5 Smooches

Synopsis

A single mom and tortured musician find common ground in Scarlett Cole’s Elliott Redeemed, the second standalone romance about the band Preload.

Elliot “Pyro” Dawson burns up the lead guitar like a legend. But the nickname Pyro isn’t just a clever play on words. It’s much darker. A past he’s fought like hell to overcome.

Grocery store cashier Kendalee Walker is at her wits end and homeless. She’s watched her fourteen-year-old son, Daniel, go so far off the rails, he can no longer see the tracks.

When the two are brought together, attraction flares, but can Elliott find the family he never had with the sexy woman and her son, or will he fall back on dark habits?

Review

I just love Scarlett Cole, I really do. Now, I am not a huge fan of “rocker” books but from the moment I met the Preload boys I fell hard for them. I know nothing about metal bands and the men who make them up. But this mix of foster brothers turned band mates is so appealing and full of depth it is impossible not to fall in love with each of them as their stories unravel.

Elliott is a damaged man, his stepdad growing up made it impossible for him to not turn out somewhat screwed up but since getting his life straight at the foster home he met his boys at he has held it all together. Kendalee is a Christian mother of a boy in the hospital when Elliott visits. Her son has faced the unthinkable and she has stood by his side. Despite the fact that she is ten years older than Elliott neither can deny the instant attraction they have nor the feelings they develop as they spend more time together.

This story was so original. My heart ached for each of the characters and I spent the whole time reading desperate to get to the part where they got their HEA. Each chapter gave us more insight into these complex characters and the writing made the story flow beautifully. It was sweet, super sexy, and sent me in to a tailspin of emotions. I definitely recommend this one!

~miranda

5 SMOOCHES!

SYNOPSIS:

Dr. Nick Raines wants nothing more than to keep his head on straight and his daughter in his life.

But does that really have to mean he can’t have love?

It’s a battle: Head vs. Heart.

REVIEW:

I have yet to read a book by the talented author duo that is Max Monroe that I haven’t enjoyed the heck out of. Always hilarious, their romantic comedies pack a one-two punch of steam and story. The third book in the St. Luke’s Docuseries, Dr. NEURO gives a shot at love to Dr. Nick Raines. Anyone who’s read Monroe’s Billionaire Bad Boys series will recall that Nick was the absentee baby-daddy to Scoring the Billionaire’s heroine, Winnie. Nick may have left a bad taste in a lot of readers’ mouths, but they need not worry. Max Monroe weaved their magic and gave Dr. Raines not only a chance for redemption—both on the pages in this book and in the hearts of the readers—but also a pretty sweet-happily-ever after to boot.

Superstar neurosurgeon Nick Raines is a pretty taciturn guy. Having learned what is truly important in life, he’s back in New York working hard at building a relationship with the daughter he left behind and, well, working. Those are pretty much his sole focus, and as a result, he hasn’t had much time for anything else, including dating. It isn’t until the infectiously effervescent Charlotte Hollis whips his world into a frenzy of fun, passion and love that Nick realizes that there is more to life.

A successful—and persistent—headhunter specializing in placing doctors in prestigious positions, Charlotte Hollis began her pursuit of Nick Raines as strictly professional. It didn’t take long, though, for that to shift as she sensed a kindred spirit in this man. Turns out, she was right, and as a woman with past failures of her own, she totally got where Nick was coming from. She was such a breath of fresh air in Nick’s otherwise sterile existence, and I loved the surprising ways she essentially forced him to have fun. These two characters were immediately attracted to each other, and the chemistry was a constant buzz around them. It was impossible not to root for this couple. While both of them individually were admittedly flawed, together they clicked right into place and their two halves made a perfect whole.

I know a lot of readers aren’t happy with Nick because of his history with his ex, Winnie, and their daughter, Lexi. But I found him to be endearingly humble, genuine and sincere in his desire to right those wrongs. He wanted desperately to make up for his past mistakes, and he was bound and determined not to mess up again. He was doing everything right this time around and giving his relationship with his daughter his all. But it was his budding romance with Charlotte that really opened up this character and made him an irresistible hero for me. Yes, he absolutely did Winnie and Lexi wrong, but his efforts to repair that damage were successful, and he more than earned this second chance.

Dr. NEURO was quintessential Max Monroe—a fantastic blend of sweet, sexy romance and the kind of laugh-out-loud, smiling ear-to-ear humor that readers have come crave this author. A fabulously executed, light-hearted pleasure to read, I positively devoured this book and loved every single word of it. Five smooches from me for Max Monroe’s Dr. NEURO.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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5 Smooches

Synopsis

Emerson just made her dream come true as a professional cheerleader for her favorite pro football team. But even though the plus-size athlete is breaking down boundaries, she still has to contend with the massive rulebook. Carbs? Nope. Chocolate? Definitely not. Still, Emerson loves her curves, and she’ll rock the hell out of this job even if it kills her. Except for one mandate that is easier read than done…

No fraternizing with the players.

Problem one is Miller Quinton: Emerson’s first love, first sex, and the guy who still ignites her daydreams and R-rated fantasies. Thrown back together, Miller and Emerson feel the undeniable pull of passion again, even if the conflict that tore them apart seems insurmountable. Then there’s way-too-sexy Grant Sanchez. He has a serious reputation with the ladies, and when it comes to winning someone he wants, he doesn’t let anyone stand in his way.

Now Emerson is breaking every rule in the manual. But what she doesn’t know is that she’s part of a wicked little game—one that could steal both her dream and her heart.

Review

Love triangles give me anxiety but a Rachel book is a Rachel book so I jumped into this one feet first. Of course Rachel gave me the book I never knew I wanted. I went into the book blind, and I hope if you are reading reviews you have finished the book and do so too. The story felt like a journey, and it’s one you should take without knowing where it will all end.

Rachel is a master at crafting and writing stories and more likely than not you already know that. I was unsure the first half of this story if it would be as good as I had hoped, mostly due to my  triangle phobia, but then the halfway point happened and I knew I was hooked. Fraternize was a sports romance full of the angst and drama I love.

This was an amazing story and I can’t wait to see what is coming next from Rachel Van Dyken.

~miranda

5 SMOOCHES!

SYNOPSIS:

Tobias knows that women are a lot of trouble, and one in particular is more trouble than most. Yet even with the knowledge that she’s a pain in the ass, he doesn’t stop himself from doing the one thing he knows that he shouldn’t do—fall in love with her.

It’s supposed to be simple. Get in, get the girl, and get out.

What Tobias isn’t supposed to do is fall for the woman he’s supposed to rescue. But he can’t help being intrigued–and amused–by the defiance rolling off Audrey every time he so much as speaks to her. This fascination only intensifies with every single word from her delectable mouth.
***
It’s been six years since her assault, yet it feels like it happened just yesterday. Audrey’s sick and tired of feeling so useless. She’s had enough of being scared, she doesn’t want to be all alone for the rest of her life. All of that boils down to a woman who’s had enough of not doing anything to reclaim her life.

She’s at a loss as to how to move on, and every attempt she makes results in failure. Just when she’s ready to quit, a sexy biker is there to push her out of her comfort zone.

Under Tobias’ patient guidance, Audrey slowly makes her way back to herself. She lands a job that she adores, and she thinks she’s finally found her place in this world. Most surprisingly, though, she finds herself falling in love with a man that honestly scares her to death.

Just when she vows to take that final step that’ll put her past in her past forever, the life she wants to live is yanked away. Leaving her with nothing to pick up the pieces.

REVIEW:

I adore Lani Lynn Vale and all of her books, but this series—the Dixie Wardens Rejects—has quickly become my favorite of hers. I’ve honestly loved each and every single book, and while I’m completely fulfilled and pleased with how the series concluded, I’m also sorry to see it end. You could just tell from her writing, the ease with which these stories seemed to be told, that Vale herself enjoyed this series as well. I don’t think I’m alone in the hope that she revisits the Dixie Wardens in the future, so fingers crossed that we get more at some point!

Audrey had some seriously painful demons to overcome before she could fully commit herself to a relationship with Tobias. But she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing a friendship with him, which is exactly where this couple began. Full of sass, funny as heck and one of the strongest heroines Vale has ever written, Audrey was done living under the cloud of her traumatic past. I was in awe of this character who, despite her fears, saw her future with Tobias, allowed herself to trust in the safety she felt with him and took the steps to move toward that future with him.

An Alabama Highway Patrol officer and a member of the Alabama chapter of the Dixie Wardens MC, Tobias was immediately smitten with Audrey. But Fender, as he was known to his MC brothers, knew all about her history, and he played it smart by taking it slow and following her lead. The gentle way that he handled her, without an ounce of pity, made this hero particularly endearing to me. They may have started out as friends, but there was always an attraction simmering between them, and when they finally did come together, it was incredibly hot. I loved this couple so much, and they’re one of my favorite Dixie Wardens couples. Playful, sexy and sweet, this pairing was one of Vale’s best yet.

For the Love of Beard really was a perfect ending to the series. It flawlessly capped off a series that started out strong and only got better with each successive release. After the highly suspenseful lead-in and drama of the previous book, Beard Up, Tobias and Audrey’s story was a bit of a softer landing and just the thing that Vale’s readers needed to ease themselves out of Alabama. Cover-to-cover, this book was an absolute pleasure to read. Lani Lynn Vale’s For the Love of Beard gets five smooches from me!

~ Danielle Palumbo

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