REVIEW: Royal Marriage Market by Heather Lyons

Title: Royal Marriage Market
Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Published: December 15th 2015
Format: eBook | Pages: 335
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Amazon
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Heather Lyons | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Fans of The Royal We will not want to miss this epic love story! 

Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms. 

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what's best for her country, she isn't about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn't hesitate to tell him there's no way she's marrying him. 

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can't fall for her, because royal or not, they're not meant for each other. 

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love.

The first time this book came into my orbit I immediately had to get my hands on it. The gorgeous cover, the title and then that blurb that gave me that feel of all those historical romances I love to read so much but with a modern twist. It just sounded like so much fun. However, while I was in very deep like with it...I didn't actually love it as much as I wanted to. And parts of it just left me feeling all out frustrated.

I need to clarify up front that none of my negative feelings toward this book have anything to do with either Elsa or Christian directly. On the contrary, I adored them to absolute pieces. Matter of fact just a few pages in and after having been introduced to Elsa, my first thought wasn't "I love this girl" it was more along the lines of of "I absolutely fucking love this girl." I also felt those instant feelings towards Christian as well. He's on his very own level of swoon worthy. And while I'm putting it all out there I shipped these two just as hard, if not even harder in some cases, as I have ever shipped any of my favorite fictional couples. I needed these two characters to be together almost as much as I needed air.

So, no. There were no flaws where they were concerned.

The thing that ended up sucking so much joy out of this book for me was Christian's mother of all people. She was just such a vile and disgusting....person. (I was tempted to call her a monster instead.) If the fact that she seemed to take such joy in, what I can only describe as emotional terrorism against her own children weren't bad enough, she spoke to her sons in a way that no mother ever should speak to her own flesh and blood. Shortly after we meet Christian, she says to both him and his brother Lukas, "Think about all the pretty girls that will be present. Why, I can only imagine how eager they'd be to open their legs for you." and I was so very nearly close to being done. If I'm being honest, I probably should have been. But I wanted to really give this book a shot and the benefit of the doubt. Trust me when I say that she never got any better.

Thankfully, Christian and Elsa were enough of a draw to keep me turning the pages and the desire to know how their story would end was strong. 

I loved how their story played out. From the hilarious first meeting, to the innocent, though extremely reluctant moments of initial flirtation, to the all out sizzling chemistry and delicious sexual tension that builds to the point of all out frustration on my part. Add to it the fact that in a lot of ways it's a forbidden relationship they're dancing around and I was totally gone over these two.

Even the moments that were, if I'm being honest, kind of cheesy between them, what with all their silly little inside jokes. All of my Christian and Elsa feels completely overshadowed those moments and all I needed and wanted was just more of them. More!

I also loved Christian's brother Lukas and all his playboy ways and then both Christian and Elsa's personal secretaries, Charlotte and Parker. Parker with all his seriousness and adhering to propriety as much as possible but yet you could still see his fun side and how even though he was all of those things, Christian's happiness was what he was most loyal to. And Charlotte and how she was such a force and how even though Elsa was her princess and her employer, she wasn't afraid to speak up, very loudly, and call her on her garbage. All three added some much needed laughter to the book in their own ways just when I needed it the most.

Truly, as you can see I did not hate this book. I think maybe if Lukas and Christian's mother hadn't been quite so...so...ew, this would have been an entirely different review all together. Still, there was enough on the romance front to make it worth all the cringe worthy moments she made an appearance in. I couldn't get enough of them and still want more!

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor #1) by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
(Christmas With Holly)
Series: Friday Harbor #1
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: April 11th 2010
Format: Paperback | Pages:  224
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Source: BookOutlet
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Lisa Kleypas | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Now a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie (December 2012), CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY (previously published as CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR) is the first book in New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas’s new series, which begins during the most magical time of year...

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY 

One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE 

The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC… 

Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE 

Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home… 

For the last few years there's been a movie that I have to watch, usually more than once, once the Christmas movies start hitting the television. It's this adorable movie called Christmas with Holly, on the Hallmark Channel. Part of the appeal for me is the fact that it's set on one of the islands just a ferry ride off from the town I live in, but mostly because it's a cute, sweet and heartwarming story. My powers of observation failed me for the last few years because it wasn't until quite a few months ago, when browsing through BookOutlet and saw the title Christmas with Holly that I realized it was based off of a book by Lisa Kleypas. Of course I couldn't resist getting my hands on it and with it being the Christmas season I finally allowed myself to dive in!

While the basic storyline is pretty much the same as it is in the movie, there's also a lot...a lot that is different. Normally I'm a read the book before I see the movie type of person but since I was oblivious of the book up to this point I've come to the realization that I seem to be loyal to whichever I get to first. In this case that would be the movie. I mean, don't get me wrong this book was fine. But that's just it. It was just "fine" for me. I feel like had I read the book first I would've ended up skipping the movie all together simply because it was based off of this book. Thank goodness that didn't happen!

The thing that rubbed me the wrong way the most was Nolan brothers and just how vastly different they are between the two formats. In the movies Mark, who this first book centers around, is kind of boyishly handsome and he's sweet, like so, so sweet. I absolutely adored him. Then I read the book and he's just so cold and stern almost, very untrusting and way too buttoned up and serious. And the vibe I get from Maggie is that she views him as intimidating. For me, he was extremely unlikable. Well at least before Maggie starts rubbing off on him and he eventually lightens up again and I saw minuscule glimpses of the guy I loved from the movie.

Plus one of the things that had me really excited to read the book version was I liked the dynamic you had with the three brothers. They weren't exactly close and thick as thieves but you could see the way they looked out for one another and there was an easy banter between them. In the book they're almost all indifferent towards one another throughout most of the book. It was a pretty sad discovery.

Both Maggie and Holly were the bright spots of this reading experience. They were exactly as I was expecting them to be, so that was a plus. Maggie is the type of character you'd want to surround yourself with. She's like positivity, optimism and happiness personified. She's been through a lot and even though she has this sad side and has given up on one part of her life you still can't help but feel happy when she's on the pages and spreading hope and, well, the magic that is her. And Holly, well you can't help but fall in love with this adorable little girl who's lost so much at such a young age. I want to pull her out of the book/movie, either one, and protect her and care for her.

Though once again, the timeline in which certain aspects of the story play out were very jumbled and different. The one thing piece of the storyline that captures my heart the most, the reason I watch this movie year after year and get all emotional about is like wham, bam and done in just a couple chapters. I feel like that piled on top of just how different and unlikable Mark was left me feeling quite a bit indifferent to this book. 

I mean, I feel horrible, terrible saying this but...find the movie and watch it. I kind of wish I'd skipped read this one by myself. 

A part of me kind of wants to check out other books in this story and see what happens with Sam and Alex, the two brothers, now that I know there's a whole series. I am really, really curious. But a bigger part of me is telling me that I should just stick with her historical romances which I absolutely love!

It really makes me sad that I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to!

ARC REVIEW: I Do (If Only... #3) by A.J. Pine

Title: I Do
Series: If Only... #3
Author: A.J. Pine
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 208
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars

A.J. Pine | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A new adult romance from Entangled's Embrace imprint...

Sometimes you have to trust your heart to find out what home really means.

Duncan McAllister is marrying Elaina Tripoli tomorrow. Except--he's missing. Jordan, Noah, Griffin, Maggie, and Miles arrive in Greece for the festivities to find frantic messages from both the bride and groom. Noah and Griffin set off to find Duncan while Jordan, Maggie, and Miles try to salvage what should be a day of celebration before the wedding.

But the Americans have their own baggage. Noah's got a surprise planned for Jordan that has to go perfectly. Griffin's keeping life-changing news from Maggie. And Miles--well, he wasn't looking for love on this trip until a Greek sous chef named Alex rocks his world.

The race is on for Duncan to make it back to Elaina before she decides not to take him back at all. For Noah to make sure his monumental plan goes off without a hitch. For Griffin to tell Maggie the truth without losing her. For Miles to admit that letting himself fall in love is worth the risk.

Happily Ever After waits at the finish line…if the four couples can make it on time.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

I Do ended up being a very pleasant surprise. I got pretty intimidated when I first started and discovered it had seven points of view. Seven. The most I've ever dealt with has been three, so I was worried that it was going to end up being too much or jumbled or confusing or any number of risky things hopping around between so many heads. Honestly though, for this book, it really, really worked.  Even starting this series on book three didn't throw things out of whack either because I never felt lost with any of the characters or their history. Basically I had tons of fun reading this book!

I liked each one of the eight characters that this book shuffles through in varying degrees. A couple were just okay, a few were great and two of them completely stole my heart. But there really wasn't anybody I did not like at all. Alex and Miles were totally my guys. Part of me feels like, since they were the only new couple to this series, meeting and getting together in this book, that maybe it was the newness of them. Seeing the sparks of that first attraction and watching them fall for each other that did it for me. That and they were just so sweet and incredibly sexy! Even though I was intimidated with seven points of view at first, I felt it was such a shame to miss out on Alex's and seeing what exactly was going on in his head as Miles fought his feelings.

I really only take issue on one thing when it comes to this book. Each one of the couples always seemed on the brink of ripping of their clothes and jumping into bed at the end of each of their points of view. Now, it wasn't graphic sex each and every time though, sometimes a point of view would end with a bit, or a lot, of foreplay and then end leaving no doubt what happened after the switch. They're all young and in love, I get it. It's just that the first 10 percent alone was filled with heavy make out sessions and a whole lot of feeling each other up. And lots of leading up to sexual encounters and then switching views. It wasn't terrible, I guess I just wanted more story and conversations and showing me that it wasn't just each other's bodies that had all these people into each other.

One thing this book did a bang up job on was throwing wrenches into everyone's plans. Just when you'd think that things were going to smooth out something would jump out and threaten to rip the couples apart and then it would turn into a domino effect. There were times when I wondered if everyone who came to Greece would end up leaving there happily ever after you know? It was a bumpy but extremely fun ride that's for sure!

Seeing as how I did start this series in an odd place I would love to go back and read the first two books and actually see some of these people get together instead of just hearing about it in the past tense. Something I'll definitely have to do one of these days!

As I said in the beginning, this book truly was a pleasant surprise with 8 solid characters that would easily leave you laughing, swooning or completely frustrated. You could easily read this book on it's own if you haven't read the first two books, although it did leave me wanting to know more details.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Tell Me You Need Me (Search and Seduce #1) by Joya Ryan

Title: Tell Me You Need Me
Series: Search and Seduce #1
Author: Joya Ryan
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Published: November 16th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 132
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars

Joya Ryan | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

Playing dirty can be the best kind of fun…

Chloe Franklin wouldn't call herself a commitment-phobe, so much as she's allergic to anything long term. She loves the sexy, sweaty and intensely hot hours of the night that come before the sun rises, though. Especially when those nights are spent with Search-and-Rescuer Gage McGraw...

Gage loves his job, but there is one thing he's starting to like more than the rush of a mission--a stacked blonde with a mouth that haunts his dreams. Every time he steps foot in the sleepy town of Beaufort, he hooks up with Chloe. But he's tired of hooks-ups. He wants more.

Just the sight of Gage gets Chloe's blood going. Hot, bothered, and finally naked, she's ready for their night to start. But before he takes her, he whispers what his intentions really are…and then the games really begin.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

This is so hard, because normally I'd be shouting from the rooftops right about now on a major book high from finishing a Joya Ryan book. Unfortunately I'm not doing that with this one. Don't get me wrong I really liked it. I just didn't fall in love with it like I did with all of the previous books of hers I've read. Part of it is me I will admit. I'm having the worst time getting into books period right now. I can't find anything that sinks it's claws in and doesn't let go. So that's on me. But then again, this book was also very contradictory with both Chloe and Gage, in a very frustrating way.

Let me see if I can explain.

I just didn't get their feelings. But not attraction or romance wise, their chemistry and the heat between them was very real and I could see how they cared. First let me make it clear by saying Gage and Chloe have had a mutually appreciated no strings, only when he's in town, strictly sexual relationship. It's been working for years. This time around though Gage starts pushing Chloe for more. For a relationship. But...only when he comes to town in between rescue jobs. It's practically identical to what they have now...just some actual talking in between rolls in the hay.

Now, where this all starts to really irk me, is the fact that he is seriously pushing and almost, in a way, blackmailing her into giving him a chance and opening herself up. She's got her reasons for avoiding that kind of intimacy from watching her parents implode, so she's all messed up in a weird sort of way. So all they do for huge chunks of the book is try to push the other one into getting exactly what they want with their bodies and sexually frustrating the other one. Him wanting more, her wanting just for him to do her.

I mean, there is no denying that these two have combustible levels of heat. And I completely shipped them without a doubt. I just did not get this wall between them. It didn't make complete sense to me or even feel right. Especially how he expected her to bend at everything and yet he wouldn't even consider doing the same to make it happen throughout most of the book.

The other thing that really got to me about their whole situation was this point in the book when Chloe is frustrated with a situation at her restaurant and, after all of the pushing and well meaning manipulation (I'm not saying he's a jerk or anything I actually like the guy) Gage's advice to Chloe is that "you can't force a situation. You just need to relax and let it happen." Um. Hello? Part of me wanted to yell at him to take his own advice. Yet the other half knew if he did that they'd never get anywhere. It just made it hard to get through with both of their nonsensical romance antics.

Chloe wasn't any better. She'd push him away or seduce him into giving in sexually to her "needs'. She'd tell him she needed space. He'd give it and she'd be all internally whiny and pouty about it and then freak out about what she was feeling.

Sigh.

I absolutely wanted to love this one so very much. Most especially because I freaking adore Joya Ryan. Sadly Chloe and Gage left me more frustrated than swooning. I know it sounds like I had a horrible time reading this but I truly didn't. It had it's funny moments and it kept me interested to the end. It was good, I just never completely clicked and fell head over heels in love with it. I will say that I am so, so excited to read East's story though when it comes out. The sparks I saw forming and who I saw them forming with...*whistles* I think they would make for one highly entertaining book!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Falling for Her Enemy (Still Harbor #2) by Victoria James

Title: Falling for Her Enemy
Series: Still Harbor #2
Author: Victoria James
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Published: November 9th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 147
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Victoria James | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A sweet category romance from Entangled's imprint...

She's falling for the one man who could destroy everything...

Alex McAllister always dreamed of a life filled with the laughter and love of a family, but being abandoned at a young age left her wary of letting anyone in. Now that she's settled in Still Harbor, Alex struggles between keeping her distance and the magnetic pull of the handsome stranger who claims he's the biological father of her adopted daughter.

Hayden Brooks never wanted to be a father. Long hours spent building his family's real estate empire suits him just fine. But when he discovers an ex put the baby he unknowingly fathered up for adoption, his world crumbles. He tracks the child to Still Harbor with the intention of bringing her home-and comes face to face with his daughter's stunning adoptive mother.

The paternity test is in. And Hayden's about to make the most shocking decision of his life, just in time for Christmas...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Sometimes there's nothing I love more than a really emotional book or series. I swear the Still Harbor books are going to be the death of my emotions. I was in a near constant state of tears through almost every point in this book. Although if you read that blurb there's really nothing else you could expect from a storyline like that. The threat of a very happy and sweet family being ripped apart. I loved the way it was written though, for the most part.

So first I'll get to the couple of things that I didn't like before I move on to my praise. First, and I cannot stress enough how much of a oh-please-no-just-stop this is, but this series focuses on three very intelligent women yet all three of them seem to say a phrase constantly, that the way it is spelled in the books, really grates on me. That phrase would be "ohmigod" exactly like that. I just, I don't even know how to explain it. I see that and I'm like why? Why?

The other thing I didn't understand was there's a moment when Hayden is in Alex's driveway waiting for her and he's having a conversation on his phone with a friend. The conversation you read goes something like this:

"Yeah. Which one? Oh you think that's funny?"

All you get is Hayden's side of the conversation. I realize that said conversation literally has no kind of impact whatsoever on the plot so you don't need to know what's being said but the scene was in Hayden's point of view for crying out loud! Why even have that phone call at all without seeing both sides? Why have a long paragraph of one sided conversation? Why not just have him lost in thought or I don't know....anything! It just felt really weird and off and it broke up my momentum because I was chugging along and then I paused to wonder why this was happening.

I mean, I realize that both of these things are not anything major and I'm pretty much nitpicking, but both ended up breaking up my reading flow.

On with the praise. I feel like, as a mother myself, it was extremely easy to slip myself into Alex's shoes and truly sympathize and feel everything she was going through. When I tried to imagine someone possibly taking my son away from me I understood how very real Victoria James wrote Alex. She did such a good job with her character and Alex is definitely going to be my favorite of this series. She's just this really amazing force of good and I wish that more people in the world could be exactly like this woman. It'd be a much better place that's for sure.

While, by the end, I loved both characters, it took me a bit longer to warm up to Hayden. He comes off like this elitist snob most of the time. Looking down on public schools and things of that nature. But he did have moments of extreme sweetness and this natural fatherly connection to little Cassy that melted my heart and made it difficult to hold how he was raised against him.

Since I've already written a novel here myself I'll wrap this up by saying that, sure, there were a couple of things that annoyed me, but I just love this series. It's sweet and emotional. The romances will leave you swooning and breathless. I'm not sure how my heart will survive the last book, but I can't imagine it being more emotional that this one but really good all the same. Of course I thought that about the first book as well so...I still can't wait to read it!

Thanks goes to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: The Reaper's Kiss (Deathmark #1) by Abigail Baker

Title: The Reaper's Kiss
Series: Deathmark #1
Author: Abigail Baker
Publisher: Entangled Select Otherworld
Published: August 25th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 341
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Abigail Baker | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Drop-dead gorgeous…and fatal.

Ollie Dormier's tattoos are deadly. She is a Scrivener—an employee for Death—and her skull tattoos mark her clients for their demise. She does her job, and she stays out of trouble. But when her hands start to burn hot and fierce, and her control goes leaping out the window, all hell breaks loose. Ollie is showing the early signs of being a Master...demonstrating power that is forbidden.

That power is exactly what Reaper Brent Hume is counting on. A hot, scruffy rebel, who does marvelous and terrifying things to Ollie's insides. Now he needs Ollie's help—and her skills—to overthrow the evil and corrupt Head Reaper. That is, if he can figure out a way to keep this hot-handed girl cool...and keep his hands off.

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

I'm having very mixed feelings about The Reaper's Kiss upon finishing it. On the one hand it was a brilliant and unique storyline and so many things within that blurb had me highly intrigued and desperately wanting to get my hands on it and see what it was all about. On the other hand while I still feel like it was all of those things,  but some of the execution of the story fell flat for me.

One of the most interesting draws to this book were the Scriveners. The idea that these supernatural types tattoo their mark on you and you can kiss your soul goodbye. It was fascinating how these people would unknowingly feel the pull to wander into their shop and get marked. I wondered how difficult it would be tattooing someone knowing that it meant their death. Could I handle doing something like that? It was crazy to think of. Though the gist I got from Ollie was that the majority of the people that sat in her chair were lowlife's who didn't deserve a second thought. But still...

I absolutely love a good story where there's a fascist government and a rebellion stirring in the otherwise seemingly devoted people of said government. Plotting and planning and desiring to take down the dictator like leader and bring a more peaceful and harmonious life to their people. This book had all of those things, but that's where the execution wavered for me. Part of the time I was saying yes, yes, yes! And the rest I was running my hand over my face with a heavy sigh.

Sometimes it was hard to look past some if it's more lackluster moments. Ollie, every so often, came off very much like a petulant child. Everything had to be done her way. Upon meeting a new group of rebels for the very first time, after being told she was needed and being asked if she would help them, her response was basically my way or the highway. Especially when her question back was "Will you do everything I say?" I mean, that's it? These people didn't know her or what she was truly capable of the rumor of her has basically just been passed around and instantly they're just suppose to follow her orders without even a "here's my plan" or "here are some ideas I have". Nope it's just do as I say or I don't need you I'll go do it alone. 

The other big thing that had me questioning my feelings towards this book was the romance. Now I am all for romance. You dangle a ship in my face and I am all over that. And I do ship Ollie and Brent. I ship them hard. But I felt like this amazing story kept getting taken over by Brent, Ollie and their uncontrollable hormones. Things went up in flames way, way too fast in my opinion when they knew basically nothing about one another. This is a series. So it seems as if there's going to be plenty of time to develop a romance between them am I right? A nice and amazing slow burn that by the time it finally ignites, a couple books in at least, you feel that "finally!" feeling because the rest of the story was the bigger pull. Is that what we get? No...Hello insta-love. Sigh.

I think that's what makes this whole thing so difficult for me. Because I am completely hooked already. Like I desperately want the next book to be in my hands so I can see what happens next, because that ending...It's going to be maddening having to wait! So I'm trying hard to look past the whole insta-love thing because there's no question that I will be continuing with this series. 

My final verdict? Pretty good, but it could have been freaking amazing with just a couple tweaks. And how long until book two? *Bites nails in anticipation*

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Five Things I Love About You (Chase Brothers #1) by Sarah Ballance

Title: Five Things I Love About You
Series:: Chase  Brothers #1
Author: Sarah Ballance
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: August 18th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 124
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Sarah Ballance | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Five things to love about NYC. But she only needs one...

California landscape artist Estelle Donovan hates big cities. Between the grime, the smell, all the drab concrete, and the suffocating summer heat, how can anyone breathe? House sitting her brother's New York apartment, complete with broken elevator and smoking air conditioner, is her kind of hell. It's only for two weeks, though. What could possibly go wrong?

Dumping a jar of pickles on the hot girl at the grocery store wasn't Crosby Chase's finest hour, nor was getting bitten in the butt by the demonic cat on her fire escape. But he is going to change her mind about his beloved city, damn it. In fact, if they could just make it five minutes without falling into bed, he bets Estelle he can find five things she'll love about New York.

Falling in love wasn't part of his plan. And with an entire country between them, Crosby realizes he doesn't need five reasons to make Estelle love New York.

He needs one big reason to make her stay...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Endearing Characters. Extremely cute. Lots of humor. Incredibly sweet. And smokin' hot! Five things I loved about this book. 

The blurb for Five Things I Love About You had me dying to read it. A small town, suburban girl being stuck for two weeks in the dreaded big city, surrounded by concrete and hoards of people, I just knew there was going to be tons of fun to be had within these pages.

So let's just get the one and only thing I had a problem with in this book out of the way first and move on to the love fest. It's the one thing that we all love to hate, or would it be hate to hate? Anyway. Insta-love. The reason why, despite how much I adored this book, for the low-ish rating. It didn't have to happen. Nobody needed to say those three powerful words before the epilogue, and only two weeks after they met. I'm all for whirlwind romances. Romances. Not declarations of love. So, yeah. That was a bit disappointing. Regardless, did it stop me from falling hard for this book? Not at all.

Even though I just got done complaining about the L bomb, I can tell it's going to be one of my most used words within this review. Because I loved the storyline. Loved it! There's the perfect meet cute at the start of the book. Filled with adorableness, humor and a bit of swooniness as well. Then it was the watching Crosby go to all the trouble of finding things within the city he loves so much that he knew that Estelle would love as well. He doesn't just drag her off to shows and museums and all the touristy things that most people do in NYC, he shows that he truly listened and knew what she wanted. It was sweet and heartwarming. But it's laced with humor as well...and demonic cats. So many things to love.

Characters are always a major factor when it comes to my enjoyment level of a book. It was not hard to fall instantly for all the characters in this book. All of them. From Estelle's kinda nerdy but oh so sweet brother, Grady, to the entire Chase clan, I had so much fun getting to know all of them. And the dynamic and personalities within the Chase family has me so excited to keep going on this series. As for the two main characters they were so much fun! I loved how playful Crosby is and how he is just such a good guy. In the beginning he lets it be known that he's basically married to his job, but you come to realize right away that it's not in the way most guys are, after the almighty buck. His dedication and motivation is all for the benefit of his family. It's pretty admirable.

Estelle is just plain adorable. She's into landscape design so she's all about the outdoors and the green. She's kind of this straight laced, level headed type of girl. Well, until Crosby dumps a jar of pickles on her and from then on he brings out this other side of her that's playful and wild. She was definitely tons of fun.

The two made a solid effort to keep things on a friendly level and fight the attraction, needless to say...it didn't last too long. And oh my word did sparks fly. I was definitely rooting for the two of them to work out their coastal differences because not only did they have intense chemistry, but they were just too cute together.

So, sure, there was a bit of insta-love there at the end, but all in all this book was totally worth looking over that fact in my opinion. Plus in the very short amount of pages that made up this book, you get a few hints at the personalities of a couple of the other Chase boys and I already love what I've seen. I can't wait for the next book to come out and keep going with this series. Either Ethan and his sad past, or Sawyer and his funny side that had me grinning from ear to ear or even Liam who didn't really get a chance to stand out yet. I want them all!

Thanks goes to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Unexpectedly His (Smart Cupid #2) by Maggie Kelley

Title: Unexpectedly His
Series: Smart Cupid #2
Author: Maggie Kelley
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: August 18th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 158
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Maggie Kelley | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A match made in Manhattan...

By-the-book Marianne McBride wants to prove she's more than a computer geek in a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. But how did she end up hiding in a cake, waiting to sing "Happy Birthday" to Nick Wright, a sexy and arrogant serial-dater? Not exactly part of her plan. Especially when she finds herself kissing the birthday boy, and then running like hell...

Nick falls for no woman. No strings, no commitments, and no relationships. Not even with the sweetly curvaceous bombshell from his birthday. But then he's hit by a bombshell of his own. He needs to find the perfect faux fiancée, or kiss his key to the executive washroom goodbye. Fortunately, his matchmaker sister has the perfect girl in mind.

Now Nick and Marianne have to pretend they're in love for six weeks. No dating. No sex. 

And definitely no acting on the wickedly-hot chemistry that could ruin everything...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.

Unexpectedly His started off in such a fun way and that grin that it gave me stuck around for nearly the entire book. And while I didn't fall completely head over heels in love with it, I did happen to like it very, very much.

I read the first book in this series a few months back and while I had lukewarm feelings toward it at best I knew deep down that it was never an issue with the writing itself, I had liked Maggie Kelley's writing style for sure. My problem was that I started shipping the wrong two people and I couldn't shake that desire to see a different guy with the main character. But one thing that jumped out at me while reading Breaking the Bachelor was the adorable and shy Marianne and the lingering looks she would give her best friend's brother Nick. New woman every weekend Nick. I couldn't help but giggle at the possibilities of these two ending up together.  It was even more fun than I had hoped it would be.

Even though this trope is getting pretty overused lately, guy needs a fake fiance to get a promotion and the ruse inevitably becomes reality because they fall in love and live happily ever after. I really liked the way it played out here. I think because Nick and Marianne were so vastly different, I mean, she's pretty uptight and straight laced, very conservative and an air of innocence. It just presented so many funny and steamy possible moments.

I enjoyed watching how both Nick and Marianne influenced each other and the incredible bond and chemistry that they formed. When things started heating up between them...*fans self* wow. However I feel like Marianne changed way too fast and too easily broke through her nerves and anxiety. I kind of expected her to be more shy or nervous when things would heat up with Nick and I definitely didn't expect her to be as bold as she was. I mean, good for her for finding her inner vixen and letting it shine. Still, it was just too easy.

One thing I really loved was the occasional meddling from Nick's sister Jane, the matchmaker extraordinaire herself. She had me cracking up whenever she would sneakily play cupid and then be like "don't be mad..." I really hope there will be more mischief from her in the next book(s) in this series.

It was a lot of fun reading Nick and Marianne's story. It was full of sweet and steamy moments laced with lots of humor. Definitely a step up from the first book and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

ARC REVIEW: Falling for the P.I. (Still Harbor #1) by Victoria James

Title: Falling for the P.I.
Series: Still Harbor #1
Author: Victoria James
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Published: August 11th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 150
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!

Victoria James | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Savor the sweetness of new love with Bliss's new romance...

She could never trust a cop...

Teacher Kate Abbott's fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn't exactly improved Kate's love life. But Kate's preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.

Until she finds out he's a cop.

Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate...or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his "no settling down" policy, he can't resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won't be enough to overcome Kate's past...

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Well, I definitely wasn't expecting this to be as heavy as it was. There's just so much of Falling for the P.I. that tugs at the heartstrings. As I read I felt my heart tumbling over and over, sometimes for the achingly sweet moments and others for the completely and utterly heart wrenching ones. This was a really great start to the Still Harbor series and already I'm wondering how on earth my heart is going to survive through Cara and Alex's stories when Kate's has already put me through the wringer!

I love when a story has a really good mysterious character. It's so much fun for me trying to figure out their backstory and the reasons for whatever issues they may have before it gets revealed. Though parts of Kate's story were hinted at and easy to figure out the rest not so much. Her story ended up being more sad and tragic than I had imagined.

I did have a bit of difficulty in the beginning, though. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the characters I had thrown at me. I mean, you had Kate, Cara and Alex who are basically sisters and they all live together. But you add to their little makeshift family Kate's adopted daughter Janie and the two girls that Cara and Alex adopted Cassy and Beth. My head was just a mess. And if I'm being honest, without going back to the very beginning of the book and double checking...I can't really remember, besides Janie obviously, which kid belongs to which sister. It just felt kind of chaotic and overwhelming to me at first since all 6 of them were living under the same roof.

Regardless of all of that though they were all some very deep and complex characters with interesting stories. Both Kate and Matt had a similar traumatic childhood so it was more realistic to see her very slowly let down her walls for him. And I do mean slowly. It took a long time for her to build up any kind of trust in him and allow herself to feel safe in sharing what she'd been through.

At times, not gonna lie, it could be frustrating how often Kate would push Matt away and not trust her instincts with him. I understood. Her reasons were valid. It still was frustrating.

In the end, frustrations aside, I still found it hard to want to put this book down. The storyline was really good. It was just the right mix of tragedy, sweetness, humor and romance. And I'm really looking forward to continuing on with the Still Harbor series!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!