BOOK REVIEW: Follow Me Down by Melissa Toppen

(Standalone Contemporary Romance)

Author: Melissa Toppen

Published: August 28th, 2020

Source: GR

For years I've been planning my escape.
Preparing for the day when I could leave home and never look back.
But when the moment came, it didn't happen like I had planned.
I didn't pack up my car and drive away, watching my old life disappear in the rearview mirror like I had always envisioned I would.
Instead, I ran—quite literally—as fast and far as my feet would take me.
I didn't know where I was going, only that I had to get away.
And that's when he found me…
Titus Driscoll.
He was unlike anyone I had ever met before.
A man who lived by his own code. Who answered to no one but himself.
He didn't care where I came from or why I was running.
He didn't care that my father was a powerful politician that would stop at nothing to bring me home.
Once he had me, I was his.

REVIEW

I really enjoyed reading this from the get-go. its simply written yet still delivers the connection and chemistry between Fallon and Titus. overall if your looking for a lightweight drama in romance, this book suits you well.👍 RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: The Truth About Heartbreak by B. Celeste

(The Truth 1)

Author: B. Celeste

Released Date: June 3rd, 2019

Source: GR

Forbidden Romance - Check.
Cheating - Check.
Brother's Best Friend - Check.
Angst - Check.

BLURB

I fell in love with him when I was thirteen years old.

He was older, mysterious, and unattainable. The guy I could never touch.

Then one night changed everything for us. But there was one huge problem.

He belonged to her.

REVIEW

This is the story of River and Everett. When River was 12 she was adopted into this family. This family has a son - Oliver. Ollie and Rhett are bestfriends. The timeline started when River's 12 and Everett's 17 then from their we get to see how their friendship progresses and eventually turns into forbidden love. We get to know the reason why he stays in a relationship and honestly I did not support his decisions, I mean ya it's about expectations but he's a grown up man who can decide what is right and wrong. But ya the dilemma was also the main plot of the story (just sayin) “Our story is just beginning.” No,” she whispers, fingers stroking what little hair rests on my chest. “It started ten years ago. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” - I'm excited for Ollie and Charlie's story ❤️ RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: Throttled by Lauren Asher

(Dirty Air 1)

Author: Lauren Asher

Released Date: January 9th, 2020

Source: GR

What happens when my brother's rival becomes my secret crush?

Noah Slade is a Formula 1 legend in the making.
Focused. Unapproachable. Ruthless on and off the track.
A man with walls higher than the Grand Canyon.
And my brother's new teammate.
I want more of the prince who disguises himself as the villain.
But while I crave a happy ending, he wants to destroy his.

Maya Alatorre is a forbidden temptation.
An ambitious post-grad I should stay far away from.
And chaos wrapped with a bow.
We're a ticking time bomb, about one wrong move away from exploding.
I want to trip the wire, detonating together in passion and pain.
Because in the end, all's fair in lust and war.

REVIEW

"Thou shall not bang your brother’s teammate." Splendid debut novel! This is a solid book for a debut, its well written has an interesting characters and coherent plot. I admit my knowledge regarding auto racing is minimal, and plot wise is heavy of that topic, yet it does not bore me or deter my enjoyment it actually grip my attention, as for the romance storyline I loved the slow building and execution albeit the story arc was a bit dragged for my taste. Regardless still a well done and I have a great time reading this book. "Men like Noah are only built for wickedness."  highly recommend! RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: Gods and Monsters by Saffron A. Kent

(Standalone)

Author: Saffron A. Kent

Released Date: February 18th, 2018

Source: GR

He was an artist. She was his muse.

To everyone in town, Abel Adams was the devil's spawn, a boy who never should have been born. A monster.

To twelve year-old Evie Hart, he was just a boy with golden hair, soft t-shirts and a camera. A boy who loved taking her picture and sneaking her chocolates before dinner. A boy who made her feel special.

Despite her family's warnings, she loved him in secret for six years. They met in empty classrooms and kissed in darkened church closets. Until they couldn't.

Until the time came to choose between love and family, and Evie chose Abel.

Because their love was worth the risk. Their love was the stuff of legend.

But the thing about legends is that they are cautionary tales. They are made of choices and mistakes. And for Abel and Evie, the artist and the muse, those mistakes come in the form of lights, camera, sex.

NOTE: This is NOT a paranormal or a priest romance.

REVIEW

Title: Gods & Monsters Author: Saffron Kent Genre: Coming of Age ; Contemporary Romance "You see, when two people fall in love, the other seven billion don’t matter. It’s not the world that tears them apart, it’s them. Only they have the power." "Because legends don’t die. Our story’s gonna live forever. Abel and his Pixie.” RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: Bad Boy Blues by Saffron A. Kent

(Standalone Romance)

Author: Saffron A. Kent

Released Date: April 11th, 2019

Source: GR

Cleopatra Paige hates one thing in this world -- just one -- and his name is Zachariah Prince.

In grade school, he pulled at her pigtails. In middle school, he spread false rumors about her. And in high school, he ruined her prom.

She hates that his smirks are unfairly sexy. And she definitely loathes that his dark eyes seem to follow her everywhere. Sometimes, even in her dreams.

It doesn’t matter that he’s rich and popular or that he lives in a freaking mansion full of butlers and maids. He’s rude and arrogant, and she wants to stay as far away from him as possible.

But unfortunately for Cleo, she lives in the same freaking mansion as Zach.

Only he’s the prince and she’s the lowly maid who serves him.

#EnemiesToLovers #ZachAndCleo #AssholeAlpha #Angst #NewAdult

REVIEW

Title: Bad Boy Blues

Author: Saffron A Kent

Genre: Contemporary Romance /HS Bully

"I realize what I feel for him is too intense, too passionate, too heartbreaking and sad to be called love.

Maybe it’s a tragedy.

Or maybe it’s the blues."

"I don’t love you with just my heart. Heart’s just an organ. It can be ripped away from the body, stomped on, squashed into a pulp. I don’t love you with all my heart. I love you with all my soul. You’re in the core of me. You’re in my fucking essence. And no one can take that away from me. Not even death.”

"She calls me a prince and herself, Cinderella.

I agree.

She’s my Cinderella. Except in our story, Cinderella saves the prince."

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rewrite the Stars by Charleigh Rose

(Standalone Contemporary Romance)

Author: Charleigh Rose

Released Date: October 24th, 2018

Source: Goodreads

Evangeline Thorne is privileged.
Beautiful and popular, if not a little jaded.
A chance encounter with a green-eyed stuntman sets off a chain of events that turns her perfect, little world upside down.
Short on options and desperate for adventure, she joins the traveling carnival for the summer.
Thrust into a world full of drama, deception, and secrecy, Evangeline tries to find herself and protect her heart in the process.

Sebastian McAllister is cursed.
He knows better than to think otherwise.
He’s content to live out the rest of his life traveling the country as one of the four Sons of Eastlake, seeking thrills the only way he knows how.
The one thing he doesn’t see coming is the spoiled blond with stars in her eyes.
The only problem is, the more time he spends with her, the more hope starts to stir in his dormant heart.
Too bad hope is a dangerous thing when you’re a McAllister

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Misbehaved by Charleigh Rose

(Standalone Student-Teacher Forbidden Romance)

Author: Charleigh Rose

Released Date: April 26th, 2017

Source: Goodreads

New from Best-selling author Charleigh Rose

Remington Stringer has never been like most girls. She’s outspoken, brazen and wants nothing more than to escape the Nevadan hell hole that she calls home.

On the brink of eighteen, with a deceased mother and a well-meaning, yet absent father, she is forced to fend for herself. The only person she’s ever had to depend on is her borderline obsessive stepbrother, Ryan. But, what used to be her anchor is quickly becoming a loose cannon.

When Remi gets the opportunity to attend the best private school in the state during her senior year of high school, she jumps at the chance. Then she meets Mr. James. Ornery, aloof, and totally irresistible.

Most girls would swoon in secrecy.

Most girls would doodle his name with hearts in their notebook.

But Remi Stringer has never been like most girls.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Asher Black by Parker S. Huntington

(The Five Syndicates 1)

Author: Parker S. Huntington

Released Date: April 21st, 2017

Source: Goodreads

From USA Today bestselling author Parker S. Huntington comes a steamy, slow-burn love story full of unexpected love and banter.

It started with my bladder.

I didn't mean to witness a shady deal in the restroom hallway.
I didn't think twice when I called the cops.
And I certainly didn't know who the club belonged to.

Asher Black.
Former mafia hitman.
Billionaire CEO.
New York's most eligible bachelor.

When he shows up at my college, looking for the girl who called the cops on his business, I know I'm as good as dead.
What I don't expect is his offer--he'll pay my tuition and set me up with a cushy job after I graduate.
All I have to do is... be his fake fiancée.

Asher Black is a 90,000-word standalone novel in The Five Syndicates mafia romance series.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Devious Lies by Parker S. Huntington

(Cruel Crown 1)

Author: Parker S. Huntington

Released Date: December 13th, 2019

Source: Goodreads

From USA Today bestselling author Parker S. Huntington comes an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance full of revenge and a dash of fate.

“She could enjoy her pretty, perfect world a little longer. Soon enough, everything she owned would be mine.”

I had a plan to escape the friend zone.
Step one: sneak into Reed’s room.
Step two: sleep with him.

But when the lights turned on, it wasn’t familiar blue eyes I saw.
These were dark, angry, and full of demons.
And they belonged to Reed’s much older brother.

Four years later, Nash Prescott is no longer the help’s angry son.
I’m no longer the town’s prized princess.

At twenty-two, I’m broke, in need of a job.
At thirty-two, he’s a billionaire, in need of revenge.

Who cares if my family ruined his?
Who cares if he looks at me with pure loathing?
Who cares if every task he assigns me is designed to torture?

I need the money.
Simple as that.

I’ll suffer his cruelty in silence, knowing there’s one thing he wants more than revenge…
Me.

Note: Devious Lies is a 145,000-word standalone in the Cruel Crown series. If you love banter and angst, this book is for you! Welcome to Eastridge. Enter if you dare.

Nash Prescott was thrift-shop beauty, threadbare and jaded, the memory of something once beautiful lingering as he looked on the world with war-torn eyes.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

Mr. Masters by T.L. Swan

(Mr. Series 1)

Author: T.L. Swan

Released Date: May 26th, 2018

Source: Goodreads

He is powerful, older and my boss, a lethal combination.

Job satisfaction has taken on a whole new meaning.

When I lied on my resume, I didn’t expect it to matter.

I mean any child would love me; I was born to be a nanny.

I applied for a position working for a woman, or so I thought.

But Julian Masters is definitely all man…the kind you dream of licking chocolate from.

The first day was bad.

The kids were the spawn of the devil and I spied through a window and caught him doing something obscene…. and equally fascinating.

The second day was worse, he caught me snooping in his bathroom cabinet in my skimpy pyjamas and all hell broke loose.

On the third day, I ran over him in a golf cart.

And by day four I had decided that I wanted that chocolate…all of it.

Melted….on me.

But intelligent, widowed Judges don’t fall for ditzy nannies.

Or do they?

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: The Stopover by T.L. Swan

(The Miles High Club 1)

Author: T.L. Swan

Released Date: September 26th, 2019

Source: Goodreads

A memorable night of passion refuses to stay just a memory in this sizzling and scandalous romance from bestselling author T L Swan.

I was upgraded to first class on a flight from London to New York.

The food, champagne, and service were impeccable.

The blue-eyed man sitting next to me, even better.

He was suave and intelligent.

We talked and laughed, and something clicked.

Fate took over and the plane was grounded, and we had an unexpected stopover for the night.

With no plans, we made our own.

We danced and laughed our way around Boston and had a night of crazy passion that no woman would ever forget.

That was twelve months ago, and I haven’t heard from him—until today.

I started a new job and met the CEO. You can imagine my surprise to see those naughty blue eyes dance with delight when he saw me across the mahogany desk.

But I’m not that carefree girl anymore. My life has changed, I have responsibilities.

I just got an email.

He wants to see me in his office for a private meeting at 8:00 a.m.

Naughty blue eyes have no place in the workplace.

What kind of private meeting does he have in mind?

REVIEW

Jameson Miles is my new drug. And I am his crack whore.

This might be my favourite out of TL Swan books, its hilarious af, and cheesy at times. It has a sassy snarky heroine, charismatic hero and awesome supporting characters. The banter between characters flows innately, as always striking writing style easy to dig in and comprehensible. Therefore i have so much fun reading Stopover it hold my grasp from the get-go and keeps me entertain over the course. Such an amazing book!

PS: camping scene is definitely my favourite, It so comical and loved it to the T.

“I work hard . . . but I love harder.”

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: Our Way by T.L. Swan

(Standalone Contemporary Romance)

Author: T.L. Swan

Released Date: July 24th, 2020

Source: Goodreads

Nathan Mercer, the only man in my life.
Loving him was never an option.

We met ten years ago, when we started at the same company on the same day.
Both new in town and with nobody else to rely on, we quickly became friends.

And while Nathan went on to rule San Francisco, I’m still doing the same job with the same people.
We finish each other’s sentences, we spend Christmas together and he sleeps at my house more than his.
He’s beautiful.... beyond belief.
In another life, he’s probably my soul mate.

However, lately things have changed. He’s started looking at me differently.
His eyes drop to my lips as I speak.
His hugs are tighter…. longer.
Our fights are more passionate, his jealousy insane.

I know it’s all in my head….it has to be.

They say to never love someone who treats you like you’re ordinary.
I don't. To him I'm a queen.

But our story is complicated.
And as much as I love Nathan Mercer with all of my heart. . .
He’s the one man I can never have.

REVIEW

Our story isn’t neat and it doesn’t fit into any boxes. We are complicated and messy.
Fucked up and tainted.
But…
This is love.
Our Way.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 BOOK REVIEW: Sweet Dandelion by Micalea Smeltzer

(Standalone Student-Teacher Forbidden Romance)

by: Micalea Smeltzer

Released Date: March 25th, 2020

Source: Goodreads

Dandelion Meadows is cursed.
Horrible name.
Horrible luck.

At eighteen she should be headed off to college, all smiles and naivety.
Instead, a victim of a school shooting, she’s starting her senior year in a new city and living with her brother.
Nightmares of that terrible day haunt her, affecting her daily life and the relationships around her.
Forced to meet with the school counselor, Dani finds him chipping away at the walls she’s built around herself, and even her heart.

Lachlan Taylor doesn’t know what to make at first of the broken student he’s tasked with helping. She’s survived a trauma he’s not sure he can save her from, but he knows he has to try.

The more time they spend together, the more they learn about what it really means to live.

Some things are forbidden.
Some things are necessary for survival.

Their love is both.

REVIEW

I’m very lucky to be on my own two feet, but sometimes I feel like a bird with a broken wing, destined to never fly and it hurts all over again. Such an emotional and heavy heart story. Learning to breathe and be brave again. Losing someone you loved was never easy. Dani's journey of finding oneself and unexpected love with a someone though its forbidden and unconventional was still a great inspiration and hard lesson at the same time, but that was life. We can't really choose who we might fell in love. Life is messy and beautiful. You can only fight gravity for so long, and the two of us have been falling together from the start. Lachlan and I are inevitable. An ocean could separate us and I know deep down we’d still find our way back to each other. This story has more depth to it, than what you are thinkin'. It contains sensitive matter that might offend some readers but I can assure you Micalea handled those meticulously. IMO it helps the book not be bland instead more engrossing. “Wrong doesn’t always mean bad, Mr. Taylor.” “You’re loving me in the light.” RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐