3.5 Smooches

Synopsis

New York’s skyscrapers and hectic pace are a far cry from where Landon Gibson grew up, and the transition to New York University has been jarring. But he’s getting the hang of things, found a job that pays (some of) the bills, enjoys school, and only occasionally runs into his ex, Dakota. You know, the one he chose NYU for…before she dumped him.

Luckily, his best friend, Tessa, shares a (terribly small) Brooklyn apartment with him. And given the ups and downs she’s had with her own ex, she’s a good listener when he finds himself in something of a love triangle—a love knot? Whatever it is, it’s a mess. An exciting mess. Maybe an addicting mess, because beautiful girls.

Being young and finding your way in the world is hard. Landon’s always been a positive person. But such a loud, demanding city so far away from home means you only get by with a little help from your friends. And a good pair of headphones.

Landon’s going to be okay…but the journey sure will be fun to watch.

REVIEW

OKAY.  I wanted to read Landon’s book because I loved his character in this authors previous works and I was really looking forward to this book.  But, this book was just ok for me.  I wanted more.  I wanted the angst, the drama, the overtopness that I got with this author in her first books, but while I was interested in Landon’s story, not much happened in the way of angst and drama.  It was mostly just him living his life in a new city with tiny snippets of the juiciness that I wanted.

Ill probably continue on because I am really interested in knowing what happens with this love triangle, but I am seriously hoping that more happens in the next book, because this one just lagged for me quite a bit.  The writing seemed better this time around, which is great, but I needed something else.  I am holding out for next book!

~Amie

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4.5 Smooches

Synopsis

Zelda Wilder is on the run, this time from the ruthless assassins who’ve decided she knows too much to live.

“Playboy Prince” MacCallum Lockwood Tate isn’t about to let the beautiful player who stole his heart get away—if only he could decide whether he wanted to save her or strangle her for her dangerous choices.

After tracking her down to a casino in St. Croix, Cal follows Zee back to Tortola where he intends to keep her safe. One problem: Zelda’s criminal liaisons are one step ahead of her.

Lives are threatened, and all of the players’ skills are tested in this plot to capture a killer and save a princess.

Review

‘It hurts so much knowing he knows everything. Everything we had, those  moments with him were all stolen. It’s what I am. A thief. And now he knows.’

The gang is all back in this follow up to The Princess & The Player and dare I say this one was even more action packed. If there if trouble to be found Zelda can find it, even if her intentions are good. Tia Louise hit writing an action packed sexy romance out of the park with this series.

“That’s right beautiful. You love my cock.”

To save her sister Zelda is on the run and working to get them from under Seth’s hold. But Cal isn’t going to let the girl he loves get away that easy and he is coming for her. Nothing comes easy for these two but after everything we have been through with them I was so eager to see them get their Happily Ever After. I also loved keeping up with Ava and Rowan but let’s be honest my heart lies with Zelda and Cal. Their chemistry is undeniable and when they come together their heat is combustible. I love them and how their story plays out.

“I’ve got you, my love,”

Tia Louise excels at writing fast paced, action packed, HOT romance. This series is one that is impossible to put down and you never can guess what is coming. With every twist and turn I was on the edge of my seat desperate to see how it would all end up. I loved this style of writing and I hope she does more like this in the future.

~miranda

3.5 Smooches!

Synopsis

He’s silent—but his touch speaks louder than words.

At first sight, Savannah is drawn to the harsh appeal of a man who refuses to talk to her. Keenan’s hard stare is arrogant and unapologetic. The quirk of his sensuous lips is cocky and in control.

But there’s more. There’s something deeper he’s trying to hide behind those steely grey eyes—a slight hint of vulnerability which captures her intrigue.

She’d been warned, told that his silence hides a myriad of lies capable of affecting her career and relationships with loved ones. Only she can’t help herself. Testing Keenan’s defenses is an addiction she can’t deny.

Falling in lust is easy. Learning his secrets comes with a price. The cost? Her broken heart.

REVIEW

I’m not sure what I expected going into Inarticulate, but I was definitely intrigued by the blurb. I’m in a bit of an unusual position now, having to admit that I struggled to get through it in some places while I almost devoured it in others. So let me start by saying first that this book was very well written. Eden Summers has a way of weaving her words elegantly, and this book, given the constraints of the hero, absolutely warranted that type of writing skill. Unfortunately, though, for as much as I was able to appreciate the author’s undeniable writing talent, I still found this story to be, at times, almost frustrating to get through.

My personal tastes when it comes to those stories that I’m most drawn to tend to be the ones that are more dialogue centric. Obviously for this story, there wouldn’t be any spoken words or bantering or back-and-forth, but while the hero didn’t verbally communicate, he did have a lot to say. But it was one of his main methods of communication with Savannah, given his limitations, that I found to be a bit exasperating. I had a hard time accepting that entire conversations between this couple were had gazing into each other’s eyes and reading the emotions there.

I’m purposely being a bit vague here, and for that I apologize, but I don’t want to offer any spoilers here. There were some twists and turns that I really don’t want to give away. I had issues with a few other plot points as well, but primarily, I think it was actual conversations between the Keenan and Savannah that I was missing. Disappointingly, this lack of dialogue was replaced with long – very long – internal monologues. I totally believe that some internal dialogue is necessary in any story to give the reader insight into a character but, more often than not, these lengthy monologues tipped the scale into rambling and were just too drawn out for me.

The thing is, though, that Summers managed to create a wholly interesting, enigmatic, mysterious character in Keenan, the hero, and she did it, unbelievably, without him uttering a single word. That in itself was an incredible feat, but it was made even more so because while no actual words left his mouth, he still had a lot to say. I had a bit of a tougher time warming up to the heroine. Savannah was almost dispassionate, having just extricated herself from a complicated, loveless, colleagues (not even a friend!) with benefits situation. She was presumptuous and, at times, judgmental, and it was exactly those qualities that were the driving forces in her culpability.

Again, this book was beautifully written, and there were a lot of things I did like about this story. The plot was interesting and there was an unusual element of suspense to this book that was fresh and different and very well done. Keenan and Savannah positively sizzled together; their chemistry leapt right off the page. There was intrigue and secrecy, and it was what drove the plot along and kept me going – I wanted to know what was going to happen! – during those parts where I was frustrated by the wordiness of those inner monologues.

Inarticulate wound up being a bit hit or miss for me. Fortunately, there were enough hits to keep me going to completion.  I’m coupling that with the stellar writing and giving Eden Summers’ Inarticulate 3.5 smooches.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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4.5 Smooches

Synopsis

Loco, Texas #1

Disaster Deana can’t catch a break…

Deana Sawyer has always been cursed. Even when she tries to change her image, she ends up with hot pink hair and a Halloween costume that’s about to have a wardrobe malfunction. To make matters worse, the guy who broke her heart in high school is back in Loco, Texas…and hotter than when he left.

Officer Finn wants to kiss and make up…

Finn Meyers has come back to settle down. After living in the big city, the quiet streets of Loco are just what he needs. He knows he screwed up with Deana all those years ago, but he hopes they can put the past behind them. Especially after he gets a look at the assets she’s been hiding.

But danger lurks in the dark…

When Finn realizes someone is stalking Deana, he’s determined to protect her and their future together…when means keeping her as close as possible.

Review

Crazy For You is a fast and fun novella in the Loco, Texas series by Codi Gary. A complete standalone, this story follows the town klutz and the boy she crushed on in high school who obliterated her heart years ago. Now he is back in town and despite the fact that she is still a walking disaster he cannot help but want her like no one else before. But with a stalker on the loose and her feelings still hurt who knows what could happen!

‘Before Christmas, she was going to get a man and shed her horrible luck if it was the last thing she did.’

This story was just so sweet and with the Halloween undertones it has me all excited and ready for fall. Alpha Finn stole my heart and Deana’s just go for it attitude sealed the deal. If you are looking for a sweet and sexy second chance romance that you can read in an hour or so than this is just the story you need. I love Codi’s writing and I hope she brings us more books in this series in the future!

~miranda

4.5 Smooches

Synopsis

Chase Cade is as untethered as a kite without a string.

The minute she drives past the “Welcome to Maybelle” sign after six months traveling, she knows the quaint little town is something new entirely. It’s more than the good food and welcoming people — with the exception of the gruff bartender she meets her first night out.

Aden Riveau couldn’t be more rooted in Maybelle if he were an actual tree.
In a town that caters to tourists, his bar is the only place the locals have all to themselves. Everyone knows him and he knows everyone, and nothing spoils his peace more than having to deal with nosy, gawking tourists who don’t stick around.

She’s only in Maybelle for a vacation, and he’s never taken a vacation in his life. He can’t stop thinking about how different she is, and she can’t stop trying to figure him out. But her reservation has an end, and his never will, unless he can find a way to pour his heart out.

Review

Pour Your Heart Out by Zoe Lee is a debut novel with tons of heart and soul. Setting up a series that is destined to be good; Pour Your Heart Out gave me all the sweet happy feels I look forward to with small town romances.

Chase is a world traveler and Aden is a local bar owner who loves his small town and the people in it. The two could not have more different lives and from the outside they look completely wrong for each other. And yet . Not only do the two constantly find themselves in each others company they are both growing to desire more of it which is magical and scary at the same time. Chase is passing through and Aden is here to stay, what could possibly come from this?

Zoe Lee gives us a quintessential small town romance with tons of small town charm and a large cast of characters I can’t wait to know more about. I have fallen hard for the people of Maybelle and I know you will too.

~miranda