* Review * END GAME by Tracey Devlyn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * END GAME by Tracey DevlynEnd Game by Tracey Devlyn
Series: Steele Ridge: The Blackwells #5
Published by Steele Ridge Publishing on May 20, 2024
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five-stars

An FBI agent assigned to investigate a meddlesome lobbyist for her role in a possible pay-to-play scheme discovers a secret political organization willing to destroy everything to attain ultimate power—including the woman he loves.

In this highly anticipated, fifth and final installment of the Steele Ridge: The Blackwells series, Tracey Devlyn thrusts readers into the murky world of high-stakes politics and complex family relationships, wrapped in a sizzling enemies-to-lovers story.

As a savvy and successful lobbyist, Kayla Krowne knows all about deception. Each day, she swims in a vast tank of opportunistic sharks. But nothing prepares her for the downward spiral her life takes after witnessing the assassination of a high-profile public official. When the police suggest she may have been the true target, her only hope of rooting out the murderer lies with the one Blackwell brother she’s never been able to win over. The one she’s held a secret longing for since their first meeting two years earlier.

Special Agent Asher Cameron Blackwell’s day started off bad and ended worse. Not only is he drowning in a swamp of paperwork, he now has two investigations involving none other than Kayla-effing-Krowne. One is a presumed assassination case and the other one he’s compelled to keep from her because of a promise he made to his semi-estranged brother, Zeke.

Forced into close proximity, Ash and Kayla finally give in to the passion they can no longer hide, forging an unstoppable union as they navigate an intricate maze of lies and betrayals, and uncovering a heartbreaking conspiracy that leads them to Kayla’s doorstep. It’s a life-and-death battle that they dare not lose.

 

The Blackwells are going out in style with unputdownable intrigue and drama galore! The fifth and final book in the Steel Ridge: The Blackwells series did not disappoint. We’ve known all along that there was going to be some tension and back story to Ash’s story and bringing Kayla Krowne into the picture as his leading lady only added to the dazzle. I was hooked from the very start of their story and kept turning page after page as the drama kept getting more and more suspect. I really enjoyed them as a whole and felt like they were easy to connect with. I’m sad to see this series and family overall come to an end, and I highly recommend you go back to the start if you haven’t fallen in love with the Steele Ridge town and extended family yet. Well developed characters, a great core family to rely on and lots of mystery and intrigue along the way.

five-stars

* Review * FIERCE MONARCH by MJ Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FIERCE MONARCH by MJ CrouchFierce Monarch by MJ Crouch
Series: Gilded Empire #3
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on May 17, 2024
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four-half-stars

Mari Marcosa has been betrayed by a person she let inside her life in every possible way.

The pain is unbearable, not just because of what he means—meant—to her, but because now she's got a huge damn target on her back.

Almost as big as the hole in her heart.

Every mafia leader in the city sees this betrayal as a sign of Mari's weakness and they can’t wait to use it to their advantage.

Her back is to a wall that is crumbling more every second and the men she needs most are struggling just to stay alive.

She'll have to align with the unthinkable to survive—as secrets she thought were buried deep start rising to the surface.

And it turns out the truth she thought she knew...might not be true at all.

•••••
Author’s note: Fierce Monarch is the third book in the Gilded Empire series and should be read in order. This is a "Why Choose?" romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men.

 

Dramatic and addictive! The third book in the Gilded Empire quartet by MJ Crouch picks up where book two left us on a cliffhanger of betrayal. We’re quickly thrust back into the angst of Mari’s realm and taken along for the ride as more danger than ever before threatens her every turn. Just when she thought she had uncovered all of the secrets, she stumbles into even more than she could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to see what the finale holds in store for us! Looking forward to book four!

four-half-stars

* Review * HER DYING SECRET by Lisa Regan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HER DYING SECRET by Lisa ReganHer Dying Secret by Lisa Regan
Series: Detective Josie Quinn #20
Published by Bookouture on May 14, 2024
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four-stars

She gently opens the woman’s tightly clenched fist, uncurling each finger to reveal a square of folded paper hidden in her palm. Scrawled in thick crayon, beside a child’s crooked drawing of a red flower, is one word that sends a shiver through the evening mist: HELP

It was supposed to be a routine road accident recovery, but the moment Detective Josie Quinn sees the passenger—pale and painfully thin, a sharp tool lodged in her stomach—it’s clear she was the victim of something far more sinister, and likely dead before the crash. Watching the driver taken away in an ambulance, questions spin through Josie’s mind. Where were these two women going? Was the driver trying to save a life, or hide a body? And—most heartbreaking of all—is there a child in danger, crying out for help with no reply?

Josie quickly identifies the crash survivor as Mira Summers, a singleton and animal-lover on her way home from nearby stables. Mira swears she doesn’t know who the woman in the car beside her is, or how she was injured. And when she’s diagnosed with concussion and memory loss, Josie is forced to back down.

But the discovery of Mira’s prints on the child’s drawing is all the proof Josie needs that Mira knows more than she’s letting on, and a witness saw Mira meeting with a man with a gnarled diamond-shaped tattoo at the stables. In a race against the clock to track down this elusive man, Josie faces danger from the most unexpected places. Pushed to her limit, can she stay alive long enough to catch the killer and save the life of an innocent child?

 

Always a joy to reconnect with Detective Josie Quinn! Lisa Regan is keeping Josie fresh with the 20th book in her beloved series as she dives into a brand new case full of mystery. The intrigue in this particular story was good, but I wasn’t nearly as invested along the way as I usually am. I feel like the team connection is suffering a lot with many not even being mentioned more than in passing, and the same goes for Josie’s family and friends. I want to see a bit more oomph brought back into her personal interactions again in addition to the work stress. This new detective is yet to show his true colors as well. I’m looking forward to the drama to come from that.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a detective who always solves her case and has a lot of human interest in her own life and past along the way. The joy of this series is feeling like they are old friends who we get to dive into a new case with as each new book arrives.

four-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * MEANT FOR HER by Natasha Madison

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * MEANT FOR HER by Natasha MadisonMeant For Her by Natasha Madison
Series: Meant For Series #2
on May 10, 2024
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four-half-stars

Christopher
I came from the biggest hockey family in the NHL.
Records were set by my grandfather, my father, and now my brother.
I was taught to love the game, but more than that, I learned early the men you play with are your family.
You get on the ice every night and protect them, celebrate the wins, and pick each other up when you fall.
So when we lost Benji, I stepped in to help his wife and kids, but this pull I feel when it comes to them is something more than I can even understand.

Dakota
My life was perfect, until it wasn’t.
Gone was the husband I thought I knew and in his place was a stranger.
I saw him change before my eyes.
Then he was gone, leaving me and our girls alone.
I wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything that took him away from me.
But no matter how many times I’ve told his best friend I don’t need help.
He’s here doing things for us, and the worst part is, I want him to

Heartfelt and addictive from page one! Natasha Stone is bringing the angst in buckets when Christopher Stone loses someone close to him and has to pick up the pieces one notch at a time. I wanted a little more oomph in the telling of Benji’s downfall and issues because it felt too glossed over, but overall a very solid read and an emotional addition to the series. If you haven’t read the earlier series that this one spins off of, I highly recommend you go catch up, because the Stone family is the best! A close knit family who always noses their way into life’s adventures for each other, but can always be counted on to put in the effort when anyone they are connected to needs anything. Well developed characters with enough turmoil to keep the pages flowing, fun bouts of hockey and always a sweet and sexy love story. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a fast paced hockey romance with lots of spunk and addictive romance.

 

 

 

MEANT FOR HER
Natasha Madison
Release Date: May 10

 

AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

 

From Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling Author Natasha Madison comes new enemies to lovers, forbidden, single mom, hockey romance.

Christopher
I came from the biggest hockey family in the NHL.
Records were set by my grandfather, my father, and now my brother.
I was taught to love the game, but more than that, I learned early the men you play with are your family.
You get on the ice every night and protect them, celebrate the wins, and pick each other up when you fall.
So when we lost Benji, I stepped in to help his wife and kids, but this pull I feel when it comes to them is something more than I can even understand.

Dakota
My life was perfect, until it wasn’t.
Gone was the husband I thought I knew and in his place was a stranger.
I saw him change before my eyes.
Then he was gone, leaving me and our girls alone.
I wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything that took him away from me.
But no matter how many times I’ve told his best friend I don’t need help.
He’s here doing things for us, and the worst part is, I want him to.

 

Grab Your Copy!

https://books2read.com/MeantForHer

 

 

Meet Natasha Madison:

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

 

Keep up with Natasha Madison and subscribe to her newsletter https://www.natashamadisonauthor.com/

 

To learn more about Natasha Madison & her books, visit here!

Connect with Natasha Madison:

https://www.natashamadisonauthor.com/contact-me

four-half-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * NO CAP by Lani Lynn Vale

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * NO CAP by Lani Lynn ValeNo Cap by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Carter Brothers #1
on May 7, 2024
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five-stars

You know when you see that big red flag, and you think to yourself, I should probably not go anywhere near there?

Yeah, Quincy Carter ignored that big red flag. He walked right up to that red flag, waving blatantly in the wind, and kissed the holy hell out of her.

Sure, he probably should’ve arrested her for breaking a restraining order.

He probably also should’ve stopped her from continuing to break that restraining order.

Yet… he can’t.

By the time he realizes he’s in deep, Quincy has no other options but to ride the wave of continuous disaster that is Hollis Aue.

***

Hollis Aue is on the road to revenge.

After a famous comedian rips her best friend in the middle of his biggest show ever and elevated her disabilities to the butt of his joke, her best friend spirals.

After finding out from a kindhearted detective that her best friend took her own life, Hollis makes it her new mission to make that comedian’s life a living hell.

The only problem with that is Detective Quincy Carter with the Dallas Police Department insinuates himself into her life, making it impossible for her to achieve her goals.

Try as she might, she can’t shake him, and soon, the lines between hate and love start to blur.

 

Loved every delectably delicious moment! Lani Lynn Vale is delighting her readers with a brand new Carter Brothers series kickoff that is a loose spin-off from her Welcome to the Circus series that just came to an end as ringleader Keene married into the Carter family. The plot is thick with angst right from the start when we meet Quincy and Hollis. He’s a cop, she works at the hospital and sparks fly the second their eyes meet. Lots of emotion and drama unfolds quickly in the build-up to their relationship blossoming. I loved the depth of feeling that Vale displayed as pinnacle moments played out, and couldn’t have loved these two together more. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series! Great characters, a compelling plot and a passionately pleasing love story!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a close-knit family as a supporting cast as each sibling finds their forever love. This family has been through a lot and emotions are high. This particular book may trigger some, so read the blurb closely if concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

Title: No Cap
Series: The Carter Brothers #1
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Trope: Bad Girl/Good Guy
Release Date: May 7, 2024
BLURB

 

You know when you see that big red flag, and you think to yourself, I should probably not go anywhere near there?

 

Yeah, Quincy Carter ignored that big red flag. He walked right up to that red flag, waving blatantly in the wind, and kissed the holy hell out of her.
Sure, he probably should’ve arrested her for breaking a restraining order.
He probably also should’ve stopped her from continuing to break that restraining order.
Yet… he can’t.
By the time he realizes he’s in deep, Quincy has no other options but to ride the wave of continuous disaster that is Hollis Aue.
***
Hollis Aue is on the road to revenge.
After a famous comedian rips her best friend in the middle of his biggest show ever and elevated her disabilities to the butt of his joke, her best friend spirals.
After finding out from a kindhearted detective that her best friend took her own life, Hollis makes it her new mission to make that comedian’s life a living hell.
The only problem with that is Detective Quincy Carter with the Dallas Police Department insinuates himself into her life, making it impossible for her to achieve her goals.
Try as she might, she can’t shake him, and soon, the lines between hate and love start to blur.

 

 
 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
 
COMING SOON

 

Releasing June 4
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.
AUTHOR LINKS
FACEBOOK
five-stars

* Review * ONLY THE BRAVE by Danielle Steel

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONLY THE BRAVE by Danielle SteelOnly the Brave by Danielle Steel
Published by Dell on April 30, 2024
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five-stars

Sophia Alexander, the beautiful daughter of a famous surgeon in Berlin, has had to grow up faster than most young women. When her mother falls ill, Sophia must take charge of her younger sister, Theresa, and look after her father and the household, while also volunteering at his hospital after school. Meanwhile, Hitler’s rise to power and the violence in her very own town have Sophia concerned, but only her mother is willing to share her fears openly.

After tragedy strikes and her mother dies, Sophia becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and helping however she can. Circumstances become increasingly dangerous and personal when Sophia assists her sister’s daring escape from Germany, as Theresa flees with her young husband and his family. Her father also begins to resist the regime, secretly healing those hiding from persecution, only to have his hospital burned to the ground. When he is arrested and sent to a concentration camp, Sophia is truly on her own, but more determined than ever to help.

While working as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, Sophia continues her harrowing efforts to transport Jewish children to safety and finds herself under surveillance. As the political tensions rise and the brutal oppression continues, Sophia is undeterred, risking it all, even her own freedom, as she rises to the challenge of helping those in need—no matter the cost.

 

A poignant tale of survival and perseverance from the queen of women’s fiction! Danielle Steel always delivers a story that takes her reader on a journey that makes us feel like we are living the angst right beside her characters. I know the minute I turn the first page of a new book that I will be quickly swept up into the story and will be hesitant to set the book down to atone with life’s demands. ONLY THE BRAVE is no different. While the heroine suffers great injustice and showcases the inhumanity, she still manages to tell her story in a powerful way that connects the reader to the direness of what is happening. Very well told and easily connectible.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dramatic spin on historical women’s fiction that is light in romance but strong in a powerful female lead who tackles life with strength and dignity.

five-stars

* Review * THE GIRL WHO SURVIVED by Nichole Severn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE GIRL WHO SURVIVED by Nichole SevernThe Girl Who Survived by Nichole Severn
Series: Leigh Brody FBI Mystery #1
Published by Storm Publishing on May 6, 2024
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five-stars

Leigh Brody returns to her hometown after a body is found, marked with her name. Will it give her the chance to solve a mystery that has shadowed her life for years?

It’s been twenty years since Leigh found the murdered body of her twelve-year-old brother, Troy. Her father was arrested for the crime, but she never accepted that he did it. Her hunt for the real killer almost cost her everything…

Now working for the FBI, Leigh is called back to New Hampshire when a series of copycat crimes are committed. Only the killer has left a very specific calling card, a plastic army figurine, the same as the one she found on Troy’s body, and carved into its base: Leigh’s name.

This case is as personal as it gets, and this time, Leigh is determined to make the right person pay. But when another child goes missing, can she dig deep into her past to find the clue she missed years ago, and put a monster behind bars for good?

 

Dark, twisted and so addictive! Nichole Severn is shining like never before as she brings FBI Agent Leigh Brody to life on the pages of The Girl Who Survived. I was quickly hooked on what was happening from the very start and once we began to gather the backstory and meet Leigh firsthand, the plot only continued to thicken and delight. There are many twists and turns that will keep you reading as one aspect of the story may get a resolution as another unexpected demon jumps out of the woodwork. The angst is high, the connectability to the main character is easy and the emotions feel spot on. I really enjoyed every minute of this book and hope to see Leigh again with more drama to hook me! What an unexpected ending!

five-stars

* Review * DAMAGED KINGDOM by MJ Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DAMAGED KINGDOM by MJ CrouchDamaged Kingdom by MJ Crouch
Series: Gilded Empire #2
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on May 3, 2024
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four-stars

Mari Marcosa always knew she would die young, so being left to bleed out on a warehouse floor is no shock to her.

But as the blood seeps from her body, her thoughts aren’t of the Marcosa empire she's ruled for years, or the city she's given everything to protect.

It's on the three men who’ve stood by her side:
Greyson: her soul, her foundation. So hard and reserved, showing emotion only to Mari.

Dominic: her heart, her first love. He’s a dreamer but can wreck her in the best ways possible.

Nate: her comfort, her peace. He soothes and calms Mari even though she's only known him a short time.

Her enemies have done their best to destroy her, and now it’s up to her men to piece her back together.

They will do anything to make that happen. But they can’t protect her from the threat none of them ever saw coming...

•••••

Author’s note: Damaged Kingdom is the second book in the Gilded Empire series which should be read in order. This is a "Why Choose?" romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men.

 

Explosive secrets are unraveling! DAMAGED KINGDOM is the second book in MJ Crouch’s Gilded Empire series and is NOT a stand-alone read and ends on a cliffhanger. The characters all endeared themselves to this reader in the first book in the series, so it was easy to pick up this one and continue on with what we knew about their lives and the danger surrounding them. The angst and drama is top notch, but I felt like this one drug a bit in character connection. I liked them already, but there wasn’t a lot of depth coming out that was new or unique to keep me hanging on with baited breath to see what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the read and think the storyline has big potential, this one was just a bit slow and unfulfilling for me. I’m looking forward to the fireworks that are about to explode when book three gets here after this cliffhanger though!

I recommend this book as well as the first in the series to anyone who enjoys a reverse harem, why-choose mafia storyline. Dark romance and hidden secrets. This series must be read in order and each book ends on a cliffhanger.

four-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * CRAVE by Chelle Bliss

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * CRAVE by Chelle BlissCrave by Chelle Bliss
Series: Men of Inked Sinners Prequel Novella
Published by Bliss Ink on May 2, 2024
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five-stars

Tate Gallo had a type – emotionally unavailable bikers who were more feral than serious relationship material.

The day she turned thirty, she decided to make a change: No more biker boys. She deserved more. She wanted to be someone’s world.

But then he stumbled in bloodied, bruised, and in need of help. One look into his dark eyes, and Tate realized her life would never be the same again.

She wouldn’t fall for him.
She couldn’t, not for her heart’s sake.
But one kiss never hurt anyone…right?

But with one taste of his lips and touch of his hand, Tate knew she couldn’t escape his pull forever.

 

Hooked from page one! Chelle Bliss is kicking off a new Men of Inked Sinners series with a starter novella to hook us in with Tate Gallo playing the heroine to her sexy, single-dad hero Wylder. If you haven’t read Cinder from the Men of Inked: Heatwave series, I highly recommend you run and catch up on that one while we wait on more of Tate and Wylder’s story to come because a good bit of her back story is explained in Cinder when she visits her fam with some drama. I really enjoyed every minute with Tate and Wylder and their families and can’t wait for the series to fully kick off with the rest of their story! Angst, drama and emotion filled!

I highly recommend this short dip into Tate and Wylder’s story and the introduction to the new Men of Inked Sinners series!

 

 

 

 

Crave by Chelle Bliss is now live! 

Tate Gallo had a type – emotionally unavailable bikers who were more feral than serious relationship material.

The day she turned thirty, she decided to make a change: No more biker boys. She deserved more. She wanted to be someone’s world.

But then he stumbled in bloodied, bruised, and in need of help. One look into his dark eyes, and Tate realized her life would never be the same again.

She wouldn’t fall for him.
She couldn’t, not for her heart’s sake.
But one kiss never hurt anyone…right?

But with one taste of his lips and touch of his hand, Tate knew she couldn’t escape his pull forever.

 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://geni.us/crave-zon
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3SoaM4q
Nook: https://geni.us/crave-nook
Kobo: https://geni.us/crave-kobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/crave-gp

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3uL5h77

Meet Chelle

Chelle Bliss is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of Men of Inked Series and Misadventures of a City Girl.

She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, ex-high school history teacher, and currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. Chelle loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers.

 

Connect with Chelle

Website: menofinked.com G
oodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7164384.Chelle_Bliss
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chelle-Bliss/e/B00FIPAHYQ/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchellebliss1
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blisshangout/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChelleBliss1
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chelle-bliss
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chellebliss10/
Other: https://bingebooks.com/author/chelle-bliss
Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/chellebliss/

five-stars

* Review * PERMANENTLY PUCKED by Emma Foxx

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PERMANENTLY PUCKED by Emma FoxxPermanently Pucked by Emma Foxx
Series: Chicago Racketeers #4
Published by Blake Wilder Books, LLC on May 3, 2024
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four-half-stars

I don’t do casual hookups. Never have. Not even with the three supposed-to-be one-night stands I had six months ago.

They all turned into the loves of my life.

But now I know exactly what to do with the three hot guys I met at that serendipitous hockey game.

Love them.

Forever.

At least that’s the plan.

(Okay, yes, there’s still a lot of headboard-banging nights--and days--happening around here too.)

Our house is truly a home, the naked-times are better than any dirty romance I’ve ever read…or written…and our relationship is rock solid.

At least, I’m pretty sure it is.

As long as we can take our foursome to four plus a bundle of joy without any of my guys deciding that our unconventional approach to family is just a little more than he bargained for.

Permanently Pucked is the fourth and final installment in Dani, Nathan, Michael, and Crew's romance! The books do need to be read in order. Enjoy Puck One Night Stands first to start this sexy, fun full story!

 

Cookie & Co. always deliver the erotic goods OH so well! The final book in the Chicago Racketeers mini-series revolving around Dani, Nathan, Michael and Crew is such a delightful read! You really have to read this series in order to get the full gist of their relationship, but each book delivers love, humor, drama and seriously yummy sexy times. With this final chapter, we get to see the gang growing up and settling into forever. There were a few places that were glossed over when I would to have loved to have seen the emotional drama as they played out (ex: DNA) and I would have loved to have had a chapter devoted to each Daddy as they each got wrapped around the finger of their newest family member … but overall, a really great wrap up for this little family. I loved every minute of their time together!

I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone who enjoys steamy sex, poly relationships and really down-to-earth characters who steal the show with every turning page. Must be read in order for full appreciation!

four-half-stars