Naomi's Reading Palace: October 2022

Review ~ Whiskey Chaser by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley

Whiskey Chaser by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love books by Lucy Score, and when I came across the Bootleg Springs series (co-written with Claire Kingsley) you know I had to dive in! I was super excited to read Whiskey Chaser, and it was such an entertaining read! Scarlett was such a fun character to read about, she was such a bubbly and out going character and it was hard not to like her. She pulled Devlin out of his funk, and together they had a lot of fun. I liked how they fell for one another but didn’t realise until they were in deep! The Bodine brothers were such a fantastic element in this story, and I liked how close they all are. The secondary storyline that will continue through the series has me eager to read more!

Title: Whiskey Chaser

Author: Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley

Series: Bootleg Springs #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: April 13, 2018

Raised by her three overbearing brothers, Scarlett is a hell-raising tomboy with a tool belt. A tornado stirring up trouble everywhere she goes. Her favorite pastimes? Drinking any man under the table and two-stepping. But she has zero interest in love. Scarlett’s only being neighborly when she claims her sexy next-door neighbor as her new pet project.

Devlin is a man at rock bottom. Marriage, political career, five-year plan to Washington, D.C. All destroyed with one well-placed jab. The golden boy is now the black sheep relegated to Bootleg Springs, a tiny West Virginia town with two claims to fame: 1. Moonshine and 2. The cold case disappearance of a teen girl.

Devlin just wants to lick his wounds. But Scarlett has other ideas for his tongue… and the rest of him. She’s determined to bring him back to life, even if getting him back on his feet means never seeing him again. But when an old mystery becomes new news, she’ll need his help to survive the scandal.

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Review ~ A Ticking Time Boss by Olivia Hayle

A Ticking Time Boss (New York Billionaires Book 4)

A Ticking Time Boss by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Olivia Hayle has become an author that I really enjoy. She writes stories that are easy to get lost in. A Ticking Time Boss was a fun read, as I watched Carter and Audrey's connection grow. These two met by chance and crossed paths again after Carter took ownership of the company that Audrey worked for. He made ruthless decisions that made Audrey question if he was the same man she first met.

After each interaction I was left smirking as the chemistry between them grew. They were entertaining to read about and I loved the banter between them. Fox wove this story perfectly and it was the perfect light and steamy read that I needed!

Title: A Ticking Time Boss

Author: Olivia Hayle

Series: New York Billionaires #4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 11, 2022

The golden angel who swooped in to save me from a nightmare first date turns out to be a billionaire vulture circling the company I work for.

Carter Kingsley: My savior and ruthless corporate raider hell bent on destroying the newspaper I love. Oh, and my new boss.

His first order of business? Cut half the staff. I should hate him. Easy, right?

Wrong.

I met him two weeks ago, when he saved me from the most awkward first date of my life. I was looking for a way out when he strolled up in a ten-thousand dollar suit with a winning smile, and told a white lie that turned the date from hell into heavenly bliss.

I left with his number in my phone, and spent the next two weeks staying up late to text him. He's charming. Funny. Sincere.

Completely unlike the ruthless villain who comes in and carves us up.

My first order of business is to interview the new boss. But who is sitting on the other side of the desk? The man who saved and charmed me, or the one who’s threatening everything I hold dear?

Carter insists that we can still be friends, but I know that the whole situation is a ticking time bomb.

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Review ~ Whispers of a Broken Halo by Abbi Glines

Whispers of a Broken Halo by Abbi Glines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

I haven’t read a book by Abbi for a while and forgot how well she sucks you in. I loved Bryn, she was sweet and did anything for her sister and nephew, even to step out of her comfort zone. Rio was a little quick to react and held a grudge. But once he earned the trust, he would do anything for you.

This was quite a good story and I am kicking myself that I haven't read anything by Abbi in a while. I enjoy the way that she builds the world and created characters that I could relate to. I felt that the ending was left open and I didn’t get the closure I needed, and I really hope there is more to their story one day.

Title: Whispers of a Broken Halo

Author: Abbi Glines

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 5, 2022

Rio
Bryn Wallace had been the one bright spot in my life before my grandparents brought me to live with them. While living in the run-down trailer park my momma had moved us to the last few years of her life, Bryn had given me a reason to smile every day. After finding my mother's dead body, my grandparents had picked me up and I started a new life in The Shores, Alabama. It had always bothered me that I never got a chance to tell Bryn goodbye.
Now, seven years later, my memories of the beautiful girl who I considered my first love were destroyed by the disappointment she had become.

Bryn
When life took another nosedive from bad to worse, which happened too often, I would tell myself that one day I'd find Rio March. It got me through my darkest times and gave me hope.
When my sister had, once again, gotten us forced out of town, by sleeping with the local minister and turning everyone in the community against us, I took the money I had saved from working over-time and I made the decision on where we would move. However, fate was never on my side. Within two weeks of arriving in The Shores, Rio hated me and made sure everyone else in town did too. I couldn't even take my nephew into the candy store.

It didn't seem to matter where we moved, this would always be our outcome. Hated, looked down upon, and judged for sins I hadn't committed. But I was done moving. The trashy Wallace girls were in town to stay.

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Review ~ Filthy Vows by Alessandra Torre

Filthy Vows by Alessandra Torre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alessandra Torre is a master of filthy stories, and Filthy Vows was HAWT! I loved the way she introduced me to the characters: I got to know them through the years, what their struggles were and some of their deepest fantasies. One thing that never wavered was the love that Elle and Easten had for one another. They had strong friendship’s with Chelsea and Aaron, and Elle and Easten were able to help Aaron through a tough time.

This book was so addictive that I literally couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and seeing friendships strengthen a long the way. I look forward to seeing how it concludes in the next book, Twisted Marriage.

Title: Filthy Vows

Author: Alessandra Torre

Series: Filthy Vows #1

Genre: Erotic Romance

Published: July 20, 2019

Would you tell your husband everything?

Every torrid thought?
Every twisted fantasy?
The forbidden images that slink into your mind in your most vulnerable moments?

I shouldn't have. I hesitated to. But I did.

And my husband? He gave them all to me.

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Review ~ The Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant

The Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Eligible Billionaire was a fun and quirky read, with an anti-people-person billionaire, an overly bubbly and a little awkward artist, with her mischievous dog. They made the most unlikely trio, but they were amusing to read about. I laughed at Begonia, and how she overshared her thoughts and could rattle on about anything! Hayes was flabbergasted when he first met Begonia but I could see that she was the right person to break him down.

I liked the families in this one; how Begonia had great support from her sister, and that Hayes had his rich extended family. They were there to offer advice to Hayes when needed. Sometimes they cared too much and irritated him, but I could see they were close!

This read was super fun and I found it hard to put down! I laughed, I swooned and fell in love for this couple and the cheeky dog!

Title: The Last Eligible Billionaire

Author: Pippa Grant

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: March 3, 2022

Emotionally unavailable doesn’t even begin to describe my new fake boyfriend. He’s cold. He’s distant. He has more defenses than a nuclear missile silo. And he’s the ultimate catch of the century. At least, according to his bank statement.

My job’s simple: Keep Hayes Rutherford’s matchmaking relatives and all interested ladies away from the cranky, grumpy, walled-off heir to my favorite movie empire, and in return, he won’t ruin my life over a teensy, tiny little misunderstanding.

But the more I sneak past Hayes’s walls and fences, the more I realize that while we might be from different worlds, we have more in common than either of us expected. The man under all the glitz, glamour, and dollar signs could be the real love of my life.

But you know what they say about fake dating a billionaire—it’s all fun and games until the scandals start.

The Last Eligible Billionaire is a swoony, laugh-out-loud romance featuring a botched wax job, a woman in over her head, a man in over his heart, and the sweetest misguided dog to ever play matchmaker…or at least make sure these two anti-love birds never have clothes when they get out of the shower.

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Review ~ Ravaged Throne by Nicole Fox

Ravaged Throne by Nicole Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was excited after finishing Ravaged Crown to see whether Willow and Leo were able to work things out. I was a bit thrown by Ravaged Throne as it began eleven months after the end of the first book. I liked that Leo was determined to get Willow back, so I could see that he actually had real feelingss for Willow. I liked the change in Willow and that she was a stronger person. She was learning to keep some things to herself and didn’t let Leo back in immediately. They were definitely a stronger duo, but I felt Willow was selfish and would do things without truly thinking. As she was letting Leo in she should've confided in him a bit better and learned to trust him.

This was a good conclusion to the series. I didn't love it as much as I wanted too as I felt it was a little predictable and the characters didn't trust their instincts or each other fully. I did enjoy the way Fox built this world and will definintely dive into more of her stories in the future!

Title: Ravaged Throne

Author: Nicole Fox

Series: Solovev Bratva #2

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Published: February 23, 2022

My husband doesn’t know about our son.

But that won’t be enough to keep him safe. Because our little baby boy is the heir to two thrones.
And there are a lot of bad men out there who want to stop him from reaching them.

So I ran into the mountains.
Into a nightmare of my own making.
I thought I’d gotten away…
But I was wrong.

Even there, in the freezing cold middle of nowhere, Leo found me.
And when he did, I lied to keep my baby safe.
But I should’ve learned a long time ago:
Leo Solovev knows everything.

Except for how this story will end.

RAVAGED THRONE is Book Two of the Solovev Bratva Duet. Make sure you’ve read the beginning of Leo and Willow’s story in Book One, RAVAGED CROWN, before beginning this one!

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Review ~ Ravaged Crown by Nicole Fox

Ravaged Crown by Nicole Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Ravaged Crown, but I can tell you that it hooked me from the start. I could see there was something that Leo was hiding, and even though I figured it out before the reveal, it didn't make the read any less exciting. I didn’t like how weak Willow was at times, however I liked that she was taking the time to figure herself out, but landed herself under the thumb of another man. I didn’t like how cold Leo was toward Willow and how he forced her to do things at times. I wished he was a little more tender so that the relationship felt more believable.

This read was addictive from the beginning, and even though there were moments that I didn't like I really did enjoy it. I am definitely excited to dive into the sequel!

Title: Ravaged Crown

Author: Nicole Fox

Series: Solovev Bratva #1

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Published: February 23, 2022

What would you do if you walked in on your husband cheating?
I'll tell you what I did:
Ran out the door with nothing but the clothes on my back.

A month later, I'm broke, jobless, almost homeless.
But then, while filling in as a waitress at a fancy restaurant, I trip and land in the lap of a gorgeous stranger.

One thing leads to another and we end up hooking up.
Afterwards, he leaves.
That's the end of that... right?

WRONG.

Because the next day, my temp agency sets me up for a job that seems too good to be true.
But when I arrive for the interview, my jaw drops.

It's the stranger.
Turns out he's rich. Like, very rich.
And powerful. Like, very powerful.
And here's his offer:

"Live in my house.
Be my wife.
Have my baby."

Needless to say, I start to freak out.
I stand up and stammer, "Um, I'll have to get back to you..."
And he replies:
"You're misunderstanding.
It wasn't a question.
You're not going anywhere."

RAVAGED CROWN is Book One of the Solovev Bratva duet. The story concludes in Book 2, RAVAGED THRONE.

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Review ~ Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy

Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wowzers! This book began really sweet, watching 5 friends who are basically family holiday on their own together before starting college. You can see that Ari is trying to figure herself out as an adult, and is unsure of her long time crush Chase. When Noah comes on the scene, you could see that he would mend her heart and I could see that they were falling for one another. She was able to let go and find her feet.

Noah was amazing! He was sweet, kind and thoughtful. I loved the relationship he had with his mother and how patient he was with Ari. He would do anything for those he cared about. This book is a bit of a long read and had a few heartbreaking twists that kept me hooked. It wasn’t an easy ride for Noah and Ari, as they worked through their feelings and tried not to scare the other person away. This read brought the tears and emotion! I will definitely pick up another read by Meagan Brandy, that's for sure!

Title: Say You Swear

Author: Meagan Brandy

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 16, 2022

For years, I’ve dreamt of what college life could bring and while some things changed, there was always one constant.
It didn’t matter how wild I allowed my imagination to run, it always led me to the same place in the end.

It led me to him.
My future was clear, and he was it.

Until suddenly ... he wasn’t.

Now I’m a shell of who I was, on a path too blurry to follow, and I see no way out.
No way up.

They say first loves last forever.
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

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Review ~ Falls Boys by Penelope Douglas

Falls Boys by Penelope Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Hellbent series is a spinoff from the original series, Fall Away. I haven’t read the original series, but I can tell you that I absolutely loved this read! Right from the beginning I was swept away into the action and intensity, and I knew I was hooked. I liked seeing Aro, from the wrong side of the tracks, build a partnership with Hawke. I liked seeing the vulnerability in each of them and how that brought them together. The secondary storyline has me intrigued, and I look forward to reading more from this world!

Title: Falls Boys

Author: Penelope Douglas

Series: Hellbent #1

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Published: March 21, 2022

The HELLBENT Series—a spin-off to the Fall Away series—is coming!
“The kids are growing up—different from their parents but the same in so many ways…”

ARO
Hawken Trent. So polite. So sweet. Such an upstanding young man.
A virgin, too, I hear. He never gets naughty with a girl. Probably because Jesus told him not to. And now here he is, trying to be the hero by protecting another girl from me.

He calls me a bully. Irrational. Unreasonable. A criminal. He can call me anything he wants, I’ve heard worse.

And he can try to stand between me and my money, but he’s never had to fight for food. That rich, clean, school boy doesn’t have what it takes.

HAWKE
I surprised her. You should’ve seen her face.

Just because I don’t have a record, honey, doesn’t mean I’m clean. It just means I’m better at not getting caught.

That is until I realize I might’ve actually gone too far this time.

She’s there. I’m there. The scene of the crime.

It’s dark. The police show up.

We have no choice. We run. Down High Street, into Quinn’s bake shop, and I pull her through the entrance to the old speakeasy that everyone forgot was here decades ago.

The door locks, the cops circle the building, never knowing we’re right here, and I’m hidden in plain sight, indefinitely, with someone’s who’s awful.

Mean. Rough. Dirty.

A thief. A delinquent.

Until one night, lost in all of these rooms together, I don’t see any of those things anymore.

She’s smart. Daring. Soft.

Hot...

Everything’s changing. It’s this place. It does something to people.

We have a silly urban legend in Shelburne Falls about mirrors. They’re a gateway.

Don’t lean back into them.

But we came through front first.

I don’t care what the county records say. This was never a speakeasy.

It’s Carnival Tower.

*FALLS BOYS is a standalone New Adult romance suitable for readers 18+. Reading the Falls Away series first is helpful but not necessary.

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