where Surrender to Me left off. I read the first four books The Wolf Hotel series back in 2020. It was pretty easy to pick up this book and become reacquainted with the characters and plot. This installment was just as edgy, sexy, and surprising as the rest of the series. I loved being back with Abbi and Henry and finding what was in store for them as they approached their HEA. I was reminded why I loved them and while this felt like a true end to the series, I wouldn’t mind more books in this series.

Review: Too Far (Sylvia Day)

Too Far
Series: Blacklist, #2
Author: Sylvia Day

Publication Date: October 24, 2023
Publisher: Ronin House
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crossfire® saga.

You can’t believe all of them, but can you trust any of them?

Lily Black was presumed dead for years.
Now, she’s back in the unquestioning arms of her loving husband, Kane.

Where she’s been remains a mystery, but her past sins haunt her and bring deadly danger into the lives of the family.

Meanwhile Aliyah, Kane’s mother, has worked hard for her position of power. She has never believed Lily is who she says she is, and will stop at nothing to expose her.

Amy, Kane’s sister-in-law, has always been a pawn in the dangerous games this family plays. But she knows she deserves more, and will do anything to claim the biggest prize.

Three women fight to outrun their pasts.
But could they have more in common than they think?

With the trademark emotional intensity and scorching sensuality of multimillion bestseller Sylvia Day, the dangerous and sultry Blacklist duology comes to its riveting conclusion.


I have been waiting to read Too Far since the moment I finished So Close. The loose ends and revelations at the end had me needing to know what was going to happen next for Kane, Lily, and the cast of characters. Sylvia Day didn’t let me down. She gave me a riveting conclusion to their story. It was just as crazy of a ride filled with so much drama, suspense, and revelations. I loved where the story took each main character and how I managed to be surprised by each. I got my answers and everything I could have wanted in the conclusion to this duet. It was such a fun ride!

Review: So Close (Sylvia Day)

So Close
Series: Blacklist, #1
Author: Sylvia Day

Publication Date: March 28, 2023
Publisher: Ronin House
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crossfire® saga comes the beginning of a twisty tale of obsession and rage, as a trinity of women protect what they covet at any cost.

You can’t believe all of them, but can you trust any of them?

Widower Kane Black is still ruinously married to his late wife, Lily. Grief has hollowed him… until he sees a woman with his wife’s inimitable beauty on the streets of Manhattan. He whisks her up to his towering penthouse, protectively under guard, nestling her in dark opulence where Lily’s memory is a possessive beguiling force.

Aliyah, Kane’s mother, deals in science. There are too many questions, too few answers, and too much at stake. “Lily” has dangerous control over Kane and there can be only one queen on the throne.

Amy, Kane’s sister-in-law, has been bloodied by deceit and betrayal, and she’s devolving into murderous rage. She’s paid too high a price and now intends to claim what she’s owed.

Three women, linked by buried secrets, circle the man who unquestioningly accepts the return of his beloved long-dead wife. Kane is happier than he’s ever been, and he’ll do anything to stay that way.

Propulsive and sly, So Close is a lushly gothic novel of domestic suspense with the emotional intensity, scorching sensuality, and complex exploration of female trauma that are the hallmarks of multimillion-copy international bestseller Sylvia Day.


I’m going to be honest. I didn’t even read the blurb before picking up this book. I saw Sylvia Day’s name as the author and jumped right in. I’m glad I did because So Close was fantastic. It kept my mind reeling trying to figure everything out. In general, this is a romantic suspense/mystery about a notable man’s wife who returns from the dead and how it impacts his life, his family, and their empire. It’s a crazy, fun ride filled with drama. I don’t know how to review it other than to give you a little insight into who the narrators of the story are and what I thought of them.

WITTE: Kane’s trusty employee. His observations helped set the story up and added a non-female look into Kane’s life. He seems trustworthy.

AMY: Kane’s sister-in-law who is obsessed with him in an obviously unhealthy way. She gave me so much secondhand embarrassment when it came to her thoughts and actions. I felt sorry for her as much as I disliked her.

ALIYAH: Kane’s mother. She was desperately trying to control her entire family and their company. I hated this woman. I thought she was evil except for a couple of moments when I wondered if she was right to be concerned about certain things.

LILY: Kane’s wife who has returned from the dead. She was the most interesting and important character. Not only because of the way she thought about Kane, but because she is truly what kept me guessing and wondering. I was surprised that I liked her so much and wanted her to come out on top of anything and everything when it came to Kane and his family.

I keep mentioning Kane because the story revolves around him, but interesting enough we never get his POV. Everything we know about him, and his actions comes from these four people – and three of them may or may not be unreliable narrators. (I’m still trying to figure that unreliable thing out.) It made me even more curious about what is going through his head and the decisions he makes. I really loved that. I’m hoping we get his POV in the second book.

I have so many, many questions that were not answered in So Close that I’m anxiously awaiting answered. I cannot wait to read Too Far. I took my time reading So Close because I didn’t want to miss out on any detail. I hope Day can wrap this story up in the same way she crafted this first book because it was excellent and kept me guessing.

Review: Blush (Helen Hardt)

Blush
Series: Steel Brothers Saga, #25
Author: Helen Hardt

Publication Date: January 24, 2023
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

What he wants from you will make you…Blush

Amanda Thomas is hopelessly in love with Jackson Paris, but he will never see her as anything more than his sweet and innocent bestie. After being virgin-adjacent for too long, Mandy is officially ready to move on. She wants to learn about hot, dirty sex, so she joins an online dating app where the enigmatic Mr. Dark promises to fulfill all of her wicked fantasies…

Jackson Paris has been keeping secrets from his stunning, too-innocent best friend—like forbidden sexual proclivities and his membership at the exclusive Black Rose Underground club. But Mandy has decided she needs an education—the filthy kind. As Mr. Dark, Jackson can safely give her a taste of what she wants—and deter her from pursuing more—without revealing his identity.

But in the dim, provocative atmosphere of Black Rose Underground, there are no secrets. Here, every wicked appetite is satisfied. And for the first time, Mandy will discover who her best friend really is…just in time to shock him with a secret of her own.


I need to preface this review with the fact that I have not read any other books in this saga. I don’t think you necessarily need to read them to read Blush. I have read another series of Hardt’s that I loved. That being said, I went in with fairly high expectations from the series I had read. I didn’t love this book like I did the others I have read.

To be honest, this one started out a little rough for me. I mostly had issues with Jackson. He called Mandy “Mandy Cakes”. That nickname KILLED ME. It was repeated over and over and over again throughout the book. Mandy even states she asked him to stop calling her that. It was so annoying! I also didn’t like the way he talked to himself about Mandy or how he treated her in general. He did some nice things for her, but their friendship tended to feel one sided. I was a little worried I was going to have to DNF the book at one point early on – when Mandy met Mr. Dark. That whole thing felt a little icky to me. That being said, it ended in a way that I could come to terms with it and was able to keep reading.

As I kept reading, Jackson and his thoughts got a little easier to stomach. He held Mandy in such high regard (even when he wasn’t listening to her). I think the best thing about this book for me was Mandy standing her ground with him, exploring her wants in life and relationships, and the way she grew as a character in general. All those things pushed Jackson to the edge but also made him come to some big realizations. Mandy and Jackson ended up being a couple I could root for and I wasn’t sure that was going to happen at the beginning. I ended up enjoying their exploration together at the end.

I have to mention the side characters. I didn’t love them because they didn’t come across as lovable through Mandy and Jackson’s eyes. I’m mostly talking about Mandy’s younger sister, Frankie, and her boyfriend, Penn. That being said, I was intrigued by what was going on in the background with them and I’m actually more interested in reading about what comes next with them in the next book than I was reading about Mandy and Jackson. I have a feeling the next book is going to be a better fit for me than this one ended up being.

As you can tell, this one wasn’t a complete winner for me. I am glad I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. I’m looking forward to reading Blossom.

Review: Two More Days (Bookworm Box Anthology)

Two More Days
Authors:  Aileen Erin, Alessandra Torre, Chanda Hahn, Charleigh Rose, Colleen Hoover, Dominique Laura, Eric R. Asher, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Jennifer Wilson, Jessica Hawkins, Jewel E. Ann, K. Bromberg, Kandi Steiner, Karina Halle, Katie Ashley, Kelsie Stelting, Laurelin Paige, Leia Stone, Lexi Ryan, Lora Richardson, M. Robinson, Marni Mann, Max Monroe, Meagan Brandy, Micalea Smeltzer, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, R.K. Lilley, S.J. West, Tijan, Willow Aster
Publication Date: October 24, 2021
Genre: Anthologies, Contemporary Romance

Rating: Each short story is rated below.

Synopsis:

The Bookworm Box is proud to present Two More Days, our second anthology installment. Much like the first installment, Two More Days is an exciting and unique reading experience with contributions from several of our charity’s featured authors. Each author was given the same first sentence. Where they took that sentence was completely up to them.

Every story is different. No story is related.

The only thing these stories have in common is their starting point. Each author showcased in this anthology was featured in The Bookworm Box in 2020. Each author has graciously donated their story so that 100% of profits from this anthology will be going to the various charities The Bookworm Box is able to support because of you, the readers.


Before I start my review of this anthology, I would like to point out (as the blurb did) that all profits from this book goes to charity. It’s available in paperback from The Bookworm Box or ebook from Amazon. It’s also in Kindle Unlimited. Every story starts out with the same first line. My mini reviews are in order the novellas are in the book. Also, I didn’t read all of the novellas. Some were fantasy/paranormal and I wasn’t interested. They are marked “Did Not Read”. Nothing against the authors, the writing, or anything. They just weren’t my thing.

Tequila Mate by Katie Ashley – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I was not familiar with the Running Mate series before reading this novella, but I didn’t have to be. That’s a big plus for me. I could jump right in and not feel like I was missing anything. It also had a flashback that felt natural in the story rather than taking me away from what was currently going on. That was another big plus. The third big plus was that things between Selah and Stuart may have escalated quickly, but it was done in a way that felt true to the characters and their feelings for each other.

Always Cake by Max Monroe – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
How is that Max Monroe can write a novella that is basically two chapters and still make me laugh and swoon? It was so short, but felt complete. That’s not to say I wouldn’t want more of this story. I totally would!

Confessions by Laura Richardson – ★ ★ ★ ★
This novella was a lot heavier and sadder than I expected. It’s about a girl whose brother is in jail for killing a man. That man is her love interest’s older brother. She’s been avoiding him and he tries to reconnect with her. The writing was good, but I wasn’t a fan of the flashback in it. It was such an indepth story, I felt like it needed a full length book.

Heels Over Head in Love by Willow Aster – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This one was over before I was ready for it to be. This novella is sort of a spin-off of Willow Aster and Laura Pavlov’s G.D. Taylors series. I ADORED that series, so this was fun. There were some good cameos. I also loved how accident prone Hazel was. I really want this to turn into a full length romance in the future for Hazel Taylor and Brady Barnes!

Second Summer by Laurelin Paige – ★ ★ ★ ★
I’m not sure what to think of this one… It was a little odd, but I guess it’s part of a humorous comedy called Dating Season where Chloe tries to get over her crush on her roommate by finding love. I think I would read more about Chloe since this book was funny in an awkward way.

Protected by Dr. Rebecca Sharp – Did Not Read

The Vanished by Jennifer Wilson – Did Not Read

The Shelby by Jewel E. Ann – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I didn’t quite know what to think of this one at first, but I ended up loving it. The story of Shelby was unique, interesting, and entertaining.

Sunshine Rae by Kandi Steiner – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I don’t have much to say about this one, but I ended up really loving it.

From Friends to This by Dominique Laura – ★ ★ ★ ★
I enjoyed this one, but I wanted more from it. It just gave me a little taste and didn’t feel like a full rounded novella.

The Kiss by M. Robinson – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a hilariously cute novella about a couple attending pregnancy class. I hadn’t read anything by Robinson before and this was an update to an already established couple. That didn’t matter and I would be interested in going back and reading their book now.

Stone Heart by S.J. West – Did Not Read

Without Yesterday by Lexi Ryan – ★ ★ ★ ★
I wasn’t so sure about this one. It got a little too close to making me uncomfortable before turning into something I loved. I need to remember to go back and read Krystal’s book now.

Good Girl Gone Bad by R.K. Lilley – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I read R.K. Lilley for the first time earlier this year, but I had forgotten about it. This novella made me want to read more! I loved the whole set up with Leona and Fitz. Can we please get a book for them?

Of Potions and Poison by Chanda Hahn – Did Not Read

Breaking the Rules by Charleigh Rose – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Coop and Reid were awesome. I loved this novella. I ended it wishing it was a full novel.

Stray by Jessica Hawkins – ★ ★ ★ ★
This one surprised me. The way it was written was pretty genius. I still wasn’t a big fan of Pierce cheating the way he did (cheating not really included in the novella), but it ended up working out for me.

A Home for Hobgoblins by Eric R. Asher – Did Not Read

Falling for My Stepbrother by Kelsey Stetling – ★ ★ ★ ★
A YA book about a girl meeting her stepbrother without knowing who he is and falling for him. It was actually adorable.

When Fire Strikes by Marni Mann – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I don’t think I’ve read this author before. Why have I not read this author before? This was cute. It was about two roommates who go on a date. It made me want to read more.

Armageddon, Again by Aileen Erin – Did Not Read

Strike One by Meagan Brandy – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I loved this one! I read Dirty Curve, so it was nice to be back in this world. I didn’t want it to end for Nova and X, so it was good to learn they’re getting a full book.

Office Hours by Alessandra Torre – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was probably the steamiest in the book. It was an adult college student and her adjunct professor. Not always my favorite trope, but it worked here. As always, Alessandra Torre killed it.

Pineapple by Leia Stone – ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a vampire/human romance. Normally, I wouldn’t have read it, but I got sucked in at the beginning. I ended up enjoying it.

Sincerely, Dane by Ilsa Madden-Mills – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ilsa Madden-Mills made this novella so much fun! I loved the Halloween costumes and the mission the characters were on. The romance was super cute, too. I would read a whole book. It also combines two of her book worlds, so fans will like that.

Dark Eyes by Karina Halle – ★ ★ ★ ★
Another vampire story, but not a romance. This was another that pulled me in when I didn’t expect it to. I could actually see myself reading the related books.

What If… by K. Bromberg – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish this was a full length book! I loved the story of how a fortune teller foretold Sky what was going to happen about her wedding. I also loved how everything played out. It was so cute!

When It Happens by Micalea Smeltzer – ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a cute story about a girl in a small town falling for an actor when he comes to town to shoot a movie. It did need a little better editing because a chapter was out of place and confused me.

F*ck by Tijan – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was an intro for a future soccer romance for Tysen and Kase. It has me excited for what’s to come. I’m hoping their book is coming sooner than later! It was typical Tijan and I loved it!

The Dress by Colleen Hoover – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I’m not sure what I was expecting from Colleen Hoover, but it wasn’t this novella! It was such a good story with a great message. I especially loved the dinner scene!

Series Review: Follow Me (Helen Hardt)

Hi! I’m back from Hiatus with a review for Helen Hardt’s entire Follow Me series for you. I don’t read erotica very often, but I decided to give this series a chance when I was approached to read it. I’m glad I took that chance because I ended up enjoying this series for several reasons.

Follow Me Darkly
Series: Follow Me, #1
Author: Helen Hardt
Publication Date: September 20, 2020
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Erotica, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

Follow Me Darkly wasn’t a book that was on my radar until it was recommended to me. It was described to me as being similar to Fifty Shades of Grey. I will admit I paused before deciding to read it because I wasn’t sure I needed to read something similar to that book. Ultimately, I decided to read it because I was curious. It started out a little wobbly for me, but quickly morphed into an addictive read. I liked the characters, especially Skye. She was intelligent and went for what she wanted. She wasn’t quick to give in or back down. Braden was a little more of a mystery since he didn’t have a POV. He has some big secret he’s keeping that Skye (and I) wants to know. I would say Helen Hardt is a talented writer. She had me immediately wanting to pick up the next book in this series. Worth the read if you’re looking for something sexy with an air of mystery — or just a book similar to Fifty Shades.

Follow Me Under
Series: Follow Me, #2
Author: Helen Hardt
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Note: I received this book from the publisher and this is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts: 

I flew through Follow Me Under. It was even more addictive than the first book. I loved seeing Skye and Braden’s relationship progressing. I also liked Skye’s character development in relation to the changes in her life. I was not ready for this book to be over because now I have to wait for the next one!!! At least it’s not that long of a wait!

Follow Me Always
Series: Follow Me, #3
Author: Helen Hardt
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

Helen Hardt finished this series in the best of ways. I loved where she took Skye’s character. Skye had a lot to learn about herself and I enjoyed all of the revelations. I also loved how her discoveries helped her come to terms with her relationship with Braden. I ended up having more respect for both Skye and Braden as characters. I truly believed in their love after this book. I was also pleased with how all of the little storylines were wrapped up. Everything came full circle in the best of ways. Fans of this series will love this ending.

Final thoughts:
I truly enjoyed this series! It was highly addictive and a fast-paced read. I would recommend it. I’m so glad I took a chance on it! Also, there is a fourth book in the series called Darkly in Braden’s POV that I have yet to read. I will most likely read it at some point.

Series Review: The Wolf Hotel (Nina West)

Today, I have a series review for The Wolf Hotel by Nina West (AKA: K.A. Tucker).

The Wolf Hotel
Series: The Wolf Hotel, #1-4
Author: Nina West (K.A. Tucker)
Publication Date: September 5, 2018
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Rating: ★★★★

My thoughts:

So, I have to be honest. I hadn’t heard of Nina West or this series until a friend clued me in that K.A. Tucker wrote under a pseudonym. Normally this series isn’t something I would review, but I love Tucker’s other books, so I wanted to give it a try.

The Wolf Hotel series is WAY sexier than anything I’ve ever read by Tucker before. It reminds me of some of those popular erotic romances with an innocent college girl and an older, millionaire hero. I guess you could say it’s kind of trope-y in that way. The story felt fresh and new to me, though. I actually really loved most of the storyline.

Abby was a fun heroine. She was so sheltered and out of her element for most of the series. I loved how her character grew a backbone and sense of self. She made some questionable choices that at times enraged me, but I understood her mistakes. There was a lot going on emotionally for her and it felt true to her age.

Henry was a hard guy to always love. We don’t get his POV, so I just had to believe he was going to be worth all the trouble. I think he did a pretty good job proving himself. I found his willingness to let Abby learn about herself and his spurring her on to believe in herself really cool. I liked his surprisingly supportive nature.

There was so much going on between the relationship between Abby and Henry and the plots, that I don’t even know what to say. This series took me on a trip. I especially loved the moments in Alaska at the Wolf Hotel. There were actually a couple other characters I ended up loving more than I thought I would in this series, too. Ronan especially. He proved himself to be a great guy.

If you’re looking for a sexier read that might push your boundaries, this series might be for you. Just be prepared for a lot more than you’re used to from K.A. Tucker as Nina West.

Review: Scandalous in a Kilt (Ana Durand)

Scandalous in a Kilt
Series: Hot Scots, #3
Author: Ana Durand
Publication Date: April 20, 2018
Publisher: Jacobsville Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

A free-spirited American. An uptight hot Scot. When passion ignites, no rules can survive the heat.

An office drudge by day, a free spirit by night… For Emery Granger, getting laid off from her job as a computer programmer liberated her from imprisonment in an office cubicle. The problem? She has no career and almost no money. Desperate to forget her quandary for one weekend, she takes off on a spontaneous trip to New Orleans — where the unconventional American collides with a sizzling-hot Scot.

Uptight lawyer by day, steamy seducer by night… After surviving three disastrous failed marriages, Rory MacTaggart has no desire to get entangled in another relationship. But with his two brothers now living in wedded bliss, he’s enduring the well-meaning pestering of his entire family. Rory’s solution? Get himself a trophy wife.

A one-night stand leads to a marriage of convenience, and a culture clash when Emery must adjust to a new life in Scotland and her new husband’s need for rules. When Rory’s ordered life explodes, the reluctant husband may just have met his match in the passionate, adventurous wife he swears he will never love.

Scandalous in a Kilt is the third book in the award-winning, bestselling Hot Scots series of contemporary romances. Catch up with the MacTaggarts in the first two books, Dangerous in a Kilt and Wicked in a Kilt.


Scandalous in a Kilt was my favorite in the Hot Scots series. It was one of those books that’s pure fun. The story is fairly light and very entertaining. Emery and Rory have an immediate, intense sexual attraction. That attraction leads to a one-night stand. Both are thrown off by a chemistry that is off the charts. They don’t plan on seeing each other again but are soon in a contract marriage. Of course, the marriage ends up being more than just a contract. I would like to say it’s not all about Emery and Rory’s intimate endeavors, but it pretty much is. There’s not a ton of depth to the characters, but there’s enough to make the story believable.

Overall, Scandalous in a Kilt was scandalous (like its title), and an enjoyable read. It’s one to add to your TBR if you like hot Scots, men with accents, and steamy scenes.

Review: Getting Hotter (Elle Kennedy)

Getting Hotter
Series: Out of Uniform, #8
Author: Elle Kennedy
Publication Date: January 29, 2018 (re-release)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Military
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis:

A good bad boy is hard to find…

Seth Masterson has been lusting over Miranda Breslin since the moment he saw her on a Vegas stage. Now that he’s been asked to watch out for her as she opens a dance studio in San Diego, he’s all over it, figuring it’s his chance to get her in his bed. Except the stubborn single mom seems determined to deny their sizzling sexual chemistry. In typical SEAL fashion, Seth makes it his personal mission to prove her wrong.

Miranda got over her attraction to bad boys about the time one of them knocked her up at the age of eighteen. Seth’s mocking gray eyes and military-buff bod, though, are pure and utter temptation. And when a flooded apartment forces her and her twins to move in with him, she can no longer resist the urge to set off some serious fireworks between the sheets.

But any involvement with Seth will be strictly physical—and temporary. So when Seth decides permanent is what he wants, Miranda must steel her defenses before she does something incredibly foolish…like fall in love.


I’ve been a fan of Elle Kennedy’s new adult romances for years, but I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her contemporary romances. Getting Hotter was the first for me, and I really enjoyed it.

Unlike Kennedy’s new adult books that are written in first person, Getting Hotter was written in third person. Third person is not my favorite way for a book to be written in, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to like that. I honestly didn’t really even notice it. Kennedy’s writing is so well done, that it felt like I was reading in first person. I was able to connect quickly with her characters and fall almost immediately in love with them.

Miranda was one tough chick. She was a single mom to twins she’s birthed when she was eighteen. Miranda had to work hard to support herself and her family. She worked two jobs and wasn’t willing to waste her time on someone who wasn’t worth it. I loved how she valued herself.

Seth was also tough, but in a different way. He was a Navy SEAL, so he had the whole badass strength going on for him, but he was tough mentally. Seth was able to wall a part of himself off. That wasn’t a great thing, but I loved seeing Miranda break down his defenses. They were a great match. I loved them together, and their chemistry was palpable.

One of the components to Seth and Miranda’s relationship was the fact that she was a single mother. That wasn’t Seth’s favorite thing. It was hard reading his interactions with the twins at first. Those two six-year-olds were hard not to fall in love with. They were so dang cute, and one of my favorite things about this story. I loved how Seth slowly started to fall for them as hard as he fell for their mother.

My only disappointment in Getting Hotter was Dylan’s part in it. Dylan was Seth’s roommate who also had a side story of his own going on in the book. I wasn’t disappointed in the side story. It was exactly the opposite. I wanted more of it, and I was left hanging. His story had barely begun when Getting Hotter ended. I was bummed by that. At least I know it means there is more to come for him in a future release. 😉

Getting Hotter was a fun, steamy contemporary romance. I loved the characters and their story. I’m looking forward to going back and reading more of this series.

Review: Wicked in a Kilt (Anna Durand)

Wicked in a Kilt
Series: Hot Scots, #2
Author: Anna Durand
Publication Date: September 29, 2017
Publisher: Anna Durand
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased review.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

An even feistier American. A wickedly hot Scot. Passion ignites.

Calli Douglas has avoided romance for five years, bound by a promise she never should’ve made to a man she doesn’t love. Now, he refuses to let her go. When she leaves her backwoods hideaway to attend her cousin’s wedding, Calli has no intention of meeting a man. But fate has other plans–in the form of one scorching-hot Scotsman.

Aidan “Don Juan” MacTaggart is the living embodiment of carnal pleasure and seductive prowess, but he longs for love and commitment. The moment he sets eyes on Calli, the stunning American captivates him. Though she’s sworn off sex and romance, unraveling the mystery of why tantalizes Aidan almost as much as her sensual curves.

As their passion for each other inspires them to explore their naughtiest desires, a deeper bond takes root. But when secrets from both their pasts threaten their happiness, they must confront their fears or lose everything.

Wicked in a Kilt is the second book in the Hot Scots series.


I didn’t think there could be a feistier American or a more wicked hot Scot than Erica and Lachlan, but I was wrong! Calli and Aiden totally take those titles! Their romance was so much fun to read. It was sweet. It was sexy. It was funny. I loved how all of those things were woven together in Wicked in a Kilt.

I knew from the moment Calli and Aiden met that their journey would be especially entertaining. I was so right! I loved every moment they spent falling in love. I also loved how they navigated all of the obstacles thrown there way. The entire book was so much fun to read! I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a fun, steamy read.