Naomi's Reading Palace: April 2024

Review ~ The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse

The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great audible read. I honestly was drawn into this story and couldn’t stop listening to it. I was riveted, wanting to know more about Rae and how her world was turned upside down. It was interesting to see how her world evolved around Dolly - her best friend, Dolly’s brother - Howard and Rae’s husband. They’d been married for 25 years, and his decision, tore them apart.

It was such a difficult time for Rae. Her best friend was in the middle, and she didn’t have a person she could relay all her feelings too. Rae had been such a quiet and shy personality all her life, and really didn’t get a chance to shine. I could see the real Rae trying to break out, but she kept keeping the peace. She was good to all her family and willing to do anything for them. I just wished she would stand up for herself and break free.

There was an element to the story that changed Rae, and she started to express herself more. She was still a bit of a push over, but started to open up. She was there for her children, and supported them at all costs. At the end, I would’ve liked to see a bit more of Rae.

Prowse did a fabulous job of narrating her story. I was captivated by her story and really enjoyed the story from start to finish.

Title: The Girl in the Corner

Author: Amanda Prowse

Genre: Chick Lit

Published: December 20, 2018

From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes the poignant tale of a woman who has always been there for her family. But will they be there for her?

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.

Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?

When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.

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Review ~ Black Ties and White Lies by Kat Singleton

Black Ties and White Lies (Black Tie Billionaires, #1)

Black Ties and White Lies by Kat Singleton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a sweet read, and I enjoyed getting to know Margo and Beck. Beck had his plans and goals, and Margo was a big part of them. They had an earlier connection, with Margo dating Becks crappy brother for a while, but there’d been some time between them breaking up and now.

I really liked Beck, he was pretty genuine and laid almost all his cards out from the beginning. Although wealthy, he wasn’t an ass and was quite a caring gentleman. Margo wasn’t using her talents in her original job, so jumped at a chance to work with Beck and become part of his plan. I liked seeing her grow and fall for Beck. I enjoyed their banter and how easily their worlds entwined. Their connection helped fuel their current situation. Margo was quick to question Becks true intentions, which annoyed me because he did a lot to gain her trust.

Title: Black Ties and White Lies

Author: Kat Singleton

Series: Black Tie Billionaires #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 2, 2023

Life is never black and white.

One minute you’re a struggling graphic designer in LA that's finally coming to terms with being single forever, and the next you're flying to New York in a private jet to get engaged to your ex-boyfriend’s older brother.

At least...that’s what everyone thinks. Forced to clean up his playboy image in order to protect his company, Beckham Sinclair, the city’s most eligible billionaire bachelor, wants me to be his fake fiancée and personal assistant.

Now I'm spending every spare second with a man I thought I’d never see again.

My freshly mended heart has barely recovered from the first time a Sinclair broke it. But with each passing day, Beck’s dirty mouth and lingering stares make me question his motives—and mine.

As the line blurs between real and pretend, only one thing is certain: there are secrets hiding in this city full of black ties and white lies.

Black Ties and White Lies is a billionaire, fake relationship, forced proximity, and ex's older brother novel and a complete standalone by Kat Singleton.

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Review ~ Hate Mail by Winter Renshaw

Hate Mail by Winter Renshaw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I felt that this one started really well, as we got an insight into both Campbell and Slade in the present, and a few letters at the end of each chapter from their past. I liked getting to know both of them, and seeing how they interacted with their parents.

Campbell didn’t engage in conflict, and seemed to be a bit of a pushover at times, always doing what she was told. She didn’t seem to be her own person. When Slade pushed her too far, she exploded and I liked seeing that fire in her.

Slade seemed like he disliked Campbell, but he struggled with his feelings. He was a very private person, like his family. I didn’t like the way they kept things from Campbell, and I think they should’ve opened up to her. It confused me a little. I liked that Slade made an effort with Campbell, but she was quick to accept everything.

The twist in the end threw me a little and the book wrapped up quickly after that. I was sad that things went in that direction, and that we didn’t get to see a lot of them together. The last 10% of the read is a chapter from another book, so be aware that the read is shorter than you think.

Title: Hate Mail

Author: Winter Renshaw

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 10, 2023

In the Wakemont family, it’s tradition to arrange a marriage before the ink is dry on your birth certificate. I was five hours old when my father promised me to the son of a man with “more money than God.”

As we grew older, my future groom and I were encouraged to exchange “love letters” to get better acquainted—except the correspondence he sent read more like hate mail.

Slade Delacorte hated the arrangement.

But more than that, he hated me.

He was moody, intense, arrogant, and darkly gorgeous. A villain—not a prince. The last man on earth I’d ever marry (if I had the choice).

On my 24th birthday, we exchanged vows in front of six hundred guests who had no idea we weren’t every bit the blissful couple we pretended to be.

But as we began our new life together, I soon learned there was only one thing worse than marrying the man I’d hated my entire falling in love with him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE —This angsty, steamy contemporary romance is a complete standalone with a happily ever after.

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Audiobook Review ~ Throttled by Lauren Asher

Throttled by Lauren Asher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maya and Noah's story was a nice read to listen to. The narration by Ramona Master and Aiden Snow really flowed nicely and I enjoyed how they delivered Lauren Asher's story.

I liked seeing how Maya became what Noah focused on. He was determined to win her over, but his family put a lot of pressure on him. It was sweet how Maya's family was so close. I thought Noah may've been one to hold a grudge, but I liked how he would do a lot for his team. It was great to see Maya carving her own path seperate from her brother. Maya and Noah were a cute couple.

Title: Throttled

Author: Lauren Asher

Series: Dirty Air #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: January 9, 2020

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.

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Review ~ Under Locke by Mariana Zapata

Under Locke by Mariana Zapata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mariana Zapata builds worlds and characters that I can’t help but love. She spins some elements that pull on your heart strings, but you can’t deny the passion and loyalty that the characters have for one another. Iris and Dex were such beautiful characters to get to know and watching Iris find her own feet after what she had been through and what she lost was was hard but sweet.

Dex didn’t make it easy for her. He was hard on Iris to begin with, but I could see that she was getting under his skin, especially when she started to stand up for herself, and trouble landed at her feet. I loved how possessive Dex became and how he let Iris take her time to come to realise her feelings. They were perfect together, and it was surprising to see the big behemoth be won over by the little lady. I also loved the Motorcycle Club, Dex's employees and how close they all were.

Title: Under Locke

Author: Mariana Zapata

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: January 19, 2014

He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widower, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.

After moving to Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly... even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time.

And the last thing they ever expected was each other.

But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop.

… she should have chosen the strip club.

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Review ~ Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton

Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I read the first book in this series, so it was hard to get into this one. I did like seeing both Caroline and Simon again, however their lives were still kind of seperate. They were still amusing, and still had a lot of chemistry, but their lives were changing. Simon travelled less and started making decisions without talking to Caroline. I could see the changes were ineviable, but it would be nice for them to make them together.

With Their friends going away, Caroline took on a lot more work at the business and could see herself doing a lot more in the future. It put a bit of strain on her and Simon and they each looked at how their lives were changing. Clive - even though he's a cat - still ruled his humans, which was still amusing!

This was a good continuation of the story, but I would've enjoyed it more if I had re read Wallbanger first.

Title: Rusty Nailed

Author: Alice Clayton

Series: Cocktail #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: June 24, 2014

In this sequel to Wallbanger, fan favorites Caroline Reynolds and Simon Parker negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in Sausalito.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on an extended honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy-long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel. And with Simon, her hotshot photographer boyfriend, gallivanting all over the world for his job, the couple is heavy-duty into "absence makes the heart grow fonder" mode. No complaints about the great reunion sex, though!

Then a trip back east to his childhood home has Simon questioning his nomadic lifestyle. He decides to be home more. A lot more. And he wants Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort out their relationship. Sure, more togetherness is a good thing—but does less traveling and working have to mean the other extreme? Apple pie and picket fences?

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Review ~ Fall Into You by J.T. Geissinger

Fall Into You by J.T. Geissinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve read a few books in this world now and some have been good and others I find hard to get into. This one sounded good so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I found that the start of this book was amusing, but really drawn out. The first 20% of the book was the night where Cole and Shay first met. Things started to pick up after that and towards the end of the book, months would pass by in a blink of the eye.

I thought Cole and Shay were good together, but she seemed like a bit of a push over at times. Cole seemed like a strong alpha male, but other times was a bit of a wuss. I liked what he did after hours, and it was an interesting thread to the story. The situation near the end of the book was a bit of a shock, but I liked how it unfolded. The Killian Black crossover was a bit confusing. Overall it was an ok read.

Title: Fall Into You

Author: J.T. Geissinger

Series: Morally Gray #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 28, 2023

Ruthless. Arrogant. Ice cold.

Everyone warned me that the CFO of McCord Media was a nightmare to work for. I knew it going in, but I figured I could keep my head down and stay under Cole McCord’s radar.

I figured wrong.

Because a month before I started as his assistant, Mr. Ruthless and I spent one scorching hot night together in bed.

In my defense, I had no idea that the gorgeous stranger I hooked up with at my girlfriend’s birthday party would turn out to be my new boss. But company policy forbids work relationships, so it’s strictly business from now on.

If only we could stop falling into bed together.
If only he didn’t make me feel things I’ve never felt before.
If only he wasn’t keeping a secret that could destroy us both.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: Fall Into You is a standalone romance with dark themes and spicy bedroom scenes intended for mature readers only.

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Review ~ The Hustler Next Door by K.A. Tucker

The Hustler Next Door (Polson Falls, #2)

The Hustler Next Door by K.A. Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! The banter between Justine and Garrett was so much fun. There was definitely an intense connection between them, despite Garrett’s business dealings and Justine’s passion to standup for the small town she recently moved to. My heart ached for Justine, considering how she was treated by her ex, and how close his family still was to hers. It made it hard for her to move on and find her own way.

The more time she spent with Garrett seemed to ease those feelings. They managed to put aside their rivalry when their two worlds collided in a big way. Garrett realised how badly she had been hurt and did everything to make things easier for her. I could see the shift in Garrett too, and how he was changing to keep the town on his good side. I just loved how Justine didn’t refrain for voicing her opinions.

I think I would’ve liked a little more things fleshed out - I really wanted to know how the green dress went down. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I honestly didn’t want it to end. Tucker seems to have this amazing way of creating worlds and characters that I can get lost in!

Title: The Hustler Next Door

Author: K.A. Tucker

Series: Polson Falls #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: January 3, 2023

From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance.

Justine MacDermott is in what she would call a transition period: squatting in her best friend’s house and working in an appliance store in Polson Falls while the man she was supposed to marry starts a new life with someone else.

She’s definitely not thinking about slashing his tires and wishing his vital extremities would fall off.

When newcomer Garrett Harrington strolls into Murphy’s looking to buy a refrigerator, Justine convinces herself she’s found her rebound. Or the next love of her life. Either works. But a chance encounter leads her to discover that Garrett isn’t who he made himself out to be, and he’s more interested in hustling her kindly old boss out of his family business—and using her to do it.

Furious at being fooled by yet another man and itching for retribution, Justine enlists the help of unlikely townsfolk to battle Harrington Group’s big-city development plans for Polson Falls.

It’s all going to plan … until Justine finds herself crossing enemy lines.

The Hustler Next Door is set in the Polson Falls world. Books in this series can be read in any order.

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Review ~ Accidentally, Scandalously Yours by Nina Levine

Accidentally, Scandalously Yours by Nina Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Accidentally, Scandalously Yours was quite enjoyable. I was able to see the relationship between Kristen and Bradford grow over 10 years, seeing them in relationships, but the connection between them was always there. They were both determined people, and were fighting for what they wanted, but the stars never aligned for them. Kristen got into some dark times and wasn’t able to stay on track. Bradford would always give her the hard truth.

They were good friends with an attraction, but there were times that they would walk away from each other. I knew they were going to be good together and boy were they! I loved Bradford and how his world really evolved around Kristen. He had his goals, but made sure she was everything to him. I liked that despite all that they had been through, Kristen became stronger and would stand up for herself. Kristen and Bradford were perfect for one another.

I felt that at times we missed parts of the story. Some threads were left open, and we didn’t see a few elements of the story. It would build up and you think it’s coming, then a gossip piece was added and then big gaps of time were jumped. I think a few things should’ve been a bit smoother. Overall, I enjoyed it and would be interested to read more stories from this world.

Title: Accidentally, Scandalously Yours

Author: Nina Levine

Series: Only Yours #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: July 4, 2023

A standalone accidental marriage, billionaire romance from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nina Levine.

He's destined for the White House and engaged to be married next month.
Except, he just married me instead.
While drunk in Vegas.

Bradford Black.
He's powerful and rich as sin.
And, he's now my husband.
His fiancée hates me.
His political advisors want me gone.
The world can't get enough of me and the scandal we've caused.
I want to run.
I want to hide.
I want to pretend none of this is happening.
But, oh God.
My husband doesn't care about the scandal because all he cares about is me.
He's possessive, grumpy, and determined for us to stay married.
I'm everything he's ever wanted.
And he's not letting me go.

What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas.

Accidentally, Scandalously Yours is a standalone woke-up-in-Vegas accidentally married, billionaire romance featuring a grumpy hero, a heroine in the midst of a hilarious suspected early mid-life crisis, mutual possessiveness, the most delicious and fun scandal, and years of mutual pining & missed connections because this couple have always been a right person, wrong time couple.

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