Heartache Duet by Jay McLean ~ Review (@JayMcLeanAuthor)

This was such a fabulous duet and I enjoyed watching Ava and Connor's relationship grow. It was such an emotional riddled read and I could not get enough.
Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet, #1)
Title: Heartache and Hope
Author: Jay McLean
Series: Heartache Duet #1
Genre: Sports Romance
Published: June 26th 2019

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Ava Diaz needs saving.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last…
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.

This was such a sweet start to the duet, and it had a few heartbreaking moments which made me realise this book was going to leave an impact on me. Both characters had broken parts, but together were able to find some happiness. 

My heart broke for Ava, watching her look after her Mother after what she had endured. They both were withdrawn from the community and Ava was trying to float through school without distractions. She was getting pressure from a family friend and her step brother was working so hard for them all.

Connors story was just as devastating and he found kindship with Ava. Their connection grew throughout the story and Connor built a friendship with Ava's mother too. However, it wasn’t easy for either of them as they were working hard to make decisions for their futures. I’m looking forward to see how they go in the next book.



First and Forever (Heartache Duet, #2)
Title: First and Forever
Author: Jay McLean
Series: Heartache Duet #2
Genre: Sports Romance
Published: July 12th 2019

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There are no more goodnight kisses. No knocks on windows.
No lengthy text messages.
No late-night phone calls.
And no game day balloons.
There’s just Connor.
And Ava.
Existing in a world filled with nothing but heartache.
While searching the darkness for glimmers of hope.
Because with hope, comes magic.
And magic is forever.

First and Forever was a fantastic finale to this duet. There were so many big moments that had my heart pitter pattering away! My heart broke for what Ava went through and the decisions that she had to make to protect her family.

Connors world shifted too as his past resurfaced to drag him back. He tried not to lose focus but omitting truths always backfired. I loved the connection that he still had with Ava's mother, and how he was always so  sweet and protective.

There were a few twists thrown in and when everything was revealed it made me think about things in the past. I loved how the book all unfolded and was blown away by the world that Jay McLean built and the emotion that she pulled from me.


Writer. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm.
Jay McLean is a full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her three boys, investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.

She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.



Other reviews featuring Jay McLean
Preston Brothers
Lucas #1
Logan #2
More series
More Than This #1
Toy Boy Chronicles
Boy Toy Chronicles #1
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Dirty Empire Series by Nina West ~ Review (@kathleenatucker)

Nina West / KA Tucker is a favourite author of mine, and I have put off reading this series for a long time. I am kicking myself that I have waited this long, it was so good! This series was supposed to be a trilogy, but there is a forth book coming... 
Sweet Mercy (Dirty Empire, #1)
Title: Sweet Mercy
Author: Nina West
Series: Dirty Empire #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 2020 (first published March 27th 2019)

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One visit to my father in prison—convicted for a murder he didn’t commit—and I’ve attracted the attention of the last man I’d ever want knowing that I exist.
Gabriel Easton.
Son of an infamous crime boss. Deplorable womanizer. Scoundrel to the core.
Worse, he has figured out how desperate I am to protect my father from brutality behind bars. He has the power to grant that protection, and he has offered it … for a price.
Me.
I am to become a “guest” in his mansion, to live with him until he tires of having me around.
I'll do anything for my father, including agree to Gabriel's cruel game. But I won't comply with his every whim and wish.
Not when he taunts me with that ruthless spark in his cold blue eyes.
Not when he requires that I share his bedroom at night.
Unfortunately for me, I think my loathing for him is what he’s enjoying most.
That's fine. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll be crying my name.
Mercy.

This was a great introduction to the series! I was hooked immediately and I loved the fire between the characters. The storyline was strong and I enjoyed the world building and the characters that were introduced.

I loved that there was a connection between Gabriel and Mercy from the beginning, and the way Gabriel was able to influence events was amusing! He wanted Mercy and was able to slow things up to suit himself.

I did like that Mercy had such a strong personality and tried hard not to give into Gabriel so easily. Over time I could see her walls crumble and was willing to put her fathers welfare before her own. 

I finished this book with an ache for more, so you can bet I jumped into the next one immediately. I cannot wait to see what happens next!



Gabriel Fallen (Dirty Empire, #2)
Title: Gabriel Fallen
Author: Nina West
Series: Dirty Empire #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 2020 (first published May 23rd 2019)

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Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton’s sordid tale continues in Gabriel Fallen as Mercy finds herself heading down a dangerous path.
Gabriel has made an art of dangling what I’m most desperate for in front of me, what he knows I can’t refuse, no matter the cost. In this case, that cost continues to be me.
He is still a scoundrel, but I’m starting to see something more.
And while our bargain is proving advantageous in ways I never anticipated, the risks that come with being associated with a man like him are becoming painfully clear.
But how much longer before this arrangement with Gabriel costs me everything I am?

This is the second book in the Dirty Empire series and should be read after Sweet Mercy.

I was excited to continue Gabriel and Mercy's story and I was not disappointed with Gabriel Fallen. The chemistry between them was off the charts and I could see the real feelings that were burying under their skin.

It was amusing to see Gabriel and Mercy come to an agreement in the beginning of this book, as Mercy was still focused on freeing her father. They both liked to be in control and they were both becoming possessive of each other. Gabriel was so sweet and considerate, not really pushing Mercy to bend to his will. Mercy was protecting her heart, but boy were they sizzling together!!

I liked seeing more of the secondary characters, some were good friends, others were manipulative. There were some interesting moments woven throughout, and some business dealings were shifting. I was eagerly flicking the pages and was not prepared for that cliff hanger of an ending!!


Dirty Empire (Dirty Empire, #3)
Title: Dirty Empire
Author: Nina West
Series: Dirty Empire #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 15th 2020

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Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton’s sordid tale continues in Dirty Empire as Mercy finds her loyalties tested and Gabriel’s attempt to break free of his family’s legacy comes with unexpected consequences. Dirty Empire is the third book in the Dirty Empire series and should be read after Sweet Mercy and Gabriel Fallen.

Dirty Empire was so exciting, and I read this book so quickly! I could feel the tension building for Gabriel and knew something big was going to happen. There was fighting within the families, and aliances were forming.

Mercy had to work out her feelings and decide on who she trusted. She was falling hard for Gabriel but outside influences were putting pressure on her.  

There was so much chemistry between Gabriel and Mercy, I could see them both falling deeper even though Gabriel’s world was coming between them. He was working hard to change how his family worked things and was trying to cut strings.

The last 25% of this book had me in suspense! There was so much going on and I devoured it quickly! What I wasn’t ready for was that ending and finding out that there going to be a fourth book, dammit! Bring on September now!

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.


Other reviews featuring K.A. Tucker
Ten Tiny Breaths series
Burying Water series
Surviving Ice #4
 
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Condemned to Love by Siobhan Davis ~ Review & Teaser (@siobhandavis)

This was one crazy ride and I am kicking myself that I haven't picked up Siobhan Davis' work before! I was in suspense and intrigued by the world she created!
Condemned to Love
Title: Condemned to Love
Author: Siobhan Davis
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Published: January 31st 2021

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Her teen crush is now a ruthless killer and powerful mafia heir. Will one life-altering night unite or destroy them?

Bennett Mazzone grew up ignorant of the truth: he is the illegitimate son of the most powerful mafia boss in New York. Until it suited his father to drag him into a world where power, wealth, violence, and cruelty are the only currency.

Celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Sin City should be fun for Sierra Lawson, but events take a deadly turn when she ends up in a private club, surrounded by dangerous men who always get what they want.

And they want her.

Ben can’t believe his ex’s little sister is all grown up, stunningly beautiful, and close to being devoured by some of the most ruthless men he has ever known. The Vegas trip is about strengthening ties, but he won’t allow his associates to ruin her perfection. Although it comes at a high price, saving Sierra is his only choice.

The memory of Ben’s hands on her body is seared into Sierra’s flesh for eternity. She doesn’t regret that night. Not even when she discovers the guy she was crushing on as a teenager is a cold, calculating killer with dark impulses and lethal enemies who want him dead.

Understanding the risks, she walks away from the only man she will ever love, stowing her secrets securely in her heart. Until the truth becomes leverage and Sierra is drawn into a bloody war—a pawn in a vicious game she doesn’t want to play.

As the web of deceit is finally revealed, Ben will stop at nothing to protect Sierra. Even if loving her makes him weak. In a world where women serve a sole purpose, and alliances mean the difference between life and death, can he fight for love and win?

A STAND-ALONE DARK MAFIA ROMANCE.

I hadn't read a dark romance in a while, so I was pretty excited to get into this one. It was quit good, but it wasn't as dark as I hoped, but it was still quite enjoyable. I was looking forward to seeing how Sierra would go with her teen crush.

I must admit, the beginning of this book had me in suspense! When Sierra went to celebrate her birthday and wound up in the back of a club had me holding my breath! I was annoyed with one of her friends, she was very careless, but I loved that strong side to Sierra!

Bennett appeared to be cold hearted, as he had stepped up into his role and had to appear heartless, but didn’t quite pull it off the way he hoped. I liked how gentle he was at times, but he could be fierce as well, and he became quite possessive of Sierra.

There were a few characters that annoyed me and I wished that we didn't have to see them so much; one of her sisters was so self absorbed! The book wrapped up quite quickly, where I felt like I didn't know where to look! I look forward to more books from this world.

Here are a couple moments from Bennett's perspective, his possessiveness and his kindness...

“They’re the same age. She’s beautiful. He lives like a monk. Now you’ve thrust them together, and they’ll be spending a ton of time with each other.” He shrugs.
“She is going to be my wife,” I hiss, shoving the smaller box at his chest. “And if he can’t keep his dick in his pants, I’ll chop it off and solve the problem.”
“Wow. She really has you all worked up.”

Kindle Page 173

“You are breathtaking tonight. You steal all the air from my lungs every time I look at you.”

Kindle Page 206


Siobhan Davis is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon Top 10 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold over 1.5 million books and her titles are translated into several languages.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She lives in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.


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Next In Line by Amy Daws ~ Review & Teaser (@amydawsauthor)

I am quickly falling in love this series and Daws world building! I was super excited to get into Sam's book and to meet Maggie!
Next In Line (Wait with Me, #2)
Title: Next In Line
Author: Amy Daws
Series: Wait With Me #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 27th 2018

Buy Now - Amazon USAmazon Aus

What happens when the cute mountain man you made out with in an ice fishing shack turns out to be your brother’s best friend?
A whole lot of awkward, that’s what.
Maggie’s mind is reeling when she discovers the guy she became tangled up with at Marv’s Bait & Tackle isn’t a stranger like she thought.
The big snag: Sam and Maggie’s chemistry is hot enough to melt ice, which makes keeping their secret far more difficult than either expected. Especially when one of them decides they want this arrangement to be more than just a catch and release.

After reading the first book in this series, I was super excited to get into Sam's book, and what a hoot it was! Right from the opening chapters I was hooked and was excited to see how Maggie and Sam wuld go!

I really liked the independent side to Maggie, trying out new things - she certainly was a force of nature! She had her secrets and was doing things out of her comfortzone to discover who she was without a guy in her life. I've always liked Sam, so it was great to see his sweeter side, and how he slowly let Maggie in. The way they did things together and how the chemistry grew every time they interacted.

This was such a fun story and I was grinning the whole time I was reading. I enjoyed all the things the characters did and how they were able to find things together that they liked. Daws did a great job with this story and I know I need to come back to this series again!

Sam really was the sweetest. I loved this moment!

“I feel like I shouldn’t be teaching you how to snowboard. I should be teaching you how to know your worth.”
“What?” I ask, my eyes looking all over his rugged features for some sense of what he’s talking about.
“Maggie, you are smart, sweet, stubborn, and hilarious without even trying to be. You need to realize that a guy who doesn’t treat you right doesn’t deserve to be around you. Sex isn’t about being equal. It’s about being generous.”

Kindle Page 173


Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 13 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England; especially those footy-playing Harris Brothers of hers. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she’s watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance.

Amy Daws



Other reviews featuring Amy Daws
 Wait With Me series
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Wait With Me by Amy Daws ~ Review & Teaser (@amydawsauthor)

I have been looking at this book for a while and decided to pick it up and I was not disappointed! It was an entertaining and amusing read, as Miles and Kate fell for one another at the tire depot!
Wait With Me (Wait With Me, #1)
Title: Wait With Me
Author: Amy Daws
Series: Wait With Me #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 20th 2018

Buy Now - Amazon USAmazon Aus

When romance novelist Kate Smith suddenly gets writer's block as she's beginning the final installment of her international bestselling erotic Bed 'n Breakfast series, she'll do pretty much anything to get her groove back.

Like sneak into a Tire Depot waiting room because her words flow there just like complimentary coffee-smooth, sweet, and scorchingly hot.

She manages to fly under the radar until the rugged and charming mechanic, Miles Hudson, notices the quirky redhead slinking in and out of the employees only entrance.

But she's way too intriguing to blow the whistle on.

Doing a test-drive of her new book idea sounds like a much better option.

Wait With Me was quite the entertaining read! I was hooked from the opening chapters as Daws built the world and introduced the characters. I knew that I would enjoy this one and was so that happy Daws delivered a fabulous read.

Kate was an amusing character, sneaking into the tire depot to do her writing and consuming the complimentary food! Honestly, she was a hoot, even taking in the cars of people that she knew as well! Miles was an alpha male but was convinced that he wasn’t ready for a relationship but became possessive of Kate after a while. He was eager to help Kate with any research that she required.

I liked getting to know both characters and watching their chemistry grow. It was sweet that Miles noticed Kate and went out of his way to see her. His possessiveness grew throughout the read and Kate’s quirkiness did not stop. For my first Amy Daws read, I was really impressed, and I’m looking forward to coming back to this world!

I liked seeing the struggles that Kate/Mercedes had with her own romance.

Miles runs a hand through his hair, causing his shock of black locks to stick out all over. “I’m sorry. I…don’t know what to say.”
I sigh and take mercy on him. “There really is nothing else to say. I’ll just…I’ll see you around, Miles.”
I turn and stride away, humiliated by the fact I was just rejected by my real-life book boyfriend.

Kindle Page 91


Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 13 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England; especially those footy-playing Harris Brothers of hers. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she’s watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance.

Amy Daws



read more "Wait With Me by Amy Daws ~ Review & Teaser (@amydawsauthor)"