Book Reviews – Page 172

* Review * A CHRISTMAS RENDEZVOUS by Karen Booth

November 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

A Christmas Rendezvous by Karen Booth
Series: The Eden Empire #4
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 1, 2019
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On her second run-in with her one-night stand,

they go from the bedroom to the war room!

It’s bad enough that high-powered attorney Isabel Blackwell is spending her Christmas on a high-stakes case. Then she discovers she’s up against the man who took her breath away one very special night. As a litigator, Jeremy Sharp shouldn’t be underestimated, but as lovers, Jeremy and Isabel can’t resist another rendezvous. Will this duel mean playing to win—or playing for keeps?

Electrifying chemistry! With A CHRISTMAS RENDEZVOUS, the fourth and final book in her Eden Empire series, Karen Booth takes us along for a delectable ride as one lawyer faces off against another in the fight for Eden Department Store … only trouble is, no one knows they were just each other’s one night stand!

There’s more to Isabel Blackwell than meets the eye, and she isn’t exactly thrilled to be brought into the middle of an all out war for control of the Eden holdings, but she’d do just about anything for her brother Sam, and he wants to help Mindy save her grandmother’s legacy.

Jeremy Sharp comes across as a fun-loving guy, but as we delve more into his past, we realize that he’s just a guy who’s been hurt one time too many and holds himself far removed from relationships these days. He doesn’t expect to see his one night stand across the boardroom the next day, but when it’s the situation that’s handed to him, he’s determined to do a good job for his client regardless.

I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a fast paced, enthralling read. The entire series has been great, but there was just something about Isabel and Jeremy that really made me love this story … maybe the best of the entire series!

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* Review * THE FIREFIGHTER’S THANKSGIVING WISH by Anna J. Stewart

November 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Firefighter's Thanksgiving Wish by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #7
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on November 1, 2019
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They both know it’s true

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!

Working with the new fire chief, Roman Salazar, is a challenge for Frankie Bettencourt. Everyone in Butterfly Harbor agrees she was the one destined for the top job at the station house! So, should she quit? No way! But she will steer clear of Roman from now on…or at least until his kindness, quick smile and can-do attitude win the town—and possibly Frankie—over for good!

Trouble is brewing right from the start! With THE FIREFIGHTER’S THANKSGIVING WISH, book seven in her Butterfly Harbor Stories series, Anna J. Stewart brings us the story of everyone’s favorite firefighter Frankie and her new boss … and it turned out to be one of my favs in the series!

Frankie is the woman everyone loves to love in the Butterfly Harbor series. She’s tough as nails, but sweet as can be and always available to pitch in and help anyone. In this book, she’s up in arms because she’s been passed over for the promotion everyone knows she deserved.

Roman is new to the scene and though he seems like an all around okay guy, he’s not finding it easy to step into the job that the town sees as Frankie’s.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoying a small town setting filled with comical and endearing characters where a couple always finds their happily ever after in the end. This series has been great, so you can’t go wrong with any book you pick up in it. Looking forward to more to come!

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* Release Day Blast/Review/Excerpt * TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis

November 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Day Blast/Review/Excerpt * TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis

Twist of Fate by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #8.5
Published by Evil Eye Concepts on November 5, 2019
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Goodreads

When the one you want …

Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.

Is the one you can’t have…

To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only…

Can love conquer all?

Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other…?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

A magical reunion filled with passion, angst and the reawakening of forgotten love! With TWIST OF FATE, Jill Shalvis brings fans of her Heartbreaker Bay series a new novella taking place on the outskirts of that world. We don’t see the typical cast of players, but there is mention of a couple of them as well as the setting.

Diego quickly caught a reader’s eye as a character with a lot of baggage to unravel. He still lives in the shadow of the heartbreak that drove him out of town ten years ago, and we can’t wait to learn the details of his story.

Daisy is a bit of a mystery. She was his first and only love and left to pursue her dreams, yet now she’s back in town and seemingly his estranged brother’s best friend.

I recommend this story to anyone wanting a quick delve into a Shalvis world to try her writing style out and of course to die hard fans as well, because we always wait to devour anything new. You can always count on delectable characters, passion and angst alike tearing the characters apart and then putting them back together again for a satisfying ending.

Twist of Fate
Heartbreaker Bay Novella
By: Jill Shalvis
Avon Books – November 5, 2019

BLURB:

When the one you want…

Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.

Is the one you can’t have…

To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only…

Can love conquer all?

Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other…?

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43208812-twist-of-fate

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/169076-heartbreaker-bay

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2prEVp8

Paperback: https://amzn.to/34oiKyQ

Series Buy Link: http://jillshalvis.com/books/#heartbreaker-series

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Newsletter: http://jillshalvis.com/faq/newsletter/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jill-shalvis

EXCERPT:

*Read the First Chapter, https://www.jillshalvis.com/excerpts/twist-of-fate

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * ONE CHRISTMAS HE NEVER EXPECTED by Lynne Marshall

October 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

One Christmas He Never Expected by Lynne Marshall
Series: Santa Barbara Sunsets #3
on October 1, 2019
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Phil Hansen has a reputation as a playboy. One look at the new OB doc, and he wants to find the nearest mistletoe. What could be better than kicking off the holiday season with a fling? Except he sees heartbreak in her eyes.

Stephanie Bennett may be dazzled by laid-back Phil’s charm, and though she is long overdue for romance, she’s not ready to put her heart on the line again. Soon swayed by his “love is the best medicine” attitude, she gives in and comes alive in his arms.

Can the magic of the Christmas season help two reluctant hearts fall in love?

With ONE CHRISTMAS HE NEVER EXPECTED the third book in her Santa Barbara Sunsets series, Lynne Marshall brings us a touching second chance on love story.

Dr. Phil Hansen is known for his playboy ways, and isn’t taken seriously when it comes to beautiful women, but his first interaction with the new fill-in OB has him spinning because something is different. She’s making him wonder “what if”!

Dr. Stephanie Bennett is only at the practice for a few weeks, and she’s pretty closed off about herself and her past. Something is up with her though, and Phil is determined to climb her walls and get her to let her guard down.

I highly recommend this story and the series as a whole. Not only do you get to experience heartfelt friendships between this group of doctors, but you also get to experience complex relationships leading to the happily ever after in each book. Lots of emotion, sweet romance and tender connections!

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* Release Blast/Review * GYPSY KING by Devney Perry

October 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * GYPSY KING by Devney Perry

Gypsy King by Devney Perry
Series: Tin Gypsy #1
Published by Devney Perry LLC on October 29, 2019
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Goodreads

The former Tin Gypsy motorcycle club has everyone in Clifton Forge, Montana convinced they’ve locked their clubhouse doors and ripped off their patches. Everyone but Bryce Ryan. There’s more happening at the club’s garage than muscle car restorations and Harley rebuilds. Her instincts are screaming there’s a story—one she’s going to tell.

As the new owner of the small town’s newspaper, Bryce is hungry for more than birth announcements and obituaries. When a woman is brutally killed and all signs point to the Tin Gypsies, Bryce is determined to expose the club and their leader, Kingston “Dash” Slater, as murderers.

Bryce bests Dash match after match, disappointed her rugged and handsome opponent turns out to be an underwhelming adversary. Secrets are exposed. Truths defeat lies. Bryce is poised to win this battle in a landslide.

Then Dash breaks all the rules and tips the scales.

One kiss, and she’s fighting to save more than just her story. She’s fighting to save her heart from the Gypsy King.

Explosive secrets are exposed! In GYPSY KING, Devney Perry’s kickoff book in her new Tin Gypsy series, we meet former president Dash of the Tin Gypsy’s motorcycle club as he goes head to head with Bryce, a reporter determined to tell the public the story of what’s going on in their small town. The characters are well developed and the story line was quick to catch this reader’s attention.

Dash is electrifying. We learn from the start that he has done bad things, but he comes across as an overall good guy, and when he sets out to clear the former club’s name during a murder investigation, we see a loyal side to him.

Bryce comes on strong at first as she decrees she will find out what truly happened to disband this club. It doesn’t take long after she interacts with Dash for her to change her tune a bit. He’s easy on the eyes and want it or not, she’s soon under his spell.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of suspense with their romance. It’s a former MC, so there’s not a lot of action on that front going on, but some of the members are still around and jump in to help when needed. We are left in a bit of a cliffhanger on the mystery we tried to solve throughout this story, but the happily ever after of the couple isn’t up in the air.I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and hope to get all of the answers of what happened then!

The former Tin Gypsy motorcycle club has everyone in Clifton Forge, Montana convinced they’ve locked their clubhouse doors and ripped off their patches. Everyone but Bryce Ryan. There’s more happening at the club’s garage than muscle car restorations and Harley rebuilds. Her instincts are screaming there’s a story—one she’s going to tell.

As the new owner of the small town’s newspaper, Bryce is hungry for more than birth announcements and obituaries. When a woman is brutally killed and all signs point to the Tin Gypsies, Bryce is determined to expose the club and their leader, Kingston “Dash” Slater, as murderers.

Bryce bests Dash match after match, disappointed her rugged and handsome opponent turns out to be an underwhelming adversary. Secrets are exposed. Truths defeat lies. Bryce is poised to win this battle in a landslide.

Then Dash breaks all the rules and tips the scales.

One kiss, and she’s fighting to save more than just her story.

She’s fighting to save her heart from the Gypsy King.

Buy Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Apple | Nook | Kobo | Audible

Devney is a USA Today bestselling author. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her husband and two sons. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop. Devney loves hearing from readers!

Connect with her on social media!

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* Release Blast/Review * IF YOU SAY SO by Lani Lynn Vale

October 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * IF YOU SAY SO by Lani Lynn Vale

If You Say So by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: KPD Motorcycle Patrol #6
on October 29, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III and Francesca Leandra Solomon were meant to be. They were so in love that everybody prayed for what they had.

Everything was glorious. They would get married, have children and live a perfect life. She would be a doctor in the emergency room once she finished her doctorate, and he would be a badass Navy SEAL and save people for a living.

But then Luca is deployed across the world, and per military regulations, Frankie isn’t allowed to follow.

They’ve overcome a lot in their short relationship, and they can overcome this, too. Two years was a piece of cake. She’d finish her schooling and wait for him. And when he finally returned home, they would marry.

But two months into Luca’s deployment, the unthinkable happens, and Frankie is left alone and heartbroken, knowing that she’ll have to face the rest of life without Luca at her side.

***

Fast forward two years, and Frankie is exactly where her fiancé’s father left her, in a pit of despair that she has no hope of ever finding her way out of.

She lives life one second at a time, depressed and alone, hoping tomorrow won’t hurt like today.

She finds a job, moves, and hopes that the nightmares won’t swallow her whole.

But just as she thinks that she’s getting better, one of her nightmares walks through the doors of her ER, and that nightmare has a name.

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III. In the flesh.

Also healthy and whole, and definitely no longer missing.

Sadly, it only takes her a half a second to realize that the man that left her isn’t the same man that returned.

The old one wanted her. The new one? Well, he’s definitely not interested anymore.

IF YOU SAY SO is the sixth book in Lani Lynn Vale’s KPD Motorcycle Patrol series and centers around a doctor who’s world was turned upside down not once, but twice with the loss of her true love. A wildly crazy twist on a reunion story is sure to delight LLV fans!

Frankie had her life planned out … she’d become a doctor while Luca served in the Navy, then they’d reunite and settle in to have the family they always dreamed of and live happily ever after. Plans don’t always go according to plan and a few months after he deploys overseas Luca goes missing and is presumed dead.

Two years later has Frankie still living in a cloud of grief. She moved away to get a fresh start and is living the life the doctor life she worked so hard for, but the emptiness inside her attempts to drag her under on a normal basis. Then the unthinkable happens.

I recommend this story to anyone wanting a drama filled love story with lots of unexpected twists and turns. There is a bit of confusion weaved in as the story is told, but overall it was awe inspiring and emotional. I am enjoying this entire series.

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III and Francesca Leandra Solomon were meant to be. They were so in love that everybody prayed for what they had.

Everything was glorious. They would get married, have children and live a perfect life. She would be a doctor in the emergency room once she finished her doctorate, and he would be a badass Navy SEAL and save people for a living.

But then Luca is deployed across the world, and per military regulations, Frankie isn’t allowed to follow.

They’ve overcome a lot in their short relationship, and they can overcome this, too. Two years was a piece of cake. She’d finish her schooling and wait for him. And when he finally returned home, they would marry.

But two months into Luca’s deployment, the unthinkable happens, and Frankie is left alone and heartbroken, knowing that she’ll have to face the rest of life without Luca at her side.

***

Fast forward two years, and Frankie is exactly where her fiancé’s father left her, in a pit of despair that she has no hope of ever finding her way out of.

She lives life one second at a time, depressed and alone, hoping tomorrow won’t hurt like today.

She finds a job, moves, and hopes that the nightmares won’t swallow her whole.

But just as she thinks that she’s getting better, one of her nightmares walks through the doors of her ER, and that nightmare has a name.

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III. In the flesh.

Also healthy and whole, and definitely no longer missing.

Sadly, it only takes her a half a second to realize that the man that left her isn’t the same man that returned.

The old one wanted her. The new one? Well, he’s definitely not interested anymore.

Get Your Copy HERE

Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Stalk Lani Lynn Vale:

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* Review * CHRISTMAS IN SILVER SPRINGS by Brenda Novak

October 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CHRISTMAS IN SILVER SPRINGS by Brenda Novak

Christmas in Silver Springs by Brenda Novak
Series: Silver Springs #6
Published by MIRA on October 29, 2019
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Goodreads

Come home to Silver Springs for the holidays, where broken hearts learn to love again…together.

So much for forever. When Harper Devlin’s rock star husband ditches her on his way to the top, she takes her two daughters to her sister’s place in Silver Springs for the holidays, hoping family can heal her broken heart. But comfort comes in unexpected places when she crosses paths with local Tobias Richardson.

The moment Tobias spots Harper, he recognizes a sadness he knows all too well. After spending thirteen years in prison paying for his regretful past, Tobias is ready to make amends, and maybe helping Harper is the way to do it. But offering her a shoulder to cry on ignites a powerful attraction and a desire neither saw coming.

Fearing her reaction, Tobias doesn’t reveal his checkered past. He’s falling hard, and if Harper finds out, he’ll lose her for good, especially because her famous ex is now trying to win her back. Secrets have a way of coming out, but maybe this Christmas will bring Tobias the forgiveness—and the love—he deserves.

The ultimate in feel good romance! CHRISTMAS IN SILVER SPRINGS is book six in Brenda Novak’s Silver Springs series and brings us the story of Tobias, a reformed bad boy who is trying to start his life anew after surviving his prison sentence, and Harper, the soon to be ex-wife of rock royalty in a heartwarming take on a second chance at love story.

If you’ve been following along with this series, you will already be very familiar with Tobias and his story. It was really touching to get to watch his struggle to settle into life again only to find true love when he least expected it. I really enjoyed him and felt his turmoil deeply.

Harper is a fairly complex character. She wants her ex back, until she starts getting to know Tobias and sees what a different type of person can bring to a relationship. She’s falling hard for him, but when her ex comes back and wants to put their family back together, does she owe it to her kids to try?

I highly recommend this story to anyone enjoying a small town romance filled with easy to relate to characters with well developed story lines and touching moments galore. The entire series has been great and I’m looking forward to more to come.

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* Review * SERGEANT’S CHRISTMAS SIEGE by Megan Crane

October 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SERGEANT’S CHRISTMAS SIEGE by Megan Crane

Sergeant's Christmas Siege by Megan Crane
Series: Alaska Force #3
Published by Berkley on October 29, 2019
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Danger lurks in the wilds of Grizzly Harbor this Christmas but it's love that has Alaska Force in the cross-hairs, from the USA Today bestselling author of Sniper's Pride.

When straight-arrow, by-the-rules Alaskan State Trooper Kate Holiday is sent to investigate a local band of secretive commandos in remote Grizzly Harbor over the holidays, her least favorite time of year, her objective is clear: disband Alaska Force and arrest them. But Kate didn't count on the diabolical temptation of Templeton Cross. The former Army Ranger exudes charm and has absolutely no respect for the rules of law that govern Kate's life - too bad he also makes her mouth water and her knees weak.

Templeton has always been good at keeping his game face on and his emotions hidden, especially in combat. But working with Kate brings back memories of losses he prefers to keep locked up tight. As the pressure mounts - and Christmas draws closer - it’s a given that someone's going to get hurt.

Trouble is, the more time he spends convincing his careful, wary trooper that there’s more to the holidays than her memories, the more he wants to keep her around. Forever.

But forever is the one thing a man like Templeton can't do. Not even at Christmas.

With book three in her Alaska Force series, Megan Crane brings us SERGEANT’S CHRISTMAS SIEGE pitting a former Army Ranger turned Alaska Force member against an Alaska State Trooper bent on taking them down if they are up to anything illegal. This enemies to lovers story is my favorite of the series and held my attention throughout!

Kate Holiday is a confident, gutsy Trooper for the state of Alaska and takes her job of bringing down corruptness seriously. As we learn her history, we begin to understand just what pushes her to be so cold and calculated.

Templeton Cross uses laughter as a ruse to hold himself aloof from connecting with people. He would die for his brotherhood, but he doesn’t have any use for love and connection otherwise.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a complex, action packed plot with an underlying romance peaking through to tempt us. I think each book in the series has grown stronger along the way and this one topped them all for me. Enjoyed it!

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* Review * RANCHER’S WILD SECRET by Maisey Yates

October 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * RANCHER’S WILD SECRET by Maisey Yates

Rancher's Wild Secret by Maisey Yates
Series: Gold Valley Vineyards #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 5, 2019
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He’s come to Gold Valley with a hidden agenda…

not to fall for his enemy’s daughter!

Emerson Maxfield is the perfect pawn for rancher Holden McCall’s purposes. She’s engaged to a man solely to win her father’s approval, and the sheltered beauty never steps out of line. Until one encounter changes everything. Now this good girl must marry Holden to protect her family—or their desire could spell downfall for them all…

RANCHER’S WILD SECRET is book one in the Gold Valley Vineyards spin-off series by Maisey Yates and promises to bring passion and drama to the forefront. Centering around a rancher and the daughter of his sworn enemy, this story of forbidden love is quick to hook a reader as secrets unravel, betrayal is exposed and love begins to outshine revenge.

Holden immediately grabs attention as a powerful man who will stop at nothing to get revenge for the wrong his family has suffered. He’s complex and developed just enough to keep us guessing.

Emerson is high-spirited and loyal, but when secrets are exposed that change her entire outlook on the world she has been living in, she finds the strength to stand up for what’s right, no matter how much it hurts her heart.

I highly recommend this book to anyone enjoying drama and passion mixed in with strong family presence and happily ever afters. I look forward to seeing how this quartet plays out!

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* Review * THE REBEL by Joanne Rock

October 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Rebel by Joanne Rock
Series: Dynasties: Mesa Fall #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 1, 2019
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He’ll take what’s his—

including the woman who stands in his way.

Marcus Salazar has come to Mesa Falls to buy out his half brother and gain control of the media empire that was his brainchild. But when COO Lily Carrington shows up, she poses a threat to his plan—and his libido. Not even her engagement of convenience to another man can dim Marcus’s desire for her, even as Lily fights for her own future at Salazar Media…and against her attraction to Marcus!

THE REBEL is book one in the brand new Dynasties: Mesa Falls series from Joanne Rock and based on this first peek into the world, it promises to be filled with lots of drama and passion! Forbidden love is top of mind as we meet Marcus and Lily and watch them try to resist temptation.

Marcus is determined to take control of the business he brainstormed into existence even if he has to go through his difficult half-brother to do so. They grew up estranged amid family drama and still have no use for each other as adults.

Lily is his brother’s friend and former assistant/turned COO of said company and is being sent by his brother Devon to fill in for him when he’s delayed for their big meeting. Lily thinks her loyalty is to Devon until the feelings she tries to bury for Marcus flood to the surface and refuse to take no for an answer.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some family drama along with their romance. The story was fresh and satisfying, and the underlying mystery with their late father is carrying forward through the series. Really enjoyed it!

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