The Bachelor Auction by Rachel Van Dyken

BLURB

Cinderella never had to deal with this crap.

Jane isn't entirely sure that Cinderella got such a raw deal. Sure, she had a rough start, but didn't she eventually land a prince and a happily-ever-after? Meanwhile, Jane is busy waiting on her demanding, entitled sisters, running her cleaning business, and . . . yep, not a prince in sight. Until a party and a broken shoe incident leave Jane wondering if princes---or at least, a certain deliciously hunky billionaire---maybe do exist.

Except Brock Wellington isn't anyone's dream guy. Hell, a prince would never agree to be auctioned off in marriage to the highest bidder. Or act like an arrogant jerk---even if it was just a façade. Now, as Brock is waiting for the auction chopping block, he figures it's karmic retribution that he's tempted by a sexy, sassy woman he can't have. But while they can't have a fairy-tale ending, maybe they can indulge in a little bit of fantasy . . 

MY REVIEW

Evil sisters, missing shoe, fairy godmother, mice... oh my!!

I really liked Brock in the beginning, when they first met, how he behaved, how he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders... I wanted to know his story.

The twins are like non-other. Silly, crazy... a complete handful.

Jane was a bit of a pushover, I must say, and I'm not sure if finding her backbone so late in the book was enough to redeem herself for me.

There was silly/funny banter, boy-meets-girl, family/brotherly love and a couple sad moments, but overall this Cinderella remake was just an okay read for me.

Amazon

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

Levi's Blue by M. Leighton

Four beautiful days. Three steamy nights. One breathtaking love.

Levi Michaelson. 

He wanted four dates. Four opportunities to prove I could trust him. Four chances to change my mind about him.

I agreed.

Probably not my smartest decision. He was everything I knew to avoid—gorgeous, charming, sexy as hell—but I couldn’t help myself. When he touched me the whole world disappeared. I should’ve known I could lose myself to him, that he could be the one man to destroy me.

I guess it’s true what they say—some things are too good to be true. And Levi Michaelson might just be one of them.

This is one of those stories you just have to dive into. I didn't even read the blurb. 
I knew nothing, and was overwhelmingly surprised and pleased. 

This story is so much more than boy meets girl.

This is a feel-good story, writing wrongs, healing, finding peace and love.

There's so much beauty, and laughter!


"You showed me everything. Color, beauty, life. Love."

She is beautiful, humble, loving, but she is skeptical.

He is beauty personified. Manly, charming, funny. Oh so delicious.

"It's a dark, manly aroma, equal parts high speed car chase and hot wax dripping onto bare skin. Inanely. I think to myself that this must be what heaven smells like."

I love their banter, the sarcasm and witty jokes! 
They feed off each other and work so well together.

The chemistry... Chemistry oozing all over the place.

"What if the way I want to go is your way?"


Michelle's writing is beautiful. She makes you see it...feel it...live it, right along with her characters.


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

Fighting to Be Free (Fighting to Be Free #1) by Kirsty Moseley

Synopsis

The original Wattpad sensation -6 MILLION READS - fully revised and with brand new content

Jamie Cole has just been released from juvenile detention. Determined to go straight, he tried to cut ties with crime boss Brett Reye--but Brett has no intention of letting him go. Jamie's life is already more complicated than it needs to be, yet when he meets a beautiful stranger at a bar, Jamie knows he's in over his head.

Ellie Pearce has just gotten out of a terrible relationship and isn't looking for anything serious...until she meets Jamie. Their attraction is overwhelming and intense-she can't seem to shake her growing feelings for him, even though she's trying to keep it casual.

But when fate goes horribly wrong and Jamie's family is faced with ruin, he's forced to strike a deal with Brett. Despite his struggles, he wants nothing more than a future with Ellie. That's until Ellie finds out that he's been hiding more from her than she could ever imagine...

Fighting To Be Free, previously released on Wattpad and read by over 6 million readers, has had a makeover inside and out. I am beyond excited to finally to be able to share this cover with you!

My Review

High school senior Ellie is Miss Popular, all around all-American girl next door. Typical cheerleader with typical quarterback boyfriend.

Jamie has been dealt a bad hand at life. Jailed at a young age for an incident that significantly changed his life.

You feel for him for sure. 

"Your past is the past."

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

I wasn't sure what to expect at first and not sure what I got in the end, besides it being a cliffy! 

Have no fear... book two is on its way.

I read some reviews where they said Ellie seemed immature and childish. I didn't see that, no, but I do think there were moments, including the use of their nicknames is what threw me off a little making moments seem silly and immature, and although they had "sexy-times" and all the "criminal activity" it had a very high school/Young Adult overall feel.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I also had a bit of a hard time understanding how badass everyone saw him. He was so young when he went to jail... was he really that much of a scary mofo at 14 that now everyone was so afraid of him?

He said so himself at one point that rumors must have been flying making him out to be more than he was... but it didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Regardless of those things, there's sweet and sad moments to this story, action and an open-ended ending.

As always, these are just my feelings... please take them with a grain of salt and read for yourselves!

Amazon US AmazonUK

Locked (PresLocke, #2) by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine

Synopsis

“ACE LOCKE JETS OFF TO SIN CITY WITH MYSTERY MAN”

Sorry, ladies—and fellas—Hollywood’s hottest action star, Ace Locke, is officially off the market!

The man on Locke’s arm has been identified as Dylan Prescott, the sexy new “it” model currently featured in the latest Calvin Klein ads. Sources tell TNZ the men met on the set of Locke’s upcoming action film Insurrection 2, and that “they only have eyes for each other.”

This is the first public gay relationship for Locke, who came out a year ago, and there has been much speculation on who would finally be the one to catch his eye.

According to multiple eyewitnesses, Locke whisked Prescott away on his private jet for a romantic weekend at Syn, the most exclusive hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. After pictures recently surfaced of the new couple, affectionately named PresLocke, it appears from the possessive way Locke keeps his new beau close that things are heating up.

The world is watching #PresLocke, and we’ll be sure to keep you up to date on this budding relationship!

Ace and Dylan’s story continues in Book Two of the Bestselling PresLocke Series.

© 2016 Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

Review

I really enjoyed the continuation of Dylan and Ace's story. In book one we get their initial interaction, flirtiness, courtship (if you will) and eventually are left with our mouths hanging open wondering just what was going to happen??

Well, this book picks up exactly where book one left off.

I enjoyed Dylan and Ace's easy-going relationship.

The obstacles they had to go thru were not easy by any means and there were quite a few in this step in their relationship, but the ease at which they dealt with problems as they came was perfect.

There was drama, but not between them! I loved that. 

“Because with you, I’ve found me.”

Questions I had from book one were answered, we got to meet Dylan's family, and of course we got the ever present absofuckinglutely hot as hell steaminess that one anticipates with an Ella Frank/Brook Blaine book!

There was one scene in particular... O.M.G.

Going back a minute to Dylan's family, I had so much fun reading about them. 

They were exactly as I had imagined and I wasn't disappointed. 

I want to be part of their family!!!

This book was sweet, sexy, sad at times, funny and had lots of love, and heart to it.

Looking forward to book three!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2chwJN9

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bXz3wj

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

Furious Rush by S.C. Stephens

The first in an emotion-fueled, New Adult series from the #1 bestselling author of the Thoughtless novels!

Too fast, too furious—and way too hot to handle…

Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie's skin. His insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who was handed her career fuels her desire to win, and much to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she's racing against Hayden.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense—and strictly forbidden—attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie always does her best to play by the rules, but when her team slips into a financial crisis, she has no choice but to turn to Hayden for help. The tension simmers during their secret, late-night rendezvous, but Kenzie has too much to lose to give in to her desires. Especially when she begins to doubt that Hayden has completely left his street life behind...

He's the cocky, sexy, street racer all the girls flock to.

She's a stick in the mud, strait-laced, disciplined, daughter of a legend.

She has something to prove. Her family depends on her.. the future of her family's company depends on her.

There's something about him that had me intrigued. What is he hiding? What is he trying to prove?

"We were both struggling for respect, we were both fighters, we were both underdogs."

They have uber chemistry, but can't act on it. They are enemies. Their relationship, friendship, is strictly forbidden!

You know where this is going...

I could not wait to read this. Anyone said to be "better" than Kellan Kyle has my attention! Who said that? Don't remember, but wish they hadn't gotten my hopes up that high!

Although Hayden is very likable and charming...

The beginning was a little slow for me, to be honest. I felt there was a lot of internalizing on Kenzie's part. It took me a bit to get into it. Around the 50% mark I got more of what I was looking for. 

Their relationship started to blossom. Things were getting real.

I started to see the characters change and grow. Especially Kenzie.

"I was beginning to feel very...free...with him."

Unfortunately things seemed to kind of veer off course a bit...

and things became a little far-fetched. 

It had a little who-done-it feel in the middle of a budding romance... but things resolved quickly while others had very strange outcomes.

Can't exactly tell you who done it, but I was just left a little perplexed.

Their connection was strong. Their chemistry explosive.

I just didn't get completely wrapped up in it as I was hoping to.

Not sure if this is a cliffy per se... but I was left a little slack-jawed in the end.

Will there be a book two? I'm not sure... but of course I'll be reading it!

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!