Monday, January 11, 2021

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun" by Jasinda Wilder

Today, I am pleased to join the blog tour celebrating Jasinda Wilder's most recent release, "Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun," book #1 of the Billionaire Baby Club series. I enjoyed this funny, passionate story and recommend it for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy.

I loved the flirty, witty banter between main characters Lizzy Stephenson and Braun Bennet, and their phenomenal chemistry ensured that the book's steamy scenes were white-hot. Even though things between them happened quickly, I really liked the way their relationship developed; I could see the strength of their connection no matter how much Lizzy tried to deny it. Lizzy's reasons for avoiding a serious relationship with Braun were real and understandable and I could see how they led to her pushing him away, though I wish we had known more about them earlier in the book to provide context for some of her decisions. I also wish the story had been told in dual POV so that we could have learned more about what Braun was thinking. It was never clear to me why he was willing to consider the idea of giving up his parental rights if Lizzy succeeded in getting pregnant.

Lizzy's five best friends and employees were very entertaining secondary characters. I enjoyed their strong friendship and how they were always so supportive were of each other, as well as how independent they all were. That said, they all seemed kind of immature for their age. People say that 40 is the new 30, but even so, a lot of their behavior reminded me of things my friends and I might have done in our mid/late 20s, but not now that we're in our late 30s. (Not all of us are married or have kids, so I don't think that's the reason for the difference.) I don't know, maybe it's just me, but given how close we are in age, I expected to find it a bit easier to connect with these characters. While I liked them and several of their conversations made me giggle, I really didn't see myself in them at all.
 
There was one particular conversation in this book that did NOT make me giggle: Lizzy's friend Laurel told a "one time in college" story in which she described sexually assaulting a sleeping man. It definitely seemed like a double standard to me. If the same thing had happened to a woman, criminal charges probably would have been filed. Generally speaking, I loved how open Lizzy and her friends were about their exploits, but that particular story just wasn't OK with me.
 
While this story wasn't perfect, Lizzy and Braun's romance was sweet yet deliciously steamy, and her friends were an awful lot of fun. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun"

Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun, an all-new fun and flirty rom-com filled with intense chemistry from New York Times bestselling author Jasinda Wilder, is available now!

It was just supposed to be just a 40th birthday prank for our boss after a wild night of girlfriends, laughter, and a LOT of margaritas.

When we placed the ad in the newspaper, we never thought anyone would actually answer it.

We also didn’t think that Laurel would be so brainless as to put Lizzy’s actual phone number in the ad…

Beautiful, successful single woman, 40, seeks attractive male billionaire to impregnate her the old fashioned way. No strings. NOT seeking sugar daddy. Validation required. Serious inquiries only, please.

What could possibly go wrong? Everything.
 
 
Read an Excerpt from "Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun"

“Oh god, if I eat another taco I’m gonna barf,” I said, pushing back from the table. “So good. So full.”

“Quitter,” Teddy said, stuffing the last of a taco into her mouth. Seven? Eight? I don’t even know. These were not small tacos, either. “Best tacos I’ve ever had. I’m gonna gain ten pounds to my ass and thighs from eating so many, but fuck, so good. Worth it.”

“I’ll just drag you to Zumba and we can dance our asses off, literally,” Kat said, polishing off another taco herself.

Teddy made the sign of the cross. “Begone, Satan. Exercise is from El Diablo and I categorically refuse to do it.”

“Wanna know my secret? Lots and lots of very athletic sex,” Laurel quipped. Or at least, I figured it was a quip. With Laurel, you never knew. “And walking. I walk every night. I put in my earbuds and I turn on an audiobook and I walk. And squeeze my butt cheeks a lot. Firms ‘em up.”

“That’s exercise,” Kat said, droll.

“No, it’s just walking. I don’t even get warm,” Laurel answers, dead serious. “I don’t like to get sweaty and out of breath unless there’s a dick inside me.”

“Just asking for a friend here,” I said, tracing my finger through salt on the rim of my margarita glass, which had not been empty at any point in the evening, which was beginning to wane into night, “but what counts as athletic sex? I mean, I like to think I get it on like Donkey Kong, but I’m not sure what constitutes as athletic.”

“Ever try the wheelbarrow?” Laurel smirked at me. “That’ll get ya sweaty real fast.”

I blinked. “The…wheelbarrow.”

“Yeah. Just what it sounds like.” Laurel took a long drink from her margarita. “He’s standing up, holding your legs, you’re face down with your hands braced on the floor, and he’s drilling you while you hold yourself up. Takes a lot of upper body strength.” She snorted, giggled.

“Unless you just do like a headstand sort of move, but the angle’s better if you hold yourself up.”

“Sounds hard,” I said. “Why would you do that? How is it any better than prone bone on a bed?”

“Because,” Laurel answered, pointing a finger at me, and I wasn’t sure if it was her finger wavering or my eyesight, or both. “Because of geometry. He can hold your legs wider apart, for one thing, and for another, it’s just a different angle. The dick feels different. I dunno. You just have to try it to understand.”

“Wow,” I snickered. “Just wow.”

“What?” Laurel shrugged, her expression demure and arch. “I like fun fucking.”

Zoe spluttered around a mouthful of margarita, caught it with a napkin, shaking with laughter. “Fun fucking?”

“Also known as adventure sex.” Laurel handed Zoe another napkin. “Although the two are slightly different. Fun fucking is weird positions. Like pretty much ninety percent of the Kama Sutra.”

“And what, pray tell, is adventure sex?” Autumn asked. “Inquiring minds would like to know.”

“Anything risky,” Laurel answered. “In the bathroom of a bullet train in Japan, or under the bleachers at your nephew’s football game, or…or handjobs under a table at a black-tie gala.”

I set my glass down slowly. “You have not.”

“Let’s make that a game of two truths and a lie,” Laurel said. “I’ve done two of those.”

Teddy stabbed a finger at Laurel. “I know for a fact you don’t have a nephew. And also that’s gotta be, like, illegal.”

“How in the hell did you manage it in the bathroom of a bullet train?” Zoe asked. “Those things are not large.”

“That was both risky and athletic.” She smirked, bit her lip with a lecherous gleam in her eye.

“It required careful timing to get both of us in there at the same time without anyone noticing. And then he leaned back against the wall and I squatted on his knees and basically twerked myself to an O on him. Tricky, but worth it.”

“I had no idea you were so kinky,” Autumn said.

Laurel held up a finger. “It’s not kinky. Kink is, like, bondage and S and M, and foot fetishes and furries. I just like fun positions in fun places.” 

***

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Review: Bonjour Cherie

Bonjour cherie Bonjour Cherie by Robin Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Bonjour Cherie" by Robin Martin was a funny, sweet story featuring likeable characters and a quick, engaging plot. At 21, female lead Elizabeth (Beth) Jenkins was still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. She was obsessed with all things French and dreamed of visiting Paris one day, but in the meantime, she lived at home with her parents in Australia while working the checkout at a grocery store and trying to save money for her trip.

While taking a basic French course at a local university, Beth met the handsome Zach Mills, a fellow student. Zach immediately asked her out for coffee, but she turned him down because of her crush on their professor, Andre LeBlanc. Sparks flew between Beth and Zach anyway, and the story quickly turned into a fun enemies-to-lovers romance as Beth tried to fight her unwilling attraction to Zach, who ended up being a good guy and just the right match for Beth.

"Bonjour Cherie" is the second book in the author's Short Sweetz series, but is a complete standalone featuring all new characters. Overall, I would recommend this funny, cute, clean (kissing only) story for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to checking out more of the author's work in the future.

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.


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Review: Have you heard about Karen? : A Novel

Have you heard about Karen? : A Novel Have you heard about Karen? : A Novel by Karin Aharon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Have You Heard about Karen?" by Karin Aharon tells the parallel stories of three women living in the same suburban neighborhood. Tara, Karen, and Rylie are casual friends but not close confidantes, and from the outside looking in, it's easy to assume that they are each living their best life. There is a lot more going on in each of the women's lives than it seems, however; marriage and family conflicts, health concerns, work and financial stresses, and more are hidden beneath the seemingly perfect surface. As more secrets about Tara, Karen, and Rylie are revealed, readers are reminded that we never really know what happens behind closed doors, and showing compassion to our neighbors is always a good idea because we don't know the struggles they might be facing.

All three women were mostly likeable and sympathetic, but I found myself empathizing with Karen the most because I've had similar health challenges that were difficult to diagnose. I especially liked that the women ended up becoming true friends in the end, having gotten to know and understand each other a bit better. I also appreciated that not all of their problems were magically fixed by the end of the story because it felt realistic to me; life is messy and our problems don't usually get tied up into neat little bows.

Overall, "Have You Heard about Karen?" was a quick but entertaining read, and I would recommend it for all fans of contemporary women's fiction. I would read more of this author's work in the future.

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Friday, January 8, 2021

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Rebel" by Laura Pavlov

I am delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Laura Pavlov's latest novel, "Rebel," book #3 of the Montgomery Brothers series. It reads as a complete standalone, making it perfect for readers (like me) who are new to this author's work.

"Rebel" combined several of my favorite tropes (workplace romance, enemies-to-lovers, best friend's little sister, and fake relationship) with a swoon-worthy hero, a wonderfully snarky and independent heroine, and sizzling slow burn chemistry to become one of the most enjoyable books I've read in quite some time. The flirty, witty banter between main characters Jack and Monroe was a ton of fun, and I loved that Monroe always kept Jack on his toes. It drove him crazy that she was so nice to everyone else but constantly called him annoying and told him that she hated him (even though it was pretty obvious that she didn't).

There were plenty of funny moments in this story, such as Jack's interactions with his cat, but there were surprisingly emotional aspects as well, including Monroe's grief over losing her mother and how it continued to impact her years later. I appreciated how determined Jack was to show Monroe that she deserved to be happy, and that she didn't have to prove to anyone that her life was worth her mother's sacrifice. Jack and Monroe also had to overcome her brother's objections to their relationship because Jack's playboy past made her brother, Jack's best friend Miles, think that Jack would eventually break Monroe's heart.
 
The book's secondary characters were a ton of fun and added a tremendous amount of depth and humor to the story. I especially enjoyed Jack's relationship with his brothers and sisters-in-law; they constantly teased each other, but their genuine affection for each other was clear. (I had to laugh every time his brother Harrison's wife Laney called him Jack-Ass!) I really liked Monroe's brother Miles too, as well as her best friend Becks. She was a bit inappropriate at times, but always very funny, and Becks gave Monroe good advice when she needed it.

Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and emotional story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. "Rebel" was the first book I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last!
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "Rebel"

Rebel, an all-new enemies to lovers standalone romance from Laura Pavlov is available now!

Jack
I’m always down for a good time. I’m that guy.
I love women. I love sex. And I love my life.
Go big or go home, right?
My father’s death is a constant reminder of why I like to keep it simple.
Life is short.
Emotional attachments make you weak.
Grieving sucks. And I have no interest in caring deeply for anyone outside of my family.
I’m not looking for complications.
Monroe Buckley is a complication.
She’s driven.
She’s focused.
And she’s my best friend’s little sister.
Not happening.
But once we’re forced to spend time together…I only want more.
Too bad she’s the one woman who is off-limits.

Monroe
I don’t trust most people, and I have my reasons.
I’m passionate about my work, and I came here to do a job.
Not date the boss.
Getting hired at the top media company in the city is the break of my life.
But it means working for Jack Montgomery.
My one-time crush.
My brother’s best friend.
And the current thorn in my side.
He’s exactly what I want to avoid.
Yet he’s everywhere I turn. Even when he’s not there—he’s in my head.
He’s a magnet for attention.
A heartbreak just waiting to happen.
And my heart is something I fiercely protect. At all costs.
They say the heart wants what the heart wants...
But my heart isn’t allowed to make that decision anymore.
There’s too much to lose. 
 
 
Read an Excerpt from "Rebel"

I made my way to the elevators and stopped the door just before it closed. Monroe had a mouthful of muffin and her cheeks flamed pink when I stepped inside.

“Hey, no shame in trying to wolf down some pastries in the elevator. Next time just make sure the door isn’t about to close on someone.”

She finished chewing and glared at me. “It’s not the job of the person in the elevator to check to see if anyone’s coming. You should have called out for me to hold the door.”

“I disagree.”

“I wasn’t asking your opinion.”

I narrowed my gaze. “How about you tell me why you’re so hostile. We have to work together, so you need to drop the attitude.”

“Oh, so anyone who doesn’t agree with your elevator etiquette has an attitude?” She chuckled and stepped off.

“Noooooo. This has nothing to do with etiquette and everything to do with your attitude.”I followed her into her office and shut the door.

She sat down behind her desk and I dropped in the chair across from her. “You know. You may have just helped me choose the first topic for my column.”

“Let me guess…how to treat your boss with disrespect?”

She rolled her eyes. “Are you always such a narcissist?”

“Probably. I mean, look at me.”I chuckled and raised a brow in challenge. “So, what’s the topic?”

“Social etiquettes. From the workplace, to the elevator, to small talk, to the dating world. I mean, we face these challenges daily, right? What’s politically correct these days? Do I hold the door for a guy I don’t really care for, or let him wait for the next one?” She paused and smirked before continuing. “Or what if a guy asks you out and you aren’t interested. You’ve got two choices, A, you ignore him, and you’re labeled a tease, or B, you tell him you aren’t interested, and you’re labeled a bitch.”

“What about C?”

“There is no C.”

“Well, what if you like him?”

She shrugged. “Okay, there’s a C. Say you actually like him. If you tell him you like him, you’re a stalker. So, you keep it to yourself, and then he sleeps around because he didn’t know you wanted to be exclusive, and then you hate him. Yes. There’s a lot to run with here. I mean, there’s also a ton going on in the political arena, which is slightly more riveting, but I agreed to do this, and you just helped me get there. So, thank you, Montgomery. You’ve been a huge help.

“Why do I feel like that’s a backhanded compliment?” I asked.

“Because it is.” She chuckled. “You’re a bit slicker than I expected.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“I’m sure you are. But not everyone loves surprises, so…” Her gaze moved to the door. Seriously? She was kicking me out of her office?

“I was just leaving,” I said, pushing to my feet with irritation.

“Sure, you were.”

I laughed. I liked how snarky she was.

“Send me over the idea for the column.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, her smile anything but genuine.

“Now was that so painful?” I asked as I paused at the door. “Yes. Very much so.”
 

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Blog Tour + Review: "Only One Night" by Natasha Madison

Today, I am excited to join the blog tour celebrating the release of "Only One Night" by Natasha Madison, book #3 of the Only One series. It reads as a complete standalone, though I have loved both of the previous books in the series and highly recommend them.
 
The main characters of "Only One Night," Manning and Evelyn, were both quite likeable and sympathetic, and their chemistry was fantastic. When the two of them were together, I could practically see the sparks flying from the screen of my Kindle! Their story will likely generate some controversy because there is a cheating element, and that's usually something I avoid. However, Manning and Evelyn's relationship never really felt like cheating to me. Manning's marriage was clearly over in all but name, and his erstwhile wife, Murielle, was a truly terrible human being who threatened to keep his son from him if he tried to divorce her. Manning and his son Jaxon deserved better than to be held hostage by someone who was only using them as props for her public image, so watching them become a family with the kind, caring Evelyn was lovely.

I've been looking forward to Manning's story ever since he was introduced earlier in the series and am so happy that he finally got his HEA. I recommend "Only One Night" for all fans of emotional contemporary romance and sports romance. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. (Based on the bomb dropped in this story's epilogue, I think it's going to be a doozy!)
  
*Review copy provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 
About "Only One Night"

Manning
As captain of the Dallas Oilers, I was their leader on and off the ice. From the outside, it looked like I had the perfect life.

I didn’t.

I was married to a woman who refused to give me a divorce. All she wanted was the status title, and all I wanted was to be set free.

It was supposed to be just another event, except it took a turn I didn’t see coming.

Evelyn
Attending my best friend’s bachelorette party isn’t something I was looking forward to.
But it’s strange what a couple of glasses of wine will do.

It was one night, and I thought I would never see him again.

Especially not coming face-to-face with him and his wife while picking up my nephew from hockey practice.

All it takes is one kiss, one touch, one chance, and only one night. 
 

Monday, January 4, 2021

Blog Tour + Review: "The Strike Out" by Meghan Quinn

Happy 2021, fellow romance lovers! I am thrilled to participate in my first blog tour of the new year today, celebrating the release of Meghan Quinn's latest novel, "The Strike Out." This book reads as a complete standalone, though it is part of Quinn's Brentwood baseball world and comes complete with cameo appearances from a number of favorite characters from past stories, including Jason Orson ("The Lineup"), Knox Gentry ("The Locker Room"), and Carson Stone ("The Dugout").
 
The main characters of "The Strike Out," Holt Green and Harmony Styles, were both quite likeable and well-developed. Holt was much sweeter than he seemed to be at first, and I loved that he managed to maintain such a positive attitude despite the health challenges he'd faced. I also appreciated that he was so determined to succeed on his own talents instead of relying on his parents' wealth and connections. Harmony was just as determined to succeed on her own as Holt was, although her reluctance to accept help caused conflict between them at times. Their flirty, witty banter was a lot of fun, and I especially enjoyed Holt's cheesy pickup lines and innuendoes as well as the many times Harmony shot him down. They had fantastic chemistry, and the book's intimate scenes were deliciously steamy.

In addition to Holt and Harmony, I enjoyed getting to know Harmony's best friend and roommate Priya, who made me laugh frequently over the course of the story. Priya was just as inappropriate as Holt at times, and it was hilarious when their conversations embarrassed Harmony. I also loved that Priya helped Holt win Harmony over because she wanted her best friend to be happy, and she truly believed that a relationship with Holt would be good for Harmony.

Overall, I adored "The Strike Out" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, sports romance, and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Meghan Quinn comes up with next! 

*Review copy provided by the author via Candi Kane PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "The Strike Out"

It started with one night out with the boys.

She was the hot diner waitress putting herself through school.

I was the rich, arrogant player everyone misjudges.

On paper we didn’t match.

Yet all it took was one day. One single day to change her mind.

She wasn’t planning to spend her day off with me.

She wasn’t supposed to fall for my charm.

But one day, one smile, turned into several nights of her calling out my name.

I’m not the guy she should end up with. I’m jealous, possessive. Not here for a long time - just a good time.

She’s changed me.

But, for some reason, I feel her slipping through my fingers and no matter what I do, I fear I’m going to strike out with the one and only girl I’ve ever fallen for.
 

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Review: Billion Dollar Catch

Billion Dollar Catch Billion Dollar Catch by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed "Billion Dollar Catch" by Olivia Hayle, book #3 of the Seattle Billionaires series. It reads as a complete standalone, though characters from the first two books make brief appearances in this one.

Main characters Bella Simmons and Ethan Carter were both quite likeable and sympathetic, and I found it very easy to root for them to overcome all of the challenges standing in the way of their HEA. A lot of their problems were based on what initially seemed to be nothing more than a little white lie, but as time went on and the two of them grew closer, that lie no longer seemed to be quite so innocent. When the truth came out, Bella's and Ethan's perspectives on the situation were both understandable, but it was no less heartbreaking for them to be apart because I could tell how much they genuinely cared about each other. Fortunately, they managed to work through their issues, and seeing them come together as a family with Ethan's two young daughters was lovely.

Ethan was such a great dad, and I loved how protective he was of his daughters, Haven and Evie. He had help from a wonderful nanny/housekeeper, Maria, which made total sense given the demands of his job, but I appreciated that he didn't rely on her to raise them. When Ethan was with his girls, he was truly present; he wanted to be the one reading them stories and putting them to bed. Bella's relationship with the girls as she got to know them was also very sweet, and they were always so excited to spend time with her.

Overall, "Billion Dollar Catch" was a funny, sweet, and heartwarming book that I highly recommend for all fans of contemporary romance. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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

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