4 Smooches

Synopsis

That moment your life changes.
That moment that changes your life.
That moment you love someone more than you love yourself.
That was the moment we gave our son up for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would forever be empty.
There are moments that define you as a person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.

When Shelby Calder left home fifteen years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind. But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.

Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever, standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won’t be a mistake he ever makes again.

Some things never change and love is one of them.

Review

‘It takes one breath for me to realize who just stepped out of my grandparents’ house. One breath for every moment I spent with the man standing before me to flash through my head. Two seconds for me to feel my world come to a stop.’

Aurora Rose Reyonds gives good alpha. That is a simple fact at this point. There hasn’t been a series she has put out that I haven’t enjoyed.  While this was not my favorite book of hers I did still enjoy it an d was surprised by some of the hate I have seen for it out on Goodreads. Zach and Shelby are not perfect but I personally don’t want perfect heroes and heroines in my books. There were some mistakes made by both but one in particular by Zach that does at times make it hard to like him. But while he might not fully regret his decisions he does regret the pain they caused.

“Every day since you left, I’ve lived with the knowledge that I didn’t fight for us, that I didn’t try to find a way to make you want to stay, that I didn’t go and make you come home.”

Wide Open Spaces was an emotional journey that both pulled at my heart and had my belly aching from laughter. I would have personally loved a bit more drawn out drama and maybe some action but then again I am a sucker for a good shootout or kidnapping in my alpha insta love stories. Still Aurora’s writing does seem to grown which each story she pens and I am very excited for the storyline and characters of the third in this series.

~miranda

5 Smooches!

Synopsis

I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Crenshaw Bennett.
I tried to deny it, but my feelings grew deeper.
I thought he could never love me the way I love him.

I was wrong—outrageously, deliriously, and beautifully wrong.

One innocent kiss changes my life forever.

Suddenly, Shaw is mine.
Loyal, devoted, and the most loving man on this Earth.
Together, we create an explosion of fiery passion, devotion, and chemistry I never knew was possible.

All of my dreams are within reach, but I should have known it was too good to be true.

The past always catches up to you, and I’m left staring at my worst nightmare.

Faced with the unthinkable, I am forced to choose between the man I love and a past I cannot change.

Shaw’s fighting like hell to prove we can have it all, but can I find the strength to be the woman he needs?

REVIEW

This was the first book I’ve read by Ahren Sanders, and I was totally taken by surprise by it. I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting when I read the Hotshot blurb after my blogger boss, Miranda, told me about this assignment. But I can tell you that I was absolutely not expecting to feel the level of emotion that I felt while reading this book. From white-hot, furious anger to gut-wrenching heartbreak, I felt every single emotion that this couple went through. Oh yes, Hotshot drew me in from the first page.

I was immediately thrown into Bizzy and Nick’s story, struck by the bond these two teens forged through something that was unfathomable and how brave and strong they were in the face of all that they were dealing with. It was during this time, when an awkward and ill young Bizzy meets Shaw, Nick’s older brother and, for her, it was love at first sight. The friendship that grew between Bizzy and Nick was special and rare, shaped through a shared experience that cannot be comprehended unless you’ve been there yourself. The – strictly platonic – love between the two of them was beautiful and genuine. She is drawn into the tight circle of the Bennett family, much as her family embraces them.

As if the cards that Bizzy was dealt weren’t bad enough, this young woman is targeted by a mean girl when she is finally well enough to return to school. Bizzy’s pain, humiliation and hurt radiated through the author’s words as she dealt with the never-ending episodes of this other girl’s cruelty. The bright spot in all of it was her friendship with Nick, the handsome high school star quarterback, who rallied behind her and forced her to live her life as a normal teen despite the torment that plagued her at every step. I truly loved how incredibly resilient Bizzy was. While not unscathed, she managed to come through the torture of her teens with the core of her kind, gentle and generous spirit still intact. She selflessly pursued a career that would make a difference in the lives of children waging the same battle that she had while also repeatedly taking her back to that time in her own life. While she loved all the Bennetts, the day she met Shaw, her life was changed, and on top of the all heartache she already carried, Bizzy had to accept that he’d never see her as more than a sister.

Shaw Bennett has been a protective and loving friend to Bizzy since the day he met her. Fast forward ten years to an unexpected and surprising moment of clarity for Shaw. All it took was one simple gesture for everything to snap into place for him. He finally sees what is right there in front of him, what his future could be and, to his credit, he doesn’t waste any time in his pursuit of it. Unfortunately, an easy happily-ever-after isn’t in the cards, and this is where Ahren Sanders plunges in the knife into her readers’ already twisting guts as the mistakes of Shaw’s past slither into the light. Shaw goes through a nightmare dealing with them, all the while clinging almost frantically to Bizzy, to their love and to their relationship. Bizzy, I had to hand it to her, she stayed strong in the face of what was absolutely her worst nightmare, and despite her heartbreak and anger, she tried desperately to not only understand but also to be there for him.

This relationship, had it not been rooted in so much history, would have been doomed. Neither of them could even imagine not having the other in their lives, and with the added knowledge now of how good they are together, a lifetime without the other seems impossible. This was love story positively gutted me with how beautiful yet painful it was. My heart physically ached for Bizzy and my head spun for Shaw. There were points while reading this book that I was just sick over the angsty emotion playing out on the pages. Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be more for this couple, for Bizzy, to endure, Ahren Sanders twisted the knife in my gut and gave me more.

This was a such a great story. It was definitely hard to get through at some points, but it was so well written, so well developed and fleshed out, it was almost impossible for me to put it down. I had my Kindle in hand as I attempted to cook dinner while reading this book. I absolutely loved Ahren Sanders’ Hotshot, and it gets 5 smooches from me.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Apple “Core” Drew needs The Uncertain Saints MC like he needs air. He is barely making it through the day, and each one that goes by takes him closer and closer to hell. Literally, not figuratively.

He’s a half breath away from killing himself—maybe not by taking his own life, but he’s not against making someone else do it for him.
Then he meets her. One of his club member’s sister, and his whole outlook on life changes.

And not for the better.

Just as surely as he ruined his life, he ruins her life, too. One lapse in judgement on his part, and his one night of happiness turns into the worst nine months of his life.

Which he would’ve thought was damn near impossible with the things he’s done and seen.

She never saw it coming…

It was the beard. The beard made her do it.

That is a good excuse for having sex with a man she barely knows, isn’t it?

Yeah, who was she kidding? It wasn’t the beard. It was the way he looked so dejected and solemn. The sad look in his eyes pulls her in, and the way his rough hands touch her makes her stay.

All she wants to do is take that look out of his eyes, but the consequences to her actions only make things worse, not better.
One day is all she gets, and he’s not willing to give her more.

Until she dies, that is. Then it’s too late.

Review

Bad Apple is the fourth addition to Lani Lynn Vale’s Uncertain Saints MC series. This series is a bit darker and grittier than fans are used to seeing from Vale, but she’s done a great job tackling the sensitive and difficult topics in this book while staying true to her unique writing style. Always well written, always full of surprises, steam and laughter, a Lani Lynn Vale novel is something I always look forward to.

Vale took on some hard subjects in this book, and she did them well. Apple “Core” Drew is a good guy battling some serious demons. He’s heavy with nearly crushing guilt, and he has a hard time accepting the love, happiness and pleasure that Kit brings to his life. He struggles with it and pushes her away before he finally reaches out for the help that he needs. It’s never easy for these badasses to admit a weakness, but Core does it. This type of situation isn’t always pretty, and it can be downright brutal sometimes, but Lani seemed to find just the right balance in telling this story and portraying these characters realistically and genuinely while still delivering everything that her fans have come to love about her writing, her characters and their stories.

Kit is the sister of Ridley, an Uncertain police officer and a member of the Uncertain Saints MC. Having no other family but each other and the Saints members, the two of them are very close. Kit has a medical condition, and Ridley’s taken steps to make sure that she’ll always have help if she needs it. She meets Core, and she’s smitten right away. Ridley isn’t necessarily on board with a Kit and Core pairing, though, so Core’s got some work to do there to sway his brother. With Kit, if it’s not one thing, then it’s another. Despite their best laid plans, though, neither Core nor Ridley could have been prepared for what lay ahead for Kit.

I really love this series, it’s so different from anything Vale’s done previously. I like that she’s taking on these tough subjects, and I think she’s doing a great job with them. In Bad Apple, she managed to soften the hard edges of Core’s story with her trademark sense of humor. Let’s be honest here, no Vale novel would be complete with it or those funny, quirky little quotes that kick off each chapter. Fans of Vale’s, like me, greatly anticipate that banter and the antics of her heroes and heroines, along with the steamy build-up of her romances, and it’s here in spades.

I love this series, I loved Core and Kit, and I can’t wait for more Uncertain Saints. Lani Lynn Vale’s Bad Apple get 5 smooches from me.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Torn One will break her trust – One will break her heart – One will kill for her.

“Blown away, floored and left speechless. Torn is a story of love, one that will toy with your heart and emotions-to the max. This one will chew you up and spit you out raw. True to its title, you will be torn, gutted and slayed. 5 ‘Best. I. Ever. Had.’ Stars” – Read & Share Book Reviews.

When Sky’s parents moved from San Francisco to Boulder City in Nevada, she thought her life was over, until she met the Hudson boys. Two years older than her, tattooed bad boy Nate was confident, cocky, good looking, and a straight talker. He was the unattainable guy that all the girls wanted, but the one their fathers warned them to steer clear of. Josh had all of his brother’s looks, but he was the sweet charmer your mother would beg you to marry. Their cousin Billy lacked the brothers’ good looks, so relied on his quick wit to attract the girls.

When all three of them set their sights on Sky, they became competitive, and cracks in their close bond began to form.

Torn between her loyalty to all three, and feelings for one, Sky was faced with a dilemma.

When she made her decision, she had no idea that her choice would set them all on a path that would tear the group apart.

Torn is a standalone new adult erotic romance novel, which is heavy on the angst. A box of tissues is likely to be required. Out on 31st August 2016.

REVIEW

After moving again and feeling like an outsider in a new place Sky isn’t feeling at home or like she has many people she knows…that is until she meets the Hudson boys: two brother and 1 cousin, all with different personalities but all wanting the new girl in town- but only one will win her heart so let the battle of the heart commence where only one victor will win Sky’s heart!

“She was my beacon in the darkness, a light that guided me to the only safe and calming place I’d known in years.”

Wow!! That was one hell of a read!! I loved that this was no ordinary romance, it wasn’t even an ordinary love triangle as we had 3 men, fighting for one girls heart! The different points of view really helped make this book unique and the different personalities of the Hudson boys meant I fell in love with a part of them all as each man spoke to a different part of me! I could totally understand Sky’s heart breaking decision to try and decide who she loves the most but not wanting to hurt any of them.

“I’d seen other girls give away their affections so easily, like the very act of choosing to share your emotions and your heart with someone was worthless. It wasn’t to me. It was everything.”

We have Nate- the bad boy, who gives a dangerous vibe off about him and whose cocky and sexy persona captures Sky’s attention. Then there’s Josh- the sweeter, cuter brother, who reminds me of a hot, nerdy professor- and Sky can’t resist the softer and gentle side of Josh. Then we have Billy, the funny one, who makes the ladies laugh, Sky especially and the laughter as well as his secretive side, means Sky can’t stop wanting to get to know him more!

“Goodbye is like never going to see you later. It sounds like it’s permanent.” “I’d better hope you never say goodbye to me then.” “Or you me.” “Never,” he responded immediately,”

This was such a heart breaking, breathtaking and beautiful love story with so many secrets and tense moments. I really adored Sky as well, and although you may go in thinking, “why is she moaning when she has three guys after her?” But straight away Sky becomes like a close friend and you feel her pain at liking them all but not wanting to hurt any them. It truly is a heart breaking decision and especially with the boys all being family.

“Another year had passed. Another year when I’d heard nothing. Another year of writing letters that contained tiny pieces of my heart. He was destroying it. Bit by bit, he was accepting it and giving me nothing in return.”

It’s not just the love between these 4, but it’s the love between family and friendship we read about as well that makes this book so special. And the secrets and drama between the characters keeps you hooked alongside the romance side of the story- all the boys go through dark times and all have weights on their shoulders or secretes being kept hidden. Honestly, pick this book up and read it- You will not regret it!

~BETHANY

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4 Smooches

Synopsis

Loving him was hard. Wanting him was so damn easy . . .

Sofia Mercer may have been sick as a teen, but she’s no delicate flower. And she’s proven it by making it on her own and starting a new life away from the town that turned against her, away from the boy who broke her already fragile heart. But when her aunt Luz dies unexpectedly, leaving Sofia with a mountain of regrets and the keys to a quirky boutique, Sofia has no choice but to return to Cape Cod. Only, this new life in her old town comes with complications.

Burke Wolf was Sofia’s first love—a relationship that burned bright and went up in flames. Seeing him again, Sofia can’t help but get caught up in that all-too-familiar tornado of passion and pain. He’s battled his own demons—that much is clear. But Sofia can’t afford to be careless with her heart . . . and loving Burke again might just break it completely.

Review

I am a complete sucker for a small town contemporary romance. Sometimes they just feel like a breath of fresh air and Meant To Be Mine did just that for me. The story wasn’t all easy going bubble gum but still left me with a light and happy heart. Sofia and Burke’s story both had hard childhoods and there was still a lot of pain  to deal with.  These two has great chemistry and their slow burn relationship really worked well for me.

This novel had an eccentric cast of characters that you get to know very well and have set up the future books in the series to be just as good as this one.  I will say there was almost too much of the other characters but I know she is setting up the other books in the series so for this one I can look past that.

This was my first book by Lisa Marie Perry but I can tell you it won’t be my last. While waiting for the next book in the Guilty Pleasures series I will be working my way through her backlog happily.

~  miranda