Survival Game (Me of London, #9) by Susan Mac Nicol

HANDLE...

Kyle Tripper has led an interesting life. Currently the manager of London's famous Club Delish, he used to be a croupier extraordinaire in Las Vegas. But not everything in that life was so glamorous; his ex was a piece of work. Now gun-shy, Kyle hopes there is someone special out there for him, and secretly wishes it's luscious paramedic, Eric Kirby.

WITH CARE

Every day Eric Kirby goes through the motions. Yeah, he saves lives, and, sure, he makes a difference, but he doesn't feel it anymore - not since he lost his one true. But, when he meets wild, flamboyant Kyle Tripper and learns there's a skittish, apprehensive man beneath the bold façade, the best of Eric's protective nature kicks in and opens his heart to a new love.

This story is about Kyle and Eric, whom we both met in previous books.

These men have an instant attraction, hitting it off right off the bat.  Very flirtatious and sexually-charged air about them.

"Strong on the outside, vulnerable on the inside. Mouthy and too damn sexy for his own good."

Unbeknownst to them, they're the same in several ways.

They equally have hidden demons. Traumatic pasts they fight daily to survive.

Heavy material without being too "heavy," if that makes sense. Tragic and sad, very much so, but, of course, Susan's usual witty and cheeky banter is front and center, helping to ease the heaviness.

I will say, Eric's job is so stressful and sad. I felt for him so much! So much heartache on the daily. It's a wonder he found the time to smile! My heart went out to him.

"We both suffered, just in different way."

This was definitely a quick and pleasant read. I love the inclusion of past characters, which is always nice.

A new character emerges as well...looking forward to hearing more about him!

Amazon US / UK

Twist (Dive Bar) by Kylie Scott

From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes the second sizzling stand-alone novel in the Dive Bar series!

When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot bearded bartender Joe Collins only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.

Alex Parks is funny, fascinating, and pretty much everything he's been looking for in a woman—except that she lives across the country. Soon they're emailing up a storm and telling each other their deepest, darkest secrets...except the one that really matters.

When Alex pays Joe a surprise visit, however, they both discover that when it comes to love, it's always better with a twist.

This was a cute twist on soul mates.

What do you do when you find out you are the perfect match to someone in every single way... yet they aren't who you thought they were at all? Or are they really?

Joe!!

Big, bearded, and SEXY!

I really enjoyed how this one started... a case of mistaken identity. 

I loved the playful banter between these two. 
Joe with his quiet and unassuming ways... until he wasn't all that quiet after all.

Joe was a naughty one, he was! rawr
But he was also kind, caring, and totally lovable.

And Alex was a hilariously goofy chick. 

She was eighty percent sarcasm and twenty percent Little Miss Fucking Sunshine!

The story was cute, funny and sweet. 
There was an OMG moment that had me teary-eyed, and then there was some WTF ones that, to be honest, left me a little bit pissy!

In the end, I'm happy to have been able to not only get lumberJoe's story, but a little reunion with both the Dive Bar folks and Stage Dive as well!!
Looking forward to more Eric in Chaser!

Amazon US/UK

Sight Unseen by Susan Mac Nicol

Tragedy brings together a reserved but brilliant sculptor and an outgoing gallery owner, friends whose love was sidetracked—but was always meant to be deeper. 

BLINDSIDED

SoCal natives, Nate and Cody have been friends since childhood. Both knew they were different—and the same. At seventeen, a stolen weekend in the Florida Keys drove their connection deeper and hotter than either could imagine. They were meant to be together. Then, for reasons only Nate knows, suddenly they weren’t.

They’re still friends. Best friends. But they’ve moved on and found other partners. The yearning remains, however, despite the long-ago secret that drove them apart, and when tragedy strikes, both men find themselves in the dark. They must grope their way back to who and what they are...which they will find in each other’s arms. Sometimes, losing one’s sight can open one’s eyes—and heart.

I'm a Susan Mac Nicol junkie! She writes, I read!

This book came with a warning, a not her usual sexified story.

That was fine with me. 

No, this story is not a sex-filled read, nor did it have to be.

This is a second chance, friends to lovers read.

It's about love, about prevailing... and can't forget to mention the "Ghost" scene! ;)

There were certain aspects I can honestly say that I struggled with. The bigotry and hate Nate's had to deal with was outrageous and cruel. Is this truly how people are treated?

At first I thought it was a little out there and too far-fetched... but knowing the way Susan writes, those instances probably happened to someone she knows, making this so very real, and my heart truly hurt for them. 

Ultimately, Sight Unseen is about a man's struggle not only with his relationship with his childhood best friend, but with an unseen tragedy in his life.

It's about coping and overcoming, and about those you love and trust to be in your life and to help you live the best life you can.

Amazon US / UK

Egomaniac by Vi Keeland

The night I met Drew Jagger, he’d just broken into my new Park Avenue office. I dialed 9-1-1 before proceeding to attack him with my fancy new Krav Maga skills. He quickly restrained me, then chuckled, finding my attempted assault amusing.

Of course, my intruder had to be arrogant. Only, turned out, he wasn’t an intruder at all.

Drew was the rightful occupant of my new office. He’d been on vacation while his posh space was renovated. Which was how a scammer got away with leasing me office space that wasn’t really available for rent. I was swindled out of ten grand.

The next day, after hours at the police station, Drew took pity on me and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. In exchange for answering his phones while his secretary was out, he’d let me stay until I found a new place. I probably should have acted grateful and kept my mouth shut when I overheard the advice he was spewing to his clients. But I couldn’t help giving him a piece of my mind. I never expected my body to react every time we argued. Especially when that was all we seemed to be able to do.

The two of us were complete opposites. Drew was a bitter, angry, gorgeous-as-all-hell, destroyer of relationships. And my job was to help people save their marriages. The only thing the two of us had in common was the space we were sharing. And an attraction that was getting harder to deny by the day.

Egomaniac was a very enjoyable read. I went from laughing one minute to sniffling the next. 

Drew may be an egomaniac, but he can put his money where his mouth is. 

He's charming, charismatic, sexy as sin and adorable as can be.
Dirty-talker that he is, he's still a gentleman and a loving and caring man. Truly a great character!

Emerie was another awesomely written character. She is smart, beautiful, and quirky. 

I enjoyed the playfulness and flirty banter between Drew and Emerie. I honestly laughed out loud on more than one occasion.

There was also the perfect amount of sarcasm and steam... two qualities I look for in a great read!

Amazon US / UK

Silent Waters (Elements, #3) by Brittainy Cherry

Blurb

Moments.

Our lives are a collection of moments. Some utterly painful and full of yesterday's hurts. Some beautifully hopeful and full of tomorrow's promises.

I’ve had many moments in my lifetime, moments that changed me, challenged me. Moments that scared me and engulfed me. However, the biggest ones—the most heartbreaking and breathtaking ones—all included him.

I was ten years old when I lost my voice. A piece of me was stolen away, and the only person who could truly hear my silence was Brooks Griffin. He was the light during my dark days, the promise of tomorrow, until tragedy found him. Tragedy that eventually drowned him in a sea of memories.

This is the story of a boy and girl who loved each other, but didn’t love themselves. A story of life and death. Of love and broken promises.

Of moments.

My Review

Silent waters... turbulent waters.
It's true, life is made up of moments, some more significant than others.
All it takes is one. One moment can change everything.

"Not all broken things need to be fixed. Sometimes they just need to be loved."

That's what this story is about... in so many ways and to pretty much all of the characters.

Brooks and Maggie's journey is an intense one. They relationship is like no other, as is this story.

"Being in love with someone didn't mean you only loved them during the sunbeams. It meant you stood by their side during the cloudy nights, too."

There's sadness, love, happy and sad tears.
To me this book was very unique, as was the way it was told. 
There's a different feel to this book, even in the way it was told. 
Brittainy Cherry is one hell of a storyteller. 

"The world keeps spinning because your heartbeats exist."

Amazon

Roman Crazy (Broads Abroad, #1) by Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci

Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…

Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

Mamma mia, I want to go to Rome now!

If you have never been, you'll feel like you have... and if you have... you'll want to go back!!

I must admit I got a little lost in what is Rome. 

The food described, the places, gelato, the art, the flowers, tossing a coin in the Trevi fountain, even the Italian words spoken and people in this book truly made me feel nostalgic and missing my homeland! 

I kind of got so wrapped up in that that Avery and Marcello's story was just icing on the cake! A delicious and sexually charged cake! 

Dio mio!

Roman Crazy is funny and sexy. Think Eat, Pray, Love meets Under the Tuscan Sun meets Alice Clayton! And now, Nina Bocci!

I enjoyed the laughter not only from Avery's internal thoughts, but from Avery and her bff, Daisy's, interactions.

Throw in a hot, passionate Italian, young love and self-discovery, and you've got yourself a steamy and funny, second chance romance.

US/ UK

Wait by A.L. Jackson

    

From NYT & USA Today bestselling author comes a new Bleeding Stars stand-alone novel… 

She is his strength and he is her weakness. And this time he won’t let her go.   
Edie Evans is gorgeous. Sexy. Kind.  She’s also the definition of off-limits. But that didn't stop me from sneaking into her room to comfort her at night. But guys like me? We destroy everything, so it should have been no surprise when I destroyed us, too. The night I sent her running, I thought I’d never see her again. Until I saw her standing like a vision in the crowd.   

Austin Stone is dangerous. Alluring. Tempting. He broke my heart and I refused to give him the chance to do it again. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, and now I can’t do anything but stare at the gorgeous, tattooed man playing onstage. I should run. I know I should. But like a fool, I run straight back to him. Our desire is overpowering. Our need unrelenting. 
She is my hope. He is my weakness. 
We should have known a passion this intense would burn us right into the ground.    

Sweet, sad and at times utterly heartbreaking. 
Edie and Austin, two lost souls, both battered and broken.


"The two of us magnets. Spinning. Churning. Attracting and repelling."

This story is told between past and present.  With the flashbacks you get a glimpse into when... when they were teens... when they were each other's everything.
Their relationship and their connection. How it all began.

They were both broken.. giving each other what the other one needed.. 
support, understanding, and eventually healing.

"One mistake."

Emotional... Amy knows how to write emotions, and let me tell you... there are some gut wrenching moments in this book! Have your tissues ready!!
Both Austin and Edie's stories broke my heart in pieces!

"Loving her might be the best mistake I ever made."

This story was a true journey of forgiveness, acceptance and love.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Hard Climate (Men of London, #8) by Susan Mac Nicol

Eco-warrior Mango Manning must shake the demons of his past to win back London nightclub owner Ryan Bishop, who is suddenly facing issues of his own. 

WITH BOTH HANDS 

Brawny, beautiful, complicated and sexy as hell, eco-warrior Mango Manning is everything performer and London nightclub owner Ryan Bishop wants in a life-partner. But Mango has been loving and leaving Ryan for the past two years, and Ryan’s had enough. That’s why he’s moving on. Ryan’s the monogamous type—which means now he’ll be alone at the worst possible time. 

Mango Manning knows he’s screwed up and has commitment issues. That’s why he’s been so on-and-off with Ryan these past two years. He’d thought he found a safe haven, a place to hide from the losses of his past, but there are other demons you just can’t escape. Like Ryan’s health. If Mango is to put things right, he must man up and discover a way back into Club Delish and the heart of its owner. Only then can they look to the future together, come what may. True happiness will slip through their fingers...unless they both grab on and hold tight.

Commitment issues, fear, love and hope encompass much of this story.

Mango and Ryan are perfect for each other and fit like pieces of a puzzle... but Mango has issues that Ryan just can't deal with nor should he have to.

I wanted to shake Mango to his senses at first! 

Ryan is funny, sarcastic, cheeky and so in love!

Mango is rugged, handsome, Ryan's match in every way, but he's just afraid! 

This story was funny, sweet, sexy and sad.

"It wasn't all glitter and sparkly shoes."

Things happen that are sometimes beyond your control and I enjoyed how these two came together and made it work.

"When things go wrong, don't go with them."

As I've read the previous 7 Men of London books, I was very happy with the inclusion of Lenny and Brook who I absolutely adored.

Amazon US / UK

Neighbor Dearest by Penelope Ward

BLURB

A STANDALONE NOVEL that does NOT need to be read in conjunction with any other book.

From New York Times bestselling author, Penelope Ward, comes a friends-to-lovers story with sexy new characters.

After getting dumped, the last thing I needed was to move next door to someone who reminded me of my ex-boyfriend, Elec.

Damien was a hotter version of my ex.

The neighbor I’d dubbed “Angry Artist” also had two massive dogs that kept me up with their barking.

He wanted nothing to do with me. Or so I thought until one night I heard laughter coming through an apparent hole in my bedroom wall.

Damien had been listening to all of my phone sessions with my therapist.

The sexy artist next door now knew all of my deepest secrets and insecurities.

We got to talking.

He set me straight with tips to get over my breakup.

He became a good friend, but Damien made it clear that he couldn’t be anything more.

Problem was, I was falling hard for him anyway. And as much as he pushed me away, I knew he felt the same…because his heartbeat didn’t lie.

I thought my heart had been broken by Elec, but it was alive and beating harder than ever for Damien.

I just hoped he wouldn’t shatter it for good.

MY REVIEW

  

I really enjoying the beginning... the funny banter and sexual innuendo.
Damien is gorgeous, friendly, flirty, crazy protective... but unattainable.

Their relationship and how they meshed was great.
I was totally loving it.
Moments had me both laughing and tearing up.

Of course nothing is perfect and I tried figuring out just what was going to happen.
I had an inkling of the possible plot twist and I was kinda right. Yay me!

I do feel like somewhere after the 50% mark Damien changed a bit for me. Can't put my finger on it.
Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it... but I found myself hurrying along towards the end.

"Change the story."

I did so love the ending!
It was sweet and perfect and everything was how it should be!

Reaper's Fire by Joanna Wylde

The club comes first. 

I’ve lived by those words my whole life—assumed I’d die by them, too, and I never had a problem with that. My Reaper brothers took my back and I took theirs and it was enough. Then I met her. Tinker Garrett. She’s beautiful, she’s loyal, and she works so damned hard it scares me sometimes . . . She deserves a good man—one better than me. I can’t take her yet because the club still needs me. There’s another woman, another job, another fight just ahead. 

Now she’ll learn I’ve been lying to her all along. None of it’s real. Not my name, not my job, not even the clothes I wear. She thinks I’m nice. She pretends we’re just friends, that I’ve still got a soul . . . Mine’s been dead for years. Now I’m on fire for this woman, and a man can only burn for so long before he destroys everything around him.

I’m coming for you, Tinker. 

Honestly, this is only my second book by JW, Horse/Reaper's Property being the first and only, and I don't remember such hilarity in that one. That being said... I loved it.

I freaking loved her writing! 

The jokes and back and forth banter between Tinker and Carrie had me laughing out loud, as well as Tinker's internal thoughts. I love this kind of humor!

"I'd lick him all over and massage his butt if he asked"

To me this book had everything. 

It had danger, the hotness and brotherhood of bikers, the sweet love of family, a strong and beautiful heroine and a hot-as-hell biker/ shirtless handyman!!

I didn't feel like this was your typical "biker book." If there is such a thing, but compared to others I've read... this was different.

Yes, there's bikers, drugs, strippers, booze, "bitches," and so on... but it was so much more.

It was like the biker aspect and conflict came second to the overall story!

Great sense of family and love, and lots of humor.

It was a very sweet, sad at times, funny and sexy read!!

Amazon US / UK

The Matchmaker's Replacement by Rachel Van Dyken

   

Wingman rule number two: never reveal how much you want them. 

 Lex hates Gabi. Gabi hates Lex. But, hey, at least the hate is mutual, right? All Lex has to do is survive the next few weeks training Gabi in all the ways of Wingmen Inc. and then he can be done with her. But now that they have to work together, the sexual tension and fighting is off the charts. He isn’t sure if he wants to strangle her or throw her against the nearest sturdy table and have his way with her. But Gabi has a secret, something she’s keeping from not just her best friend but her nemesis too. Lines are blurred as Lex becomes less the villain she’s always painted him to be…and starts turning into something more. Gabi has always hated the way she’s been just a little bit attracted to him—no computer-science major should have that nice of a body or look that good in glasses—but “Lex Luthor” is an evil womanizer. He’s dangerous. Gabi should stay far, far away. Then again, she’s always wanted a little danger.

Lex and Gabi!
I knew something was going on, but just couldn't put my finger on it. I couldn't wait to find out!

Lex Luthor... villain or superhero? What do you think?

We meet Lex and Gabi in book 1 of the Wingmen Series.

Their relationship can only be described as... frenemies??!!


There's a fine line between love and hate.. and that line here... was Ian!

This was a funny and light, easy going book. 
Lots of hysterical banter between the characters.
There's also an underlying friendship and love that carried throughout the book that I really enjoyed.


"And the damsel fell for the villain. Write that, Disney."


Amazon US / UK