REVIEW: Last Resort by K. Bromberg

5 SMOOCHES!

* * * * * * * * * *

SYNOPSIS:

I was never supposed to see him again. Him being the man wearing the perfectly tailored suit who oozed an intoxicating mixture of wealth, rebellion, and sex appeal.

One night.
No strings.
No names.
Great sex.

Still riding the high from last night, I walk in to meet my new client, and he’s wearing that same dangerous smirk that reeled me in hours ago.

Yes, I’m consulting for Callahan Sharpe. And yes, he’s that Callahan Sharpe.

Billionaire heir apparent who abides by no rules, bucks convention, and is determined to complete one final project to honor his late father’s legacy before walking away from the family business for good. Luckily and unluckily for me, I’ve been tasked to go to the Virgin Islands to help accomplish his goal. Callahan has no problem breaking his company’s no fraternization rule, but not me. There’s too much at stake.

What could possibly go wrong when you’re forced to work—and live—side by side with a man you can’t resist?

* * * * * * * * * *

REVIEW:

Last Resort is the first book in K. Bromberg’s new S.I.N. series about three incredibly handsome, alpha, billionaires and identical triplets, the Sharpe brothers. An enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance, Last Resort is Callahan and Sutton’s story. Classic Kristy Bromberg through-and-through, and this is exactly the kind of story that best showcases the depth of her storytelling and her innate ability in creating those wonderfully passionate, powerful couples that she’s known for.

Fresh off a toxic relationship that left this once vibrant woman questioning everything about herself, Sutton is out on the town for the first time in forever. She’s celebrating an exciting promotion when she meets a handsome stranger and is unnerved by the nearly overwhelming attraction she’s feeling. Their naturally snappy and witty banter was born in those first moments and was what I loved most about this couple. That wasn’t the only thing cemented in that moment – a palpable, passionate pull was also born that would prove to impossible for either of them to resist or ignore.

Callahan is a bit of a brooding personality. One of a trio of identical triplets, he’s the odd man out, different in many ways from his brothers and has been butting heads with them as they mourn the loss of their beloved father and attempt to find their footing as they take over the reins of the family business. He’s confident, a bit cocky at times with more than his fair share of charm and charisma. But he’s also the black sheep of the trio, the triplet who didn’t finish college and who doesn’t really want to be a part of the family business. Their father, in what was part stroke of genius and part problematic, employed a different approach to parenting each of his sons. When it came to Callahan, it was the perception of his brothers that he was the favorite which unsurprisingly was the root of their of their issues.

Following an unforgettably hot one-night stand—without strings or names—Callahan and Sutton are dealt the surprise of a lifetime when they discover the next day that he’s her client and she’s the consultant his company has hired. Things only get more complicated when they arrive onsite at the Sharpe property in the Virgin Islands and get to work. That attraction is right there, at the surface, flowing in and out of every single one of their interactions like the slow Caribbean tide. There begins the tempting, taunting, teasing, tumultuous ebb and flow of their attempts to simultaneously extinguish and ignite this flame flickering between them. The push and pull, the constant state of will-they or won’t they, the sparks firing between Sutton and Callahan made for a thrilling, sexy and unputdownable romance.

Last Resort was intense at times while still pulling off a flirty, playful vibe. Incredible heat, perfectly timed humor, and plenty of heart-tugging emotion collide fabulously in this staggeringly swoon-worthy, supremely seductive and wholly satisfying love story. The thrill of their chase made for one heck of an addictive, page-turner that left me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the other two Sharpe brothers’ stories! Five smooches from me for Last Resort by K. Bromberg!

~Danielle Palumbo

 

 


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RELEASE BLITZ: Shut Up and Kiss Me by Lauren Blakely

 

SHUT UP AND KISS ME, a sexy and emotional new friends-to-lovers romance from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Lauren Blakely, is available now!

 

What happens when a scorching one-night stand between best friends absolutely, definitely shouldn’t happen again…

 

When that toe-curling, knee-weakening, sizzling sleepover between best friends definitely shouldn’t happen again…

How to resist sleeping with your best friend when you’re stuck in a hotel room in Vegas with the charming, glasses-wearing hottie.

1. Slather your face in a grapefruit mask

2. Wear a big, fluffy robe

3. Make him do the same

Oops.

Didn’t work. Turns out our libidos had other plans.

But, no biggie. After epic, soul-shattering banging, I’ll just put the genie back in the bottle the next morning. Only, that’s easier said than done. After years of scraping by, Nolan and I just landed the big break of a lifetime for our scrappy online restaurant review show. We’re going to New York for a month.

Just the two of us. TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.

But I’ve already lost my best friend once, so I’ll do whatever it takes to resist thoroughly delicious Nolan again.

Until I learn whatever it takes might cost me everything.

 

Learn more about the Happy Endings series!  |  Add the Happy Endings series to Goodreads

 

 

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“…all those competing emotions, those will-they or won’t they moments and the push and pull of love… a charming friends-to-lovers romance…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

 

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

 

 

 


About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling Author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.

With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York TimesUSA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 60 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Connect with Lauren:

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Sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date with Lauren!

 

 

REVIEW: Shut Up and Kiss Me by Lauren Blakely

5 SMOOCHES!

   

* * * * * * * * * *

SYNOPSIS:

When that toe-curling, knee-weakening, sizzling sleepover between best friends definitely shouldn’t happen again…

How to resist sleeping with your best friend when you’re stuck in a hotel room in Vegas with the charming, glasses-wearing hottie.

1. Slather your face in a grapefruit mask

2. Wear a big, fluffy robe

3. Make him do the same

Oops.

Didn’t work. Turns out our libidos had other plans.

But, no biggie. After epic, soul-shattering banging, I’ll just put the genie back in the bottle the next morning. Only, that’s easier said than done. After years of scraping by, Nolan and I just landed the big break of a lifetime for our scrappy online restaurant review show. We’re going to New York for a month.

Just the two of us. TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.

But I’ve already lost my best friend once, so I’ll do whatever it takes to resist thoroughly delicious Nolan again.

Until I learn whatever it takes might cost me everything.

* * * * * * * * * *

REVIEW:

I love the friends-to-lovers trope, and it is something that Lauren Blakely just does so incredibly well. She has perfected the art of setting friendships on fire and capturing all those feels on the page. I don’t know if it’s because I’m living my own best-friends-to-lovers relationship or not, but these romances just pull at my heart in special ways. Lauren’s sexy and sweet contemporaries or romantic comedies always entertain me. The way that she blends her charming plots with a steamy romance between two characters I can’t help but root for never fails to produce the kind of story that I fall into with ease. Blakely’s romances are light-hearted pleasures to read, and I’m always happy to read or listen to her latest one. I listened to the audiobook of Shut Up and Kiss Me narrated by Jason Clarke and Julia Whelan, who both knocked their portrayals of these characters out of the park.

Nolan and Emerson’s easy-going, comfortable friendship was genuine and real, and whether it was as friends or a couple, I loved them together. Between years as best friends and co-stars of their own YouTube food show, these two were very much in-sync and knew each other well. It was obvious how much they cared for one another, but somewhere along the way, their feelings started to change. Once they each realized their feelings for the other had shifted, the chemistry between them exploded and the flood gates of emotion opened wide—but neither of them was willing to sacrifice all that they worked for and dreamed about. Love and chemistry like theirs aren’t things easily denied or ignored, and Blakely took us through all those competing emotions, those will-they or won’t they moments and the push and pull of love in captivating detail. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though, and Lauren interjected just enough conflict to keep things interesting without drowning this budding romance in drama.

Shut Up and Kiss Me was a charming friends-to-lovers romance that kept a smile on my face as I devoured it in a single sitting. I was fully invested in this flirty, fiery romance, and it’s exactly these kinds of fun, sexy, easy-reading stories that I love most from Blakely. Shut Up and Kiss Me  by Lauren Blakely gets 5 smooches from me!

~Danielle Palumbo

 


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COVER REVEAL: Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn

THOSE THREE LITTLE WORDS, a steamy and witty new best friend’s sister hockey romance from USA Today Bestselling Author, Meghan Quinn, releases on April 5th, and I’m excited to share the cover with you today!

 

Title:  THOSE THREE LITTLE WORDS

Author:  MEGHAN QUINN

Genre:  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Release Date:  APRIL 5, 2022

 

I knocked up my best friend’s sister.

Figured I would get straight to the point because how it happened is a mere snippet of the story I have to tell. The real meat and potatoes is what happened after.

Let’s start with how she decided to inform me and Pacey the news . . . together. Imagine that nightmare. I was going into what I thought was a hockey marketing meeting and then BAM! I’m going to be a dad and my best friend/teammate is attempting to imprint my face with his fist.

It wasn’t pretty.

Threats were tossed around, friendships were revoked, and then I was marched up to her apartment, suitcases in hand, and forced to live with her so I could take care of her every need. Given how much I’ve pined for the girl, you would think that wouldn’t be a hardship. Wrong.

This is my one shot to win my teammate back. Pacey is the only family I’ve got, so hooking up with his sister isn’t a mistake I can make twice . . . despite the fact that she’s pregnant with my child.

But with every mood swing, every pair of pants that doesn’t fit right, and every late night run to find the perfect donut, I’m finding it harder and harder not to fall for my best friend’s little sister.

Especially when she kisses me…

 

——————————————————————————————————————

 

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Add to Goodreads

 

 

 


About Meghan Quinn:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Connect with Meghan:

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Sign up for her mailing list to stay up-to-date with Meghan!

 

BLOG TOUR: Love on the Lake by Helena Hunting

LOVE ON THE LAKE, an emotional new standalone small town romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Helena Hunting, is available now! Scroll down for an excerpt!

 

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?

 

Teagan Firestone has always been the dutiful daughter, especially since her mom died. But as her father finally begins to move on, it’s her turn to do the same. Her destination: Pearl Lake, a close-knit community with an entrepreneurial spirit and secrets of its own.

One of them is Aaron Saunders, who dropped out of college to work construction for Pearl Lake’s upper class. He’s a mystery and has a playboy reputation—that is, until he meets Teagan. Neither of them is looking for love, but in a town this small, it’s hard not to let your heart get involved.

As their romance heats up, Aaron’s elusive past comes to light and Teagan is there for him, bringing them even closer together. But when Teagan is forced to face her own demons, her inability to accept the support of friends and family threatens the life she’s worked so hard to build.

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?

 

 

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

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Add to Goodreads

 

 

EXCERPT:

She crooks a finger, beckoning me closer. But there’s only six inches separating us. If I take a step forward, my boots will touch her toes. So I bend instead, until my ear is next to her lips, like I’m waiting for her to tell me a secret.

For a moment I consider the fact that I’ve been up and down the stairs to the loft at least a dozen times. The only air circulation in here is from a portable fan, so I’ve been sweating and shirtless for several hours. I might not smell all that fresh.

But that thought disappears when her fingertips drag along my collarbone and I feel the warmth of her breath at the edge of my jaw.

“Aaron.”

Her palm wraps around the back of my neck. So soft. So warm.

I swallow and grind out, “I’m listening.”

Her thumb finds that spot between my ear and my jaw, and she presses, gently at first and then more firmly. Her lips brush the shell of my ear, and she whispers, “Look at me.”

I feel like a marionette, and she’s pulling all my strings. I turn my head toward her, and her lips brush across my cheek, sending a hot shiver down my spine, lighting me up like a pinball machine.

Teagan Firestone is a dangerous woman. Sweet, beautiful, broken, and yet . . . bold and resilient. She’s a lethal combination, and it’s all compounded when those soft lips meet mine.

I don’t even know what’s happening. Well, I know. I’m kissing her. Or she’s kissing me. She definitely started it.

It’s like an explosion. Like an entire warehouse of firecrackers igniting at the same time. I groan into her mouth and wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me.

Our tongues tangle, and her other hand grips my biceps, sliding up and over my shoulder. She knocks my hat off my head, and it drops to the floor behind me. And then both of her hands are in my hair, sliding through the damp strands, gripping at the crown, angling my head farther to the side. Deepening the kiss.

Dragging it out.

 

 

 


About Helena Hunting: 

HelenaHunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Connect with Helena:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena’s mailing list!

 

RELEASE BLITZ: Love on the Lake by Helena Hunting

LOVE ON THE LAKE, an emotional new standalone small town romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Helena Hunting, is available now!

 

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?

 

Teagan Firestone has always been the dutiful daughter, especially since her mom died. But as her father finally begins to move on, it’s her turn to do the same. Her destination: Pearl Lake, a close-knit community with an entrepreneurial spirit and secrets of its own.

One of them is Aaron Saunders, who dropped out of college to work construction for Pearl Lake’s upper class. He’s a mystery and has a playboy reputation—that is, until he meets Teagan. Neither of them is looking for love, but in a town this small, it’s hard not to let your heart get involved.

As their romance heats up, Aaron’s elusive past comes to light and Teagan is there for him, bringing them even closer together. But when Teagan is forced to face her own demons, her inability to accept the support of friends and family threatens the life she’s worked so hard to build.

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?

 

————————————————————————————————–

 

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon Worldwide  |  Audio  |  Paperback

 

Add to Goodreads

 

 

 


About Helena Hunting: 

HelenaHunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Connect with Helena:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena’s mailing list!

 

 

REVIEW: Wild Side by Lacey Black

5 SMOOCHES!

* * * * * * * * * *

SYNOPSIS:

Jameson

Last man standing. I’ve watched all three of my friends fall in love with no desire to ever follow in their footsteps. Collectively, we own the hottest restaurant, bar, and brewery in town. They are a few of the places I find peace, a refuge against this cruel world. When I’m on the stage playing music, everything just seems to fade away.

Until I saw her.

She was sitting in the crowd, a bright, beautiful ray of light, fighting against the darkness surrounding me. I do everything I can to keep her in the friend-zone, but she’s making it difficult.

I don’t just want her; I need her.

Madelyn

The first moment I saw him on the stage I knew he was different. Rough, tattooed, and with the voice of an angel, he was playing guitar and singing a song about love and hurt. I was captivated, completely drawn to the emotions I saw in those warm whiskey eyes. From that moment on, I felt compelled to be his friend.

He didn’t make it easy.

The boundaries between friendship and relationship start to blur, and even though he fights me every step of the way, I can’t help the way I feel. I promised him I’d always be his friend.

Now I want more.

* * * * * * * * * *

REVIEW:

I’m really loving Lacey Black’s Burgers &  Brüe Crew series, but for me that’s par for the course with her. I’ve read all her books, and when it comes to small town romances, Lacey’s are the ones I seem to reach for first when I want to get lost in the drama and familiarity of a close-knit community. Charming small towns, endearing characters, sweet and steamy romances entwined in fun, engaging plots are what make Lacey’s stories so memorable.

Jameson and Madelyn’s story was emotional but not overly angsty. Jameson has a bit of a heartbreaking history, and because of it, he tends to be a bit closed off. His overall demeanor seems to be perpetually set to grumpy, but the more time he spends with Madelyn, the more his sweet and tender tendencies start to come out. Madelyn’s backstory wasn’t exactly easy either, but she’s left that life behind and built a new life with a family of supportive friends for herself. She’s independent and can be a bit headstrong at times, but she sees Jameson in a way that no one else does. They strike up a fast friendship, but the smoking hot chemistry between them is difficult to ignore and benefits are added to their friendship. Jameson always swore that he wouldn’t follow in his friends’ footsteps and fall in love, but everything about his feelings for and this relationship with Madelyn is different.

Wild Side was a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance that stole my heart. Full of feels, flirty banter and a friendship set on fire, Madelyn and Jameson’s love story was simply unputdownable. Five smooches from me for Wild Side by Lacey Black!

~Danielle Palumbo

 


BUY IT NOW!

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU 

 

RELEASE BLITZ: Wild Side by Lacey Black

WILD SIDE, a friends-to-lovers, small-town romance from USA Today Bestselling Author, Lacey Black, is available now!

 

I don’t just want her; I need her…

 

Jameson

Last man standing. I’ve watched all three of my friends fall in love with no desire to ever follow in their footsteps. Collectively, we own the hottest restaurant, bar, and brewery in town. They are a few of the places I find peace, a refuge against this cruel world. When I’m on the stage playing music, everything just seems to fade away.

Until I saw her.

She was sitting in the crowd, a bright, beautiful ray of light, fighting against the darkness surrounding me. I do everything I can to keep her in the friend-zone, but she’s making it difficult.

I don’t just want her; I need her.

Madelyn

The first moment I saw him on the stage I knew he was different. Rough, tattooed, and with the voice of an angel, he was playing guitar and singing a song about love and hurt. I was captivated, completely drawn to the emotions I saw in those warm whiskey eyes. From that moment on, I felt compelled to be his friend.

He didn’t make it easy.

The boundaries between friendship and relationship start to blur, and even though he fights me every step of the way, I can’t help the way I feel. I promised him I’d always be his friend.

Now I want more.

 

 

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU 

 

Add to Goodreads

 

 

“…a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance… Full of feels, flirty banter and a friendship set on fire…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

 

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

 

 

 


About Lacey Black:

USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.

Connect with Lacey:

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Sign up for Lacey’s newsletter!

 

BLOG TOUR: Taste by Melanie Harlow

TASTE, an all-new enemies-to-lovers, surprise pregnancy small-town romantic comedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author, Melanie Harlow, is available now! Scroll down for an excerpt!

 

I’m terrified of falling for him.

But one taste might be all it takes…

 

The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.

But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.

With one small bed.

Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin–but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.

So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be–

A big fat plus sign.

After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.

He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.

But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.

I’m terrified of falling for him.

But one taste might be all it takes.

 

 

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Amazon US  |  Amazon Worldwide  |  Paperback  |  Audio

 

Add to Goodreads

 

 

“…a hard-fought battle of heart, history and hope…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

 

Check out Danielle’s 4.5 SMOOCHES review!

 

EXCERPT:

I sat at the foot of the bed and dialed Winnie’s number. She picked up immediately.

“Ellie?”

“Hey.”

“Thank God! You guys okay?”

“We’re fine.” I watched Gianni unwrap a candy bar and lean back against the headboard. “We found a motel with a vacancy.”

“You mean you’re staying in a motel room together?” she asked, loud enough for Gianni to overhear.

“Yeah. And there’s only one bed.”

She laughed. “How’s that going?”

“Fine.”

“You guys are getting along?”

Gianni made a lewd gesture involving his fist, his tongue, and his inner cheek. I gave him the finger. “As well you’d expect.”

“I can’t wait to hear about it.”

“We’re going to try to get out of here as soon as we can in the morning. I’ll let you know when we’re on the road.”

“Sounds good.” She laughed again. “Sleep tight.”

“Oh. We will.” I eyed the length of the bed. “We have no choice.”

After ending the call, I opened the Truth or Drink app on my phone and picked up my wine. “Ready to play?”

“Hit me.”

I scrolled through the options. “Do you want to play normal mode, party mode, or dirty mode?

Gianni looked at me like I was crazy. “Duh.”

I sighed and reached for my wine. “Okay, fine. I feel like I’m going to regret this, but dirty it is.”

“Can I take my pants off?”

“No. What’s your age range for a one night-stand?”

“Hmm.” Gianni thought for a moment.

“Please say at least eighteen.”

“No teenagers. I’ll say twenty to forty-five.”

“Forty-five? Really?”

He shrugged. “I think mature women are hot. But I can’t go near fifty because that’s my mom’s age and then it would be weird.”

“Right.”

“So what about you? Same question.”

“I’d have to say . . . thirty to forty.”

He looked offended. “Why thirty? You’re only twenty-three.”

And so was he, which was why I’d said it. “I know, but I think older men are just better in bed.” (I’d actually never been with anyone over twenty-eight.)

“In what way?”

“Just . . . more patient. More knowledgeable. More generous. Guys in their twenties think they’re all that just because they have younger bodies, especially if they’re—you know—well-endowed. But it’s not just the size of the boat. It’s definitely the motion of the ocean.”

He harrumphed. “You’ve been in the wrong boats.”

 

 

 


About Melanie Harlow:

USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Schitt’s Creek, Homeland, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

Connect with Melanie:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  |  Amazon  |  BookBub  |  Pinterest  |  Instagram

Stay up to date with Melanie, sign up for her mailing list

 

REVIEW: Taste by Melanie Harlow

4.5 SMOOCHES!

    

* * * * * * * * * *

SYNOPSIS:

The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.

But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.

With one small bed.

Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin–but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.

So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be–

A big fat plus sign.

After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.

He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.

But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.

I’m terrified of falling for him.

But one taste might be all it takes.

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REVIEW:

I really love small town romances. The combination of a sweet, sexy romance with the vibe of those in-your-business characters and the everybody-knows-everybody small towns is my drug of choice. As someone who’s married to their high school sweet heart, when these romances employ a childhood friends- or enemies-to-lovers trope, it’s simply magical for me. There’s just something about that history, the setting and the antics of the lovingly nosey members of the community really does it for me. Harlow writes some wonderful small town romances, and she’s one of my suppliers of choice to feed this particular need of mine. Her Cloverleigh Farms series is set in a charming Michigan small town, and she’s moving the series forward with some second generation characters’ stories.

Taste is a childhood enemies-to-lovers romance between childhood nemeses, Ellie and Gianni. Their mothers are best friends, and they grew up together. Their families spent a tremendous amount of time together, but Ellie and Gianni didn’t actually get along all that well—mostly due to Gianni’s pranks and incessant teasing. Fast forward to present day, and Gianni’s career is on fire thanks to his participation in a reality cooking show. He’s always chasing the next exciting opportunity, and he’s all about the playboy lifestyle and the rush of a new adventure. While he loves his home town, he’s not interested in putting down roots there, a family or even a relationship. Ellie is done with Gianni’s nonsense, she had enough of it growing up with him, and she’s focused on her career and her family’s vineyard. Her parents are on an extended trip to France, and Gianni is home and filling in at the vineyard’s restaurant while they’re gone. While they hid behind a bit of an antagonistic relationship growing up, things were always simmering between Ellie and Gianni. It isn’t until they end up in stranded in a quirky roadside motel courtesy of an historic blizzard that the heat cranks up on all that’s simmering between them and starts to a boil.

They may have agreed to leave everything that happened between them back in that motel room, but fate apparently didn’t agree to those terms. As they’re both trying to bury the feelings they’re secretly harboring for each other, fate steps in to throw yet another wrench in their plans in the form of a surprise pregnancy. Ellie is adamant that she doesn’t want to be something or someone Gianni settled for out of obligation, and Gianni is struggling to figure what exactly it is that he’s feeling because he’s never actually felt like this before. It takes a little while for him to achieve that clarity, but the question is can he convince her that this is what he wants or is it too little too late?

Taste was everything that I love about small town romances. Gianni’s struggle with new emotion was a bit frustrating at times, but ultimately it was his growth as a man and the determination to show Ellie she was what he wanted that endeared him to me. I loved the push and pull of Ellie and Gianni’s romance, the will they or won’t they turmoil as they both fought to figure it all out. It was a hard-fought battle of heart, history and hope, and I positively devoured their entertaining and addictive romance. Taste by Melanie Harlow gets 4.5 smooches from me!

~Danielle Palumbo

 

 


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