Review: Keeper

Keeper by Amy Daws
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 "I'm drunk on Booker Harris" Stars

I love Amy Daws. There. I said it. I'm in love with her. Oh, wait. I'm in love with her characters.
Vi and her need to mother her brothers.
Camden and his love for Specs.
Tanner and his beard and man-bun.
Booker and his Poppy.
Gareth and his secrets.

But Booker. Oh, Baby Booker hurts me. He makes me love and laugh and hurt and love. There's fire and passion and desire.

Poppy is Booker's best friend from childhood. They haven't seen each other in years. What better way to reconnect than by having Poppy move in to Booker's new flat with him?

Hint: there isn't a better way.

But Booker always told me to never stop chasing butterflies.

That's because no one knew Poppy better than Booker. Not even Poppy. And he knew she was meant for great things.

If you've never felt sexual tension leaking from the pages of your book, then this will solve that little issue, no problem. Amy has the unique ability to make the chemistry palpable. She brings London to life. She brings characters to life. She gives them heart, love, passion, drive, angst, pain, and every emotion you can imagine. And she does it flawlessly.

It feels like a dare.
Like she's daring me to stop her.
Daring me to grant permission.
Daring the world to crash around us.

Naturally, tension has it's breaking point. It will snap and explode and connect in ways beyond your imagination. Because Booker and Poppy are perfect and everyone can see it.

Except Booker.

This is when having an older sister and three older brothers becomes hilarious. Their meddling gives us some of the best scenes in the book. You're going to love seeing Cam and Tanner as they're being all sappy, while still being totally filthy.

I might have a new favorite Harris brother. I guess I'll know for sure when we get Gareth.

"Life doesnae always give a fuck aboot yer plans, Pop."

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Review: Complicated Hearts

Complicated Hearts by Ashley Jade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 "We're gonna go down in flames" Stars

Wow. It isn't every day that I'm left without words to describe how a book has made me feel, but this is one of those books. And I've waited DAYS to write this review.

How does one do it justice?

How can one properly describe how one feels when reading something so completely and totally complicated?

How do you not spoil it for others?

Easy.

You wait for-freaking-ever to write your real review. You wait and wait and wait.

And then you man the fuck up and sit down and write.

Because you just know Ashley Jade poured her heart and soul into this book. And she deserves kind words in return.

So, my kind words are finally here because Landon and Asher and Breslin won't be quieted. They will not be silenced or made to feel ashamed or broken. They will go kicking and screaming into the night and they will be heard.

You will hear them.

She is my chaos.

You have to read Complicated Hearts book One for this to make any sense. If you don't, don't even bother with this one. You won't understand the dynamic, the love, the heartache, the lust, the pain that flows from the pages of this book. And you need that to understand.

I'm hopelessly and irrevocably in love with two people--and both have completely fucked me up and ruined me for anyone else.

God, truer words have never been spoken. Or unspoken.

Ashley Jade threw some twists I would have never seen coming at me. I wouldn't have expected the story to go the direction it did. I was on the edge of my seat and afraid to finish because I really didn't know how it would end. I was terrified that they would all fall apart. I was terrified that someone would be left out. I was terrified that it wouldn't work and they would all be broken in the end, with no way to mend their hearts and souls.

And I had every right to be terrified because I really didn't know what would happen.

"Your lies taste delicious."

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Review: Misadventures of a City Girl

Misadventures of a City Girl by Meredith Wild
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Don't let my 3-star rating fool you. This book is fun, light, sexy, and enjoyable.
I guess I just expected more...drama. Tension. Fight. Something.

Characters: 4 stars
Sex: 5 stars
Story: 2 stars
Average: 3.67

But, again, this book is still fun and flirty. I laughed out loud on numerous occasions and couldn't get enough of Luke and Mad. That's probably why I finished it in a matter of hours and only stopped to sleep--and I was reluctant to do that.

Add in the fact that this book was promo'd using the beautiful Brock O'Hurn and I couldn't stop the gorgeous images drifting through my mind. That kind of imagery is hard to ignore.

Madison is recently divorced and wants a break from the hustle and bustle of the city that has consumed her. The city that has plastered her ex-husband everywhere. She finds Avalon and immediately books a month long stay at the spa/springs/resort in the mountains.

Luke is ex-Navy. His self-imposed exile is one of necessity. He couldn't take the city life after his final tour and relished the quiet of the mountain. He enjoys working the land, the silence, and the routine.

That is, until Madison shows up on his property and throws his entire world for a loop. To say that Luke twists Madison up as well is an understatement. These two are drawn to each other immediately.

It's hot. The sex is hot. There is no question that the sex is the focal point here. And for good reason. Luke and Madison are young, hot, and DTF.

Pros of this book:
Brock O'Hurn is Luke. Or Luke is Brock O'Hurn. Doesn't matter because he's gorgeous either way you cut it.
The sex. Yes, oh yes! The sex is oh so good. You might want a little fan for your...um..face. Yes. That's it.
The banter. I loved the banter between Luke and Madison. They gave each other shit and didn't hold back. No coddling here. Just the way I like it.
Indigo. The Avalon owners. The "extras" that weren't assholes. Those are good people. Lou is good people. And he's great at the advice giving.

Cons of this book:
I felt like there were too many unanswered scenarios. Or scenarios that weren't played to their fullest. Like the guy with the camera? Where's the drama there? Jeremy? Susan? I think those things could have been more and this story would have done more than scratch an itch. It would have made me FEEL.
Nope. That's it. That's the only con. Or downside.

So, like I said, it may not really be a downside. I think it all depends on what you're searching for--at that time--in a book. Me, I guess I was in the mood for more story and less sex. Or at least more story. Not sure if I ever want less sex. If you want a light, fluffy read, then this is for you.


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Review: Thick as Thieves

Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is nothing better than revisiting an old friend. And that's exactly what this felt like.

Gen may not be our leading character this time around, but you can feel his influence in every move the Attolian makes. You can feel it in the outside forces that intervene. You can feel it in the writing.

Megan Whalen Turner has this amazing ability to transport me to that exact moment. The moment in which Kamet is told he needs to leave, that moment when he meets the Attolian for the first time, that moment when Kamet is captured, the moment Kamet is freed, the moment he realizes there is more to the Attolian than what he first thought.

I felt like I was there. I was walking the road, traveling through the rocks, feeling the chains around my ankles, tasting the caggi, searching for freedom, running from the past, holding on to something not worth holding on to.

I was there.

The Attolian's true identity is kept from us for the majority of the book. This is another true MWT element. The element of secrecy, the element of the big reveal, the element of surprise. She writes it all so perfectly and so beautifully that you aren't only surprised when you realize who the Attolian is,but you feel like you should have seen the signs.

But you don't.

Gen. Oh, Eugenides. How I've missed him since reading The Conspiracy of Kings. I've missed his cunning ways, his devotion, his mystery. I've missed him. I almost forgot just how much I love Gen, but when I see the perfection of this book, I remember very quickly.

Because Gen is still powerful and he is still King of Attolia, Thief of Eddis.

Told with the same suspense, mystery, and foreshadowing as her previous novels, MWT nails it with Thick as Thieves. This book will keep you waiting for more, while feeling as if this chapter is closed.

Kamet has told his story thus far. What does the future hold for our Attolia, Eddis, and Sounis?

*I listened to the audio for this and Steve West is beyond phenomenal. Just freaking fantastic.

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Review: Coming Up Roses

Coming Up Roses by L.K. Farlow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are some books that remind me that I have been a southerner my entire life. Born and raised in the South, I can't help but love these books that use the very sayings that I grew up hearing.

"Believe you me" had to be the one thing said in this book that I just couldn't get enough of. Seem silly? Probably. But when you haven't heard that little phrase in years, it feels a bit nostalgic. It's something my grandmother always said. "Believe you me."

Probably sounds silly if you aren't from the South. But OMG! Let's just say that I found Coming Up Roses to be a soft, southern piece of fresh air. Light romance, heavy hearts, big love. It's all here.

LK Farlow shocked me with her ability to capture the south so perfectly. The ridiculous heat, the sayings, the small town life. It's all here.

Cash Carson. Man, I don't know what it is about this name, but I freaking love it. Cash. Yep, I sense a small tribute to the master, Johnny right here. And if it's not, that's a nod well wasted. Then again, Johnny Cash. Johnny Carson. I'm liking the combo here. But I digress. I'm all over the place in this review. Probably because I just loved hearing and reading Cash Carson throughout the entire book.

Then there's Myla Rose. I can't even think it without my accent coming out. Myla Rose hasn't had the best of luck with men. Or man, I should say. Long time crush, Taylor, is the guy she should have never given the time of day, but did anyway.

And he's left her knocked up and alone because he thinks he's better than her.

Idiot.

Him, not her.

Enter Cash Carson.

His ex is a real treat as well. Sarcasm, in case you missed it. But his ex really did a number on him and he's trying to recover.

Watch these two grow together as they explore their feelings for each other. It's a sweet story of two people afraid to dive back in to the dating pool, but who dive anyway.

Coming Up Roses will leave you with a smile.

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Review: Hostile Workplace

Hostile Workplace by A.M. Madden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I LOVE Sam Stanton. I didn't know if I would when I started it, but he really grew on me. He's determined, driven, and lost.

Doesn't make much sense, but it's true. He's in a relationship with a woman who is NOT the woman he wants. Because that woman broke his heart years ago.

He puts all of his time into his job. He's a hardass and not easy to please.

His fiance is so atrocious I don't even remember her name. Honestly, if you've ever wanted a bad female character--and not badly written, but just a real beeyotch--this is it. This chick takes manipulative to a whole new level. You're gonna hate her when it's all over, if not sooner.

But then there's Judy, who is pretty cool. I like her. You will too. Promise.

And Lydia. Oh, the one who got away. The one who broke his heart. The reason he's distant. The reason he's horrible to work for.

She's back and she's determined to put her past firmly behind her.

*I listened to this and the narrators were great. La Petit Mort gets my vote every time.

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

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Review: Paper Dolls

Paper Dolls by Courtney Houston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm impressed. I'm not entirely sure what I thought I was getting, but I didn't expect this. It has a bit of a paranormal twist, but I loved every bit of it. I wasn't sure how it would all come together, but it did.

Courtney Houston wove a story of two lost souls and the troubles they have faced.

Ian isn't your typical guy, but man do I love him. He is sweet and kind and loving. And he always finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mari is the town outcast. Living in a less than desirable situation, but she is trying to make the best of it. She couldn't have predicted any of the events following Ian's arrival.

Ian could though. He just couldn't stop it or change it or alter its course.

And he tried.

Oh, how he tried.

With things working against them, can these two find love? Can they be what the other needs to survive this life they've found themselves in?

Pick up Paper Dolls to day and find me in Rome.

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