Category Archives: review copy

Review: The Nanny Arrangement by Rachel Harris

5/5, Contemporary Romance, review copy

About the book:

Soft-spoken and shy Hannah Fisher is determined to make the man she’s loved her entire life finally see her as a woman. With the help of a makeover, a new mission—Operation Find My Happy—and the convenient forced proximity of a tour bus, she vows to win her best friend Deacon’s heart.

Former bad boy and current fiddle player Deacon Latrell has the world at his fingertips: a new gig with a famous band, plus his best friend on tour as his son’s nanny. Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Now if only he could stop imagining kissing the daylights out of his childhood BFF…

With one friend set on pushing the boundaries and the other afraid to rock the boat, one thing’s for certain—their story would make one heck of a country song.

Each book in the Country Blues series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1: You’re Still the One
Book #2: The Nanny Arrangement

My thoughts:

I’m a sucker for the best friends to lovers story. The love between Deacon and Hannah is obvious from the very beginning of the book, but Deacon doesn’t notice Hannah in that way. Or does he? I loved Deacon’s slow realization that he feels more than just platonic love for Hannah.

I loved the connection between Deacon and Hannah. Their friendship that had evolved through their teenage years to their mid-twenties.

The secondary characters, including Deacon’s sweet son Max, are an important part of the story.  Deacon is worried about being a good father to Max and a good member of his new band. He knows that Hannah is necessary to both working out. His son is in love with her and his band mates and their wives instantly bring her into the group. Deacon is afraid that if he crosses a line with Hannah, that is getting harder and harder not to cross, then everything in his world could go to hell.

The Nanny Arrangement is the perfect book to read while sitting out by the pool.

Rating: 

the book girl gives The Nanny Arrangement a 5/5

To find the book:

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Review: One Little Kiss by Maggie Kelley

5/5, Contemporary Romance, review copy

About the book:

Love blogger Kate Bell is finished with men—especially the hot ones. Of course her only chance to save her career requires snagging an interview with the man who literally wrote the book on love, reclusive and super-sexy relationship expert Jake Wright. Who happens to be her boss’s brother.

The last thing Jake Wright wants is to be dragged back into the spotlight as a bachelor for his sister’s dating website. But when a sweet and sexy blogger crashes onto his island in the middle of a storm worse than his love life, keeping his hands off proves to be a challenge—especially when they’re stuck sharing the same bungalow.

Each book in the Smart Cupid series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Breaking the Bachelor
Book #2 Unexpectedly His
Book #3 One Little Kiss

What I thought:

I loved this book! The characters are brilliant and sexy.

Kate is really bad at picking men, so she has given them up. New Kate is going to focus on her career and not having to return to Ohio and run the family business. It is imperative that she gets the interview with Jake (who happens to be her boss’s brother).

Jake wants nothing to do with being a Smart Cupid stud or being interviewed by Kate. Weather, a sexy bikini, and a meddling sister/boss bring these two together and the sparks immediately fly.

I really liked the way that Kate is able to change Jake’s perception of romance and the way Jake restores Kate’s faith in true love. One Little Kiss is sexy, sweet and has a perfect happily ever after ending.

Rating:

the book girl gives One Little Kiss a 5/5

To find the book:

Amazon

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Review: Positively Pippa by Sarah Hegger

3/5, Contemporary Romance, review copy

About the book:

For Pippa Turner there’s only one place to go when her life self-destructs on national TV—home to Ghost Falls, and her heavily perfumed, overly dramatic, but supremely loving grandmother, Philomene. If anyone will understand how Pippa’s hit makeover show was sabotaged by her vengeful ex, it’s Phi. But she’s not the only one who’s happy to see her—and Pippa can’t help but wonder if Matt Evans, her gorgeous high-school crush turned Phi’s contractor, is game for a steamy close-up…

Matt owes his whole career to Phi and her constant demands to embellish the gothically ridiculous house he built for her. Getting to see red-headed, red-hot Pippa is a bonus, especially now that she’s no longer the troublesome teenager he remembers. He’s willing to stay behind the scenes while she gives her own life a much-needed makeover, but not forever. As far as he’s concerned, their connection is too electric to ignore. And the chance to build something lasting between them—before she can high-tail it back to Hollywood—is going to the top of his to-do list…

My thoughts:

Positively Pippa is a cute book, but I just couldn’t connect to the main character. Pippa comes home after her ex-boyfriend sets her up and she looses her job. Throughout the whole book she is trying to get her show back and doesn’t seem to care about the effect her leaving would on her grandmother, Phi, or Matt. Although Matt tells her that their relationship is short-term and he’s okay with her regaining her previous life, it kinda felt to me like she was using him and his long-time crush to make herself feel better. I did love the character of Pippa’s grandmother, Phi. Phi is fabulous. The relationship between Matt and Phi is sweet. Matt is sexy as hell – a man who takes care of his family (no matter how crazy they drive him) and Phi, a diva past her prime who loves him and helped him in a time when he really needed it.

The writing is funny and sexy. I liked the plot and the relationship that grows between Pippa and Matt. I just wish that I could have connected to Pippa more.

How I rate it:

I give Positively Pippa a 3/5

To find the book:

Amazon

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Review: Just One Touch by Maya Banks

2/5, Paranormal Romance, review copy

About the book:

Raised in a strict religious cult since she was a young girl, Jenna has no connection to the outside world beyond vague flashes of memory that seem to be from another life. Memories she clings to when the cult leaders discover her extraordinary ability to heal—and punish her. Years held captive and forced to do the cults bidding have turned Jenna into a meek, timid woman…or so they think. In truth, she is merely biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to escape.

When a terrified young woman tries to steal the SUV of Devereaux Security’s toughest recruit, Isaac’s anger quickly turns into a strange sort of protectiveness for the beautiful, bruised stranger. But when they are caught in a firestorm of bullets and Isaac is hit, he’s sure the end is near, until Jenna touches him and closes his wounds. As he tries to bring Jenna to safety, she refuses to tell him what danger haunts her or how she healed him, but Isaac vows to do whatever it takes to gain her trust…and her heart. Because with just one touch, Isaac knows he wants Jenna to be his—forever.

What I thought:

Just One Touch is the fifth book in the Slow Burn series. I have read the previous four and think that you should read the series in order to really get the full story.

Based off of my feelings for book 4 in this series, With Every Breath, I was a little weary of reading this book. However, Isaac’s story is one I’ve been interested in since his part in the previous books. The relationship between Jenna and Isaac seems out-of-place. I know that as readers we do a fair amount of suspending reality, but I can’t think of single instance where being hunted down would lead to sexy-times with a man who is practically a stranger. In addition to that she is badly malnourished and hurt, but he finds her the sexiest thing ever and wants her instantly. It just seemed too over-the-top to believe.

Another thing is the repetition of the characters thoughts. It seemed like every few pages we were once again finding out how Isaac or Jenna felt about something. This has been an issue the whole series and I was hoping that the inner dialogue would be less in this book.

I think it is time to break-up with this series and just enjoy the author’s other books.

Rating:

I give Just One Touch a 2/5

To find the book:

Amazon

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iBooks

 

Review: The Irish Prince by Virginia Nelson

4/5, Contemporary Romance, review copy

About the book:

CEO Aiden Kelley’s life of billionaire extravagance is flipped upside down when his ex shows up with a ten-year-old she claims is his. Totally out of his element and losing the control so integral to his success, he needs help. To top it all off, the only constant woman in his life, his executive assistant, has given notice just when he needs her help to survive his newfound fatherhood.

Chelsea Houston is an executive assistant, not a nanny. The only person more clueless about kids is her boss. Helping him on a daddy-daughter road trip is her last task before he’ll accept her two weeks’ notice and she can be free of the infuriating man she’s had a crush on for longer than she’d admit.

Aiden’s carefully ordered life has never been so disorganized, and he’s suddenly tempted by the things he thought he could never have. Things like love and family. Who knew chaos could be so damn fun?

Each book in the The Billionaire Dynasties series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 The Penthouse Prince
Book #2 The Irish Prince

My Thoughts:

The Irish Prince takes the reader on an emotional journey with both the romance and the relationship between Aiden and his daughter.

Aiden is unsure of himself as a parent and it has thrown him for loop. He has worked his whole life to be in complete control of every situation and when he struggles with that control he has Chelsea to help him. She is the one person he can count on in any situation, but Chelsea is tired of being his executive assistant. She wants more than finding random women’s underwear in her office and having to field calls and visits from those same women when they are inevitably pushed aside. This trip to the Grand Canyon with Waverly is the end of her working relationship with Aiden. She is done! Only Aiden isn’t ready to let her go and her wanting to leave him is making him see Chelsea in a new light.

The relationship between Aiden and Chelsea develops quickly once there is a timer on her leaving his employment. They both find themselves wondering “what if” and wanting to explore the chemistry between them. I liked that although they had worked very closely to each other for years, that Aiden and Chelsea had never taken their relationship in another direction. That it was professional between them and stayed that way until the trip to the Grand Canyon.

I also loved the humor of Chelsea and the awkwardness of Aiden as he explores his feelings for Chelsea and at becoming a parent to Waverly. It is the perfect balance.

How I Rate This Book:

I give The Irish Prince a 4/5

To find the book:

Amazon

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Review: Going Nowhere Fast by Kati Wilde

3/5, Contemporary Romance, ebook, review copy

About the book:

One promise.
Two hearts.
Three rules.
Four weeks to break them all.
 
When Aspen Phillips’ best friend invites her on a month-long road trip, she has serious mixed feelings. Sharing their tight quarters will be Bramwell Gage, overprotective brother and all-around jerk. Bram may be ridiculously sexy, but he’s made no effort to hide how he feels about Aspen—that she’s trash who’s no good for his sister. But Aspen is determined to get along with the uptight millionaire—and to keep her promise, concealing a secret about his sister that Bram can never know.

But after a scorching kiss reveals that Bram’s feelings toward her run much hotter than she believed, Aspen’s emotions swerve into a complete 180. Suddenly the girl who has nothing has everything—but only as long as the truth about his sister remains hidden. Because when all the secrets and promises unravel, she risks losing it all…

My thoughts:

I’m a little torn about this book. I loved the end of the book, but the journey there was up and down.

I liked Aspen – most of the time. She is a tough character and has a very big chip on her shoulder. She doesn’t seem like the type of girl who falls as fast as she does in the book. I know that her tough exterior was supposed to be just a facade, but I couldn’t see how in two weeks Aspen and Bram go from hate to love.  Bram is an ass. Most of the time he doesn’t treat Aspen very well. It was hard to like the character, even though it’s obvious the reason he “hates” her is because he really finds her attractive. Again, I just don’t see this kind of character falling head over heels in love in such a short amount of time.

I did love the intensity of their physical relationship. There was a bit of madness to it that was very well written. I definitely felt that although these characters didn’t like each other very much that they were very attracted to each other.

The subplot with Bram’s sister felt lacking. The sister is used as a plot device several times, but didn’t seem like a fully realized character.

Rating:

I give Going Nowhere Fast a 3/5

To find the book:

Amazon

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iBooks

 

 

Review: The Negotiator by Avery Flynn

5/5, Contemporary Romance, ebook, review copy

About the book:

Wanted: Personal Buffer
Often snarly, workaholic executive seeks “buffer” from annoying outside distractions AKA people. Free spirits with personal boundary issues, excessive quirks, or general squeamishness need not apply. Salary negotiable. Confidentiality required.

Workaholic billionaire Sawyer Carlyle may have joked he needed a buffer from their marriage-obsessed mom, but he didn’t need a waiting room filled with candidates to further distract him. (Thanks, bro.) But when a sexy job applicant shooes his mom and the socialite in tow out of his office, Sawyer sees the genius of the plan. And the woman. In fact, Miss Clover Lee might just get the fastest promotion in history, from buffer to fake fiancé…

This free-spirit might look like hot sunshine and lickable rainbows, but she negotiates like a pitbull. Before Sawyer knows what hit him, he’s agreed to give up Friday nights for reality tv, his Saturdays for flea markets (why buy junk still baffles him), his Tuesdays and Thursdays for date nights (aka panty-losing opportunities if he plays his cards right). And now she wants lavender bath salts and tulips delivered every Monday?

Yup, she’s just screwing with him. Good thing she’s got this non-negotiatable six-weeks-and-she’s-gone rule or Sawyer may have just met this match..

What I thought: 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is funny, sexy and romantic. Sawyer has a major stick-up-his-bum and Clover is just the girl to remove it. (Ugh! That doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean.) These two are a classic case of opposites attract. Sawyer is a business man and Clover is an adventurer. They are sure that there is no way they will fall for each other.

Clover is a lively character. She seems to be a flighty, irresponsible, good time girl. However, beneath her flighty and flouncy exterior beats the heart of a serious negotiator. The way she is able to get her way with Sawyer before he even knows what hit him is hilarious. I also liked the scenes when she negotiated with Sawyer’s mother who had a less than favorable opinion of Clover.

Sawyer is stuffy and set in his ways before his time. He takes his position as the CEO of his family’s company very seriously and doesn’t want anything – or anyone – to get in the way of his plans. His brother, Hudson, places the ad for a “personal buffer” and although Sawyer thinks the idea is ridiculous, he changes his mind as soon as Clover stands up to the one person he can’t – his mother.

Clover and Sawyer have instant chemistry. The sexy-times in the book are off the chart! The development of their relationship is sexy and sweet. I loved the way they each change for the other and realize that what they thought they wanted out of life isn’t necessarily all they want.

Rating:

I loved this book and give it a 5/5!

To Find the Book (release date 4/24):

Amazon

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iBooks

 

 

Review: The Attraction of Adeline by Lisa Wells

4/5, Contemporary Romance, review copy

About the book: 

Adeline Rigby will live with Accountant Jack Foster and pretend to be his fake fiancée for one month in order for him to seal a promotion to partner. In return, Accountant Jack Foster will intimately tutor Adeline Rigby in French before she leaves for Paris where she will fulfill her dream of attending Le Cordon Bleu.

The Terms:

1. Maintain distance. Three get-to-know-you dates before announcing their engagement will be tempting enough.

2. No kissing. Okay, fine. Three kisses. Maybe four. And neck kisses don’t count.

3. No touchy feely stuff. Or at least not too many public displays of touchy-feely stuff.

4. No sex.

5. All right, all right. One night of sex in order to be a believable engaged couple.

6. Two nights of mind-blowing sex to make sure first night wasn’t a fluke.

7. Absolutely, positively, no falling in love.

What I thought:

THE ATTRACTION OF ADELINE is a funny, sweet romance. I really loved the relationship that develops between Adeline and Jack. There is a lot of chemistry between them from their first meeting and it grows as they get to know one another.

At first, this story seemed like just a lighthearted read, but there was a lot more to the characters. Adeline is trying to fulfill promises made to a loved one and doesn’t believe that she has the time or the right to fall in love with Jack. Jack is trying to make a good impression at work and can’t see that his personal life is more important than his professional one. I enjoyed the character development that both Adeline and Jack go through to get their happily ever after.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants just a little more depth within a really cute, contemporary romance.

Rating:

I give THE ATTRACTION OF ADELINE a 4/5

To fine the book:

Amazon

iBooks

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Review: ‘Twas the Night Before Mischief by Nina Rowan

5/5, ebook, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, review copy

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About the book:

Twas the night before mischief and all through the house, a lady was plotting-it was time to break out!

When Penelope Darlington is persuaded to elope with a most unsuitable suitor, she wastes no time. With visions of passion and adventure dancing in her head, she steals away in the middle of the night, just before her father’s Christmas feast.

Fearing for his daughter’s reputation, Henry Darlington begs Darius Hall, the Earl of Rushton’s daring yet discreet son, to bring Penelope home. When Darius finally catches up to Penelope he is shocked. She’s not the silly little girl he expected, but a beautiful woman with a sharp mind and an allure that cannot be ignored.

Now forced to kidnap Penelope in order to bring her home, Darius and his new charge spend the next several days-and nights-in very close quarters. Penelope wanted passion and adventure, but she never could have imagined the pleasures Darius can provide . . .

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE MISCHIEF is a delightful holiday read with wonderful characters and a romantic happily ever after. Penelope doesn’t want to be invisible. She wants more than the life she thinks that she will end up living. Darius is the one man who really sees her, but she doesn’t think that he sees her as anything other than his friend’s daughter. I loved their connection and how their feelings for each other change and evolve as they really get to know each other. Their romance is sweet and sexy. This is a great novella to read on a cold winter night.

the book girl gives ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE MISCHIEF a 5/5

to find the book:

Amazon

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Review: Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe

5/5, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, review copy

9780062229908_p0_v1_s260x420

About the book:

Christmas in town has never been so steamy . . .

Handsome as sin and scandalously rakish, Cam Westfall, the Earl of Bedwyr, is every young lady’s wickedest dream. Shy wallflower Princess Jacqueline of Sensaire knows this better than anyone, because her dreams are full of the breathtaking earl’s kisses. And not only her dreams—her diary, too.

But when Cam discovers the maiden’s not-so-maidenly diary, will her wildest Christmas wishes be fulfilled in its pages . . . or in his arms?

I loved this story. Shy Princess Jacqueline and her diary of fantasy was the perfect match for Cam, the rake who takes care of those in need. Jackie is in need – in need of someone who sees the real her and Cam does after finding her diary. I love how they circle around each other as Jackie learns to flirt and becomes more confident and Cam realizes what he really wants. They both have external forces telling them what they should want, who they should be with and it isn’t who or what will make them happy. There romance is slow and takes awhile to come to fruition, but when it does it is magical. I loved them together and the fact that although they don’t seem to be the most logical fit and no one else thinks they should be together they both follow their heart and find each other.

the book girl gives KISSES, SHE WROTE a 5/5

to find the book:

Amazon 

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