Naomi's Reading Palace: 4.5 Stars

Showing posts with label 4.5 Stars. Show all posts

Audiobook Review ~ The Dirty Truth by Winter Renshaw

The Dirty Truth by Winter Renshaw
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Elle and West were such a fiery duo!! They were like dynamite right from the opening chapters! I enjoyed they way that Elle was taking the time to re-evaluate her life and how West’s request sent her over the edge, sending the best article and called it quits. Crossing paths with Scarlett was quite the coincidence, and I liked how she was the connection that kept the three of them together. Over time, I could see that Elle was breaking down West’s walls and getting to know the beautiful man underneath.

It was easy to get lost in this world. I enjoyed meeting all the characters and how well the storyline flowed. I think that Winter Renshaw pieced this story together perfectly and that Aaron Shedlock and Nicola Lambo did a beautiful job at bringing the characters to life.

Title: The Dirty Truth

Author: Winter Renshaw

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: June 14, 2022

From Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw comes an enemies-to-lovers romance about the journey of self-discovery that follows a life-changing event.

After a brush with death, I realize it’s time to make changes in my life. Big changes.

First, my job. I love being a journalist, but I hate my megawatt magnate boss, West Maxwell. When he demands I rewrite an article on short notice, I turn the tables on him with a scathing new column and quit in a blaze of glory.

But West isn’t about to let me go that easily, the jerk. He offers me an unexpected new mentor to his rebellious teenage niece. For some reason, I agree—I like helping people, but I’m also admittedly curious to glimpse the man behind the mogul.

However, I soon discover that my new assignment isn’t what I expected. As I learn about the private side of my enigmatic boss, I start to see the heart he hides behind his icy facade. The old Elle hated West…but maybe—just maybe—the new Elle can tame him.

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Review ~ The Surrogate by Penelope Ward

The Surrogate by Penelope Ward
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Surrogate was such a great read that warmed my heart. After Sig had lost his wife, he had thrown himself into his work. When his in-laws came to visit, all the emotions that he had buried resurfaced, and he was left with the dilemma of fathering a child for them to raise. Who would’ve thought that the surrogate would turn his world upside down, drawing out long lost feelings and leaving him craving to live and have Abby in his life.

Abby was the perfect surrogate for Sig and I loved how honest and sweet she was. She managed to get past his brooding persona and found the caring man beneath. She had lost someone close to her so was determined to bring this dream to life. There were a few hurdles thrown in to put distance between them, but I could see their bond getting stronger.

This was one of those reads that sat with me for a long time after I was finished. Both Abby and Sig deserved to find the right kind of happiness, and under different circumstances, they may have never met. This was a beautiful read that I was sad to see the end of!

Title: The Surrogate

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: February 26, 2024

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE novel…

ABBY
I’m falling for the father of the baby I’m carrying. The problem it’s not my baby. And the broody widower is not looking for a long-term partner. As a surrogate, the deal was that I’d only be in England long enough to give birth. At first, the man seemed as pretentious as his name: Sigmund Benedictus. He and I butted heads. Sig challenged my intentions, accused me of just wanting to do this for the money. Gradually, he learned to trust me. He even became protective. Over time, our heated animosity turned into fiery chemistry. I was falling in love with him. But my time here had a limit. I needed to protect my heart from the devastatingly gorgeous older man who’d end up breaking it

SIG
When my in-laws told me they wanted to use my dead wife’s eggs to conceive a grandchild, I wasn’t immediately on board. They swore that on her deathbed Britney told them it was what she wanted—but only if I fathered the baby. Her parents insisted they would be the ones to raise it. Against my better judgment, I agreed. I vowed to keep my heart out of it, though. I’d continue to pretend it wasn’t happening and live the empty, single life I’d become accustomed to the past five years since Britney died. And despite the fact that a certain younger American named Abby Knickerbocker had awakened things inside me that I thought were long dead… I most certainly wouldn’t fall in love with the surrogate.

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Audiobook Review ~ Sunlight by Devney Perry

Sunlight by Devney Perry
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was the first book in the series that I read, and I devoured it in no time at all! I was quickly swept away into the world; the character development was done well and the chemistry between both Jax and Sasha was off the charts. I liked how all characters interacted and how deep the story became. My heart broke for Jax as he was able to open up and share his feelings to someone. Sasha was soon able to let down her walls as Jax tried to sell Montana life to her.

The Narration by Stephen Dexter and Ava Erickson was done perfectly. I was fully invested while listening to the story and I loved how they brought Devney Perry’s story to life.

Title: Sunlight

Author: Devney Perry

Series: Haven River Ranch #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: October 15, 2024

From USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry comes a sweeping Western romance about undeniable attraction, unforeseen circumstances, and seemingly unbeatable odds.

My first day in Montana, I got into a tug-of-war over a grocery store shopping cart. The most handsome man I’d ever seen broke up the scuffle before he asked me on a date. I was seconds away from accepting but then he told me his name.

As an owner of the Haven River Ranch, Jax Haven wasn’t my boss. But he wasn’t not my boss either.

Obviously, my only option was to turn him down, scurry away, then pretend like he was a stranger on my first day of work. And obviously, I could never, ever admit that he was my secret crush.

For as hard as I work at my job, I work twice as hard to pretend Jax doesn’t exist. I don’t let myself think about his dazzling eyes or charming smile. I refuse to acknowledge how good he looks in a pair of faded Wrangler jeans. And as tempting as he is in a cowboy hat, Jax is a distraction I cannot afford.

Everything was going according to plan until the annual holiday party. Until I drank one too many flutes of champagne and let him sweep me off my feet. After a night in his bed, there was no more ignoring Jax Haven. Not when I’m pregnant with his baby.

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Review ~ The Love You Fight For by Brit Benson

The Love You Fight For by Brit Benson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved watching Chris break Samantha’s walls down. These two had had a connection for a number of years, but hadn’t over crossed too many lines. However now that Sam was back, he was willing to see where things would go and wasn’t going to allow Sam to push him away.

Sam was a warrior; the more I got to know about her the more I liked her. She had endured so much in her life and was determined to bring the world down to her feet. She was amazingly strong, but had moments of vulnerability and would find comfort with Chris before rebuilding her walls.

These two were amazing together. I loved how they were able to comfort one another when needed. Chris was such a strong person and wanted Sam to open up to him, but understood that she was in a hard situation. There were moments that had my heart breaking for Sam, and she was almost at rock bottom, but she was a fighter. As the story unfolded I was proud of what she had done.

This was a fantastic read and I know I want to go back and read more from this series and more of Brit Benson’s work. The world was fabulous and the emotional rollercoaster I was on had me glued to the read.

Title: The Love You Fight For

Author: Brit Benson

Series: Next Life #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: March 15, 2024

The mask she wears for the world is flawless.
But I want the mess that she hides underneath.
Samantha Harper is untouchable.

She’s the closest thing we have to royalty in my small town.
Daughter of a senator.
Richer than sin.
Classy, elegant, and
Ice cold.

She’s my polar opposite.
And unfortunately,
She’s exactly my type.

Too bad royalty doesn’t fraternize with peasants.

Until one night,
Samantha Harper finds herself at my mercy,
and the temptation to dirty up her flawless facade is too great.

When her perfect mask slips,
It’s not an ice princess I find beneath
But a warrior in war-torn armor.
A snake in queen’s clothing.

All it takes is one night, and I’m determined.
She will never have to fight another battle alone.

***

The Love You Fight For is the third book in the Next Life world.  It has a guaranteed HEA. While The Love You Fight For can be read as a standalone, it is recommended that you first read the Next Life duet to fully appreciate the story.

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Audiobook Review ~ Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was quite an amusing read to listen to! I enjoyed the way that Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke portrayed the characters, and I was immersed into the storyline right from the opening chapters. Honestly, the beginning of the book had me smirking and I knew I was going to enjoy the world that Adriana Locke created.

Gabrielle and Jay were amusing from the start; there was certainly an attraction that they both tried to deny. Gabrielle was determined to start her life over in her hometown with her sons and her cousin close by and I could see that she liked to do things herself. Jay just couldn’t help but get involved, although he tried to keep the small family next door at arm’s length.

I liked seeing the relationship between them all grow, not only Gab and Jay, but the relationship between Jay and the boys too. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but he tried hard despite the issues that he was trying to deal with and tried to protect his heart too. Truly, it was a fun and sweet read that I couldn’t help but be swept away with.

Title: Between Now and Forever

Author: Adriana Locke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: December 17, 2024

Neighbors to lovers can be a risky proposition in this funny, sexy, and swoony romantic comedy between a single mother and the grumpy man next door by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel—right in front of her sexy new neighbor.

Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering—not with his emotional train wreck of a past.

Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says.

Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes.

Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?

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Audiobook Review ~ Variation by Rebecca Yarros

Variation by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Right from the opening chapters I knew that I would be swept away into this read! I needed to know more and to see how the characters had grown. It was interesting to see what they had lost and what they would give up for their families.

Allie was such a beautiful character. Her whole life she had been under the thumb of her mother and set to achieve everything she could in the ballet world, until she suffers an injury and returns to the home she spent summers in as a child. The loss of her sister all those years ago was still heavy on her shoulders, and when secrets unravel, she can see lightness in the world once again.

Hudson was such a wonderful man. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for his family. Having Allie around once more she forced him to chase his dreams once again and to not just settle. The chemistry between them was still fierce although they tried to make it a limited time thing.

These two were fabulous together and I loved meeting them. They both have wonderful support around them, and I enjoyed being in their world. Rebecca Yarros crafted this story beautifully and I could not get enough. I didn’t want this story to end and cannot wait to dive into future Yarros reads.

Title: Variation

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: November 19, 2024

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing comes a new contemporary romance about the summer a celebrated dancer returns home and unearths years of family secrets with the Coast Guard rescue swimmer she never forgot.

Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under.

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath.

When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever.

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Review ~ Learning Curve by Max Monroe

Learning Curve by Max Monroe
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Learning Curve was a longer read than what I usually pick up, but it was so worth it. It begins with Scottie and Finn beginning University, and right from their first meeting they had a connection. They both had personal issues that they were trying to deal with, but had more in common than either of them realised.

Finn, I truly loved his character. He was dealing with his own demons to try to be the protector of his family. He pushed Scottie away multiple times through this process as he felt that he didn’t deserve her. Things turned out differently than how he thought, and I was amazed in what he gained.

Scottie was more reserved than what I expected, and although she tried so hard with Finn, she moved on when needed. Her world exploded multiple times, and she tried so hard to be strong on her own. Her friends and family were there for her, and Finn was always a constant presence for her.

I think that the authors have done a fabulous job with the start of this new series, and I’m looking forward to more. I felt that it was really well written, the characters and storyline were well fleshed out and I found it hard to put this read down.

Title: Learning Curve

Author: Max Monroe

Series: Dickson University #1

Genre: New Adult Romance

Published: August 16, 2024

She’s the virginal cheerleader, and he’s the tortured bad boy. Their worlds are different, but college life at Dickson University brings them together in a passionate, angsty, fiery collision.

Finn Hayes is what girls my age would call “stupid hot.” He’s handsome, has brown eyes that remind me of warm chocolate chip cookies, and a tall, muscular build that makes marble sculptures jealous.

Green flag, right?

Wrong.

He’s also broody, closed off, and so complex that it feels like I need a decoder to crack him.

He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met and fights like he came out of the womb swinging, taking down both my ex-boyfriend and an ex-UFC fighter with ease.

But the underground society at our college known as Double C has nothing on him in the secrets department, and it’s that mysterious edge that keeps me coming back for more.

This is more than the story of how Finn and I fell in love.

This is proof that love has a learning curve. Sometimes you succeed, and sometimes…it destroys you.

Author Note: Learning Curve is a New Adult Romance standalone that is book one in the Dickson University Series. This highly-addictive series will follow the grown-up Billionaire Bad Boy kids and long-lost Winslow siblings as they navigate college life and relationships. Buckle up for all the college drama, romance, spice, angst, and humor. You do not need to have read the Billionaire Bad Boys Series or Winslow Brothers Collection to read Learning Curve. It is a complete standalone.

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Review ~ Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This book consumed me! I read two thirds of it one day then could not sleep that night as I wanted to know what was going to happen next between Cooper and Mac. It was fun to watch these two characters who were from different worlds mesh together. Although their initial meeting began as revenge for Coop, it was not long before I saw that he had genuine feelings for Mac. He helped her open up and become her own person, and making decisions herself.

They both had parental issues - both being used by their parents, but I could see that they wanted to thrive without them. Coop had his plans and I liked how focused he was. Mac was agitated with college and I could see a new light in her when she made some changes.
Coop and Mac were so sweet together. It wasn’t always smooth, and Coops secret festered throughout the read. They bonded so well and at times they clashed in big ways, but they were a sizzling couple together.

Title: Good Girl Complex

Author: Elle Kennedy

Series: Avalon Bay #1

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Published: February 1, 2022

She does everything right. So what could go wrong?

Mackenzie "Mac" Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It's exhausting, really, always following the rules. Unlike most twenty-year-olds, all she really wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but first she must get a college degree at her parents' insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Mac's had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edges. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Despite his disdain for the trust-fund kids he sees coming and going from his town, Cooper soon realizes Mac isn't just another rich clone and falls for her. Hard. But as Mac finally starts feeling accepted by Cooper and his friends, the secret he's been keeping from her threatens the only place she's ever felt at home.

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Review ~ Mine to Honor by Natasha Madison

Mine to Honor by Natasha Madison
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this read considering that I haven't read any books in this series. It was such a sweet and captivating read. I liked both main characters - Eva and Levi -and how close they were as friends. They both knew each other so well, and would do anything for one another. For Levi, marrying Eva was a no brainer to help her get custody of her neice. What he didn't expect was to fall in love with both girls.

Eva was such a kind person. She was a successful business owner, but stepped up when she was needed. She was liked by everyone, and her new extended family were very protective of her. I loved how Levi did everything to make the wedding memorable, even though it was supposed to be fake.

It was nice to see the big change in Levi and how they were falling deeply for one another. Their home life fell into place easily and it was only a matter of time before they realised it themselves.

For my first read by this author, she certainly did well on pulling me into this world and loving all the characters that I met. I am certain that I will read more of her work in the future.

Title: Mine to Honor

Author: Natasha Madison

Series: Southern Wedding #7

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: November 3, 2023

From Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a small town, best friends to lovers, fake marriage, and forced proximity romance.

When your best friend asks you for the biggest favor of her life.

EVA
Things were finally looking up for me.
I was my own boss; I owned my own house—
and I recently was contacted by an older sister I didn’t know I had.
Everything was perfect…until tragedy struck.
All the things that had come into my life were suddenly gone—except for one thing: my niece.

LEVI
I was a confirmed bachelor.
I was married to my work and committed to nothing more.
No woman was going to change that.
Eva is my best friend and needed a life-changing favor:
Marry her so she could gain custody of her niece.
A marriage of convenience that would only last a year, tops.
But there were stipulations we hadn’t planned on.
Things got blurry—lines got crossed.
I would honor my commitment…I just hope I can walk away.

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Review ~ The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was a lot of fun! Ben was introduced in earlier books, so I was excited to see what type of woman would win his heart. In previous books, we’ve had a doctor and temp assistant, doctor and musician, so imagine my surprise that we had two lawyers in this one. I enjoyed getting to know Gemma and why she was so standoffish with men. The little things that Ben was doing to win Gemma over watery sweet too.

Gemma was very reluctant to give her heart away, as she had a lost trust in men. Her back story really set her up to be quite the ruthless lawyer but the way Ben slowly broke her down was sweet. She didn’t like to share details, but I felt Ben held back too much, which made her question their relationship. I liked the little mentions of previous characters, but would have liked a little bit more. The ending was really amusing as well.

Title: The Devil You Know

Author: Elizabeth O'Roark

Series: The Devils #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: June 23, 2022

There’s a devil on my shoulder, and every Monday morning she announces herself. She’s this delicious flame in my chest, a flurry of whispered suggestions in my ear.
Suggestions I ignore…because every single one of them is about Ben Tate.

Ben—Stealer of Clients, Evicter of Homeless Women, Nemesis. Sitting across from me every damn Monday with his lovely, smug smile and his too-perfect teeth, the living symbol of everything I hate.

It’s been my policy to avoid him, but when a case comes into the firm—one that could change his career and mine—I make an exception. It means weekends and evenings by his side. It means enduring his smirk and his smart mouth and never taking the bait.

Until the night Ben says, “Beg.”
And that devil on my shoulder decides to make a few demands of her own.

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Review ~ The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This read sure packed a punch. It wasn’t easy for Jules to find her place with a family who suppressed the person she was, but she wasn’t strong enough to break free. Living under the roof of the paster, his wife and her boyfriend sure had its challenges, and she was more like the help instead of part of the family. The hardest part was when Danny brought home his best friend who could see past her walls.

I enjoyed alternating between the past and the present, getting to know both Jules and Luke. I could see that they were inevitable, and it would blow up massively. I liked that they were stronger people in the future, and still had feelings for one another. I loved the change in Donna too, after everything that she lost, but she still had so much love for them both. This book built slowly, and it touched my soul.

Title: The Summer We Fell

Author: Elizabeth O'Roark

Series: The Summer #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: April 6, 2023

He was my boyfriend’s best friend—and the bane of my existence. I wanted to hate Luke Taylor. I did hate him. I just never hated him enough.

Now, a decade later, tragedy has brought us back to the place where it all happened—my best times, and my worst.

Our lives have changed, but that pull between us is just as strong as ever.

Only this time, it’s more dangerous too.

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