Review: xo, Zach

xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet, sexy, light. What else could I want in a book?

Poppy just needed a fake boyfriend so she didn't seem pathetic when her ex walked in.
Zach, sexy, tattooed, gorgeous Zach was the perfect candidate.

Little did she know, but that sexy pretend boyfriend of hers is her new advisor at school.

Perfect. Just. Freaking. Perfect.

Well, for me it is! I'm a sucker for a student/teacher romance. This qualifies. Kendall Ryan brings the heat with this one. As sweet as it is, it's sexy as hell. The characters are just so charming. So bright and full of hope.

Best character: Zach's mother. Hands down one of the best mom's I've read.
Worst character: Well, I guess Poppy's ex. Both of them. They're douche-y.

So, looking for something fun and light? Grab XO, Zach. You won't be disappointed.

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Review: Fighting Dirty

Fighting Dirty by Sidney Halston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked this up on a whim. It's not like me to start with the fifth book in a series, but I thought "series of standalones" and grabbed it.

I'm not disappointed. Sidney Halston weaves the story of Enzo and Jamie Lynn wonderfully. Enzo is fresh off a divorce. Jamie Lynn is the care-free bartender he's had his eye on for a year.

When things finally fall into place for these two, sparks fly! Jamie Lynn is the crazy to Enzo's sanity. They complement each other very well. Explosively well.

I want to go back and read the previous four books. I'm also hoping I get a book for Travis and Penny. That's a story waiting to happen (I'm assuming it doesn't already exist based on their interaction in this book).

Another new-to-me author in the books for 2018.

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Review: Shallow

Shallow by Cora Kenborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enemies to lovers. Hate to love. Frenemies. Whatever you want to call it, this book is it.

Shiloh West is a supermodel at the top of her game.
Until she isn't.

Cary Kincaid has a score to settle.
Until he doesn't.

If you're looking for a sweet, sappy book, this isn't it. Turn away now.
If you're looking for a book of twisted desire, twisted love, and some pretty intense hate-fucking, then this is the book for you.

And I love a good hate-fuck. Cary and Shiloh sure do hate to love one another.

Cora Kenborn is a new to me author (2018 is full of 'em for me and it's still January), but if all of her books are like this, she has a new fan.

A hate fuck book. Yes. It's exactly what I needed.

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Review: A Conjuring of Light

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

VE Schwab owned me with this book. Given the cliffhanger of book two, I knew I needed book three immediately. This is one series that continued to improve as it moved along.

VE Schwab made me cry. She made me cry for Rhy and Kell and Lila. She made me cry for the King and Queen. She made me cry for the Captain. But the thing that surprised me the most, the thing I thought I'd never do after the first book, was that she made me cry for Holland.

VE Schwab painted a London of layers. Red and White and Grey layers. Even a Black layer. She showed us a beautiful White London full of potential and life. She showed us a Grey London full of potential and desire. She showed us a Red London full of pain and loss.

VE Schwab gave me everything in this book. She gave me pain and sadness, laughter and joy, heartache and love. She showed me what it is to do more. She showed me that a King will do everything for his people while sacrificing for those he loves most. She showed me that a Queen can be broken.

Do I wish for the days of dancing with Antari Princes and traveling through worlds? Yes.
Do I wish for the days of sailing on the Night Spire with the Captain? Yes.
But I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't change the placement of anything in this series. Absolutely nothing. Because if any of it was change I wouldn't be able to appreciate the perfection of the end.

But I'm secretly hoping she revisits Red London. I'd like to know where our characters are in their lives.

Absolute perfection. If you want a perfect fantasy series, this is the one.

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Review: UnWanted

UnWanted by M. Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got what I asked for. I told M. Piper to bring on Reagan and she did. Oh, boy, did she bring Reagan. And Nico? Holy Hell! That man. Just...yeah...words. I don't have them. He was fucking amazing and perfect and all of the things you want in your leading man.

The romance is real. The sex is hot. The electricity is flowing. The chemistry is popping. All the things. M. Piper nailed this fucking book.

Oh, and then the bitch made cry. I mean, here I am, just going along, reading, getting upset because our main characters are having a bit of drama, and then BAM. Out of fucking nowhere, I'm in tears. And then I'm a crying mess because I just can't deal with the emotions ripping through me. It's ugly guys. UGLY.

And because it's a romance--despite the fucking tears--I am pushed back into the warm, loving arms of happiness. I realize I am hopelessly, ridiculously in love with Nico and Reagan (because if I were really into chicks, Reagan would be on my "tap that" list).

Did I mention the bromance, guys? Because that bromance helps push this book right into 5-star territory. Nothing better than a bromance. And a bromance with nicknames and mugs? Nothing is better than that.

More Ford, more Lincoln, and more of the crazy West clan. You're going to just love this installment. I know I did.

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Review: Stitches

Stitches by Sam Mariano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.25 Stars

It's a year of New-to-Me Authors. Sam Mariano isn't a new author, but she is new-to-me. And wow! Why is this the first time I've read a book by this woman? What is wrong with me? She captivated me from the very beginning. Yes, the blurb grabbed my attention. The first chapters had me asking, "but how do we go from this to MFM?"

And then Sam Mariano takes me from this to sexy MFM action. And she does it flawlessly. She weaves trust and love and lust together perfectly. She brings these characters to life. She makes she you love Griff and Seb and Moira. She gives us a villain. She gives us a bigger villain. She has us asking, "what would you do for love? What's too much? Do you have a limit?"

If you love MFM, you'll love this. It's more than just sex, it's love and friendship and sex. And the sex isn't the focus (although, it is really freaking hot when it happens). The relationship between the characters is important, the friendships, the trust they are building. All of it is important and it fuels this story.

I want more. Was this satisfying? Yes! On so many levels, this book satisfied me. But I'm a greedy whore and I WANT MORE!

And if you like epilogues? This is one of the best I've ever read. It made me stupid happy.

Thank you, Sam Mariano,for some amazing characters. I look forward to reading your previous material and whatever you write in the future.

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Review: She Asked for It

She Asked for It by Willow Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars.

Let me be the first to tell you that this isn't what you think it is. I mean, it is, but it isn't. It's more than you're expecting. The problem with writing a review for a book like this is that I can't say anything. If I say anything beyond "holy shit, that was an edge of your seat" kind of comment, then I'll give something away. I'll spoil it.

And that's not something I want to do. Not at all.

I've never read Willow Winters before. This book caught my attention. This book spoke to me. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it.

Because I was waiting for one thing to happen.

And while I spent my time waiting for that one thing? Other things happened. Other big, important, crazy things.

So, pay attention to it all. Absorb it. Live in it. You're about to find out just how She Asked For It and you won't be unscathed when you hear the story.

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Review: Total Exposure

Total Exposure by J.A. Huss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm not sure if I'm shocked or awed or what, but I am speechless. The only thing I can say is "READ THE BOOK." Shocking, I know. But seriously, go read this fucking book. Now. Stop reading my review--because it could never do it justice--and read the fucking book.

And then come back and read my review, give it a like, and then write your own review.

You think you know what's gonna happen here. You think you know Jordan. You think you know the Game because you spent time at Turning Point. And if you didn't visit Turning Point, if this is your first little trip into a Huss world, well, buckle up bitches, you're in for a wild ride.

And this wild ride will take you to the depths of your mind and leave you with so many questions.
Questions like, "why do I enjoy this?" "Should I enjoy this?" "Can I get an Ixion?"
And then you'll be sitting there, thinking about it, and telling yourself, "this is normal" "he's helping her" "She's fucked up" "He's fucked up" "Oh my god, I WANT IX!"

I know, none of that makes sense. But if you read this, it will.

And Jordan's Game? I have a feeling we haven't even scratched the surface of Jordan yet. And I'm still holding out hope that he'll fuck that real estate guy from Turning Point.

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Review: Lost For You

Lost For You by Jayne Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Soul Bound. Hope Drowned. Redemption Found.

If that's my next tattoo, will Ms. Frost find it flattering or offensive? I will be hoping for the former.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but what I got was so much better. In the past, I've been hesitant to try new authors. That's something I started to change last year and hope to continue that trend in 2018.
So far, this is the second new-to-me author I've read of 2018 and I could not be happier about the choice I made. Jayne Frost blew me away with this book. I haven't read the previous three books, but it wasn't needed. The characters are all beautifully flawed, tragically lost, and hopelessly hopeful.

This isn't a book that will leave my mind any time soon. Chase and Taryn's story isn't a typical love story. It's filled with pain and loss and heartbreak. It's filled with love and passion.

Chase is an addict. He's been sober for eleven years. That's impressive, as far as I'm concerned. To see the path that he takes in his life--at this moment--is one that I could have never predicted.

Taryn is trying to find her footing in a world where she has been attached to a rockstar. She's trying to show she is on her own--has been for some time--yet the rockstar keeps trying to pull her back down. First loves are hard to overcome and it's even harder when you're still best friends.

But a chance meeting at the local Starbucks proves that sometimes you can outshine your past. Sometimes you can be enough. You just have to find that person. The person who makes you burn and sets your soul on fire. The one you can live without, but don't want to.

Things can't be easy. With an ex in the way and an addiction that's rearing its ugly head, Chase and Taryn are going against the odds. They are going to have to fight for this life. They are going to have to find themselves.

If you like musicians, then Chase is going to sweep you right off your feet. If you like angst, Jayne Frost has provided that for you. If you like secondary characters who are all strong and faithful to our main characters, the Lost For You is the book you need to grab next.

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Review: Mercy

Mercy by Debra Anastasia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't mind me, I'll be over here rocking in a corner waiting for my brain to process everything that just happened. I saw the hype, I read the reviews, I glanced at the blurb.

But nothing--NOTHING--could have prepared me for the total roller coaster I was getting on. Picture it, you stand in line, you wait for hours, you can see some of the track, but not everything. You've read the stats, you have them memorized, you know what's coming. You know the first drop is inverted, you know the speeds are high, you know the number of flips and turns and twists you're about to enjoy.

But you know nothing, Jon Snow. Nothing.

Because that ride you have researched and looked at and memorized? The anticipation and the nervousness and the restlessness you have right before you take your seat?

Yeah, that's nothing to what you're about to experience.

Because what those stats and reviews don't tell you is how emotionally invested you're going to be, how the twists and turns and hills are going to hit you back-to-back-to-back and they aren't going to go easy on you. They don't tell you that you're going to hurt while on this ride. They don't tell you that you'll love it, all while your heart sits in your throat and you wait for that big drop, the big surprise, the flip on the other end of the tunnel that NO ONE mentions in the reviews.

That's what you don't see coming.

And Nix? Well, you won't see him coming either. Not until it's too late. You'll already be in love, you'll be invested, you'll want the best for him no matter how far gone he is. You'll want to change your life for him, even when he leaves.

Your friends will be there to support you. You'll carve a new way of life from the ashes that have been left behind. You'll pick yourself up, put yourself together in a new light, and you will not move on.
Because you know he is it for you. He is your forever. And you will wait for him.


Sit back, please buckle the lap belt and pull the lap bar securely over your lap. Keep your hands and feet in the car at all times. And enjoy the ride.

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Review: Almost Easy: Plantain Series Novella 5.5

Almost Easy: Plantain Series Novella 5.5 by Amelia Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My MM kick isn't over and this little novella was just what I needed to feel the power of two men. Two men who fought their fight or flight response to become absolutely fantastic together.

I have not read the other Plantain series books. I'm sure I would have appreciated the appearances of the other characters. However, the other characters are fantastic and drive this story just as much as our main characters, Nolan and Rupert.

And Nolan and Rupert's history is one of confusion and questions and heartache. But the journey is half the battle for these two. Forces working against them will have them questioning what they really want and expect from life, but you will not be left hanging--or disappointed.

Go meet Rupert and Nolan. Love them because they are worthy of your love.

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Review: True

True by Ella Frank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's here. The end of one of the best MM series I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Logan and Tate have been through it all. They've overcome it all. Now they just want to find their happily ever after, as so many in their lives seem to have found.

But what does that look like for commitment-phobe Logan and the once-straight Tate?

It looks beautiful. It looks like love. And it looks like forever.

You have to read this book to fully appreciate the depth of the love these two have. You have to read it to hurt with them and to love with them and to grow with them. You won't be sorry. You want this story. And you want to read this as soon as you finish book 5, Tate. You want it, you know you do.

And this is also where I say, bravo Ella Frank, bravo. You hooked me with Try. You sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. And yet, as much as I loved and enjoyed every single part of this journey, you didn't have my jaw on the floor until this book. This book, that one scene. You know the one, the elevator when Priest walks out with his....well, you know who. So, courtesy of that little scene and the following interactions with Priest and Logan, well, I'm in for the next story. Just tell me where to sign up because I need it yesterday.



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Review: Tate

Tate by Ella Frank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I should have reviewed this when I finished it, but I just couldn't stop reading the amazing love story of Tate and Logan to be bothered with small things like review writing.

That being said, this is one of those series that just gets better and better with each book. I don't want it to end. The fact that this is book 5 out of 6 has me a bit sad and a lot depressed. However, I am also so incredibly happy and in love with this couple. Ella Frank has me wanting to read everything she's ever written, so I'd say she's done her job as a writer.

I'm invested. I am so invested in this couple that when the proposal finally happens, I am totally blindsided. But I'm not. I'm happy and overjoyed and full of tears. I am also full of confusion and I'm upset that I can't keep all of my emotions inside of myself.

If you've made it this far, you know something big happens. You know these guys aren't finished with their story. And if you were unfortunate enough to read these as they were published, you were left with one hell of an ending with this one. I do not envy you. In this case, I am extremely pleased that I waited for freaking ever to read this series because it's complete. I didn't have to wait it out.

I got the HEA I so longingly deserved. OR maybe it's the HEA everyone deserves.

So, read this, but have True, book 6, lined up and ready to go. You won't be able to sleep without knowing what happens.

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Review: The Truro Murders: The Sex Killing Spree Through the Eyes of an Accomplice

The Truro Murders: The Sex Killing Spree Through the Eyes of an Accomplice by Ryan Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For anyone who follows me, this is so far out of my realm of typical reads that I'm sure you think I accidentally added this to my "read" shelf. Alas, I have a bit of a thing for true crime and have always been interested to see a bit behind the scenes into the human psyche. The Truro Murders allowed me to do two things: the first, experience what it's like to be in an abusive relationship where fists are not involved. Only unrequited love and a misplacement of trust and kindness. And second, the twisted way a mind can warp that love and allow you to follow someone so blindly, even when they are committing heinous crimes.

The Truro Murders happened in Australia in 1976-77. The country had never experienced a serial killer of this magnitude before, if at all.

This story, from the eyes of James Miller, the accomplice, shows the manipulations of a serial killer. The terrifying way Miller was controlled, the way he was able to turn a blind eye to Worrell's crimes.... I don't have the words for this kind of behavior.

But I do want to know more. Now I want to research, research, research these crimes and see them in a different light, a different perspective. I want to know it all--or at least as much as possible.

Ryan Green has given us an easy to read/listen account of something that should never be easy to hear or read. But he does this flawlessly, explaining the behaviors of both Worrell and Miller, and making the reader want to know more. More about Miller and more about Worrell.

**The audio of this is fantastic. The narrator makes you feel like you're there while offering a bit of detachment because no one really wants to be the accomplice of a serial killer.

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Review: A Disconnected Christmas

A Disconnected Christmas by Ryan Ringbloom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was ridiculously sweet and adorable. I fell head over heels for the sweet quirkiness of Lindsay. And Seth? Well, Seth with his 10 year old son and his own business? He's just the right kind of package for me.

And for Lindsay. He's sweet and kind and flirty and fun and he has a dog and a kid and his own business.
What's not to love?

The answer is nothing. He's the greatest guy. The kind of guy you want to bring home to your parents. The kind of guy you want to spend forever with.

Get Disconnected and see what it's like to really date someone. It'll be fun. And you might even be able to find your forever.

**I listened to the audio of this and I am totally smitten with Charley Ongel and Tor Thom. I'm pretty sure they can send me anything and I'll listen to it.

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My 2018 Audiobook Challenge!

Welcome to my Audiobook Challenge for 2018! I am going for "Marathoner" level and hope to accomplish this rather quickly. Last year, I listened to 77 audiobooks and I managed to hit 50 (which is Marathoner level) by the end of July. So, here's to a new year, a new challenge, and new listens! All images will send you to Amazon so you can purchase the book, if you'd like. All of my reviews can be found along the right side of the page.

Will anyone be joining me on this journey? I'd love to hear about your current or favorite audios. 

     

   

July 4, 2018! We're at the halfway point in our Audiobook challenge and I am happy to report that I've listened to 36 audiobooks! I currently have three audios started and will hopefully have them finished up this week. 

I've spent a lot of time re-listening to my favorites this year. Those re-listens include: 

Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Good Boy and Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Five by JA Huss

Some of my favorite NEW-to-me listens have been:

So Good by Nicola Rendell

XO, Zach by Kendall Ryan

Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I look forward to the rest of this challenge and I can't wait to find some new favorite listens. 

What are you guys listening to these days?

I finished my 2018 Audiobook Challenge with 64 completed books. Many of these were rereads, some were new to me authors, and some were just favorites of mine. I am happy with my results this year as it's the first time I've attempted an audio challenge. 

Top FIVE favorite audios of 2018:

So Good by Nicola Rendell

Only Love by Melanie Harlow

Thirty Day Boyfriend by Whitney G

Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

Hothouse Flower by KB Ritchie

Join me in 2019 for my second attempt at the Audiobook Challenge!