Book Review: Rebel by Victoria Purman

Book Description

Two people, who regret their missed chance, just might get another…

Sexy Australian pro surfer Cooper Malone lives his dreams on beaches all over the world. While surfing is his passion, he can’t quite suppress the longing for a permanent home with the one woman he let slip away.

World traveler Maggie MacLean first laid eyes on Cooper in a crowded bar on the island resort of Bali six years ago. The sparks and sizzle nearly scorched her bikini, but she never had a chance to explore that intense attraction. Later, when Maggie’s pregnant by a man who wants nothing to do with their child, she puts her passport away and heads home to California to be the best mom she can be.

But when a possible career ending injury sidelines Cooper from his beloved waves, he moves in with the one friend he’s been able to count on. Maggie and Cooper have ignored the burn of attraction for six years. Maggie’s not willing to risk their friendship or her son’s heartbreak when Cooper inevitably leaves to compete, but what if this time Cooper stays and Maggie allows their second chance at love to flame?

AVAILABLE: August 20, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Maggie MacLean put away her passport and traveling spirit when she discovered she was pregnant and returned home in order to provide the best life she could for her son, Evan.  Her friend, pro surfer Cooper Malone, has been there for her and her son throughout the years, so when he has a potential career ending injury, Maggie has a chance to return the kindness and support he has continually shown her.   

The Rebel is a sweet friends-to-lovers story.  I felt it was lacking some sexual chemistry and tension between Maggie and Cooper.  The relationship between Cooper and Evan was again... sweet.  

Everything was just... sweet.

I don't understand "The Rebel" title.  There was no "rebel" quality I got from any of the characters.  The title just didn't work for this book for me.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Book Review: Bad Romance by Jen McLaughlin

Book Description
Seven years in the army will change a guy. But after a shoulder wound ends his career as a sniper, Jackson Worthington finds himself back home, fighting a battle that's all too familiar: keeping his hands off Lily Hastings. She's still her rich daddy's little angel, innocent, impossibly lovely, as squeaky-clean as Jackson is dirty. And she's still his stepsister—forbidden but not forgotten, not after the soul-melting kiss that got him kicked out of the house at eighteen. He couldn't resist her then. How the hell can he resist her now?

Lily is about to marry a man she doesn't love, and commit to a high-stress job she hates, all to please the father who controls every waking moment of her life. On top of everything, her teenage crush is back, with a sleek, chiseled body and a trace of the rebellious boy whose lips sealed her fate. Jackson's timing couldn't be worse . . . or better. Because Lily's all grown up, too. She's aching for another taste. And for the first time, she's ready to be a bad girl.
AVAILABLE: September 15, 2015
**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Bad Romance was my first step-sibling romance book.  I've seen this theme all over the place lately and it has always just scrolled right past them.  I'm glad Bad Romance was my first one though... I enjoyed it.
Jackson and Lilly's parents were only married a few months before Jackson left to enlist in the Army and leave his controlling new stepfather behind.  But not before kissing 15 Lilly, the only person who was nice to him.  Jackson always felt more than Lilly, but the perception from their parents marriage wouldn't allow for anything more.
Seven years later, Jackson is back stateside, after an injury took him out of combat.  Jackson and Lilly run into each other at a bar, where Lilly is enjoying herself dancing.  From then on, these two fight the attraction they have for each other.  
I liked both Jackson and Lilly, though I wish Lilly stood up for herself more with her father.  She has (apparently her father signed a contract...) to marry a man she doesn't love all to save her father's company, so she only "offers" herself to Jackson till she gets married...
Rating: 4 out of 5

Book Review: Following Her by Melody Anne

Book Description
The newest sexy e-novella in the Unexpected Heroes series by New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne!

Ella was a woman Axel wouldn’t mind shadowing day and night—especially night.

Ella Brooks is strong-willed, independent, and stubborn, and when she hears something she’s not supposed to about her shady boyfriend, her safety is at risk. Much to her dismay, her cousin sends FBI Agent Axel Carlson to keep an eye on her. Ella’s determined to resist the infuriatingly sexy bodyguard—she can take care of herself!—but she soon discovers that beneath the six-pack abs and amazing biceps lies an equally amazing heart. But will a mysterious threat keep them from finding their happily ever after?
AVAILABLE: September 14, 2015
**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.** Following Her is a short, sexy story that has the feel of a full length novel.
Ella Brooks is a young, strong-willed lawyer that heard something about her boyfriend/boss that she shouldn't of and now is in trouble.  With the trial of her ex boss/boyfriend getting closer, her cousin send Axel Carlson, a FBI agent that is on a much-needed vacation.  Axel is instanstly attracted to the independent, fiesty Ella, but the more time he spends with her, the more he admires her courage and determination to see this through. 
RATING: 4 out of 5

Book Review: Slate ( Breaking the Declan Brothers #2) by Kelly Gendron

Book Description

First loves, we all got them. Mine is Slate Declan. He was kind, gentle, and caring. Still, he managed to break my heart. So I put miles between us, and eventually, my heart healed.

I haven't seen Slate in years, but a couple friends and I are going back to the Bayou for the summer. While I'm visiting my hometown, I'm going to look up Slate Declan. And I plan to break his heart, just as he did mine. I'll remind him of what he has lost, and then I'll prove to him that I've moved on.

It should be real easy, right?

Well, let me tell you, Slate Declan is not the same guy that I left behind. And there's another problem. How do you break someone's heart when they no longer have one?

AVAILABLE: August 3, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This book made me physically uncomfortable.  I think it glossed over addiction and the work that needs to be done to fight it and stay sober.  The detox process in this book just rubbed me the wrong way. It creeped me out and I actually almost stopped reading. 

I thought it was disrespectful to those that have fought addiction to make it seem that after three days of detox (which he didn't even do because he had a stash in the den somewhere) his urges seemed to be completely under control.  I mean he had no therapy, treatment, nothing.

The sex was manipulative and degrading to me.  I mean Slate has to "punish" her by smacking her ass after his "three day detox" and "fuck her hard".  Ugh. No. Stop it. I didn't like Slate or Rayna for actually agreeing to this crap.

No. 

Just no.

Rating: 1 out of 5 (I would give it a ZERO if I could...)

Book Review: Claimed by the Warrior by

Book Description

Bad boy Jed Hamilton is ex-special Forces and a current undercover recovery agent who's mentally and physically tough, a lone wolf and, above all, violently allergic to commitment, permanence, and anything wedding related. 

So when he learns, in the very sexy McKenna Dixon’s bridal salon, that his younger sister is getting married and wants him to be her “man of honor”, Jed wishes he was anywhere but in Cape Town. Especially now that he'll be spending more time around the one woman who makes him consider perilous phrases like “what if” and “maybe”… 

McKenna Dixon loves bad boys, but her past experience with the species has led to nothing but pain and heartbreak. Jed Hamilton is exactly the type of man she should avoid, but when a nasty incident threatens her and her daughter, Jed immediately appoints himself as their protector, even though it’s not a part of his job description.

McKenna is determined not to allow another bad boy to flip her life inside out, and Jed is determined to retain his bachelor status and to keep travelling and working. But, as they both discover, love does its best work when they are busy making other plans…

AVAILABLE: September 10, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review**

Jed Hamilton is summoned home by his little sister.  Unbeknownst to him, their meeting place is a bridal salon, a place that would have avoided like the plague, until he gets a good look at it's owner, McKenna Dixon.  From the instant he saw McKenna he wants her, but McKenna has been burned twice before by bad boys and she has her adorable daughter to care for now.  McKenna doesn't have time for the inevitable pain and heartbreak that follows.

However, when McKenna's stalker seems to escalate, Jeb is determined to protect McKenna and Daisy from the danger.  And what was supposed to be only a one-time thing has been leaving Jeb thinking of a future of "what-ifs" and "maybes".  But can he put aside his past and dangerous job to allow himself to be open to love?     

Rating: 4 out of 5

Book Review: Making A Play by Victoria Denault

Book Description

He'll do whatever it takes to win--on and off the ice.

Luc Richard is the hottest player in the NHL--and it has nothing to do with hockey. His racy relationship with his supermodel ex set the tabloids on fire but nearly put his career on ice. To avoid being traded, Luc agrees to take a break from the spotlight--and from women--and spend the off-season at home in Silver Bay, Maine. It's the perfect plan... until he reconnects with Rose.

Rose Caplan is tired of being shy, sweet, and safe. She's ready for passion, romance--and Luc. Having loved him longer than she can remember, she's finally ready to prove she's not the same innocent little girl he once knew. Off the ice Luc doesn't do games, but this new Rose makes him feel like playing a little dirty. If he's really got a shot at her heart then he's not just playing to win. He's playing for keeps.

AVAILABLE: September 8, 2015

A Hometown Players Series:

One More Shot - Jordan and Jessie

Making a Play (Available September 8, 2015) - Luc and Rose

The Final Move (Available December, 2015) 

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review**

This is the first book I've read by Victoria Denault and it won't be my last.  I really enjoyed her writing style and how Luc and Rose's story evolved.  

Luc and Rose have been friends since they were teenagers.  Rose has always had a crush on Luc.  Luc always knew how Rose felt and enjoyed her feelings for him, even if he never acted on them because she was his "little Rosie" and believed she deserved better than him.

Fastfoward several years later, Luc is home in Silver Bay, Maine for the offseason and Rose is trying to decide if she wants to go to gradschool.  Rose is determined to get Luc to notice her as a grown woman and not someone who needs looking after anymore.  But after a disaster of a "relationship" with a up-and-coming model and his career with the Vegas Vipers is in jeopardy for the negative tabloid attention, Luc's goal this summer is to lay low anf focus on hockey.

Will Rose be able to show Luc that she is all grown up and can Luc find balance between hockey and a possible happily-ever-after!?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Book Review: Pursued by the Devil by Carole Mortimer

Book Description
Mikhail Lysenko, a tall, dark, and deadly corporate shark, is buying up ailing companies during the financial crisis worldwide, cherry-picking the best parts, and disposing of the dead wood.


Lindsay Carlisle is a sexy, long-legged, ruthless lawyer whose client is determined to hold out against a Lysenko take-over.

And when Mikhail’s laser business focus hones in on Lindsay and becomes personal, very personal, she doesn’t know whether his interest is genuine or a means of undermining her client’s case. Regardless, there’s no way she’s going to be added to the list of women who’ve jumped into the sexy millionaire’s bed. Trying to resist Mikhail and keep work her priority is more than enough to deal with, but then someone begins anonymously sending Lindsay roses… black roses. As a love token? Or something more sinister? She may have to run into Mikail’s arms and allow him to save her from her secret admirer…
AVAILABLE: September 3, 2015
**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This book was REALLY short...  I think it took me a little over an hour to finish.  It was also really predictable, which made it boring.  There was also an excessive use of exlamation points when I didn't feel they were needed or even warranted in simple conversations.   
This is my first book by Carole Mortimer, and to be honest, I won't be looking up other books written by her...
Rating: 1 out of 5