Review: "The Upper Crush" by Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Evie Alexander on today's release of "The Upper Crush," book #3 of the Foxbrooke series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke, daughter of the eccentric Duke of Somerset, has been working for years to save the family estate from bankruptcy. Her latest undertaking is the launch of a music and arts festival in partnership with a professional events management firm. The only problem? The firm has just been sold, and the new CEO is none other than her twin brother Henry's former co-worker and longtime enemy, James Hunter-Savage. Can Estelle and James put their feelings aside long enough to get the festival off the ground, or will their animosity doom the endeavor to failure?

Despite their rocky start, James and Estelle were absolutely perfect for each other. Like Estelle, I had a lot of preconceived notions about James based on his behavior in previous books of the series, but he was keeping a lot of secrets and wasn't everything she - or I - thought he would be. I loved their flirty, witty banter and the hilarious interactions between their families, as well as Estelle's independence and ability to advocate for herself and what she wanted. Most importantly, James and Estelle's scorching chemistry had me captivated from the very first page, and I was rooting for them the whole way.
 

Overall, I adored "The Upper Crush" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series!

 

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

 

 

About "The Upper Crush"

He wasn’t banking on someone else taking the reins…

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke is done cleaning up the mess left by her wild parents. She’s got a plan: take the reins and save the family estate her way. But then she’s saddled with a business partner she’s hated all her life. He’s her twin brother’s worst enemy and looms in her path like a six-foot-four hurdle.

After a catastrophic business failure, rich and successful James Hunter-Savage has watched his dream life in London crash and burn. Forced to ditch the city for the Somerset countryside, he’s now living with his parents and expected to work with the infuriatingly attractive Estelle. She’s sharper than a whip, pushes all his buttons, and seems determined to break him.

As Estelle and James jockey for position, their explosive personalities combust into passion, sending Estelle’s plans to the edge of ruin. With James’s flimsy reputation in tatters, and the biggest event on the Foxbrooke calendar on the brink of collapse, will they realise their love is worth fighting for? Or are their hearts and hard work heading for the ultimate fall?

The Upper Crush is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, steamy, standalone, small town romantic comedy with a fiery country girl giving a cocky city boy a run for his money. No cheating or cliffhanger, but snort-laughs, swoons and a deliciously happy ending guaranteed in this sparkling and sizzling romcom! 

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Love Is Ale You Need" by Gia Stevens

I'm happy to take part in the blog tour celebrating "Love Is Ale You Need" by Gia Stevens, book #1 of the Brews and Flings series. It's a spinoff of the Harbor Highlands series but reads as a standalone.

After an ugly breakup, Trey Wilson swore off serious relationships and embraced the bachelor life. Despite his self-imposed rules, he can't help being drawn to bartender Rylee Hart, though the feisty single mom continually shuts him down because he reminds her too much of her cheating ex-husband. She can't resist using him for a distraction after a bad day, however, and what starts off as a fling gradually evolves into a friends with benefits arrangement. But things between Trey and Rylee change again when she finds out that she's pregnant. He'll have to prove that she can count on him for the long haul...or lose her forever.

I've been looking forward to Trey's story ever since his friend Seth's book and it did not disappoint. I loved the flirty, witty banter between Trey and Rylee, as well as his sweet efforts to take care of her and her daughter, Abby. I also appreciated that, even though he sometimes got ahead of himself and tried to speed things up, he was willing to take their relationship at the pace that made Rylee comfortable. They made a great couple and I was rooting for them the whole way.

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Love Is Ale You Need" and highly recommend it for all fans of steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the author's next release. 

 

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

 

 

About "Love Is Ale You Need"

A steamy friends with benefits, surprise pregnancy standalone novel by romantic comedy author Gia Stevens…

We went from fling to friend-zone. Now I have to tell him he’s going to be a dad.

After my ex-husband left, I became a single mom and vowed never to date a guy in a suit again.

Then Trey Wilson entered my life. The guy who lives in suits. He’s charismatic, good-looking, and charming AF.

Everything that can make any woman swoon, including me.

What started as a one-night fling turned into a mid-morning office quickie, followed by an afternoon rendezvous in my kitchen. Which ultimately led to the purchase of a new table.

After I told him we can only be friends, he’s determined to be my best friend. The more time we spend together, the boundary between friends and benefits blur.

Deep down, I know he’s exactly like the others. Once they get what they want, they’re out the door, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my broken heart. Been there. Done that. And I have a daughter to prove it.

So the moment emotions get involved, I quickly suppress them and do what I know is right.

I end whatever this is.

Except now I can’t do that when the white stick shows two pink lines.

 

Read an Excerpt from "Love Is Ale You Need"

I peer up at him. “Are benefits still on the table?”

He turns toward me. The pad of his thumb caresses the apple of my cheek. His hand continues to glide across my skin until his fingers thread through my hair. His large palm warms my cheek. “No.”

My stomach falls. It was inevitable this would have to end, but I was hoping it wasn’t tonight.

With his other hand he grips my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I don’t want benefits. You’re worth more than just benefits. But I’ll take whatever you give me.”

A slow smile spreads over my lips. “Can we go to your house?”

“Absolutely.”

He opens the passenger door and I slide in. While he rounds the hood, I click my seatbelt into place. We’ve had sex before, but the butterflies are fluttering faster this time. Maybe because it’s not a spontaneous, spur of the moment thing. Instead, I have the entire drive to his house to think about it. Trey climbs in and starts his SUV. He glances over at me while reaching his hand over the center console and intertwining his fingers with mine. It’s the simplest gesture, but one that calms my erratic heartbeat.

The short ride to his house is silent, but the way his thumb brushes over the back of my hand says everything I need to know right now. I want Trey.

His neighborhood is a far cry from my tiny apartment complex. Enormous houses with even bigger lawns line the streets. A pang of guilt hits me as this is something I’ll never be able to give Abby. A neighborhood filled with other kids to run around and play with. Or a backyard to build a fort or play kickball in.

As we approach a navy blue split-level house, he turns left and pulls into the sunken attached garage. I yank myself out of my thoughts. No pity parties tonight. There’s only room for one party, and that’s between my legs.

The garage door closes, and we both step out, but before we reach the door to the house, my heels that I never put back on slip from my fingers, dropping to the floor with a clatter. Trey twists around and I throw myself into his arms, slamming my lips to his. Without breaking our connection, he twists us around and cages me against the front fender. A shiver runs down my spine as he threads his fingers through my hair, cupping my head as he deepens the kiss. I wrap my arms around his waist and tug him to me, wanting to feel all of him. A low moan escapes his throat.

He pulls away, but his lips linger on mine. “Did I tell you this is the best friendship I’ve ever had?”

Release Blitz + Review: "Stay" by Willow Aster

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Stay" by Willow Aster, the fifth and final book of the Landmark Mountain series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Judge and single father Sutton Landmark is fortunate to have the support of his large, close-knit family in caring for his 8-year-old son, Owen, but with a big case coming up, he knows he's going to need more help. Based on a recommendation from a mutual friend, he hires recent college graduate Felicity Shaw as Owen's new nanny. There's an immediate spark of attraction between Sutton and Felicity, but he's determined to resist. She's 13 years younger than him, and he's sure she'll move on as soon as she figures out what she wants to do with her life. But could it be that what Felicity wants is Sutton?

 

Felicity and Sutton had great chemistry, and I really liked that she was so honest with him about her feelings, especially when she felt he was being dismissive of her because of her age. I also loved her bond with Owen and how well she fit in with the Landmark family. The one thing that would have improved the story for me is if there had been a bit more resolution to the situation with Owen's mom, Tracy. Maybe I missed something, but it almost seemed as if Tracy cut off contact with Owen in the end. Did Tracy and Sutton change their custody agreement? Did Owen go out and spend time with her in Arizona over the summer?

Despite that small frustration, I enjoyed "Stay" and would recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to Aster's next series, which she'll launch this summer with a story featuring Felicity's brother, professional football player Weston.

 

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

 

About "Stay"

When a judge falls for his younger nanny, can their love overcome the possibility of scandal?

As I drive into the picturesque small town of Landmark Mountain after the whirlwind of college, I could never have expected a simple job opportunity would lead me to the deliciously sexy Sutton Landmark. But fate, it seems, wants to send my plans sideways.

Judge Sutton Landmark, a man whose gorgeous face, charisma, and chocolate brown eyes could charm the pants off of anyone. He needs a nanny for his son, Owen, and I need a break from textbooks and exams…and some time to figure out what I really want to do with my life.

However, one heated look from Sutton, and everything inside me ignites.

As I spend time with Sutton, I find myself falling for him. There's a spark between us and a connection that simmers and dances in the air whenever we’re in the same room.

But Sutton’s prestigious position and the age gap between us casts a looming shadow over our happiness. Despite our hearts’ desires, fear and indecision hold us back from taking that leap of faith.

I want to believe that, despite the obstacles, anything is possible…

Even love against all odds.

I guess I’ll just have to jump in headfirst and stay to find out.

Stay is book five in the Landmark Mountain Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.