Re-Release Blitz + Review: "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?" by Abigail Sharpe

I am very happy to participate in the re-release blitz celebrating "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?" by Abigail Sharpe, book #2 of the Love Match series. (This book was previously published in 2013 as volume two of the With This Ring series.) It reads as a total standalone, though a couple of characters from the first book in the series make cameo appearances in this one. Readers who are new to the series will be able to start here without any problems.

I enjoyed this book even more than I had anticipated based on the synopsis. It was funny, sweet, and surprisingly emotional, featuring endearing characters and a well-crafted romance. I found it very easy to root for main characters Quinn and Sabrina to figure out a way to make their relationship work despite all of the obstacles standing in their way. I highly recommend "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?" for all fans of contemporary romance and look forward to checking out more of Abigail Sharpe's work in the future.

 

About "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?"

When her pediatric hospital faces a financial crisis, Dr. Sabrina Bankhead is willing to do anything to save it and the children it serves. Agreeing to be the bachelorette for a TV fundraiser seems like the best way to help, until the single mom discovers the host is far more appealing than any of the contestants. But falling for Quinn would ruin the competition and bankrupt the hospital. Plus, his restless nature sets off all of Sabrina's warning bells, which makes him one big walking Off Limits sign with blue eyes and flashing lights.

While back in the States recovering from a bomb blast in a combat zone, investigative journalist Quinn Donnelly lets his sister talk him into hosting a charity dating show against his better judgment. As a lifelong nomad with a driving need to uncover the injustices in the world, Quinn isn't looking to give up his work or settle down. Yet he's blindsided by the irresistible Dr. Bankhead, and suddenly wondering if he could exchange the biggest story of his career for a chance at love and life in a small town. 

 

 

My Review

 

I very much enjoyed Abigail Sharpe's "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?", a funny, sweet, and surprisingly emotional story that featured endearing characters and a well-crafted romance. I really liked the female lead, Dr. Sabrina Bankhead, a compassionate and caring pediatrician with quite a lot on her plate as the single mother of a young son, Noah. Sabrina agreed to participate in a reality dating show in order to raise money for renovations to her pediatric hospital, but had no intention of actually following through with a relationship - at least, not until she met Quinn Donnelly, an investigative journalist home on leave to recover from injuries he sustained in Afghanistan who had agreed to serve as the show's host.

Like Sabrina, Quinn was very dedicated to his job, and he was determined to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible so that he could return to Afghanistan and complete his assignment. Neither of them was looking for a serious relationship and they knew that getting involved with each other was against the rules, but they couldn't help being drawn together from the moment they met. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep things between them a secret forever, and when their relationship was revealed to the public, most of the community turned against Sabrina while things between her and Quinn fell apart. After that, I found it very easy to root for them to get their relationship back on track and figure out a way to make it work long-term, despite all of the obstacles still standing in their way.
 

I enjoyed getting to know several of the book's secondary characters in addition to Quinn and Sabrina, especially Sabrina's sister Melora. She seemed to have quite an interesting background, and I hope that the author will consider telling her story (and maybe matching her up with husband #5) in a future book.

Overall, I highly recommend "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?" for all fans of contemporary romance and look forward to checking out more of Abigail Sharpe's work in the future.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via L. Woods PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Review: "Painting the Lines" by Ashley R. King

Today, I am delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Ashley R. King's "Painting the Lines," book #1 of the Ace of Hearts series. 

 

If someone had told me a few months ago that an author would publish a book about tennis I would not only read but also enjoy, I'm not sure I would have believed it. (I like sports romances, but tennis? Not generally my thing.) Surprisingly enough, debut author Ashley R. King managed to do exactly that, and so impressively that I was honestly shocked when I learned that this was her first novel. "Painting the Lines" was charming, funny, and sweet, and I found it very easy to root for main characters Amalie and Julian both individually and as a couple. I recommend this endearing enemies-to-lovers romance for all fans of contemporary romance, sports romance, and romantic comedy, and will definitely be watching to see what Ashley R. King writes next.

 

About "Painting the Lines"

Amalie Warner wants another shot to prove that she can be a successful writer. After hitting the bestseller’s list nine years ago, she’s lost her spark. Feeling pressure from her father to leave her writing behind and to work for her family’s lucrative hotel business, she’s desperate to find inspiration for her next big idea, something that challenges and excites her, something real.

Enter Julian Smoke, a failed tennis player making a dream run for the US Open. After a chance meeting at a bar, Amalie hates him instantly. He’s cocky and arrogant, but Amalie knows his story could be her big break. Could he be more?

Everyone knows that in tennis, love means zero, but these two are about to change that.

Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and Wimbledon.

 

 

My Review

 

I enjoyed Ashley R. King's "Painting the Lines," a charming, funny, and sweet story featuring likeable, well-developed characters and a well-crafted enemies-to-lovers romance. Even when they supposedly disliked each other, main characters Amalie and Julian couldn't hide the undercurrent of attraction between them. I couldn't wait for them to stop fighting it and finally act on their feelings. Their witty, flirtatious banter was a lot of fun and made me laugh out loud more than once, and I found it very easy to root for them, both individually and as a couple, as they pursued their respective dreams of renewed success as a novelist and reaching the U.S. Open.

 

The book's secondary characters, particularly Julian's coach Paul and Amalie's best friend Romina, who served as Julian's trainer, were also wonderful and added a tremendous amount of depth and humor to the narrative. Neither Paul nor Romina were easy on Julian, but they gave him exactly the push he needed to get his head back in the game and be ready to win. Paul seemed to be well on the way to his own HEA by the end of this book, but I hope we will see Romina again in the next book of the series!

I recommend this story for all fans of contemporary romance, sports romance, and romantic comedy, and will certainly be watching to see what Ashley R. King writes next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via InkSlingerPR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Excerpt + Review: "The Wedding Date Disaster" by Avery Flynn

Congratulations to Avery Flynn on the release of her latest novel, "The Wedding Date Disaster." I've become a big fan of Ms. Flynn's over the past year or so, both because she writes some of the best rom-coms I've ever read and also because she's such a genuinely nice, funny person. (Don't just take my word for it, go check out her Facebook readers group and see for yourself!) "The Wedding Date Disaster" was everything I've come to expect from one of her books: laugh-out-loud funny, charming, and sweet, with just the right amount of steam. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy, especially those who enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers and/or fake relationship tale.

 

The main characters of this story, Hadley and Will, were both very likeable and well-developed, and I enjoyed their snarky banter immensely. Even when they supposedly hated each other, they couldn't quite hide their strong mutual attraction. I couldn't wait for them to stop fighting and finally give into their feelings! Will and Hadley were both dealing with more emotional baggage than was immediately apparent, and the connection they formed while spending time together on Hadley's family ranch was lovely. I think it surprised them both to realize how much they understood about what the other was going through, but their relationship really brought out the best in both of them and helped them overcome a lot of what was holding them back from moving forward with their lives.

Aside from Hadley and Will, I adored the book's secondary characters, who added a tremendous amount of depth and humor to the narrative. First, there was Will's twin brother Web, who was also Hadley's best friend and played an instrumental role in bringing the two of them together. In addition, I enjoyed getting to know Hadley's family, particularly her grandfather, PawPaw, who never hesitated to say exactly what he was thinking or show off his competitive nature. Hadley's siblings were a lot of fun too, and it would be great to read stories about them (and Web!) in the future.

Overall, I absolutely loved "The Wedding Date Disaster" and can't wait to see what Avery Flynn comes up with next!

 

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

 

 

About "The Wedding Date Disaster"

I can’t believe I have to go home to Nebraska for my sister’s wedding. I’m gonna need a wingman and a whole lot of vodka for this level of family interaction. At least my bestie agreed he’d man up and help. Too bad he had to catch a different flight than me. Then his plane got delayed. And finally—because bad things always happen in threes—instead of my best friend, his evil twin strolls out of the airport.

If you looked up doesn’t-deserve-to-be-that-confident, way-too-hot-for-his-own-good billionaire in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Will Holt. He’s awful. Horrible. The worst—even if his butt looks phenomenal in those jeans.

 

Ten times worse? My buffer was supposed to be there to keep me away from the million and one family events. But Satan’s spawn just grins and signs us up for every. Single. Thing.

Fine. “Cutthroat” Scrabble? I’m in. I can’t wait to take this guy down a notch.

But somewhere between Pictionary and the teasing glint in his eyes, our bickering starts to feel like more than just a game…

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "The Wedding Date Disaster"

"Will. It’s good to have you here for this special occasion.”

“Thanks for having me, and please let me know what I can do to help.” The polite words came out almost as a reflex, because the answer was always no when it came to big events that were always catered and planned by professionals.

“Don’t suppose you can cook?” Sharon asked.

Considering she probably didn’t want her entire family slightly poisoned by undercooked chicken, there was only one answer he could give. “No, but I can wash dishes like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Good.” She gave him a real smile this time that had the corners of her eyes crinkling. “You’ve got a job.”

As everyone started to walk inside, Hadley pulled him back half a step. “Do you even know how to wash dishes?”

“I can load a dishwasher.” Occasionally he even did it. Usually, though, the cleaning crew took care of all that at his Harbor City penthouse.

“But have you ever actually done that?” She took a step closer, looking up at him with a knowing little smirk—the one that told him she knew just how full of shit he was. “Have you ever washed dishes by hand?”

“I’m not a complete spoiled jerk,” he said, sounding exactly like one even to his own ears.

She just lifted an eyebrow.

God, she was pushy—something that should have been annoying. Really, it was annoying. Completely. Utterly. Without a doubt. That was the only reason why he couldn’t drag his attention away from that smart mouth of hers because he couldn’t believe what words came out of it.

“Okay, fine.” He closed the distance between them, using the advantage of his height to look down at her. “No. I haven’t, but I’m sure I won’t have a problem excelling at it just like I do everything else.”

“Oh really?” she asked, not giving an inch. “I suppose you can also excel at all the ranching chores, like help check the fencing and gather eggs and muck the stalls, too.”

“Of course,” he said, his mouth running without his brain because all he could think about was how badly he wanted to kiss that knowing grin off her face right now. “By the end of the week, your relatives will be thinking of me like I’m just another cowboy in the family. They’re gonna love me.”

Hadley scoffed. “No. Fucking. Way.”

“Wanna bet?”

He had no idea why he was doing this. Proving her wrong about his abilities to wash dishes or muck fences or mend stalls or be a beloved member of her family wasn’t on his agenda. He was here for one reason: to convince her to take her gold-digger hooks out of his brother. She was priming Web, softening him up for the taking. He’d seen it before—lived it—and the pattern was the same as what Mia had done to him. Start with friendship, add in some damsel-in-distress bullshit like her I-really-need-you-to-go-to-my-sister’s-wedding ploy, and then go in for the multimillion-dollar kill.

“So do we have a bet or not?” he asked.

“Bet on what?” she asked as she pantomimed pulling finger guns from a holster on each side of her round hips and shooting them into the air like a trick shot. “That you can become a rootin’ tootin’ city slicker cowboy much beloved by my family in a week? It’ll never happen.”

Oh, it was definitely happening now. Winning was his specialty. There was no way he’d lose to her. “If you lose, you leave my brother alone. If I lose—which isn’t going to happen—I’ll never mention you being a gold digger again, and I’ll get out from between you and my brother.”

Hadley released a dramatic sigh and pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. “Oh no, all my plans to marry a billionaire are in jeopardy.”

Such a smart-ass. 

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Her Summer Prince" by Freda Ann

Congratulations to author Freda Ann on the release of "Her Summer Prince," the second novella in the Bliss Cay series.

 

I usually love romances that feature royalty, but I've had bad luck with them lately because I haven't enjoyed the last several I've picked up. As much as I wish it weren't the case, "Her Summer Prince" is one of the ones on that list. On the positive side, it was a very sweet story, totally clean (a few mentions of kissing only), and had a fluffy Hallmark movie vibe. On the negative side, I found the plot to be incredibly unrealistic and was left with a lot of unanswered questions at the end. I understand that it's sometimes necessary to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy fiction, but this story asked a bit too much of me in that regard.  

My biggest problem with the story was the complete lack of relationship development between main characters Charlotte and Prince Harry. This plot was probably as close to the definition of insta-love as I've ever come across; Harry sees Charlotte "strut" down a dock and instantly decides that she's his dream girl. This impression is confirmed for him through about five minutes of inane conversation in which he asks her if Charlotte is a family name, and she reciprocates by asking about his full name, Harold, which they decide is old-fashioned and stuffy.

It didn't help matters that the story was so disjointed and jumped forward in time with no explanation or transition. In the middle of a chapter, literally from one paragraph to the next, it skipped from the day after Charlotte and Harry first met to the end of their trip six weeks later. At that point, they were already "in love" and planning a future together as soon as she finished college, so their entire courtship took place off the page. Without seeing them spend a significant amount of time together, how was I supposed to believe in the strength of their feelings? I didn't even know what they liked about each other! (Sidenote: In six weeks together, they never managed to exchange phone numbers? Really? Why would they leave something so important until the last possible second of their time together?)

There were a lot of other things about the story that bothered me. For example, it made no sense for the crown to pass from Harry's father to his mother upon his father's death. It should have gone directly to Harry, who was of legal age and already a college graduate at the time. This bizarre, archaic form of elective monarchy was apparently contrived as one more barrier to keep Harry and Charlotte apart so that Harry's mother could invoke the law stating that the heir to the throne must have the reigning monarch's permission to marry. As to that, how could Harry and his brother possibly have grown up not knowing about that law? Basically every royal family in the world has such a rule; it's even in the news every time a member of the British royal family gets engaged!
 

I had a lot of questions about Charlotte and her background, too, but the biggest one related to her ex-husband. Where was he in all of this? Did her son have any kind of relationship with his father (visitation, etc.) since the divorce? If so, wouldn't he object to the possibility of Charlotte moving their son to another country to be with Harry?

 

Overall, I wanted to like this story so much more than I actually did. Unfortunately, there were just too many things about it that bothered me, and I can't recommend it. However, it may well appeal to fans of sweet/clean romance who are less detail-oriented (read: nitpicky) than me. I invite you to check out the book trailer and excerpt below and judge for yourself whether or not this story is for you.

 

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

 

 

About "Her Summer Prince"

This sweet/clean Hallmark style love story will make you laugh, cry, and give you goosebumps all the way to a happy ending!

Prince of Shorewick and next in line to the throne, Harry has more than enough on his plate, between his royal duties and overbearing Queen mother. During one fateful summer in Bliss Cay, his life changes forever when he meets the girl of his dreams.

Celebrating her graduation on the island, Charlotte Warren is swept off her feet by her knight in shining armor, falling hard and fast for this dashing stranger.

When a horrible tragedy comes calling, Harry is forced to pack up and leave Bliss without a moment’s notice for the Kingdom of Shorewick. In the mad dash to get home, Harry realizes too late that he left without saying goodbye.

Ten years pass of lost contact, and only now has Charlotte’s heart begun to mend after the heartache Harry inflicted. Now a successful businesswoman and mother to her beautiful son Noah and furry companion Chloe, Charlotte finally takes the jump and decides to return to Bliss Cay for the first time since that fateful summer.

Returning to the island is a step towards conquering her past, but instead she finds herself face to face with the man who shattered her heart into a million pieces.

The last decade has changed them both. Harry has the responsibility of the monarchy looming over him, yet all he wants is to live his life with the woman he loves…a commoner in the eyes of the monarchy. 

 

Check out the book trailer for "Her Summer Prince" here!

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Her Summer Prince"

“Hey—you! The lady said to leave her alone. I suggest you do it. Now!”

I scan the direction where the contemptuous voice came from, and a tall dark figure steps from the shadows full of grace and virility.

Good Lord, where did the Adonis come from? I swear my heart skips a beat. A sigh of relief escapes me as my eyes, acting of their own volition, are drawn to what I can see of his face.

Not stopping there, they examine his firm features and confident shoulders. Please tell me I’m not dreaming. This guy is a photographer’s dream. Whew!

My involuntary perusal of the individual in front of us seems to be amusing as a corner of his mouth curls up. He pulls his gaze away, eyeing the idiot who has me pinned against the railing of the dock, an arm on each side of me.

When I strutted to the end of the dock moments ago, my focus was on a sliver of the moon peeking out from the horizon, and while I was snapping photos I suppose I should’ve been more aware of my surroundings.

Barely able to stand, the man restricting my movement glares at the Adonis with glassy eyes, as if he was from another planet. “I saw—“

He hangs his head low, looking pale before finishing, “I—saw her f—first.”

“Huh. So you saw her last year…before I proposed to her on this beach?” I raise my brows as Adonis fans his hand through the air while easing closer.

The guy, reeking of alcohol, glances in the direction Mr. Perfect motioned to. His legs wobble when he attempts to turn back around.

While the guy struggles to stay upright, Adonis flicks his head at me for my attention. Duh…does he not realize he’s had it from the minute he showed up? I tip my chin up, watching to see what he’s going to do.

He uses dummy proof sign language, pointing to the inebriated man and motioning for me to move out of the way when he grabs him.

Bobbing my head, he wastes no time going into action and I take off running halfway down the dock to watch for the fallout.

As luck would have it, not a hair was harmed on his head or anywhere else on that hunky body. The weakened man didn’t even attempt to put up a fight.

Holding tightly onto him, they pass by me with a strong odor of alcohol in their wake. I trail behind flailing my hand in front of my face trying to breathe fresh air.

At the end of the dock, he mumbles something to the guy before pointing him to the left. He gives him a push off for good measure. I’m surprised he didn’t fall over.

He watches intently until the lanky frame fades into the night. As Mr. Perfect turns to face me, the light reveals his compelling blue eyes with a faint hint of humor bubbling beneath the surface.

Feeling more nervous than I was while being held against my will, I exhale and lock eyes with my savior. “Thank you, um…for that.” I point to the dead air feeling like a dumb blonde. “I was afraid I might have to resort to unladylike measures before you came along.” I snicker.

He grins looking devilishly handsome. The shadow of his well-groomed, closely shaven beard gives him an even manlier aura, if that’s even possible. Bearded men aren’t typically my type, but the guy totally rocks facial hair.

“I was happy to be of assistance.” He gives me a sideways nod. Well, that was different. Who nods like that?

The man has a very appealing British accent which compliments his tall, dark and handsome physique. Could Adonis get any more perfect?

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Temptation on Ocean Drive" by Jennifer Probst

Today, I am delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Temptation on Ocean Drive" by Jennifer Probst, book #2 of the Sunshine Sisters series. This book reads as a total standalone, making it perfect for readers (like me) who haven't yet picked up the first book in the series. 

Main characters Bella and Gabe were both very likeable and sympathetic, and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA. Their journey presented a number of challenges because of the emotional baggage they both carried, and they each made some mistakes along the way. Somehow that just made their story seem more realistic and relatable, however, and when they finally worked through all of those issues and came together as a family with Bella's young daughter, Zoe, their happiness felt incredibly well deserved. 

 

The book's secondary characters, most notably Bella's sisters Avery and Taylor, Avery's fiance Carter, and Taylor's best friend Pierce, were just as likeable as Bella and Gabe themselves and added a tremendous amount of depth and humor to the story. I loved the way the sisters interacted, and even though they often teased each other, it was clear how much they loved and supported each other. I also appreciated the way that the entire family pitched in to help Bella with Zoe.

Overall, I really enjoyed "Temptation on Ocean Drive" and recommend it for all fans of emotional contemporary romance. I will definitely be going back to read the first book of the series, which featured Avery and Carter's romance, and look forward to picking up Taylor's story next spring!

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

 

 About "Temptation on Ocean Drive"

Temptation on Ocean Drive, A heart-stirring novel of unrequited love and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst is live!

Young widow Bella Sunshine-Caldwell is focused only on raising her daughter and running the family business, Sunshine Bridal. There’s no time for romance—especially with her fellow wedding planner, Gabe, whom she’s growing increasingly attracted to. He’s too enterprising to stay in Cape May for long, anyway. And too tall, dark, and handsome to be anything but a heartbreaker.

Every woman in town has her sights on Gabe Garcia. The only woman he has eyes for doesn’t seem interested. All he wants is to fall in love, be a father, and settle down. As he and Bella work together on a magical winter wedding, the distance between them closes, the nights grow warmer, and Bella might be seeing Gabe for who he really is: a man worth the effort.

But all it takes is a single rumor for these two hearts’ fragile love story to shatter. And now the happy ending Bella and Gabe hoped for is something they’re going to have to fight for.

Download your copy today or read free in Kindle Unlimited! 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Temptation on Ocean Drive"

He repeated the question. “I need to know. Why was it easier not to believe me?”

This time, she didn’t hesitate. “Because then I could pretend you weren’t the man I really wanted.”

“And do you? Want me?”

She jerked back. Her tongue slipped out to wet her bottom lip. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Yes.”

He muttered a curse. Then leaned forward, his hand cupping her chin. “I want to kiss you, Bella. I’ve been wanting to kiss you forever, but I need to know it’s okay.”

She stared at him, pupils dilated, ragged breaths panting from her lips, and he knew this moment would be carved out in his mind—the first time he saw her face reflect her open want for him. She gave a tiny nod.

He moved closer. His lips stopped an inch from hers. “No. You need to say it.”

“Yes. Kiss me, Gabe.”

His mouth covered hers.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "The Billionaire's Princess" by Ava Ryan

Congratulations to author Ava Ryan on the release of her brand-new novel, "The Billionaire's Princess," book #1 of the Fairy Tale Billionaires series.

 

I hate writing reviews that are less than completely enthusiastic, but unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I'm generally a fan of stories about royalty, which is why I was drawn to this book after reading the synopsis. In the end, however, the male lead, Damon, was a bit too insecure and alpha for me, and those two characteristics combined to make him come across as more of a jerk than anything else IMO. I liked the female lead, Carly, well enough, but she wasn't quite enough to save the book for me.

 

Because of my mixed feelings about this book, I can't give it my wholehearted recommendation. That said, it may well appeal to fans of very dominant, alpha heroes and/or the insta-lust/insta-love trope. It's a very quick read with plenty of steam, so at least it has that going for it! 

About "The Billionaire's Princess"

No one melts this ice princess but me.

Friday nights have a routine.

Drinks with my brothers. Maybe a casual hookup later.

Then the ice princess walks into the bar. And it's game over for me.

I can't figure her out. She runs hot and cold. She turns me inside-out.

I like to keep my one-night stands cut and dried--my ambitions outweigh my emotions every time. Until she disappears without a trace. And I discover her little secret.

She's an actual princess.

I need more than one night from her. Much more.

A woman like that deserves the whole fairy tale. She deserves a charming prince.

Too bad I'm the one that's going to earn all her happy endings...

 

 

My Review

 

I had mixed feelings about "The Billionaire's Princess" by Ava Ryan. On the positive side, it was a quick read with plenty of steam, and the chemistry between main characters Damon and Carly was electric from page one. However, it was sometimes tough to tell if the sparks between them ignited because they wanted to slap each other or if they were ready to tear each other's clothes off. (If I were Carly, I would have wanted to slap Damon at several points over the course of the story, so I can understand the impulse.)

I mostly liked Carly as a lead character, but found it somewhat difficult to empathize with her when the worst problem she faced was that her uncle might cut off her allowance and she would have to get a job to support herself. That said, I did feel bad about the fact that her father kept trying to push her and her ex-fiance, Percy, back together just because it would benefit him financially. As Carly herself noted at one point, we're long past the time when a princess can be married off for money or political connections! As an adult, Carly had the right to make her own decisions, including who she would (or wouldn't) marry. Her father seemed to lose sight of that at times and treated her as if she were a pawn to be used to his advantage.

 

Unfortunately, I did not like Damon as much as I liked Carly. He had a lot of emotional baggage related to his mother's abandonment and subsequent death when he was a boy, and IMO he should have sought professional help long before trying to have a romantic relationship with anyone. He continued to think of himself as a "loser" despite being a self-made almost-billionaire, and seemed to compensate for his insecurities by being overly alpha, very demanding, and not taking no for an answer. I wasn't a fan of how crude Damon could sometimes be, either; at one point he talked about being left alone "picking his nose" to wait for Carly, and later mused about feeling like he was trying to eat dog leavings. Neither of those are images I ever want to have in my mind, but especially not while I'm reading a romance novel!

Overall, I didn't hate "The Billionaire's Princess," but I can't give it my wholehearted recommendation either. However, it may appeal to readers who are drawn to very dominant, alpha heroes and/or the insta-lust/insta-love trope.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Blog Tour + Review: "Good Neighbors" by J.P. Nicholas

I am very happy to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Good Neighbors" by J.P. Nicholas, book #3 of the Sandy Heights series. This book reads as a total standalone, though a few characters from the previous stories make cameo appearances in this one. Readers (like me) who haven't yet read the earlier installments will be able to jump in here with no problems.
 

I really enjoyed this funny, sweet story, which featured incredibly charming lead characters and an engaging plot. I could tell that I was going to love the male lead, Liam, right off the bat because his talk of the Bro Code reminded me of Barney from the TV show "How I Met Your Mother." I always thought Barney was hysterical and Neil Patrick Harris played him to perfection. In the book, Liam was even better because he was a handsome single dad and completely devoted to his kids, Ben and Elle. I especially loved Liam and Elle's daddy-daughter dates and the fact that Liam let Elle paint his toenails whatever color she wanted. 

Liam's love interest, his best friend Mike's younger sister Rachel, was very compassionate and caring, which made her wonderful with the animals at her veterinary clinic as well as with Liam's kids. She was an excellent match for Liam himself, too, and I loved their flirty banter. They had crazy chemistry from the start, and that connection only grew stronger as the story unfolded. I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, I highly recommend "Good Neighbors" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. This was the first book I've ever read by J.P. Nicholas, but it definitely won't be the last.
 

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

 

 

 About "Good Neighbors"

Admittedly, I’m an a**hole. Okay, that might give you an unfair opinion of me if taken out of context. So let me explain myself.

Every guy knows the Bro Code. It’s kind of a package deal with the thing swinging between our legs. You can’t have one without the other. And the highest of all the Bro Codemmandments is do not—under any circumstances—have sexual thoughts about your best friend’s sister. And no, there is not an amendment clause for when she’s beautiful, smart, witty, and can kiss you breathless in under three point five seconds—yes, I counted. I’ve asked around the Brommunity and apparently that rule is deemed unbreakable. Which brings me back to my first point—I’m an a**hole.

In my defense, I didn’t know she was his little sister when she moved into the apartment next door. I also didn’t know when she was ripping my shirt off in her living room—don’t get the wrong idea, she just wanted to wash it. And I definitely didn’t know when aforementioned kiss had me stumbling over my words, her tongue, and my own two feet. But that’s as far as it went—and will go! I swear. From this point forward, we are just Good Neighbors. 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Drive Me Wild" by Melanie Harlow

I am thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Melanie Harlow's latest novel, "Drive Me Wild," book #1 of the Bellamy Creek series. I adored this sweet, funny, emotional story that featured wonderful characters and an engaging plot. I made the mistake of starting it shortly before bedtime and, while I wasn't able to finish the whole thing that same night, I did stay up way too late so I could keep reading (and, as a result, was very tired when I had to get up early for a 9 am conference call the next morning!).

 

A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, I highly recommend "Drive Me Wild" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series!

 

About "Drive Me Wild"

“Gruff but funny mechanic burned by love? Check.
Guy who takes in orphaned kittens? Check.
Hot as can be when he reluctantly falls head-over-heels? Check.
My new book boyfriend? All the checks.
Drive Me Wild is your summer must-read!"
— Julia Kent, New York Times bestselling author

Drive Me Wild, an all-new flirty and heartwarming, opposites-attract romance by USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is available now!

When Blair Beaufort literally crashes into Bellamy Creek wearing a ball gown and a tiara, I should have towed her car, said goodnight, and sent her packing.

I’m a mechanic, not a hotel manager. I've got enough on my plate trying to keep my shop from going under, my overbearing mother off my back, and my baseball team in contention for the league championship. I don’t have time for a former debutante with zero street smarts and a cash flow problem, even if she is crazy beautiful.

Problem is, she’s stranded in my small town, and I’m hiding a protective streak underneath my grumpy exterior that runs deep. So I offer her a place to stay and keep my hands to myself.

For exactly one night.

If only she weren't so gorgeous. So funny. So eager to please. She’s a disaster behind the wheel, but she drives me wild without even trying--at work, at home, in the back of my truck . . . I can’t get enough of the way she makes me feel.

But I know better than to think it can last. She wants a fairy tale, and I’m no prince.

So when it comes time for her to leave, there’s nothing I can do but let her go.

No matter how much it hurts to say goodbye. 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Drive Me Wild"

Switching off the lights, I followed her out onto the sidewalk, locking the door behind us. “I need a quick shower and change of clothes. Want to come up with me?”

“Sure.”

I was following her up the stairs to my apartment, looking at her ass and wondering if she had sexual rules and how long it would take me to break them, when I realized she was still talking.

Shit, had she just asked me a question?

At the top of the stairs, she turned around and faced me. “So? Are you going to?”

I stood close. Ridiculously close. So close I could smell her—vanilla and lemon—and she could probably smell me—sweat and motor oil.

“Am I going to what?”I asked, looking at her lips.

She licked them. “Listen to me.”

“Oh. Yeah. I am.” But at that moment, I was pretty sure I was going to do something else to her too.

Suddenly she stepped back. “Good,”she said, her cheeks flushed pink. “On second thought, I think I’ll wait outside. I’m a little warm, and there’s a nice breeze.”

“Okay. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

Nodding, she turned and descended the stairs so slowly, I wondered if she was dizzy. I watched her hand sliding along the wooden rail, thinking dirty thoughts.

On the landing, she pushed the door open and disappeared from view, but I still couldn’t breathe right.

What would she have done if I’d put my mouth on hers like I’d wanted to just now? Would she have kissed me back? Would she have welcomed my hands on her skin? Or would she have kneed me in the balls and told me to keep my filthy fingers to myself?

She wasn’t like any other girl I’d ever met, which was both the problem and the allure. I didn’t know how to read her.

But damn, I wanted her something fierce.

I took an ice cold shower, hoping it would help.

It didn’t. 

 

 

My Review

I adored Melanie Harlow's "Drive Me Wild," a sweet, funny, emotional story that featured wonderful characters and an engaging plot. The chemistry between main characters Blair and Griffin was intense from their very first meeting, and I especially enjoyed the "bedtime stories" they told each other. They both had excellent imaginations and were quite good at turning up the heat with their words! Outside the bedroom, they were ridiculously cute together, and I loved their witty, flirtatious banter. Griffin and Blair were obviously smitten with each other very quickly, but it never felt like insta-love to me. Instead, they just seemed to complement each other perfectly and reminded me of one of those couples that had been together for many years.

 

Given her privileged background, Blair could have been a total spoiled brat, but instead she was very sweet. I admired her resilience, tenacity, and determination to make the best of her situation, stand on her own two feet, and finally pursue her dream of opening her own bakery. She was very funny (often unintentionally so), as well as friendly and talkative, and I loved how much she wanted to help Griffin turn things around with his auto repair business. Blair's ideas on branding and marketing were quite clever, and she proved to be a major asset to Griffin and the entire town of Bellamy Creek. Griffin was nearly too stubborn to see that for himself, and there were a couple of times I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into him. Fortunately, he came to his senses with the help of his family and friends, and everything worked out for him and Blair in the end.

 

The book also featured a number of fun, quirky secondary characters, and I am excited about the possibilities for future stories set in Bellamy Creek. I especially enjoyed Griffin's matchmaking mother and smart-mouthed sister, as well as his friends Cole, Beckett, and Moretti. 

 

Overall, "Drive Me Wild" was a tremendously fun read, and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

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