Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Overnight Service" by Lauren Blakely

The latest book in Lauren Blakely's Always Satisfied series, "Overnight Service," is finally here, and I am very excited to be participating in the blog tour celebrating its release.  A full review is included later in this post, but in short, this book was so much fun, and I adored it.  It is a complete standalone, although a few characters from previous books do make brief appearances.  Readers who are new to the series, or to Ms. Blakely's work in general, will not feel lost by starting here, and in fact I highly encourage them to do so!  "Overnight Service" will appeal to fans of enemies-to-lovers, second chance, workplace, and even sports romance tropes.  I can safely say that it ticked all of the boxes for me, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens next!

About "Overnight Service"

Top three reasons why sleeping with the enemy is a bad idea...

1. She’s my fiercest rival.

2. She’s also my fiery ex.

3. We’re going up against each other in a stiff competition to win the hottest new client on the market.

And yet, I’d like to be up against the wall in a stiff competition to get her to call out my name.

Time to double down on my resistance to her tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners, sexy-as-sin attitude. The same attitude I find irresistible.

That’s a big problem, because in this race to nab the client, I run into Haven in the hotel, on the beach, in the guest quarters late at night.

Hate sex would be a terrible idea.

Except, it’s the complete opposite, and now we can’t keep our hands off each other.

Trouble is, I’m not so sure it’s hate I’m feeling anymore.

And that’s the biggest reason sleeping with the enemy you’re falling for is a bad idea -- my job literally depends on never letting her into my heart. 

Read an Excerpt from "Overnight Service"

Her hand slides down my back, and it feels reverent. Her touch does so many things to me. It turns me on, it riles me up, and it sends me soaring. And now, it makes my heart thunder like a wild animal in my chest. One that wants to be with her, next to her, beside her.

“More,” I whisper. “Give me more of your kisses.”

“Take them all,” she tells me.

I am ravenous for her. I don’t know if I will ever be sated.

Not with her scent in my head, her body curled around me, and her kisses on my lips and in my soul.

We might have come in here for one final hurrah, but as we kiss like we can’t ever get enough, this doesn’t feel like the last time for either of us. It doesn’t seem like the end run down the slopes.

I should keep that thought to myself. But when I’m with her, when she’s close like this, I can’t think rationally. It’s too hard to lie or to pretend like she’s the enemy.

My rival, yes.

The competition, yes.

But she’s also the woman I can’t quit.

The woman I don’t want to quit.

My Review

"Overnight Service" was a fun, sexy book with smart, snarky characters that I adored.  One of my favorite things about this book was that so much of the narration came from Josh, the male main character's, point of view.  He was such an amusing, likeable guy, and hearing his thoughts made the book a lot of fun to read.  I especially loved Josh's confidence and competitive nature; he almost came across as cocky, but never quite crossed the line into being arrogant.

Haven, the female lead character, is just as confident and competitive as Josh, though they have very different negotiating styles due to their different backgrounds as an athlete (Haven) and a lawyer (Josh).  These differences in style, coupled with their obviously scorching chemistry and unresolved feelings for each other, led to a lot of great banter that made me laugh out loud several times.  Even though it has been a year since their breakup, it's clear that Haven and Josh are still very attracted to each other, and it's a relief when they finally give into their feelings.

As I was reading the book, I had several guesses about where Haven and Josh would ultimately end up, but there was a little twist with their professional situation that I didn't expect. It was a lot better than what I predicted would happen, and I love that Ms. Blakely managed to surprise me.

Overall, "Overnight Service" was another great read from Lauren Blakely, and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

*ARC provided by the author via Candi Kane PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Angel in a Devil's Arms

Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne Long
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored the first book in Julie Anne Long's Palace of Rogues series, but somehow the second book, "Angel in a Devil's Arms," managed to be even better. It was humorous and charming with endearing, well-developed characters, and I didn't want to put it down.

Lucien, Lord Bolt, is one of my new all-time favorite historical romance heroes. He's very witty and intelligent, and his banter with Angelique was quite amusing. Given the circumstances of his youth, I expected Lucien to be something of a dark and brooding hero, but instead, he had a fantastic sense of humor and almost seemed cheerful a lot of the time. I particularly loved that Lucien was so open about his plan to seek revenge upon his return to England after nearly a decade away. Even though his attitude sometimes made it seem like the idea of revenge was a joke to him, he was quite determined, and had clearly spent a lot of time putting his plans into motion. Despite that, he did not hesitate to give up his revenge when he realized how it might affect his young half-brother and his burgeoning relationship with Angelique. His character grew tremendously over the course of this book, and it was nice to see him finally find the love he deserved.

I loved Angelique too, especially after having gotten to know her a bit in the first book of this series. Lucien seemed like a perfect match for her, and it was wonderful to watch their relationship slowly blossom. Their chemistry was off the charts from the beginning, but it took a while for trust and a deeper emotional connection to develop. Given Lucien's reputation and Angelique's past bad experiences with men, it was easy for me to understand why she wanted to take their relationship slowly. I was so happy when she finally let her guard down, and I cried right along with her when it seemed as if the relationship was over. (Fortunately, this being a romance novel complete with HEA, love found a way!)

Overall, "Angel in a Devil's Arms" was a wonderful book and certainly one of my favorites of 2019. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: The Earl's Christmas Pearl

The Earl's Christmas Pearl by Megan Frampton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Earl's Christmas Pearl" by Megan Frampton was a delightful Christmas romance. I found it to be a witty and charming story featuring endearing, well-developed main characters in Lady Pearl Howlett and Owen, the Earl of Llanover. Pearl, who finally had the opportunity to step out of the shadows cast by her four sisters, turned out to be very sweet and adventurous, with an excellent sense of humor. She did a wonderful job of coaxing Owen out of his grumpiness.

As for Owen, I loved how endearingly awkward he was in conversation. He tried so hard, but until he met Pearl, Owen could never quite figure out the right things to say. The banter between the two of them was quite amusing, and I thought it was really cute when they teased each other or made silly jokes and puns.

Overall, I loved this story and thought it was a great way to wrap up the Duke's Daughters series. I am very much looking forward to Ms. Frampton's next book!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Ali Wong's "Dear Girls." Ali's voice comes through very clearly in her writing; I can picture her on stage saying some of these things in her act. Fair warning, however, that this book is not for the faint of heart or anyone who is easily offended by foul language or "dirty"/"taboo" subjects. Ali talks a lot about sex, bodily functions/fluids, and other things that some readers might find objectionable. That said, there were some very funny, and at times outrageous, stories included here, but also some pretty good advice along with a loving message for her daughters.

My favorite chapter was the one on Ali's study abroad experiences. While my own year abroad in college wasn't quite as colorful or adventurous as Ali's, I totally agree with her that study abroad is something that all young adults should experience if they have the opportunity. I also enjoyed the afterword by Ali's husband, which was very sweet and a nice way to wrap up the book.

Overall,"Dear Girls" was an enjoyable and well-written debut that made me laugh out loud quite a few times. I would definitely read more books by Ali Wong in the future.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Love You S'more

Love You S'more by Beth Merlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored Beth Merlin's "Love You S'more" and thought it was the perfect ending to main character Gigi's story. Gigi has grown up and learned so much about herself since the series began, and it was very satisfying for me to see her end up in such a good place, both personally and professionally.

I really appreciated that things with Gigi's love interests, Gideon and Perry, didn't unfold exactly the way I thought they would. There was no dramatic scene where she had to choose between them; instead, one relationship came to a natural end months before things heated up with the other love interest. I was very happy with her ultimate choice of partner and how their relationship progressed.

Also, while the romance was obviously a central part of the story, Gigi's career journey and relationships with her friends and family were equally important. She needed to figure out a lot of things on her own before committing to a romantic relationship. I was especially happy to see Gigi reconnect with Alicia, her BFF from Camp Chinooka, because Alicia seemed so much more likeable in this book. I found her to be kind of self-centered in the first book, but this time around she wasn't as wrapped up in her own life. She acted like a much better friend to Gigi and actually provided valuable advice on several occasions.

While I am sad that the Campfire series has come to an end, I am looking forward to reading more of Beth Merlin's work in the future.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Christmas Angels: A Novel

Christmas Angels: A Novel by Nancy Naigle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed by Nancy Naigle's "Christmas Angels." I thought it would be a light, sweet Christmas romance, in the vein of a Debbie Macomber or Emily March novel. Instead, it turned out to be a cheesy, relatively boring story with annoying, underdeveloped characters and very little relationship development between the main characters, Liz and Matt.

I was annoyed by Liz in particular because she seemed to be living so much in the past and relying on "signs" to decide everything for her. She was so fixated on re-creating her grandparents' "perfect" life that she never really seemed to get a life of her own. I didn't feel like I got to know Liz very well outside of her relationship with her grandparents, either. For example, her divorce was mentioned a few times in passing, but there was zero detail or explanation to go along with it. It seems to me like that would have been an important part of her life, and might have helped explain why this project was so important to her. In addition, Liz's "friendship" with Dan didn't make any sense to me. On several occasions, she went out of her way to say how much she "treasures" it, but constantly complained about how everything was always about him, and that Dan was selfish, didn't support her, etc. If that's the case, why would she be friends with him in the first place? His character didn't seem to serve much purpose in the story anyway, other than to create unnecessary drama.

I didn't feel like I got to know Matt very well, either. For example, it's mentioned a few times that he's an architect, and I think it was also mentioned that he's based in Chicago, but I was very confused about how he was able to take so much time off to spend working on the renovations to Liz's house in North Carolina. Is he self-employed? Further, I found it to be incredibly cheesy that Matt's first reaction upon seeing Liz was to say to his friends, "She's the woman I'm going to marry." I don't understand how he could possibly have known exactly who Liz was based on just her first name, and then, knowing nothing else about her, decide that he was going to marry her. After so much time had passed, her personality and interests could have been completely different from those of the girl he once knew.

Additionally, there were a number of plot points that didn't really make sense to me. For example, why would Liz take the rest of the year off to fix up the house when it was supposed to be about 30 days before it would be legally hers? It would be stupid to start working on the house before then in case the sale fell through. (Of course, she bought it sight unseen, so she already didn't seem like the brightest bulb.) Further, after her fall in the woods, Liz started worrying about not having liability insurance, and interpreted that as one of the "signs" that she wasn't meant to re-open the lodge after all. Almost immediately after that, however, she decided to allow a strange couple (with a small child, no less!) to stay on the property, which was a giant construction site complete with an open trench. Again, that doesn't seem very smart to me if one is trying to avoid liability issues.

Finally, I hated the "big misunderstanding" between Liz and Matt at the end of the book. It seemed stupid and unnecessary to me, and like the author felt a need to create drama for drama's sake. What bothered me the most about it was that it didn't even make sense for Matt to believe the rumor. He knew Liz's long-term plans and that she was about to hire a caretaker for the property, so why would she also be planning to sell the lodge?

Bottom line, this book just didn't work for me. It could have been interesting given the HGTV-like elements involved in fixing up an old house, but IMO the annoying, underdeveloped characters and weak plot overshadowed all of that.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Excerpt + Giveaway + Review: "Offsides" by Eden Butler

Today, I am pleased to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the release of Eden Butler's newest novel, "Offsides," book #3 of the Saints and Sinners series.  I am a new reader of Eden Butler's work, but have quickly become obsessed with the characters in this and the related Thin Love series.  I mostly read a lot of romantic comedies and historical romance, but sometimes I'm in the mood for a contemporary angst-fest instead, and Eden Butler really delivers on that score.  As I read this book, there were times when I was crying right along with main characters Gia and Kai.  Even though their story was sometimes sad and difficult to read, I loved this book, and the hurdles Gia and Kai had to overcome on their path to happiness made their eventual HEA feel well-deserved and incredibly satisfying to me. (My full review is at the end of this post.)

For a chance to win a signed print set of the Saints and Sinners series + swag or one of two $15 Amazon gift cards, courtesy of the author, click here!  (Giveaway ends on October 31.)

About "Offsides"

Gia Jilani had rules.

They kept her safe and her head in the game.

As the NFL's first female general manager, there were risks to be weighed and taken.

Like Kai Pukui, the linebacker helping her team dominate on the field.

The same quiet, beautiful man who stares too long at her and reminds her of how decadent, and risky living life can be.

But when Gia discovers why Kai seems so familiar and why she feels so drawn to him, things like risks and love become secondary to loss and pain.

Gia will have to decide what's more important - a life worth risking or a love worth losing.

Read an Excerpt from "Offsides"

Kai held her leg still at his knee or how relaxed they were reclining against the wicker loungers on his balcony, watching the rain crash against the city around them. Damn that spark. It was back and seemed to have no intention of leaving. It was black everywhere now, the electricity shutting off an hour before. Now there was only Kai’s company and the crashing of thunder and the sound of the rain against the metal balcony roof to break apart the quiet of the night.

“When did you have oke?” he asked, pulling her attention from the darkness around her.

“God. I must have been…twenty-three? Couldn’t have been any older than that. I went to O’ahu with my friend Claire. It was her present to herself for passing the bar.”

Kai rubbed her bare leg as she spoke, a lazy, absent-minded gesture Gia wasn’t sure he knew he did. She felt serene, calm even if she wore loose boxers rolled up and knotted at the waist and one of his black Steamers tees that fell off her shoulder every time she moved her hand.

“And what did you do in O’ahu?”

She smiled not sure how honest she should be. But there had been nothing between them save some mild flirtation. Besides, Gia had a past before him. She was sure to have one after he’d stepped out of her life.

“A fire dancer from Waipahu.”

The stroking on her leg stopped, then the lounger next to her shook and Gia looked at Kai, joining in his laughter. “And did the fire dancer do us proud?”

“Most definitely.”

Kai shook his head, and the rubbing continued. “There are always people who like to give the tourists the whole Hawaiian experience.”

“Did you ever offer anyone the whole Hawaiian experience?”

“Never a tourist.” He looked at Gia then, pressing his lips together. “But I’m keeping my options open.”

She wasn’t drunk enough for this. Not for the glint in his eyes and what it told her. Not for the smooth, slow stroke of his finger against her thigh and how it made her feel. Not for the slowness of Kai’s movements when he set her leg on the lounger, making sure that her ankle was out of the way before he came on his side to face her.

“Gia,” he said, taking the glass out of her hand. There was nothing he needed to say to her. No convincing that would make her change her mind about anything happening between them.

None of it was needed.

“My God,” she started, her tone sounding awed even to her own ears, “how you look at me.” She wanted the words back inside her mouth seconds after they left.

It was too late.

Kai was already moving.

His palm to her face, fingertips moving her chin up and Kai held his mouth inches from Gia’s, ready, waiting, breath warming her lips. “This is a profoundly bad idea,” she said, just as she smoothed her fingers over his wide arm and up his shoulders, running them along his neck to rest against his cheek.

“Then tell me to stop.”

She didn’t. Of course she didn’t.

“Can’t,” Gia said, meeting Kai’s kiss when it came for her.

Then Gia knew what every look Kai had given her meant. He was fierce with every sweeping brush of his lips against hers, with the flat of his tongue inside her mouth, tasting, touching like he couldn’t get enough of her. Every touch meant something, and Gia felt each one with how deeply he kissed her, with how he moved over her, shifting their bodies against the cushions at their backs.

This was nothing like she remembered of him. There was no absinthe or bourbon to dull her senses. There was only the rain and darkness and Kai pressed against her, showing her with the shape of his mouth and the weight of his body how much he wanted her.

“Kai…” She said the name like a wish, trying it out in a breathy whisper that was half moan, half hopeful need and Gia wasn’t sure which she meant more. She only knew that if he stopped touching her, stopped the trail of his lips against her neck, his teeth against her skin and the steely hold of his fingers in her hair, she might just die.

“Kai…” she said again, surprised when he looked up at her, kissing her mouth, adjusting them so that his hips moved against hers and she felt the full size and shape of what he had for her.

“What do you need, nani?” He moved against her and she dropped her head back, fighting the ache that rose up between her legs. “Tell me what you need me to give you and it’s yours.”

“I want…”

Did she know? Gia wasn’t sure. In the dark, the answers came easily. There was nothing here but sensation and movement. There was quiet and the secrets only they could keep. But the morning always came. There would be no stopping it. That was the hardest truth Gia ever had to learn. You can never hide from the sun. It will always rise to meet you.

“Tell me,” he said, pulling on her leg to move them closer still together, groaning when she instinctively reacted with the brush of her hips against him.

When Kai moved his hand under the tee she wore, when he leaned back over her to move in for the kiss, Gia almost let him touch her. She almost relinquished all her control and let that lineman take whatever he wanted from her.

“Kai…I don’t…”

“Gia… please…” He grunted, pulling his hand from her bare skin but didn’t move away from her completely. She could make out the frustration in the hard lines of his features and the hard set of his mouth. When she touched his lips, smoothing her fingers over that soft skin, some of the tension left him. “You’re killing me.”

“I’m…sorry. I’m just…” She didn’t know how to explain herself. She couldn’t when she didn’t understand it herself. Gia only knew the path Kai wanted her on led to heartache and she’d had enough of that to last a lifetime. She wanted him, but not enough to risk what remained of the thing she’d once called a heart again.

Kai opened his mouth, making to speak against her fingers, but stopped, glancing into his apartment when the lights flickered on and a knock sounded at the front door.

“The super,” Gia supplied, moving her hand from his face.

“The super,” he agreed, slipping from the lounger before he pulled Gia to her unsteady feet. “I’ll help you to your apartment.”

“No,” she said, finding her ankle felt less tender and she could manage with a bit more weight on it than she’d been able to bear a few hours before. “I’ve got it.”

She was halfway to the door when Kai stopped her, calling her name over the sound of a second knock.

“If you…figure things out…”

She nodded, managing a smile. “I know where you live, junior.”

“Good. Then you won’t get lost on your way back here.”

My Review

Overall, I loved "Offsides" and highly recommend it.  While it is the third book in the Saints and Sinners series, it is for the most part a standalone novel, although at least part of the timeline overlaps with that of "Roughing the Kicker," the previous book in this series, and some of the same events are re-told from a different character's perspective.  I have read the previous book, but I don't think I would have felt lost if I hadn't done so. That said, I very much enjoyed "Roughing the Kicker" and recommend reading the books in order because I think having that background added to my enjoyment of this book.

Even though I had an idea of what was coming because of the events of the previous book, I was still very moved by how the characters in "Offsides" were affected. Eden Butler's writing is very evocative, and I really did have all the feels while I was reading.  The main characters, Gia and Kai, were both well-developed and incredibly likeable, and I couldn't help but root for them to sort out their issues and find a way to be together.  They both suffered so much loss and pain, and all I wanted was for them to finally experience some happiness. Thankfully, they did, but it wasn't easy for them to get there!

If my understanding is correct, "Offsides" is the last book currently planned in the Saints and Sinners series, but I can't help but hope that Ms. Butler will consider revisiting this world one last time to fill in the blanks about the romance between secondary characters Cat and Kenya.  It seems like there's a lot more to their story than what we've seen so far.  In any event, I'm looking forward to seeing what Eden Butler writes next, regardless of whether it's related to this series or not!

*ARC provided by the author via Xpresso Book Tours.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

Happy Release Day to "Maybe This Christmas" by Susannah Nix!

I've said it before, but it's worth noting again that I'm a total Susannah Nix fan girl, so to say that I am very excited about today's release of her latest novella, "Maybe This Christmas," might be something of an understatement.  As soon as I saw the adorable cover, I knew I had to read this story, and it did not disappoint. 

This cute, sweet story features a pair of likeable main characters, Lucas and Alex, who were surprisingly well-developed given the novella's short length. I particularly enjoyed the novella's structure, which seemed to me more like a series of vignettes than a traditional novella.  I've never read anything like it before, but I found it to be a great way to highlight the main characters' development over time since they were often dealing with pretty big changes in their lives from one Christmas to the next.            

Overall, "Maybe This Christmas" was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend picking it up today.  At only 99 cents, it's the perfect early Christmas present to yourself! :-) 

*ARC provided by the author via BookFunnel. All opinions expressed are my own. 

About "Maybe This Christmas"

Two best friends. Ten Christmases. One happy ending.

When best friends Alexandra and Lucas share a first kiss on Christmas night their senior year of high school, it feels like the best years of their lives are ahead of them.

Then Alex goes off to college, and Lucas stays behind to work at his dad’s construction business in the small beach town where they grew up. Life, as they say, happens. And somewhere along the way these two high school sweethearts find they don’t have as much in common as they once did.

Lucas’s life is on Beaufort Island, and Alex is all about getting away and moving on. So he makes one of the hardest decisions of his life and lets her go.

But every year when Alex comes home for the holidays, fate conspires to reunite the two former lovebirds on Christmas Day. Year after year, through good times and bad, Lucas and Alex meet up, catch up, and reconnect on the anniversary of their first kiss.

Is it too much to hope that one year they’ll find their way back to each other permanently?

Maybe even this Christmas.

* * *

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "A Lie for a Lie" by Helena Hunting

I am incredibly excited to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the release of Helena Hunting's latest novel, "A Lie for a Lie," the first book in the All In series.  I am a relatively new reader of Hunting's work, but have absolutely loved everything I've read so far, and this book was no exception.  A full review is below, but in short, I adored "A Lie for a Lie" and highly recommend it.  It is a funny, sweet, and sexy story that I couldn't put down, featuring well-developed, endearing characters that quickly worked their way into my heart. 

About "A Lie for a Lie"

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.

Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.

Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.

A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.

Read an Excerpt from "A Lie for a Lie"

I stuff my earbuds in and cue up a movie on my entertainment console. After the last flight, I deserve three hours of brain candy.

Just as I settle on an action flick, a body lands in my lap. At first, I think I’m being accosted—yet again. It’s not unusual for women to literally throw themselves at me. Typically I’m not on a plane, though, but considering my last flight I shouldn’t be surprised by anything right now. “What the—”

“I’m so sorry!” says the voice attached to the body in my lap. She scrambles to right herself but jerks back, gagging, her tidal wave of silky, dark hair slapping me in the face. It smells like mint and cucumber, which would be nice if it weren’t in my mouth.

She grabs my shirt with one hand and catches my earbuds, yanking them free. The other hand curls under the fabric wrapped tightly around her throat. She’s sprawled across my lap, legs hanging over the armrest, face level with mine. She’s totally blocking the aisle, making it impossible for anyone to get by and creating quite the spectacle. “My scarf is caught,” she rasps. “Oh my God. I’m choking myself. I’m so sorry. This is so embarrassing.” The more she struggles, the more the scarf tightens, which in turn causes her to flail.

I slide a supporting arm behind her. “Stay still for a sec.”

She freezes, still gripping my shirt, eyes wide with panic. I turn my head to the side and lean forward. Her lips connect with my cheek.

“Oh!” She tries to turn away, but she really is stuck, so her nose ends up in my ear and her lips are still pressed against my jaw.

“Just give me a few more seconds, and you’ll be free.” She exhales heavily against my jaw, warm breath making my skin prickle. I lift her carry-on and use my foot to pull the scarf free from the wheel.

She loosens the fabric around her throat, dragging in a long, deep breath. “Thank you. So much. Choking to death on an attractive man’s lap really isn’t the way I wanted to go.” She squeezes her eyes shut and pushes to a stand. “I’m so sorry.”

She keeps her gaze averted as she gathers up the scarf that never seems to end. It gives me time to check her out. Well, shit. This woman is hot. Like Pour a gallon of gasoline on me and light me on fire hot. She has long dark hair, a shade of brown so deep it’s nearly black. Her eyes are the color of coffee or chocolate—something with caffeine in it. Something that would amp me up. And her face . . . daaaaamn. High cheekbones, full lips, a dainty nose, arched brows, thick lashes.

I take in the rest of the package, which gives me pause because her outfit is just . . . out there. She’s wearing a full-on parka, hiding her figure, but based on her legs I’m thinking she’s probably slender. That’s a guess, though, with all the layers she has going on. And that scarf has to be a mile long with how many times she winds it around her neck, hence the near strangulation.

Her little wardrobe malfunction has resulted in a line of people waiting to board, so she rushes down the aisle, throwing another “So sorry” over her shoulder as she disappears into coach.

I’m almost disappointed. Almost, but not quite. I plug my earbuds back in and veg out to movies for the next three hours.

My Review

"A Lie for a Lie" is yet another wonderful book from Helena Hunting.  It's funny, sweet, sexy, and everything else I've come to expect from her writing.  Though it is technically the first book of a new series, it is also related to Hunting's earlier Pucked series and features cameos from several of those characters. I haven't read any of those books (yet), but fortunately for readers like me, "A Lie for a Lie" is a complete standalone. In fact, I didn't even realize that it was connected to the earlier series until I went looking for more information about the characters after I finished reading this story.

I adored both of the main characters in "A Lie for a Lie," Lainey and Rook. At first, Lainey came across as such a sweet, innocent soul who needed to be protected from all of life's difficulties, but as the story progressed, it became clear that there was a core of strength to her that I really admired. Having struggled with anxiety myself, I know exactly how difficult it is to overcome, and what Lainey managed to achieve in spite of her fears is amazing. I found her to be very relatable on a number of levels, and the way her relationship with Rook developed was lovely.

As for Rook, I think I may have found a new favorite book boyfriend!  He was so incredibly sweet with baby Kody, and I loved that he tried so hard to win Lainey over. When Rook finally fell in love, he fell hard.  I appreciated that he wasn't afraid to do whatever it took to show Lainey how much she and Kody meant to him, and how much he wanted to be part of their lives.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next one in the series.

*ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Karina Halle's "The Royal Rogue" is Here!

I am so excited that Karina Halle's "The Royal Rogue" is finally here!  Though it is a complete standalone, it is technically the fourth book in Ms. Halle's loosely connected Nordic Royals series and features Princess Stella of Denmark, who was a secondary character in book #3, "A Nordic King."

It feels like I've been waiting FOREVER to finally read Stella's story (and Amazon didn't help with that perception since technical problems meant that the book took two extra days to be available for sale), but actually, it's only been about a year since the release of "A Nordic King."  Because of the technical problems, I wasn't able to finish reading "The Royal Rogue" prior to publishing my original post, but I have since finished the book and updated my review below.  I am happy to confirm that this story was just as amazing as all of the previous books in this series, which I have loved.

About "The Royal Rogue"

Every family has a black sheep – even the royal ones.

In the royal family of Denmark, that black sheep is me. To the public I’m known as Princess Stella, but I feel anything but royal. As a single mom, divorcee, social outcast, and forever forgotten about under the magnetism and power of my older brother, King Aksel, I’m used to being an outlier. Though it doesn’t matter when my whip-smart nine-year old daughter, Anya, is my whole world anyway.

Then that world of mine gets turned upside down.

I meet Prince Orlando of Monaco, whom the media has dubbed “The Royal Rogue” for many good reasons. I can’t stand that arrogant smirk on his face, the lewd words that leave his lips – pretty much everything about him. I especially can’t stand how infuriatingly sexy he is and how he manages to get under my skin like no one else.

It’s been a long time since a man could make me feel that way, so you can’t really blame me for throwing my willpower out the window and succumbing to a brief but torrid affair with him, full of hot, dirty sex and nothing else.

Until that nothing else turns into something more, in the form of a big surprise.

I thought I got that wicked royal rogue out of my system but there’s a link between us now that neither of us can ignore.

A baby.

My Review

"The Royal Rogue" by Karina Halle was totally worth the wait.   This book gave me all the feels, and I loved it. 

Ms. Halle is a master of creating realistic, well-developed, endearing characters and I always find it easy to empathize with whatever they're going through.  I was intrigued by Stella when she was first introduced in King Aksel's book, and now that I have gotten to know her better through this story, I absolutely adore her.  Stella had a tough go of it with her first husband, and it made me incredibly happy to see her finally get an HEA of her very own with Prince Orlando.  As for Orlando, he is a totally swoon-worthy hero, much kinder and more loving than his bad boy reputation would suggest.  He is a perfect match for Stella, and even though he makes some mistakes along the way, the important thing is that he gets it right in the end.

This book also featured some fantastic secondary characters, and yes, I'm including Snarf Snarf the pig here.  I love Snarf Snarf so much and am thrilled that he made another appearance in this book! The scene when Orlando meets Snarf Snarf for the first time was laugh-out-loud funny and easily one of my favorite parts of the book.  I also loved Stella's daughter, Anya.  She's sweet, funny, and adds some much needed lightness and humor to the story.   Orlando's sister Matilde is pretty awesome too.  She gives Orlando the real talk that he needs, right when he needs it.  (Maybe Matilde can get a book of her own at some point in the future?  I wouldn't mind checking in on all of these characters one more time!)

Even Orlando's "girlfriend," Zoya, was an interesting, complex character that I ended up liking in the end.  At first, I couldn't get over how selfish she seemed and how easily Orlando let her manipulate him, but it was a nuanced situation, and I could understand why he felt pulled so strongly in two different directions. 

Finally, the love scenes in this book were H-O-T, but also surprisingly romantic.  Orlando really seemed to care for Stella from the very beginning, even when they were supposed to be having a purely physical, short-term fling.  Orlando looked out for Stella's needs and desires first, no matter what, which I really appreciated.

Overall, "The Royal Rogue" was another phenomenal read by Karina Halle, and I can't wait to get my hands on her next book!

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Holidate" by Monica Murphy

Today, I am very excited to be participating in the blog tour celebrating Monica Murphy's latest release, "Holidate," book #3 in the Dating series.  I have fallen in love with this entire series and the group of friends featured in it, and always look forward to picking up the newest installment.  A full review is included later in this post, but in short, I loved "Holidate" and found it to be a cute, sweet story that immediately put me in the holiday mood.  Though it is a complete standalone, I very much enjoyed catching up with the couples featured in the previous two books in the series as well as getting to know Candice and Charlie, the main characters of this story. 

About "Holidate"

Holidate, an all-new standalone contemporary holiday romance by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is LIVE!

Candice Gaines loves Christmas. Not only does she bask in the twinkling lights, sing Christmas carols and go crazy with the decorations, she’s also in the giving spirit, donating much of her time and wealth to various charities in the local area.

Charlie Sullivan despises Christmas. Though it keeps his family afloat, considering they own Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm, the main provider for Christmas trees on the Monterey peninsula. He’d much rather work among the trees versus have to deal with people.

But Charlie’s parents are taking on more philanthropic projects—and as their oldest child, they want him to be their official public representative. He just has to play nice and convince everyone he’s not a total holiday hater.

When Charlie’s mom asks Candice to accompany him to a variety of holiday parties and events, she reluctantly agrees. She thinks Charlie is a big ol’ Grinch, but is determined to change his mindset and help him spread Christmas cheer. Charlie finds Candice too chatty, too sweet, too much. Do people like her really exist?

Why yes, yes they do. The more time they spend together—along with a few kisses under the mistletoe—the more they start to like each other. Hopefully Charlie can convince Candice he doesn’t have a heart that’s two sizes too small before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

Read an Excerpt from "Holidate"

I go chasing after Charlie, thankful he hasn’t hopped back on that ATV and torn out of here. He’s headed straight for the giant red building, and I follow behind, having to pick up my step since one of his long strides equals about three of mine. He’s just so stinkin’ tall.

And handsome.

And gruff.

And he smells good. Have I mentioned that? He smells like a pine tree, of course, and his scent is mouth-wateringly delicious.

Ugh. I hate myself sometimes.

He pushes open the door of the building almost violently, sending it swinging wide, and I sneak in behind him, causing him to turn and practically snarl at me when he realizes I’m standing in front of him.

But I forget all about his snarl when I see how enchanting this room is. It’s not an office, but an actual store, filled to the brim with holiday decorations and knickknacks for sale. Candles are burning—I can smell cinnamon and spice wafting in the air. The scent of the real pine trees laden with ornaments standing in the room also lingers, and I breathe deep, closing my eyes for a moment so I can take it all in.

When I open my eyes, it’s to find Charlie standing there, his hands on his hips, his brow lowered. “Are you okay? That head injury still flaring up and giving you trouble?”

I roll my eyes. “No, you idiot. I’m enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Oh, that was mean. I shouldn’t have said that.

But I don’t think he even noticed.

I slowly turn in a circle, pure delight flowing through my veins. I don’t know what to look at first, it’s all so beautiful. And there are layers upon layers of decorations. On the walls, cluttering shelves and tabletops, overflowing giant baskets. And of course there are the trees. They almost sag with their bounty of sparkling ornaments and twinkling lights. It would probably take me hours to explore it all, and I’m dying to start my exploration right at this very moment. “This store is so adorable!”

“My sister Victoria runs it.” He glances over at the counter where the register sits, but no one’s there. “I don’t know where she’s at, though. Maybe you could talk to her about—whatever it is you want to talk about.”

No way is he pushing this agenda onto his sister. Isabel wants Charlie to do this, and no one else.

“We’ve wasted the past five minutes with you huffing and puffing and refusing to speak to me.” I reach into my large bag and pull the folder out I wanted to show him. “Give me ten minutes. That’s all I need to talk about what we’re going to do over the next few weeks.”

He grimaces. Sighs. Tugs the cap off his head, all that gorgeous hair spilling across his forehead, and my fingers literally itch at the chance to push it out of his eyes.

But I restrain myself.

Barely.

My Review

As mentioned above, I loved "Holidate" and would certainly recommend it.  At one point, Candice, the female main character, tells one of her friends that she thinks her life is "about to become a Hallmark Christmas movie," and I would have to agree with that assessment. I could definitely see this book translating to that type of movie!

I loved Candice as a supporting character in the previous book in this series, and she really shines as the lead character here.  She consistently comes across as sweet, lovable, funny, and cute, but she's actually hiding a lot of complex emotions beneath that sunny personality.  Candice misses her mother terribly, and she also suffers from serious self-doubt because she thinks people judge her for not having a job.  She doesn't always recognize the important contributions she makes to the community through her charity work, so it was nice to see her recognized for those contributions in the end.

As for Candice's love interest, Charlie, he didn't immediately come across as very likeable to me, but as the story progressed and I got to know him better, I came to realize that he was just an overworked introvert who didn't enjoy being pushed into social situations.  I think he may also have been afraid of letting his family down if he let go of too much control over the family business, which might have suffered if he didn't keep a close eye on its operations.  I can certainly empathize with those feelings, and that made it easier for me to like Charlie.  He also seemed to be happier and more pleasant as he spent more time with Candice, which didn't hurt.  She really seemed to bring out the best in him!

Overall, "Holidate" was a super fun, cute, and sweet story, perfect for getting readers into the holiday mood.  I hope that Monica Murphy plans to continue writing books in this series, but whether it's connected or not, I look forward to reading whatever book she comes out with next! (That said, for what it's worth, I'd really love to see Stella, Eleanor, and Kelsey get stories of their own...)

*ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: S'more to Lose

S'more to Lose by Beth Merlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked Beth Merlin's "S'more to Lose" even better than the first book in the Campfire series. Main character Gigi seemed so much more confident in herself and her abilities this time around, despite the brief crisis and case of designer's block that sent her back to visit Camp Chinooka one more time in the middle of the book. Rather than running away from her problems, she seemed to be running towards inspiration, which showed just how far her character has come since the beginning of book #1.

As for Gigi's romantic prospects, I have to admit that I wasn't super excited about Gideon, Viscount Satterley, as her prospective love interest. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but overall, Perry, her love interest from the first book, seemed like a better match for her. Perry challenged Gigi and seemed to bring her out of herself, which in turn helped her to find her inspiration. I can't help but hope Gigi and Perry will find a way to reconcile in book #3.

Overall, I loved this book. It stands very well on its own for those who have not yet read the first book in the Campfire series, though I recommend that book too. I can't wait to see what happens in book #3!

*Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Christmas Shopaholic

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I laughed out loud so many times while reading Sophie Kinsella's "Christmas Shopaholic," book #9 in the continuing adventures of Becky Brandon, nee Bloomwood. I have to admit that the previous two books in the series, which were set in Los Angeles, weren't my favorite because they seemed to have lost some of the charm of the earlier books, so I was concerned that the series had run out of gas. However, "Christmas Shopaholic" was easily one of my favorite books of the entire series. It was sweet, funny, and completely heartwarming, and I found it to be a wonderful way to start getting into the Christmas spirit.

I have always loved Becky's imagination, and it is on full display in this story. Ms. Kinsella's vivid descriptions of Becky's imaginings were a lot of fun, and I could see some of the scenes unfolding as if they were on a movie screen. I also loved the fact that the characters still managed to surprise me, even after so many books. A good example is Becky's parents' move to Shoreditch, which they seemed to love. I never would have expected that lifestyle to appeal to them, but apparently it did!

Finally, I adored the book's ending because it left all of the characters in such a good place. As much as I love Becky and her zany band of family and friends, I wouldn't mind if this is where the series ends. It's hard to imagine how Ms. Kinsella could top this book!

*ARC provided by the author via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Excerpt + Giveaway + Review: "Drowning Lessons" by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds

On occasion, I like to pick up a cozy mystery as a change of pace from the (many) romance novels I usually read, which is why I am happy to be participating in the book blitz for "Drowning Lessons" by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds, book #1 in the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series.  As soon as I read the back cover description for this book, I was hooked.  The story sounded like it would be a light, fun read perfect for relaxing by the beach or pool, and it turned out to be exactly that.  The setting was beautiful, the characters were quirky, and the mystery kept me guessing right up until the end.  My full review is below, but overall, I can say that reading this book was an enjoyable way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series when it is released later this month. 

For a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or one of 5 tote bags courtesy of the author, click here!  (Giveaway ends on October 17.)

About "Drowning Lessons"

You are cordially invited to a destination wedding to die for…

Welcome to Bocas del Toro, a remote chain of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Five days of glorious sun and lush rainforest await the forty guests celebrating Bridezilla Olivia’s dream wedding—but will a murder sink the catered affair? Before anyone’s got time to start working on a tan, an unfortunate snorkeling accident eliminates a member of the wedding party. Maid of honor Lexie Marino smells trouble, and is thrust into the responsibility of investigating, needing to solve the case before her bestie’s trip down the aisle gets tropically derailed. The show must go on.

Lexie’s a little too tall, a little too awkward, and a little too brokenhearted, but she’s determined to nail the real killer. Can this unlikely sleuth stay afloat as she’s hit by wave after wave of wildly entertaining characters, including an alpha bride, surfing detectives, and a high school flame long forgotten? You’ll find yourself laughing until the very end of Drowning Lessons, a debut cozy mystery that makes the perfect beach read. Rub in some coconut oil, dangle your feet in the crystal-blue waters of Starfish Beach, and sip a cool drink as Lexie discovers the deductive superpowers she never knew she had. Let the party begin!

Read an Excerpt from "Drowning Lessons"

If I owned a Caribbean resort, I’d put double locks on all the doors, regardless of going against the grain of island courtesy.

After having terrible dreams, I woke up in a cold sweat to find Olivia staring at me as I slept, a sour frown on her pretty face.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “I’ve been terrible over the past couple of days, so I wanted to come by before today gets ridiculous and say I’m sorry and thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me since kindergarten. Thank you for being my family.” She handed me a blue box. “I was going to wait until Sunday, but I felt today might be penultimate.”

“You always get that word wrong. It doesn’t mean best. It means next to last,” I chided.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I knew that blue box, just as all women did. That little blue box that was the curse of the Tiffany & Co. brand. Receiving one was always an adrenaline filled build up and an inevitable let down, not being the big emerald cut engagement ring we’d hoped for. One would be forced to show excitement at the keychain from the silver.

I held my breath and opened Olivia’s box. In the overcast morning light, its contents shimmered: a pair of hoop earrings with three rows of exquisite diamonds, a five-figure purchase. I knew how much they cost because I suggested those for her wedding. She had passed on them for being too subtle, but they were good enough for me.

“Oh my god, thank you.” I excitedly put the earrings on. “This is too much.”

“It’s just money,” she said, having achieved that enviable level where extravagant gifts meant nothing.

Hush money.

“You’ve done more than I should have ever asked, and now on top of bridesmaid stuff, needing to clear Walter’s name and everything. I’ve been on the phone trying to get lawyers from New York, but it’s 6 a.m. I’ve got to get to Panama City to get to the embassy. It’s a mess and it turns out that on this island, it’s easier to close an airport than open it, when the people in charge have gone surfing.

“I’ve been up all night. And I mean all night. I spent hours looking through everyone’s phones we collected for the event. You’d be surprised at how few people lock devices,” Olivia explained. “You’d be shocked at what’s going on! Walter’s uncle Gordon is having an affair with a chiropractor named James. Also, Lloyd, though he is my first suspect, does good seductive texting, and Amanda is close to dumping her husband. You think that she’d tell me!”

I got out of bed and opened the doors to the deck. “Don’t go out there. You don’t know who’s listening,” snapped Olivia, then dropped to a whisper. “I’ve got a boat to take me to Almirante and then a helicopter to Panama City. So, you need to hit the streets, by boat I guess. I need you on the ground. Talk to people. Most homicides are solved within 48 hours. Someone had to see something.

“Anything. You can find something when you’re hosting the zip-line tour. You were good with those cops yesterday. We’re in it. To win it. Color me exhausted. I wish I’d have slept. I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not getting married in a Panamanian prison. Just figure this out. I can’t do both.

“I really am still banned from the police station. I guess you can do that down here. My face is on a Polaroid with a devil mustache and horns, so entry is denied. Can’t be legal. Don’t worry, I’ll be back for the costume party.”

She stood up and headed for the door, then thought twice, coming back and hugged me for a long time.

I whispered, “You have to come clean.”

We sat on the bed and she cried, not having any answers or clues. Her long blond hair was sweaty and she hadn’t been sticking to her three showers a day routine.

When I finally wiped her last tear away, she begged, “You’re the only one I can trust. Everyone will leave and I’ll never get married. Or we can at least find someone else we can implicate, like my sister…”

All for the sake of a walk down La Gruta’s bat lane and an eventual piece of blood red velvet cake.

There are ways I could have saved the day for everyone else. With Olivia away for the day, I could have fought to open the airport and evacuate the wedding. We’d still be on a plane with a killer, but it was a risk I was almost ready to take.

My Review

I enjoyed "Drowning Lessons," though I must admit that I found the first half a bit slow-paced for my tastes.  Fortunately, the story picked up in the second half, and I read most of the book in one sitting.

I found the characters to be enjoyably quirky, especially Lloyd, a.k.a "the Dissector," the accused (but never proven) serial killer; flighty bridezilla Olivia; flirty Migs the photographer; and surfer detectives LaGuardia and McDonough.  I wasn't crazy about Josh, main character Lexie's love interest, but since this book wasn't a romance, I was able to mostly ignore that aspect of the story and focus on the other elements. I especially appreciated the book's comedic elements, as well as the fact that the mystery kept me guessing until the end. 

Overall, "Drowning Lessons" was a light, easy read, perfect for enjoying by the beach or pool.  I will plan to read the next book in the series to see where Lexie's adventures take her next.

*ARC provided by the author via Xpresso Book Tours.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Review: The Mistletoe Matchmaker: A Novel

The Mistletoe Matchmaker: A Novel by Felicity Hayes-McCoy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There was a definite Maeve Binchy feel to Felicity Hayes-McCoy's "The Mistletoe Matchmaker," but unfortunately, I did not find this book to be as enjoyable or engaging as one of Ms. Binchy's. The characters were not as likeable as Binchy's, there were too many of them for me to keep track of, and the story was rather slow-paced. Overall, I found the book to be pretty boring.

Further, given the book's title, I was expecting there to be a stronger holiday/Christmas theme but it was barely even mentioned for a good chunk of the book, except in the context of how long Cassie, one of the primary characters, planned to stay in Ireland ("until after Christmas"). When the subject of the holidays finally did come up, the main focus was on preparations for the town's Christmas festival, not on the actual holiday.

On the bright side, this book is a total standalone. I had no idea that it is actually part of a series until I was almost finished reading it. That said, based on my feelings about this book, I don't think I would continue with the series. I doubt I fall within the intended demographic for this book, but I could see my grandmother enjoying it. It wasn't badly written, just slower paced than the books I usually enjoy.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Getting Played" by Emma Chase

I am very excited to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the e-book release of Emma Chase's "Getting Played," book #2 in the Getting Some series.  I've been a fan of Emma Chase's writing for a while now, and in that time she has created several of my all-time favorite contemporary heroes. (Drew Evans of "Tangled" fame, I'm especially looking at you!)  I'm pleased to add Dean Walker of "Getting Played" to that list.  Dean was a wonderful secondary character in the first book of the series, "Getting Schooled," and I loved him even more as the main character of this novel.  He found his perfect match in Lainey, and watching their story unfold was delightful.

My full review of "Getting Played" is included later in this post, but in short, I loved this book and highly recommend it even for readers who haven't already read the first book in the series.  It is a complete stand-alone, though the main characters from book #1 do make guest appearances, and their story is also well worth reading.

About "Getting Played"

Dean Walker is all about keeping life simple. He’s effortlessly talented and intelligent—spending his summers playing drums in the local band and the rest of the year teaching high school in the same Jersey town where he grew up. He likes his love-life simple too, enjoying the commitment-free hook-ups his good looks and sexy charm have always made oh-so easy.

Then he meets Lainey Burrows. And his simple, easy life gets turned upside down.

***

One wild one-night stand was all it was ever supposed to be, so Lainey is shocked when she discovers that her sizzling summer fling is also her son’s new math teacher. But that’s nothing compared to the most unexpected twist of all—their hot hook-up left Lainey knocked-up, and now they’re about to become parents. Together.

What ensues is an addictive, insatiable, sweet and tender romance that won’t be simple, but it will be more than worth the fight.

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

Read an Excerpt from "Getting Played"

Dean

I find Lainey in the living room—standing on a ladder, with those long, toned legs peeking out from itty bitty cotton black shorts and a power drill in her hand, while Bruce Springsteen sings “I’m Goin’ Down” from a speaker in the corner.

And, dear God—the things I could do to her on that ladder.

Wonderful, filthy things that instantly make my heart pound and my cock throb. She’s the perfect height for me to just walk over there and put my mouth between her legs. I picture it, see it in my mind—the way she’d grip my hair and pant my name, arch her back and writhe against my face . . .

But then I catch sight of the small bump of her stomach, and reality smacks me in the head. I think about the baby—and how making Lainey lose her mind three feet off the ground wouldn’t be the safest option. My protective instinct overrides the desire to get freaky on the ladder.

“Hey, Dean.” She sets the drill on the ledge and picks up a beeping light green rectangle, running it along the wall.

“What are you doing up there?” I ask.

I don’t have a decorative bone in my body, but the room looks good—with light gray walls and navy corduroy covered couches, reclaimed wood tables and a dozen different-sized candles filling the white-washed brick fireplace. It’s clean and simple but warm, the kind of place you’d look forward to coming back to every day.

“I’m going to hang up those boards.” Lainey gestures to three square planks, with ornamental arrows burned black into the wood. “I just want to make sure this stud-finder works.”

“If you’re looking for a stud,” I wink, “I’m standing right in front of you.”

“Ha-ha. I’ll keep that in mind.”

She turns back to the wall, reaching up over her head and stretching onto her tippy toes on the narrow step. I move under the ladder to catch her if she goes ass over end, and a stab of terror slices through me at the thought that Lainey would still be doing this if I wasn’t here. Alone. Without Jason even in the room in case something went terribly wrong.

What the hell is up with that?

“I read that you’re not supposed to reach above your head when you’re pregnant.”

“That’s just an old wives’ tale.”

I wrap my hands around her hips, holding her steady.

“Maybe the old wives knew what they were talking about. Come on, come down.”

Slowly, Lainey lowers her arms and turns in my hands. I lift her off the ladder by her hips, tilting my head back and holding her above me for a moment, before sliding her slowly down. And the feel of her softness rubbing against me, the friction—it’s fantastic.

When her feet are on the ground, I dip my head and our faces are just millimeters apart. Close enough to count the sprinkle of cute, light freckles that dust the bridge of her nose.

“That’s better,” I say softly, taking the stud-finder out of her hands. “I’ll do it.”

“Okay.” Lainey’s tongue peeks out, wetting her bottom lip. “Thanks.”

Like I said . . . fucking killing me.

***

My Review

I loved "Getting Played" because it was sweet, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny.  I found Dean's feud with Lucy ("Lucifer") the cat and the antics of little Will (Garrett and Callie's toddler son) to be particularly comical.  As Dean learned, you really shouldn't swear in front of little kids if you don't want them to repeat those words!

This story also featured wonderful main characters in Dean and Lainey.  Despite his reputation as a shallow player who was afraid to commit, Dean turned out to be an incredibly loving, caring man who looked out for Lainey and her son Jason as well as his grandmother and his students.  The way he treated his students was wonderful, and I especially liked how he made them take time to be kids at the end of each class.  Even if it was only five minutes a day, I can see how that downtime could make a world of difference in their often hectic lives.  The students themselves were very endearing, and Dean's interactions with them showed that he would be an excellent stepfather to Jason and father to his own child.

As for Lainey, she was a great mom and I loved that she was so passionate about her career.  I was also very excited by the fact that her sister Erin was Drew Evans's assistant from the "Tangled" series.  It felt a bit like an Easter egg included in the story for longtime Emma Chase fans. It was great to catch up with Erin and her boyfriend through their interactions with Lainey, as well as with Garrett and Callie from the first book of this series.

Overall, "Getting Played" is another winner from Emma Chase and I can't wait to see what she writes next. (Might I suggest a story for Garrett's brother, Connor?)

*ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Bewitching the Forbidden Duke

Bewitching the Forbidden Duke by Scarlett Osborne
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 61% (chapter entitled "A Series of Misunderstandings")

I really hate to be so hard on a book, but in the spirit of honesty, if I could rate Scarlett Osborne's "Bewitching the Forbidden Duke" zero stars, I would. I found this book to be poorly researched, written, and edited, with unlikable, unintelligent characters and a mostly nonsensical plot. Even the book's title doesn't really make sense; the male main character, Patrick, is the son of a duke and uses the courtesy title of marquess, but is not a duke himself. (To be fair, perhaps he inherits the title at some point after I stopped reading, but even so, he definitely was not a duke for more than half the book, so I think they could have come up with a better title.)

My biggest problem with this book was that I did not like the main characters, Melissa and Patrick. Melissa came across as immature and unintelligent, while Patrick seemed pretty spineless as he mindlessly obeyed his father's orders, almost without question, and turned a blind eye to the rumors about his father's unsavory business dealings. Melissa and Patrick's relationship development was basically nonexistent, and I had a difficult time figuring out why they wanted to be together so badly. It seemed like a case of "insta-love" on Patrick's part coupled with Melissa's determination to pursue Patrick as revenge on her mother and sister, Rose, because her mother blatantly favored Rose, and Rose wanted Patrick.

Aside from the awful main characters, there were a lot of things about the plot that didn't make sense to me. For example, after they decided to elope, Melissa and Patrick spent an entire afternoon together unchaperoned in Hyde Park, and were seen by several members of the ton. They were incredibly indiscreet, with Patrick even dragging Melissa off the path to make out with her in the trees, which should have resulted in Melissa's total ruination in the eyes of Society. However, the next morning, Melissa has a change of heart and sends Patrick a note, telling him that since his engagement to Rose was never "publicly revoked," he can just go back to being engaged to Rose. I don't think it would have been that easy given their shenanigans in the park the day before! (Also, I don't think Patrick's engagement to Rose was ever officially announced, just discussed between the families, so there wasn't anything for him to "publicly" go back to. But that's beside the point.)

Further, it made no sense for Melissa to freak out about Patrick's father's planned hunt, and for that to be the reason she questioned whether Patrick was lying to her about breaking his engagement to Rose. She obviously didn't understand how an elopement was supposed to work since her lady's maid, Brynn, had to explain to her repeatedly that Melissa couldn't tell anyone about what she and Patrick were planning. Given the need for secrecy, why did Melissa think Patrick would tell his father about their planned elopement, when he would have tried to stop them from carrying out their plans? It makes total sense to me why Patrick would have wanted his father to believe that he still planned to marry Rose, and if Melissa wasn't so dumb, she would have realized that too.

Finally, there were a number of historical details in this book that the author just plain got wrong. For example, I don't think unmarried young ladies would have been permitted to correspond with gentlemen, other than close relatives, without their parents' permission. At first, before Rose's "engagement" to Patrick, Melissa and Brynn act like it's no big deal for Melissa to write to Patrick, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a huge breach of propriety. Similarly, it would have been a breach of propriety for Melissa to attend an overnight party unchaperoned. Her lady's maid would not have been considered a suitable chaperone since she wouldn't have been welcome to participate in the festivities.

In addition, the author didn't seem to be using titles correctly for the ducal characters or their offspring. For example, she referred to both Rose and Melissa as "Lady Greyfield" on several occasions, which is incorrect. Their father's title was the Duke of Greyfield, but their last (family) name was Alford. As his daughters, their full names would have been Lady Rose Alford and Lady Melissa Alford, and they would have been addressed as Lady Rose and Lady Melissa. Further, the author repeatedly referred to their mother as "Lady Greyfield," which is also incorrect. She might have been addressed as "Her Grace" or "Duchess," but never as "Lady Greyfield."

I almost never DNF books, but I have now done so twice in the past few months, and both of them were published by Cobalt Fairy. I don't think it's a coincidence.

*ARC provided by the author/publisher via BookFunnel. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Blog Tour + Giveaway + Review: "Never Have I Ever" by Lauren Blakely

I am thrilled to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the release of Lauren Blakely's latest novel, "Never Have I Ever," the third book in the Always Satisfied series.  A full review is included later in this post, but in short, I absolutely adored this sweet, funny, and sexy story and cannot recommend it highly enough.  Even though it is part of a series, it is a complete standalone, which is perfect for readers like me who have never before picked up any of Ms. Blakely's books.  This story was a delightful introduction to Ms. Blakely's work, and I plan to work my way through the rest of her backlist as soon as I can!

In celebration of the release of "Never Have I Ever," Lauren Blakely is giving away a Reader's Delight Prize Package including a 32 GB waterproof Kindle Paperwhite, a $50 Amazon gift card, and a Happy Planner for 2020.  For your chance to win, click here!  (Giveaway closes on October 14.) 

About "Never Have I Ever"

Falling for the enemy has never been so deliciously complicated in this standalone romance where a sexy single dad meets his unexpected match! Get ready for all the feels!

Never have I ever been so infuriated by a man I wanted to kiss.

They say opposites attract, but I beg to differ. Combust is more like it. Because every single time I talk to Zach Nolan, I see red.

The too-good-looking, too-smart, too-effortlessly charming single dad who works down the hall from me has turned getting under my skin into a sport. Call it the battle of wits between the wedding planner and the divorce attorney.

Trouble is, when we’re forced into closer quarters planning an engagement party for our best friends, I start to see his other sides.

And I fear I’m falling for the enemy.

***

I’m not out to make friends. My goals are simple -- fight till the end for my clients, and my family.

The last thing I need is a vibrant, outgoing, snarky, and surprisingly big-hearted wedding planner to spend my precious free time with…except, watching Piper bond with my daughter just might break down the cinder block walls I’ve built around my heart these last few years.

Second chances don’t come around for guys like me…or do they?

My Review

As mentioned above, I adored this book and found it very difficult to put down.  I basically ignored my family and friends for an entire afternoon just so I could finish it!  I really did have all the feels as I read, from tears of sadness to tears of laughter and joy. 

The main characters, Piper and Zach, were incredibly well-developed and likeable. I loved their initial relationship and banter as frenemies, and their interactions only got better from there.  Both Zach and Piper carried a lot of emotional baggage from their previous relationships, but I was amazed by how well they handled it.  I particularly liked how they communicated with each other instead of bottling up their feelings and letting things build to a gigantic explosion in the end.

I also loved that Zach was able to acknowledge his love for his first wife, Anna, but still recognize that he had moved on from her loss and was ready to fall in love again. I really appreciated the book's message that there can be more than one great love in someone's life, and in this case, Zach was blessed to have found both Anna and Piper.

The secondary characters in this book were fantastic, too.  I enjoyed meeting some of the characters from earlier books in this series, such as Sloane and Jason. In addition, Zach's children, Henry and Lucy, were adorable and nearly stole the show in a few places.  Lucy was wonderfully smart and confident, and Henry was so calm and sweet.  Their growing relationship with Piper was lovely, and it was very sweet how she fell in love with them right along with their father.

Overall, I really can't recommend this book highly enough, and I very much look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future.

*ARC provided by the author via Candi Kane PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.