Review: American Queen

American Queen by Sierra Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 "We're already real" Stars

What can I possibly say about this book that hasn't already been said? Has it all been said? I'm sure it has. Despite the fact I know I am so incredibly late to this Sierra Simone/American Queen party, I am going to put words down to describe my feelings. Maybe. Hopefully.

I want to feel like my veins are being sliced open by the sheer desire of someone powerful, I want to be handled and cherished and used and worshipped. I want a man or woman to claim me as their equal partner in every way--until we're alone. Then I want to crawl to them.

If this line didn't hook you, I'm not sure you should be reading this. American Queen is intense. It's the story of a girl who is told to keep her kisses to herself. It's the story of a girl who falls in love with a man ten years her senior. It's the story of a girl who falls in love with her first lover. It's the story of love. All-consuming, over-powering, gut-wrenching love.

"Now would be a good time to call me Sir."

Yes, sir.

Right now, I was a vessel of pooling want, I was ready to be whatever he wanted me to be, ready to crawl into his veins and make him mine.

The emotions in this book are raw. Raw emotion drives this book. Primal instincts. Love. The desire, the want, the need. This perfect trifecta that couldn't be more beautiful if it tried.

"You're with me," he grunted in my ear as he continued to force his way in and out of my virgin cunt. "You're not with him. You're giving this to me.

I'm not sure if I even have words for this scene. This scene is the end and the beginning of something so much more than love, want, or need. It's the coming together of two souls who are hurting for another. It's the ripping apart of two hearts who just want one thing they can't have.

"You want to take care of me? Then fucking own me. Wreck me. Tear me up and sew me back together the way that only you know how."

Yes, please, yes. Do you feel the intensity? The urge? The desire to be controlled? The desire to be owned? The desire, want, and need to please?
You should.

"I kissed him because even though he's broken my heart twice in ten years, I still think he looks beautiful in the winter moonlight. Because sometimes I think I might literally die from wanting to feel his lips on mine."

You feel it now, don't you? That love? That fire that's burning through every page of this book? The slow burn?

"Just because you want to forget who you are doesn't mean the rest of us can forget you."

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Review: Pucked Off by Helena Hunting

Pucked Off by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

6 “Past Fused with Present” Stars

“Your body is a gift I want to earn the right to enjoy.”

Lance “Romance” Romero, number 21 for the Chicago hockey team, has intrigued me from the moment I heard he was Scottish. Yep, I have a thing for accents and sometimes Lance’s makes an appearance. Usually when he’s upset or emotional. And Lance is emotional. You wouldn’t get that from his appearances in the previous books, but he is an emotional wreck--and he keeps it buried beneath his playboy ways.

I hate that she makes me weak, and I hate that she knows it.

Lance has had an interesting run when it comes to the ladies. Tash being his attempt at something real, he eventually learns she may not be the settling down type. But what does that lesson cost him? Can he survive this attempt at normalcy or will he fall back into the bunnies and continue to live one game--one girl--at a time? What happens when he meets someone who surpasses everything he could ever imagine?

"She’s like...all this goodness wrapped up in one person. I want to have that. I want to deserve to have that.”

If you’re expecting the ridiculousness that happens in the first few Pucked books, then I recommend you turn away right now. THIS IS NOT THAT. Yes, there is a bit of laughter and ridiculousness, there has to be where Violet is concerned, but the overall theme of this book? Angst. So. Much. Angst. And we all know Helena can write angst, but I didn’t expect it from Lance. Despite this, I absolutely love this book and this couple. Lance is everything I could want in a man (well, almost, because Randy is my main guy). He’s broken and battered and hurt. And he’s lived with this since he was a child.

“I’m messed up. I think there are parts of me that can’t be fixed.”

This is the most beautiful relationship in the Pucked series. And that’s saying a lot considering I am always, always Team Ballistic. He’s my guy and he does incredible things for Lily. But Lance. *le sigh* Lance. He’s everything.

“And I’m still not sorry the way I should’ve been.”
“What?”
“For taking something that didn’t belong to me. I wasn’t sorry then. I’m still not sorry now.”

I cried. I can honestly say I cried during at least two moments in this book. Like I said, Lance broke me. He has completely broken me. I want more of this love story. I want to see where this relationship goes. I’m greedy though. I’m never happy with an epilogue. I want novellas and books and spin-offs. I want it all.

She’s given someone else her other firsts, but that kiss--that still belongs to me.

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Review: Hole Punched by Susan Renee

Hole Punched by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 "I believe in fairy tales" Stars

Sometimes I want to punch myself in the face for not reading an author sooner. This is one of those times. I hear Susan Renee does amazing things with angst, but I got to experience her humor first and for that I am thankful. I also think it’ll prepare me for the tears I am bound to shed when I dive into Seven.

"I believe in the power of a kiss."

Anyway, here we meet Jenna. She works at the Hole Punch with her bestie, Linda. Hottie customer, Jacoby is the candy of Jenna’s eye and she really wants a piece. But how does one make that happen? She’s the employee, he’s the customer. Is there a good way to approach this man?
He’s hot in that I’m-not-sure-if-he’s-a-good-guy-or-a-bad-boy-but-either-way-is-okay kind of way.
Turns out, there is! Yay! Susan gives this couple an excellent opportunity to make the sex happen. Or at least a date. Or whatever. Anyway, it’s pure comedic gold and I couldn’t get enough.

“...not that smelling like mocha is a bad thing…” He trails off for a moment and I catch him ogling my wet chest. “Come to think of it, neither is looking at a girl in a wet t-shirt, but, you know.” He shrugs. “I wouldn’t want all your customers staring at you all day.”
“Oh? And why not? Because my chest is for your viewing pleasure only?”
“That’s not what I meant, although if you’re offering your chest up to my eyes only I would probably be a fool not to take advantage at least once,” he responds.

A hot, passionate hook-up is just what these two need, right? But what do you do when you feel that deep connection you know you’ve been missing? Can you continue with the hook-up or do you have to dive head first into a relationship? Is there middle ground?

"Stay with me tonight."

But what happens when this little hook-up turns serious? What happens when you begin sharing your dirty little secrets with the other person? Can you count on them to keep those secrets? Are you risking too much?

"I just want you. Here. With me."

These two have their own baggage, but they are set on their path to overcome that baggage. At the very least, they are set on seeing each other and that takes more trust than either have given anyone in a very long time.
"Don't look back, Jenna. You're not going that way."

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