Review ~ Straight Fire by Abbi Glines

Straight Fire by Abbi Glines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was wondering which girl would be the one to tame Gage and it was interesting to see that there was a girl that was able to five years prior. I liked getting snippets of the past and seeing them both differently in the present.

Shiloh was a different girl to who she used to be; she was more tolerable and better for Gage. I liked seeing their chemistry rekindle and they certainly were electric together.

The world Gage is in is not an easy one, and it took time for Shiloh to understand it. She didn’t realise how intense and possessive that Gage could be, however she loved him anyway. To me I felt he was a bit much and really need to take it down a notch. It seemed too toxic, and I understood how they combusted years prior.

Things weren’t easy and there was some suspense entwined through the story. I knew that Gage would do all he could to ensure her safety. I felt the story wrapped up quite quickly and was annoyed by how Blaise handled it. It seemed very manipulative, and difficult for Shiloh.

Title: Straight Fire

Author: Abbi Glines

Series: Smoke #4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: July 9, 2023

Twisted, unhinged, insane—all words used to describe Gage Presley by those closest to him. A pretty boy with a face that misleads you. He’s one of the deadliest members of The Family.

Five years ago, his possessiveness and insane jealousy over a girl unleashed his crazy and in the wake of his retaliation he was given the prison or the United States Marines. The girl who owned his soul turned her back on him and left town without a goodbye.

Shiloh Ellis became a name he never mentioned again.

When she walks back into Gage’s life, no one in The Family is happy about it, especially Gage. It’s clear they all loathe her but she has no memory of them at all…

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Review ~ The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score

The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Price of Scandal was an entertaining read that I devoured quickly. I really enjoyed getting to know both Emily and Derek. Emily was such a strong character, determined to be a successful businesswoman. When a scandal threatened to ruin her career, Derek swooped in to save the day. Together these two were fun: the banter, the flirting and chemistry. They were both successful, but I could see them wanting more.

I loved Derek, he always had Emily’s best interest at heart. He was determined to fix her reputation. Derek started bringing out the real Emily; she was softer and easier to relate to. They were both very strong characters, and I could tell they would be good together. Seeing their families and friends brought things into perspective for both of them. Emily’s friend group were fantastic, but her family were questionable. I loved everything about Dereks friends and family. He always had the right support around him.

Title: The Price of Scandal

Author: Lucy Score

Series: Bluewater Billionaires

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 27, 2019

“I’m the fixer your board hired to clean up your mess.”
“So you show up here, break into my house, and take a bath?”

Emily Stanton’s perfect life just became a disaster. She has a trust fund brother looking for a handout, a father who is more board member than dad, and a mother who thinks she should give up on this whole billionaire CEO thing and meet a man with a pre-nup and a yacht.

Oh, and then there’s that “misunderstanding” with law enforcement witnessed by Miami’s paparazzi. Now her billion-dollar deal is on the line, and there’s a naked man in her bathtub who claims he’s going to make all her problems disappear.

Charming—and happy to bend the rules when necessary—Derek Price has made a living polishing the tarnished images of the rich and famous. He’s never lost, and he never takes clients to bed. Until the dazzling Emily. Derek promised her a win and offered up a lifetime supply of orgasms as part of the deal. But if he can’t stop her enemies, he’ll end up losing much more than he bargained for.

Author Notes: An enemies-to-allies-to-lovers workplace romcom with a meet-nude, four lady billionaire BFFs, a hero whose many talents include styling hair and picking pockets, the best dang drag queen brunch in Miami, and a shameless romance novelist cameo.

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Review ~ The Ghostwriter by A.R. Torre

The Ghostwriter by A.R. Torre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an gut wrenching read. Right from the opening chapters you can tell it’s not going to be a happy read, and by the end I was a blubbering mess. I enjoyed how the story slowly unfolded and we were able to get to know Helena and her family how Mark did. It wasn’t an easy story, as I could see how much Helena struggled socially but did so much to please her husband, even though it didn’t seem right.

I liked how dedicated she was to her books and writing and this final book was going to be epic. As the story unfolded, my heart ached for Helena. She tried hard to be the right person, but her husband and mother constantly reminded her of the mistakes she would always make. I enjoyed how the friendship between Helena and Mark grew. He was good for her and dragged her out of her shell a little. Even Helena’s agent Kate was a kind person and helped Helena when she needed it or not.

By the end of this book, I couldn’t put it down. Tears streamed down my face as the story neared its end and most characters got closure. My heart broke for Helena, of the secrets she kept and how big they were.

Title: The Ghostwriter

Author: A.R. Torre

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Published: October 2, 2017

From New York Times Bestseller Alessandra Torre...

Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me.

I wasn't surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune.

Now, I have one last story to write. It'll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.

They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.

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Review ~ Sunday Morning by Jewel E. Ann

Sunday Morning by Jewel E. Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sunday Morning was a read that captivated me from start to finish. It was one of those reads that when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. Sarah and Isaac’s journey wasn’t an easy one, considering that Sarah was in a relationship with Matthew, Isaac’s younger brother to begin with. I liked that Isaac ‘saw’ Sarah and wanted her to find her own feet. The people around her had their own expectations for her. They didn’t really listen to what she wanted or what she wanted to do.

The love triangle aspect was muddled there for a while, and I wanted nothing more for it to be sorted out. I loved seeing Isaac with Sarah as he really got her to open up and be her true self, even putting her in some situations out of her comfort zone. There was a huge incident that occurred through this story and my heart ached for Sarah as she struggled with her emotions. She wanted to be comforted and found it hard to publicly do so.

The way the story unfolded, I was sad for Sarah for a while there but I had hope she would find her way. Isaac took a lot of troubles from his family and I could see that he was actually not so much of a bad boy. His family had so many secrets and he shouldered them all. This was a fantastic read that will sit with me for a long while.

Title: Sunday Morning

Author: Jewel E. Ann

Series: Sunday Morning #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 26, 2024

Her boyfriend’s older brother should be off-limits, but he’s a sinful temptation.

Sarah is a preacher’s daughter and a people pleaser. She’s also on the verge of graduating high school and following her dream of singing in Nashville. The only thing standing in her way is that the entire town of Devil’s Head, Missouri, thinks she will marry Matt, the son of the town’s richest rancher.

But Sarah’s not sure he’s her future husband, especially when his older brother, Isaac, returns home after serving six years in the Army. He has tattoos on his arms and bad habits that are not “father-approved.” When he’s not working on the ranch or roping at the rodeo, Isaac hangs out in the barn, playing his guitar. He’s trouble, but Sarah's music-loving heart gravitates toward him.

Isaac loves consuming Sarah’s mind, crawling under her skin, backing her into corners, and whispering inappropriate things in her innocent ears.

After weeks of playful banter and guitar lessons blurring the line between right and wrong, Issac makes Sarah a proposition she can’t refuse.

But when the unthinkable happens, and everything she knows is destroyed, will Sarah make the right choice?

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Audiobook Review ~ The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick and fun read to listen to. I liked how T & C met at such a young age and built a friendship over time, despite never meeting. The first part of the book is mostly via email, and the interaction was amusing. They shared a lot of moments and it was going to be a matter of time before they actually met. I enjoyed how it all unfolded, I just wished it was longer and we got more of the characters.

Title: The Exception to the Rule

Author: Christina Lauren

Series: The Improbable Meet-Cute #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance Novella

Published: January 23, 2024

On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

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Review ~ Remy by Eden Summers

Remy by Eden Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Eden Summers books, and knowing that she almost gave up on this one would have been heartbreaking for us all, as it was a fabulous read! I loved getting to know Ollie and watching her grow throughout the read, how she handled the news of her Father and stepping into Remy’s world. She wasn’t much of a social girl, but she stepped out of her comfort zone a few times to get the truth.

There were a number of times that my heart ached for Ollie, where she got herself into tight situations and other times she felt alone in the world. I did like that Remy was always looking out for her and understood the heartbreak coming her way. Despite his tough exterior, he was kind at heart and I had faith they would make it.

This read was pieced together perfectly. There were ups and downs, times of uncertainty, secrets, trusting moments and so much more. I went on a roller coaster ride of emotions and shed a few tears along the way! Truly it was a beautiful read and I know I’ll need to dive back into this world again!

Title: Remy

Author: Eden Summers

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Published: June 27, 2024

“Ollie, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you not to scream.”

HER

We met by chance at a random dive bar.
Him - a striking figure in a tailored suit who radiates dominance.
Me - an awkward introvert, innocently stalking my father.

He seduced me.
Worshipped me.
Then, in a blink, he vanished, leaving no trace—not even a name or number.

HIM

I wasn’t supposed to see her again.
We were never meant to meet in the first place.
But here we
Her - half asleep after passing out at work.
Me - caught sneaking into her family business in the middle of the night.

She has no clue who I am—that I’ve just settled into a ruthless birthright position within the Italian mafia. Or that her family legacy plays a role in my illegal activities. But I have a feeling the dead body at my feet might bring her up to speed.

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