Licked by Brooke Blaine

Blurb

As the owner of Licked, an eclectic ice creamery and bar, Ryleigh Phillips doesn't have time for that love stuff. Serving up Nibble My Nuts sundaes and Drunken Sailor boozy shakes are as close to an orgasmic affair as she's had in months thanks to her expanding empire—until the night of her ten-year high school reunion.

When Ryleigh's crush, gorgeous ex-football god Cameron Mathis, comes streaking into her life (literally—streaking), she begins to wonder if she really can have it all.

Wouldn't it just figure that the moment you think life is perfect is when it falls spectacularly apart?

Enter Hunter Morgan, the contractor in charge of Licked's renovations. Devastatingly handsome, and a smartass to boot, he's got his eyes on Ryleigh from the moment he finds her passed out on his couch (yeah, that's a long story). There's just one tiny complication—he happens to be Cameron's best friend.

When the lines between relationships and friendships blur, and it's impossible to choose between two delicious flavors, what's a girl to do? Taste a sample of each? Or go out and get LICKED?


My Review

Sugary sweet with sprinkles on top!!!

Licked is a sexy and funny romcom read about a quirky gal who loves the 50s era. 

She also owns and runs an ice cream shop with the most orgasmic names in town!!

I laughed quite a bit not only at the names she con-cock-ted .. see what I did there? but also at all the movie quotes throughout the book. 

Why? Because I got it! And because I love movies too!

This chic is one of a kind and not only does she catch the eye of 1 hottie, but 2!! 

Don't freak out, I don't like cheating or triangles either.. so lucky for me and you, this isn't like that!

These men are HOT! Finger licking, lip licking hot! 

 

And the sexy-time scenes?? 

... you're gonna need some napkins!

This story is fun! 

Ryleigh is sweet, sassy and down to earth. 

Her friends are friends you want to have for your own.

And the men here are gloriously divine.

One of them is a construction worker.... meaning he's good with his hands!!!

His hands I say!!!!!!!!

For the most part it's quick, light, fun and sexy... but Brooke threw a little wrench into my sugar induced coma there that had me holding my breath and hoping not to cry!!

Bad Brookie.

Luckily things ended like they began, with extra sprinkles and a cherry on top.

mmm cherries!!!

Entertaining, flirty and fun!

AMAZON US
AMAZON UK

Uncovered by Truth (Lies and Truth #2) by Rachael Duncan

My life has been full of uncertainties. 

Little did I know the biggest one would come in the form of a green-eyed beauty. 

She came into my life and flipped everything on its end and now things are more messed up than ever before.

Being former Special Forces, I’m no stranger to fighting, but this is different. 

This is personal. 

The stakes feel much higher and the struggle to save her will be my most challenging mission yet.

But I have a secret. 

A secret that threatens to tear apart everything we’ve built. 

I just hope she can overlook them when all is revealed.

You know me as Alex Matthews.

My mistake was getting involved with her, knowing what was on the line.

Their mistake was taking me away from her.

**This is the last book in the Lies and Truth series.**

If you have NOT read Book 1, Hidden in Lies, STOP reading this review and go read it now! It must be read first!

In the first book we were left with our mouths open, 

hanging over the edge of a cliff! 

Is he? Isn’t he? 

What happened??

No worries.... this book picks up right where the other left off.

Alex is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We finally get to hear his side of the story, with this book predominately in his pov.

His only mission is to get to Elizabeth and get her where she belongs. 

With him!

I enjoyed the twists and turns and also the flashbacks to when Alex was in the military. I'm a sucker for a soldier!

This book has a lot more action, and has more of a suspense, who done it type feel compared to the first one.

There’s still plenty of secrets, with everyone hiding something, only now there's bad guys, guns and a whole lot of explaining to do!

Don't get me wrong though, there's still plenty of sexy, sweet and heart breaking moments. I actually gasped a couple of times and one particular part got me right in the heart and brought tears to my eyes! 

AMAZON

Worth the Risk (The McKinney Brothers #2) by Claudia Connor

When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.

Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.

Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.

Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

LOVED!!

This was such an emotional read! I laughed, I cringed, I cried! 

Trust...

Love...

Forgiveness...

Is it really worth the risk?

Both Hannah and Stephen have been hurt. Their lives have been horrifically changed by tragedy. How does one move on? 

I fell in love with each of these characters. They are alike in so many ways, yet so very different.

Hannah is strong, sweet, and brave. 

Stephen is intelligent, assertive and absolutely gorgeous! 

Their journey is an emotional one. 

You'll be laughing and crying! 

Standalone? Kind of.

You don't necessarily need to read the first book, which is about Stephen's brother Matt, and a completely different and awesome story, but if you didn't and plan to after, then this book will spoil the first one for you, as Matt is ever present, as is the entire McKinney clan!

I love the McKinney brothers!!

I am so excited for the future and the books of the other brothers. 

Speaking of brothers.... Hannah has some pretty hot ones of her own. Future books there also?? I sure hope so! 

AMAZON

Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers #1) by Claudia Connor

They meet on a beach. . . . 
Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. 
And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, 
a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . 
Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. 
Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. 
This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . 
Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. 
And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. 
Something utterly, completely worth falling for. 

Absolutely LOVED this book! I am in love with each and every character. 

Not only is Matt and Abby's story sweet and beautiful, but the kids!! 

Oh my God the kids will tug at your heart. 

I laughed and I cried!!

This is a story of love and loss, abandonment, trust and family.

Definitely "Worth" the read!! I look forward to more from Claudia Connor!


AMAZON

Tell Me You Love Me (Fire Me Up #1) by Julie Prestsater

Stay. Stay with me. Stay here. Stay close. Stay like this forever. Stay as happy as I am right here in your arms, always. 

* * *

All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved, but if this is what true love is…I’m not so sure I want it anymore. It also makes me wonder if any of my memories of our once happy marriage are even real. Maybe I just conjured up the fairy tale in my head because I wanted…no…needed it so much. Who the hell knows?

“Molly just called to remind you about your book club meeting this afternoon.” He turns away. “I told her you’ve never missed a meeting and I doubt today would be any different.”

The door shuts behind him before I let a smile creep across my lips. Instantly, the hurt from this morning flees my mind and I feel nothing but giddiness. I have a book club meeting today, and let’s just say it’s not your everyday book club. 

Sure, my husband may never truly love me again…but who needs love when you’re about to get an eyeful of hot firemen? 

* * *

Tell Me You Love Me is the first in a four-book series called Fire Me Up—a sweet romantic comedy series about a group of sassy neighborhood women who have a serious love for steamy romance novels and sexy firemen. Lucky for them the local firehouse is just a few steps away and is in no shortage of hot firefighters to fill their wild imaginations.

I don't like the new trend of authors making the heroine 'into books' or the hero having a huge library at his house... that just bugs me. I think it's stupid and overused. 

This story is NOT like that! 

Lizzy works at a library, she goes to book club, she fantasizes over book boyfriends, 
she's one of us!!

I really enjoyed the dynamic of her group of friends and their interactions with the hot firemen. 
Yes, I repeat.. HOT FIREMEN!

This book is sweet and easygoing, yet hits its objective spot on. 
Love yourself and if others don't love you for who you are and how you look... 
then they aren't worth your time!

Ryan is a sweetheart. He was raised right and this book will have you swooning for him!

Super cute, funny, quick and sweet read.

AMAZON

The Other C-Word (In Other Words #1) by M.K. Schiller

Can she overcome her consuming desire for him? Can he make her comfortable with the other C-word... commitment? 

Marley Mason is dreading the arrival of the new business consultant. After all, this man will most likely outsource her job to China. The last thing she would expect is a case of mistaken identity, leading to false accusations of kidnapping when she attempts to pick up the wrong man at the airport, or worse... that she would have such a visceral reaction to the right man.

Rick Randy is super sexy, scandalously flirty and perfect masturbation material, but a relationship is out of the question. Rick is contracted on a temporary basis to fix Marley’s ailing company, then pull out, although as he expresses to Marley, pulling out is difficult for him, in more ways than one! Marley’s feelings range from utter confusion to intense contemplation as Rick charms his way into her life. All of those C-words Marley can control, but it’s the other C-word she fears—commitment.

The Other C-Word captivated me from the beginning! It was cute, clever and comical! Ok.. no more c words for me!

Marley is closed off. She doesn't do relationships and with good reason. Rick is sexy, flirtatious and determined! There's obvious chemistry between the two but Marley tries desperately to keep her distance. Even after the two of them become involved, there are certain secrets she just can't share with Rick.

The beginning was hysterical! I could not stop laughing out loud! R U Randy???

As the story progressed things between Marley and Rick got pretty steamy. Not only was he a possessive alpha, but he was also an old fashion gentleman. I loved his character! And the fact he resembles Chris Pine didn't hurt either! 

I very much enjoyed Marley's family dynamics. Her sisters and mother brought lots of tenderness and laughter to the story. I also felt for Dillon, her best friend. I'd like a book on him! That would be an interesting story!!!

It was very sweet, cute, funny, sad at times and very enjoyable. I felt the ending was a tad rushed though. I was happy with how things ended, but would have liked a more drawn out happy ending.

AMAZON

ShutterGirl (The Hollywood Project #1) by C.D. Reiss

ONE movie star on the cusp of greatness

ONE broken girl who touched him

TEN years to forget her

A MILLION stories in Hollywood

-----------

I am not hurt.

I don’t need a second chance with him, or a life I thought I had.

While he was out forgetting me to become a movie star, I was building a career out of nothing. A career as a paparazzi, but a career. For a foster kid who bounced around every home in Los Angeles, that wasn’t easy.

This camera is all I have.

He’s nothing to me. Every time I take his picture and sell it, I remind myself that I did it all without him or his approval, his cinnamon smell or his clear green eyes. He lights up the screen like a celestial body, but he’s nothing but a paycheck to me.

He can throw my camera off a balcony, and nothing has to change. We can stay king and queen of the same city, and different worlds.

Except this is Hollywood, and here, anything can happen.

Laine portrays a tough, no nonsense girl on the outside, especially in a job dominated by men.

But, inside she's most often anything but. 

There's a sad vulnerable side to her that will tug at your heart.

Laine and Michael come from complete opposite sides of the tracks. 

They did then, and they most certainly still do now.

"You don't let the wolves into the hen house."

Yes, they went to the same high school, but Laine didn't grow up a celebrity, with a silver spoon in her mouth like he did. She was a lonely little girl who bounced from home to home trying to hang on to any shred of normalcy and love she could get her hands on.

She thought she'd found it, finally, in the eyes of a beautiful boy at school who held her hand. Until one day he was gone.

Michael is beautiful,  kind and generous. He's also a  mega star born and bred. Everyone expects him to behave a certain way and he's tried to fit that mold, his needs and wants be damned!

Until Laine.

"I spend a lot of energy worrying what people think. It's in the job description. But what I felt with you was real."

A second chance love story that will give you an inside glimpse into the crazy lives of both the paps and celebs. 

This story was different. To me it seemed as though it was but a snippet of something much bigger. I'm not sure how to explain it and there's nothing wrong at all with that, because  I loved it. 

It just has a different flow to it. 

It was sweet and intriguing as well as sexy while subtle.

AMAZON