Archives for March 2021

* Review * WAYS TO RUIN A ROYAL REPUTATION by Dani Collins

March 21, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WAYS TO RUIN A ROYAL REPUTATION by Dani Collins

Ways to Ruin a Royal Reputation by Dani Collins
Series: Signed, Sealed…Seduced #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on April 1, 2021
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“Ruin me.”

And she’ll enjoy every delicious second!

The king of Vallia never wanted to ascend to the throne. But in order to abdicate, Luca needs a good, old-fashioned disgrace. That’s where powerhouse PR pro Amy Miller comes in!

Amy’s revived the career of many a star. She can certainly torpedo that of a reluctant royal. But when instant attraction ignites with Luca, Amy’s soon starring in the scandal. And the fire burning between them is anything but fake news. But will this explosive flame be extinguished by what’s hidden in Amy’s past?

Unwittingly delightful! With the first book in the Signed, Sealed … Seduced series Dani Collins brings us a royal who wants just enough scandal behind his name to allow him to resist taking the throne. In WAYS TO RUIN A ROYAL REPUTATION public relations guru Amy sets out to help Luca hand the throne over to it’s rightful heir when the draw they’ve been feeling towards each other from the beginning turns them into unexpected tabloid fodder! Great characters, an enchanting setting and an overall feel good romance.

Luca is kind and wholehearted believes in correcting outdated policies so the throne he’s about to take actually goes to the correct heir, but he needs some help to do so.

Amy knows her fair share about scandal, so she wants to be absolutely sure Luca knows what he’s doing before unleashing it on him … if only their attraction to each other hadn’t already opened those doors before they were ready!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a little bit of modern day royalty mixed in with some romance and gossip.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * COLTON’S KILLER PURSUIT by Tara Taylor Quinn

March 21, 2021 Leave a Comment

Colton's Killer Pursuit by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: The Coltons of Grave Gulch #2
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on February 1, 2021
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Someone framed Everleigh Emerson.

And now they’ll stop at nothing to kill her…

Everleigh Emerson just escaped wrongful conviction for murder. That doesn’t mean she’s safe. After Clarke Colton witnesses an attempt on her life, the PI convinces Everleigh to let him help her—even if it means pretending to be her boyfriend. Everleigh trusts that Clarke wants to catch the killer who’s after her. But can she trust the attraction that’s growing between her and her protector?

High energy intrigue! With the second book in the Coltons of Grave Gulch series Tara Taylor Quinn brings us Everleigh and Clarke’s story in COLTON’S KILLER PURSUIT. If you read the first book in the series Everleigh will be familiar with you as the woman who was wrongly accused of murdering her soon to be ex-husband when evidence was planted against her. The story is fresh and entertaining and the characters are easy to like and sympathize with. I’m looking forward to more in the series!

Everleigh came into this book with anyone’s sympathy who read the first in the series because we knew she was set up for murder and that her grandmother had to go to extremes to get her case delved into further. I liked her and enjoyed watching Clarke become important to her.

Clarke is an all around nice guy and super easy to like. His family is mostly law enforcement, and there seems to always be more drama around the corner to keep their attention.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series so far to anyone who enjoys a fast paced mystery with a strong backbone of family and love.

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* Release Blitz/Review/Excerpt * FIGHTER’S BEST FRIEND by A. Rivers

March 18, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review/Excerpt * FIGHTER’S BEST FRIEND by A. Rivers

Fighter's Best Friend by A. Rivers
Series: Crown MMA Romance #
on March 18, 2021
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He’s my best friend. Emotionally unavailable. Falling in love with him is the worst idea ever but try telling that to my heart.

As a doctor who aced her way through medical school, I should be too smart to fall for Gabe Mendoza, a man who’s married to his MMA career. For years, I’ve patched his wounds and cheered him on, but I’m tired of hoping he’ll wake up and see what’s right in front of him. I’m ready to find someone who will put me first.

The last thing I expect is for Gabe to scare off my dates and tell me all the dirty things he wants to do to me. He asks for a chance, but with the fight of his life on the horizon, his attention is divided, and I’m scared that when push comes to shove, I’ll be left alone and heartbroken.

Can I trust Gabe enough to fight for our happily ever after? Or was our end written before it even began?

These best friends are finally admitting to feeling more … and I adored them together! With book two in her Crown MMA Romance series A. Rivers delights her readers once again with a irresistible fighter and a heroine who can hold her own against him. I’m enjoying the close knit bond between the fighters at this gym and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Sydney is hardworking and accomplished and really had me pulling for her to get everything she wanted from Gabe quickly.

Gabe is a sweetheart who simply is being pulled in too many directions a lot of the time. I’m glad he opened his eyes to what was waiting right in front of him.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sports romance with just enough of the training and sport to keep your interest up but also packed full of heart and sizzle.

Title: Fighter’s Best Friend

Series: Crown MMA Romance #2

Author: A. Rivers

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: March 18, 2021

BLURB

He’s my best friend. Emotionally unavailable. Falling in love with him is the worst idea ever but try telling that to my heart.

As a doctor who aced her way through medical school, I should be too smart to fall for Gabe Mendoza, a man who’s married to his MMA career.

For years, I’ve patched his wounds and cheered him on, but I’m tired of hoping he’ll wake up and see what’s right in front of him. I’m ready to find someone who will put me first.

The last thing I expect is for Gabe to scare off my dates and tell me all the dirty things he wants to do to me. He asks for a chance, but with the fight of his life on the horizon, his attention is divided, and I’m scared that when push comes to shove, I’ll be left alone and heartbroken.

Can I trust Gabe enough to fight for our happily ever after? Or was our end written before it even began?

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EXCERPT

“Hey, beautiful,” Devon says, wrapping one arm around Sydney.

My eyes narrow, and I shoot a glare over her head. The guys know better than to touch her around me. She’s off-limits. But that doesn’t stop Devon from trying to rile me up.

“Hi, Dev.” She smiles up at him but doesn’t relax into his body the way she does mine, and satisfaction fists in my gut. Maybe it’s masochistic to notice these things, but I can’t help it. She’s my addiction. And if I can’t touch her the way I want, then the second best thing is to hold onto that special place she carved out for me in her heart when we were kids. I’ve never come close to losing it before, and I don’t intend to now.

“I hear you’ve been looking for a man,” Devon says, his attention fully on Sydney.

I want to wring his neck, but it’s not exactly his fault he’s goading me so much. As far as he and Jase know, I’m protective of Sydney because she’s my friend. Like a sister. They don’t realize I freak the fuck out when anyone lays their hand on her or flirts with her because she’s mine. At least, in my head she is. In reality, she’d probably laugh her ass off if I said as much.

Okay, she wouldn’t. She’s too nice for that. But she knows I can’t give her what she wants, and based on how she reacted the other day, she wouldn’t hesitate to remind me of that.

“Just starting the search,” she replies, her tone tense. She doesn’t know how I feel about her, but she senses that her love life makes me a little crazy and probably doesn’t want to antagonize me when we’re smoothing things over. “I’ve been on a couple of dates but haven’t met anyone I want to go on a second one with yet.”

Covering my mouth, I try to hide my relief. Based on her expression, I fail.

“It’s a pity Gabe outlawed every guy at the gym, or you’d have plenty to choose from.”

Devon seriously has a death wish.

Sydney laughs. “That doesn’t bother me. Dating someone from the gym could get messy if it went wrong. I’m best to keep my romantic life separate from my friends until I meet someone I can see a future with.”

“Smart move,” Lena says. “Plenty of options online, anyway. No need to go fishing in the gym’s pool.”

I take Sydney’s hand, give it a squeeze, and swallow past the boulder in my throat. “You’ll find the right guy. He’s out there, and once he finds you, he won’t let go.”

“Aww.” Her expression softens, and emotion shines in her eyes. “Thank you.”

Releasing her hand, I set mine firmly on my lap before I do something stupid like raise her palm to my lips and kiss it.

“No problem. It’s what you deserve.”

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Releasing June 24

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AUTHOR BIO

A. Rivers writes romance with strong heroes and heroines who kick butt and take names. She loves MMA fighters, cops, military men, bodyguards, and the protective guy next door who isn’t afraid to fight the odds for love.

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* Review * THE GUARDIAN by Kimberly Kincaid

March 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE GUARDIAN by Kimberly Kincaid

The Guardian by Kimberly Kincaid
Series: The Intelligence Unit #2
on March 9, 2021
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Guard against any danger. Especially if it comes from within.

Detective Matteo Garza doesn’t just do the job—he is the job.

He’s learned the hard way that work and pleasure can’t co-exist.

So when his little sister’s best friend accidentally uncovers a money laundering scheme led by one of Remington’s most cold-blooded criminals,
Garza vows to keep things strictly business as he keeps her safe.

No matter how much the quirky mathematician
makes him feel things best left buried.
No matter how much she makes him want.

Delia Sutton knows she’s not like most people,
just like she knows she needs to forget her ages-old crush on Matteo
and focus on survival.

But the closer they get, the bolder she becomes—
the more she breaks down his carefully crafted barriers to discover the man beneath.

Danger is closer than either of them could possibly imagine
and no one can be trusted.
Delia needs a guardian to fight by her side, and Matteo will do anything to protect her.
No matter who the enemy is.

Explosive chemistry and top notch intrigue are sure to please! With the second book in her new The Intelligence Unit series Kimberly Kincaid brings her story to life with excitement and flair and I could not have loved it more. The characters were down to earth yet combustible, the intrigue drew me in from the first page and the happily ever after was so yummy. Loved it and can’t wait for more in the series!

Delia is an easy character to love. She’s just smart and nerdy enough to be awkward, but sweet and sincere enough to make it work in a wholesome way.

Matteo takes gruff and broody to a whole new level, but it so works for him!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a close knit work family surrounded by lots of intrigue and happily ever afters.

Release Date: March 9

Guard against any danger. Especially if it comes from within.

Detective Matteo Garza doesn’t just do the job–he is the job.

He’s learned the hard way that work and pleasure can’t co-exist.

So when his little sister’s best friend accidentally uncovers a money laundering scheme
led by one of Remington’s most cold-blooded criminals,
Garza vows to keep things strictly business as he keeps her safe.

No matter how much the quirky mathematician
makes him feel things best left buried.
No matter how much she makes him want.

Delia Sutton knows she’s not like most people,
just like she knows she needs to forget her ages-old crush on Matteo and focus on survival.

But the closer they get, the bolder she becomes–
the more she breaks down his carefully crafted barriers to discover the man beneath.

Danger is closer than either of them could possibly imagine
and no one can be trusted.
Delia needs a guardian to fight by her side, and Matteo will do anything to protect her.
No matter who the enemy is.

********

The Guardian is a scorching forbidden lovers romantic suspense featuring a grumpy Alpha hero who would walk into fire to save the woman he loves and a smart-is-sexy number-nerd heroine who would save him right back. Equal parts heart-pounding suspense and steamy romance. Complete standalone with no cheating and a full (but hard-fought!) HEA.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet Kimberly Kincaid

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense.

When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book.

Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love.

Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Connect with Kimberly Kincaid

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* Review * HER DARK LIES by JT Ellison

March 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison
Published by MIRA on March 9, 2021
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Fast-paced and brilliantly unpredictable, J.T. Ellison’s breathtaking new novel invites you to a wedding none will forget—and some won’t survive.

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.

From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.

Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins…

A pulse pounding mystery! HER DARK LIES by J.T. Ellison takes the reader on a journey of mystery and intrigue as danger mounts and secrets are uncovered. The premise is exciting and there are some good characters in the mix so even though the overall book fell a bit flat and disjointed in carry through, the suspense held my attention throughout.

Claire was a strong character from the start. She is embarking on the wedding trip of a lifetime to begin her life with Jack, but secrets she didn’t even know existed are throwing a wrench in her joy every time she turns around.

Jack and his family are full of secrets, lies and more surprises than expected.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mysterious read filled with danger and intrigue. Even though it wasn’t my favorite by this author, it holds your attention throughout and keeps you wanting to know more.

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* Review * SCOUT by Janie Crouch

March 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Scout by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical #12
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on March 9, 2021
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Linear Tactical’s Wyatt Highfield is running for his life with intel that will break up a human trafficking ring.

The last thing he wants is to bring danger to Nadine Macfarlane’s door. The gentle beauty has been through enough, and has the scars—physical and emotional—to prove it.

But she’s his only option.

Trying to heal from wounds caused by trusting the wrong person, Nadine has spent the past two years hiding from nearly everyone. The only exception has been her online relationship with Wyatt. So when they meet face-to-face by sheer chance, she thinks it’s a sign from the universe that it’s time to start living.

Not that it’s time to start dying.

As Wyatt’s secret comes out, Nadine realizes she has to face the past in order to save the future.

High intensity with all the feels! With the next book in her always popular Linear Tactical series Janie Crouch takes us on the ride of our life with Wyatt and Nadine’s book. The intrigue is high right from the start and the connection between these two is powerful. I wanted a little more in the backstory of Nadine, and the pulse pounding danger led to an abrupt stopping point without getting a complete resolution so I felt a bit let down there, but overall a stellar book with great reconnections with past characters.

Nadine is an endearing character. She has shut herself off from certain aspects of life after suffering a trauma she can’t put past her. Watching her thrive when Wyatt arrives is really powerful.

Wyatt is a sweetheart. He’s a tough, take no prisoners type of guy when he needs to be, but he’s got a heart of gold and the patience of a saint when it comes to loving Nadine through her turmoil.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves action packed intrigue with a close knit group of friends who have become family.

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* Review * THE ROOKIE by Kimberly Kincaid

March 4, 2021 Leave a Comment

The Rookie by Kimberly Kincaid
Series: The Intelligence Unit #1
on October 6, 2020
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Police recruit Xander Matthews wants two things:
to help people
and to keep his dark and dangerous past
in his rear-view, where it belongs.
He never thought he’d see brash, beautiful A.D.A. Tara Kingston
after she tried to prosecute him two years ago.

Yet here she is, smack in the middle of a crime scene
and now they have to work together
to catch a killer.

Tara prides herself on being tough—
after all, she learned the hard way
how fleeting life can be.
But the closer she gets to Xander
the more she wants to open up and let him in.
The more she wants everything.

The stakes are high
and the passion is hot.
But Xander’s secrets run deep
and now, their hearts and their lives
are on the line…

An exciting new spin-off! With the first look into her The Intelligence Unit series Kimberly Kincaid dazzles when a rookie cop and an assistant district attorney shoot off sparks galore and lots of familiar faces make it feel like a reunion meet cute. This book was just a short, sexy flirt of what’s to come, so I’m looking forward to more in the series.

Xander is an exciting, fresh character who has a past and isn’t afraid to admit it. He’s sweet, sensitive and all out sexy.

Tara is tough as nails and doesn’t have time for games, so watching her fall for Xander is really fun.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cop drama with a case playing out in front of our faces while romance boils over in the background.

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* Review * ALL CONSUMING by Jaci Burton

March 2, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

All Consuming by Jaci Burton
Series: Brotherhood by Fire #3
Published by Berkley on March 2, 2021
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A sizzling new romance about a firefighter who reunites with an old flame and tries to rekindle the passion they once felt.

When firefighter Kal Donovan transfers to the Tactical Rescue Team, he's determined to succeed by giving work one hundred percent of his attention. This proves more difficult at his ten-year high school reunion when he runs into Hannah Clark, his first love. She's still the smart, funny, beautiful girl he loved in high school, but everything has changed. She's divorced, has a son, and has zero interest in exploring an old romance.

Hannah has moved back home after a disastrous end to a marriage that never should have been. Now her only focus is getting her hair salon up and running, and making sure her son is happy. She doesn't have time for love—especially not with Kal. She intends to look forward, not backward, and Kal is most definitely part of her past.

However as Hannah and Kal start spending time together, Hannah realizes that what she's feeling for him isn't nostalgia, but red-hot attraction. Kal's intent on showing her what it's like to be cared for, romanced, and consumed with passion—and Hannah loves it. But she wonders if she has the courage to risk her heart again, even as Kal vows not to lose her a second time.

Sexy, sweet and satisfying! With the third and final book in her Brotherhood by Fire series Jaci Burton delivers a poignant second chance on love/reunion story for Kal. We get to see a good bit of Jackson and Rafe to catch up on their happily ever afters with Becks and Carmen and enjoy them all together again. I really enjoyed this series!

Kal is such a satisfying hero. He’s sweet, he’s sexy and he’s got a backstory that makes you want to reach out and hug him. I enjoyed seeing him prosper in his new job and seeing him reconnect with his family is always enriching.

Hannah is a bit of a wayward character. She’s been hurt more than once and doesn’t know what she wants until she opens her eyes and suddenly sees it. She wasn’t my favorite, but I ended up liking her.

I highly recommend this book as well as the series as a whole to anyone who loves a good firefighter romance with a strong supporting family and lots of emotional upheaval from their back stories.

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* Review * THE AFFAIR by Danielle Steel

March 2, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Affair by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on March 2, 2021
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In this riveting novel, Danielle Steel explores a high-profile affair that reverberates throughout an entire family, from the wounded wife to her husband—torn between two women—to the wife’s close-knit sisters and their mother.

When Rose McCarthy’s staff at Mode magazine pitches a cover shoot with Hollywood’s hottest young actress, the actress’s sizzling affair with a bestselling French author is exposed. The author happens to be Rose’s son-in-law, which creates a painful dilemma for her. Her daughter Nadia, a talented interior designer, has been struggling to hold her marriage together, and conceal the truth from their young daughters, her family, and the world. But Nicolas, her straying husband, is blinded by passion for a younger woman—and not only that, she is pregnant with his child.

Nadia’s three sisters close ranks around her, flying to Paris from Los Angeles and New York to lend support and offer their widely divergent advice. Athena, a jovial celebrity chef with her own TV show in Los Angeles, is leery of marriage. Olivia, a stern conservative New York superior court judge, is haunted by a shocking secret of her own. Venetia, a zany fashion designer, happily married with three kids, has the gentlest, most realistic point of view. Despite their well-meaning advice, Nadia needs to figure out what she herself thinks, and what to do next.

The Affair is about the painful journey to discover who you are, what you want, and how much forgiveness and compromise you are capable of in order to be loved. It’s about finding yourself at the crossroads of life when everything is on the line. It’s about the hard lessons we are forced to learn about others and ourselves. Right up until its final twist, this gripping novel is full of powerful insights about who we love, how much—and even how much we love ourselves.

A soul-searching revelation! Danielle Steel always makes us stop and think as we read about the emotions and situations of life that she weaves seamlessly into her characters and in THE AFFAIR, we’re faced with more than one person’s perspective when a torrid affair is revealed that tears a family apart at the seams and leaves emotions boiling over.

New York magazine maven Rose McCarthy is blindsided when the latest topic of gossip on a potential cover model brings to light the affair her son-in-law is dragging her youngest daughter through in Paris. She and her other three daughters quickly rally around to love and support Nadia through the whirlwind her life has become.

Nadia is hearing advice from every direction but all she can really feel right now is devastation as the man that she loves with all of her heart tells her he’s torn between still loving her and his addiction to the young starlet currently carrying his child. She has two small children who adore their father and she doesn’t know how to break their hearts … or if she even should.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a drama filled read with lots of emotional upheavals and several supporting characters that lend volume to the overall story.

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* Review * PLAY by Kat Mizera

March 2, 2021 Leave a Comment

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Play by Kat Mizera
Series: ROCK HARD #1
on March 2, 2021
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Four sexy rockers.
Four intense women who don't know they love them.
Four hard rockin' love stories for the ages.

Tyler Thompson is a bona fide rock star.

He went on tour at seventeen and never looked back. And now, fifteen years later, he has more fame, fortune, and success than he ever imagined. He's the bass player for a new band, Nobody's Fool, and all he wants to do is get back on tour. But business and personal issues are blocking his next move.

Pop star Ariel Fox has been under her father’s thumb for so long she doesn’t remember what freedom is like. When she gets invited to record a single on Nobody's Fool's demo tape she's ready for a week of work...and fun, without the watchful eye of her father. One look at Tyler’s blue eyes and she's immediately snagged. She wants it all—him, success, a real future. But nothing is ever that simple.

Falling in love wasn't part of the deal.

And when the record company tries to sabotage Nobody’s Fool, Ariel must choose between protecting Tyler and protecting herself.

A sizzling new series from Kat Mizera! With the first book in the new Rock Hard series, we see several familiar faces from past series by Mizera as a newly formed band mixes up with a pop star, a record label and loads of drama to dazzle us with their performance. I loved this book and am looking forward to more in the series!

Tyler is easy to like and there’s much more to him than the average rock star. He’s been living the life for close to two decades now and while it will never get old, the newness has worn off and certain aspects are wearing on his mind.

Ariel is a little too Britney like for me at first, but I warmed up to her as her personality came to life a bit more. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a rock star romance filled with sex, drama and entertainment. There’s a lot of heart to the guys in this band and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out in the coming series.

Filed Under: Book Reviews