5 Smooches

Synopsis

Born on the poor side of town…

Ballerina Dovey Beckham is a scholarship student at Briarcrest Academy, determined to prove she’s more than just a girl with the wrong pedigree. She does whatever it takes to succeed in her endgame, even if it means surrendering her body…but never her heart.

Until the day she meets him, and he rips apart all her well-laid plans. Suddenly, the girl everyone thought unbreakable might just shatter.

Born into wealth and privilege…

Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson is rich, spoiled, and a star football player. With his fast cars and superficial girlfriends, he lives the high-life, hiding his secrets from the world.

Until the day he meets her, and she offers him something he’s never tasted…love.

But once in a lifetime kind of love doesn’t come easy. When trust crumbles and doubts creep in, both will have to decide to either love or let go…forever.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where sometimes, only the wicked survive.

Review

To read about the characters Cuba and Dovey check out my review of Very Wicked Beginnings, the prequel novella HERE!

“Bad guys are always the prettiest, but then pretty is an understatement when it came to him. He was simply more.”

I want to start this review by saying that I was completely taken by this story. Very Wicked Things had so many twist and turns that I was constantly in awe of the imagination of Ilsa Madden-Mills’ mind. I am a huge fan of the first novel in this series, Very Bad Things, and as I always am with follow up novels, I was concerned I would not love this book as much. I should have know I had nothing to worry about. Not only was this book as good as the first one, It was SO SO SO MUCH BETTER!

This book went much darker and intense than I was ever expecting. Cuba’s internal struggles really gave great depth to his character and watching him push Dovey away was heartbreaking but knowing where he was coming from helped me understand him so much more.

“Are you going to kiss me? Because the build-up is killing me. Just do it already,” I said silkily, in a tone I’d never used on anyone. “What is it’s not as good as my dream?” “Make your dreams com true, then,”

Dovey’s storyline killed me. I was an emotional mess and never expected the turns it took. Ilsa Madden-Mills’ did not go light on the emotional turmoil and non stop surprises. I had every intention of being a functioning member of society the day I read the book but once I started this I knew I would not accomplish anything else until I finished it.

I loved the idea of a poor ballerina and the rich football player hooking up and was expecting it to be a fun story with even a few “wicked” high jinx. What I got was a deep story of two young people both trying to deal with the awful situations that are thrust upon them, all the while attempting to deny the feelings they have for one another. Quite often I found myself yelling (out loud like a fool) at Cuba and Dovey for the decisions they made and the direction those decisions took them.

“Let go. I’ll catch you. Every single time.”

That being said at the end I would not have changed one thing about them or their story because it was truly so beautiful. Very Wicked Things is about two broken people trying to survive and do what’s best for those they love even if that means hurting themselves along the way.

“Kiss me again, Dovey.” “That’s a terrible idea. Cause your naked, and I’m turned on you’re naked. And you’re touching yourself. And you’re naked.”

This book was a great fun and even witty New Adult read but really it was so much more. I went through such a range of emotions while reading this I am not sure I can ever fully recover. Cuba and Dovey’s story is a beautiful and even at time tragic love story (but I do promise you a great HEA)  that left me absolutely breathless anticipating the next book from Ilsa.

~miranda

5 Smooches

Synopsis

Girls say I’m a walking, talking sex god. Guys call me Hollywood because my life is golden.

It’s not.

But, ESPN did rank me as a four star recruit, calling me one of the best defensive players since Briarcrest Academy opened its esteemed doors. So yeah, with football and a stellar GPA, my future seemed good.

Then Dovey Beckham shows up in her short skirts and ballet shoes. Driving me insane. Making me want to beg for her attention.

But that wouldn’t happen, because Cuba Hudson didn’t beg for
anything.

She walked around BA like she owned the place, and most days she looked right through me…the one girl I couldn’t have.
So, of course, I made it my mission to claim her, to put her notch on my bedpost.

Because no girl can resist the Heartbreaker of BA.

But I never planned on destroying her.

I never planned on wrecking the one thing that could save me.
Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where wicked love begins…and ends.

Review

“I had a dream about you. A good one,”

Woot! I was so excited to see that there would be a prequel to Very Wicked Things. I was not let down. This was a great way to be introduced to Cuba and Dovey and get a small taste of their story and of the intense drama and attraction that was to come.

We start by meeting Cuba Hudson and learn that he is not boyfriend material. He is popular, athletic, rich, and a player. Though he knows this about himself, it doesn’t stop him from being fascinated by the ballerina in the window!

“Fuck Me. I wanted the girl in the window. But not enough to find her.

Dovey is the girl from the wrong side of town. A scholarship student at Briarcrest Academy and knows that she is out of place there. Keeping to herself and her one close friend, Spider. Dovey does not understand Cuba’s sudden interest and knows it is best to just stay away.

Very Wicked Beginnings was such an amazing novella. I loved the chemistry between these two and even more I loved how the dual POVs gave me the opportunity to see how this story developed from both Cuba and Dovey’s perspective.

“It ain’t over till I say it’s over”

As I knew it would, Ilsa’s writing grabbed me from the start and never let me go. I devoured this in one sitting and could not wait to start Very Wicked Things. Anyone wanting to read Very Wicked Things should give this novella a chance because it really gives you some great insight into the minds of these two characters.

~miranda

4.5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Zara Edgingway is a twenty-six year old secretary. She has a daughter that apparently knows it all and a best friend that could possibly have the mouth of Satan, but she’s been with her through hell and back. Then there’s the hunk’a’licious biker neighbor finally showing interest in her. If only she wasn’t about to face her next obstacle in life, the one she ran from six years ago; her ex-husband.

Talon Marcus is the president of the Hawks Motorcycle Club. For two years he’s had his eye on the quiet, reclusive, yet sassy, neighbor Zara. Finally, he has the chance to claim her as his woman. Just when her past catches up with her, she’ll need, not only his protection, but the help from his biker brothers.

Now, if only she’d stop fighting him along the way.

Review

This follows Zara and Talon. Zara is a single mother who lives near a biker compound and Talon is her “too-hot-to-touch” biker neighbour. Zara tries to keep herself to herself and avoid any contact with Talon or the biker compound after her embarrassing first meeting with them.

Talon decides that he wants Zara and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants, he invites himself to her house one evening, and when she answers the door she goes straight in for the kill and kisses her. Zara spends her time from there arguing with herself and her feisty friend Deanna, about why it isn’t a good idea to get involved with Talon. She doesn’t think he is what she needs, she doesn’t need complications as she has enough already from her past.

Something happens in the book that makes Zara want to run, but her brother, Deanna, Talon and his bikers would let that happen. They will do whatever is necessary to make sure that her and Maya her daughter are safe. “What do I have to do to prove this is happening between us? I want this, and I know you want this, no matter what crap you spew.”

Talon plays the role of alpha male really well in this book, what he says goes. But he also has the soft side of him that gets Maya ready for school and brushes her hair. He is the whole package. He will do whatever he can to make them all happy and safe. Zara has a feisty side to her that rarely comes out but when it does, it’s funny to read. She doesn’t take any nonsense, she gets straight to the point about what the problem is.

There is some twists in this book, some you see coming and some not at all. You get to see the lengths that Talon will go to, to get his family home safe. And you see the lengths that Zara will go to, to protect her daughter, Talon’s son and her family.

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put this down, once I had started and I am really looking forward to Deanna and Griz’s book. Well done Lila Rose on a fantastic read and fantastic start to the series.

Stacey

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4.5 Smooches!

Synopsis

After years of hard work country music duo Sweet Talk is on the verge of success. Singer Ashley Ford swore off the romantic entanglements that cost her mother her musical career, but her playing has fallen flat. She needs a spark.

Where inspirations strikes
Co-singer Rob usually find his pleasure with men, but when Ashley runs back to the arms of her ex lover Ty, he realizes that he’s no longer content being only a friend.

A tangled trio

Pride kept Ty from pursing Ashley to Nashville. When Ashley returns to his bed, Ty vows not to give her up again, even if it means sharing her with a man he finds aggravating – and surprisingly attractive.

When secrets and ambition seem poised to destroy her chance to be a star, Ashley must decide if she’s willing to risk it all for a Nashville Trio.

Review

Ashley ford has always dreamed about becoming a country music star. When Rob comes through town and sees her perform, he asks her to come with him to Nashville to start a singing duo. Ashley is super excited but her boyfriend, Ty, doesn’t want her to leave town. Ty makes her choose between running off to make her dreams come true and staying with him. Devastated by his ultimatum, Ashley decides to take a chance at stardom and doesn’t look back. Three years later Ashley and Rob have seen some minor success with their duo, Sweet Talk. There is one big problem though. Ashley has fallen hard for Rob but he only seems interested in keeping company with other guys. Her unrequited feelings are taking their toll and Ashley is finding it difficult to perform. Needing a break, she heads to her hometown for some quality time with her granny. The last person she wants to see is her ex, Ty and of course he seems to show up everywhere she goes! The chemistry is still there and these two once again end up in each other’s arms. Seeing Ashley with another man opens Rob’s eyes to the feelings he has for Ashley. He doesn’t want to waste another minute and lets Ashley know how he feels. What is a girl to do when she has two men vying for her attention and she loves them both?

I really enjoyed this book! It was extremely hot with plenty of steamy sex scenes, although still leaving plenty of room to develop the story. There is mf, mfm and mmf scenes in this book as the relationships develop and they are all very well written. I loved that it was multiple POV and therefore we got to peak into the minds of all three characters. “Nashville Star” kept me turning the pages without an overabundance of angst. My only complaint about this book is that I really wish it was a little bit longer! I would have loved it if there was an epilogue!

Overall, I found this book to be a sweet and sexy read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the “Ménage” genre.

Dana

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5 Smooches

Synopsis

Ex-model Paige McCarty is fed up with being just a pretty face. After her ex-husband’s gambling problem left her royally screwed and tragically shoeless, she started Fool Me Once Investigations with her best friends, Lorlei and Kennedy, to prevent other women from being similarly played and dismayed.

The job: act as bait for a cheating husband. The target: Matt Russo. The case should be as easy as getting a man’s attention—and Paige has never had trouble with that. The problem is Matt—in all his nerdy-hot glory—turns out to be not such a scumbag after all.

And when the case hits closer to home than Paige could ever have imagined—landing her in a face-off with the mob—she wonders if taking the job just to prove that she has a brain maybe wasn’t her best idea.

This second outing for the Fool Me Once team follows in the same fun, feisty footsteps as bestselling author Tara Sivec’s Shame on You.

Review

“Goddammit all to hell! I believe him. I believe him and now I want to help him. This is not good.”

Shame On Me by Tara Sivec is a fast and fun read about a divorced ex-model, Paige, turned private investigator and the man she is investigating, Matt. As always Tara delivered a story that both had me rolling with laughter and latching on to the characters. I fell for Paige and Matt and loved their story.

“Will you stop calling it ‘stalking’? That is such a harsh term. I prefer ‘anonymous following.'”

I cannot tell you how much I loved Paige. She was smart, funny and even though she was a world famous model turned private investigator she felt real because she still worried about being taken seriously. After being hired to catch Matt cheating, Paige finds herself torn between her job and the feelings she is developing for her “target.” Also, can we talk about how refreshing it was to have the sexy man be a little nerdy! Who doesn’t love a hot guy in some sexy nerd glasses. I for one am not immune!

“Did you just say your ex-husbands name while my penis is still inside you?”

This book had so much going for it. I loved the first book in the series, Shame On You, and this one was just as good! Not only was Shame On Me funny and sexy it was smart and had a bit of mystery and action to it too!  I can always count on Tara to deliver a book that I will not be able to put down and will have me laughing so loudly the neighbors will worry.

“Sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs in life. Sometimes you have to marry frog and then learn how to be strong again after that frog turns into an ass.”

~miranda