Release & Review - You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: You'd Be Mine
Author: Erin Hahn
Publication Date: April 2nd, 2019

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Wednesday Books

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things. 

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen. 

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

3.5 “Country love” Stars

ARC via NetGalley

Thank you, Wednesday Books

Trigger warning: drugs, suicide, alcohol abuse

You’d be Mine isn’t only a story for country music lovers, but for people that enjoy their YA romances with a little bit of drama and a lot of music.

Told from the POV of two teen country stars (even though Annie is just starting, it’s clear she’s always been one) and how they deal with life on tour while grieving their loved ones. Annie and Clay connect through their love for music (the author couldn’t be more right to say they speak the same language—music) and their pain for the people they’ve lost.

While Annie deals with the loss of her parents in a much healthier way, teen country superstar Clay drowns his pain in alcohol, women and even drugs. And though he’s clearly in a messed up phase of his life, I still ended up liking Clay’s chapters more than Annie’s. It was also true what Annie said about him—Clay just had that something extra, that magical quality that attracted my attention.

Not to say that Annie wasn’t a good character. She was a bit too good and a little bland at times, but she ended up growing on me toward the end. It also helped that I loved her relationship with her cousin, her male best friends and her grandparents. I appreciated the fact that was no drama  between Annie and her cousin and no girl shaming in this novel!

The romance was cute, but I wished it had been bigger somehow. Clay and Annie’s individual paths and pain ended up taking more space then the romance, and while that’s not necessarily a problem, I felt like the book had been marketed in a way that made me believe the romance would be the main plotline and it didn’t exactly feel that way while reading.

Overall, I was happy with how the major and important themes were handled and with how I got a glimpse as the country music world. And while it took me a while to get into this book, once things got flowing, You’d Be Mine turned out to be a really fun read.

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.

*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Fall (VIP #3) by Kristen Callihan

         

Title: Fall
(VIP #3)

Author: Kristen Callihan
Publication Date: October 23rd, 2018

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

    

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways.

In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip.

Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands.

Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor.

An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room.

Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun.

Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything.

All we have to do is trust enough to fall.

Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon / Apple Books / B&N

 

The air between us shifts. I’m filled with a strange giddiness, wanting to laugh for the fun of it, but I’m also too warm, my limbs oddly heavy as if simple movements might be too much for me.

His tone turns soft and cajoling, teasing the truth out of me. “Are you going to tell me what you do?” When I say nothing, the corners of his eyes crinkle. “I see. You’re going to torture me a bit.”

The warm, fuzzy feeling grows as I shrug. “Torture feels apropos in this scenario.”

He hums again, taking another step toward me. “What makes you think I won’t like being tortured by you?”

The heat of his body and the scent of his skin makes my head light and my pulse pound. How did it get to this point where the highlight of my day is flirting with Jax Blackwood? Despite the thrill, I know I’m in over my head. I haven’t gone out on a date in months because I form attachments, I get emotional, and then I hurt when they inevitably leave. And this man will leave. He is as bright and fleeting as a camera flash. I’ll be left with the image of him seared into my memory and nothing more.

I tell myself all of this, the voice in my head as stern as possible. But it doesn’t make me back away. It doesn’t stop my body from somehow straining toward his without even moving. Because it might be stupid of me, but I want to feel something that isn’t planned. Something, for however briefly, that’s real.

He’s too attuned to me not to notice. John’s lids lower as his attention slides down my body before easing back up to my face. Slowly, he rests his forearm on the wall beside my head. “Tell me, Stella,” he murmurs.

“No,” I whisper back, flirting, even though I shouldn’t.

His biceps bunch as he leans in, a smile dancing on his lips. “Tell.”

My breasts graze his chest, and I feel it in my toes.

“You’re crowding me.” I hate how breathy I sound.

“Can’t help it.” His voice is a rumble, the heat of his breath playing over my skin. He ducks his head, drawing close until our lips nearly brush, and when he speaks again, his tone is almost conversational, except for the husky quality that touches deep within my core. “You smell like strawberries. Fucking delicious.”

My lids flutter, and I swallow hard. “Ordinarily, I’d call you out on that cliché but since I’ve been eating strawberries, you aren’t exactly wrong.”

His chuckle is slow and easy, as he eases back and his gaze slowly travels over my face. “Were they sweet, Stella Button?”

He’s looking at my mouth like he might try to find out. My lips tremble in response, and John tracks the movement, his breathing getting deeper, faster. “You have two freckles on your lips. One on the top lip and one on the bottom corner.”

Those damn freckles. They were the bane of my adolescence. I hid them with lipstick and silently cursed whenever someone mentioned them.

Freckles don’t have any feelings, but I swear it’s as if he’s touching them.

“You’re just noticing this?” I try to make it sound like a joke, but it comes out weak and thready.

His own lips quirk. “Oh, I noticed. It’s distracting as hell. They’re like two little dots of butter toffee. Makes me want to lick them, get a taste.”

Oh, God. Lick them, please. I can almost feel it. I want to feel it.

No. Bad Stella. Behave.

John’s lips part a fraction like he just might take that taste. 

“Back off,” I whisper. And yet somehow my traitorous hands find their way to his sides, running over the waistband of his jeans, holding him there.

John makes a sound deep in his throat and tilts his hips, pressing them against mine. A distinctly thick bulge nudges my belly. Both of us lose a breath, and then he’s closer, his cheek touching my temple. “You’ll have to let me go first.”

My thumbs slide under the edge of his shirt and find smooth, taut skin. A tremor goes through his body. I try to think, search for what the hell we’ve been talking about.

His lips brush the crest of my cheek as he murmurs against my skin. “Tell me what you do, Stella. You know you want to.”

My smile feels illicit. Somehow the action is directly tied to all my happy parts, making them draw hot and tight. “I don’t think I do.”

Another hum. “Liar. You’re dying to.” 

 

4 “Ice Cream Kiss” Stars

ARC provided by the author.

I’ve been waiting for this book for so long, and I read it so fast when I finally got my hands on it. No surprise there since VIP is one of my favorite contemporary romance series ever. Jax’s book has been one of my most anticipated releases since I read book #1 last year (Dude, it feels much longer), and thank God it’s finally here so everyone can join me in fangirling over this story.

If you’ve read my reviews of the previous two books, you know I’m irrevocably in love with all members of Kill John, but I always end up falling hard for the women they fall in love with. Once again, Kristen Callihan has brought to life a strong, independent, kind of quirk protagonist who makes me laugh. There’s no easier way to win my heart.

Stella, a.k.a Buttons, is amazing. She’s sweet and understanding, but she’s also aware of her own needs and priorities. She isn’t the kind of woman who’ll let people walk all over her, even though she’s small (hence Jax’s nickname for her). I love how she comes into Jax’s life in an unexpected and funny way, and how she doesn’t miraculously turn into a solution for his mental illness. She’s supportive in a way that doesn’t feel pushy or cheesy.

As to Jax, what can I say? He has probably always been the most intriguing member of Kill John for me (Gabriel Scott being the second), and I was eager to get to know him a little better. His story turned out to be a little less angsty than I’d anticipated, but I can’t fault the way Kristen Callihan portrayed depression in this story. Her approach was respectful, sensitive and she stayed away from clichés and magical solutions, which is A LOT more than I can say about other books out there.

The relationship between Stella and Jax develops slowly (yes to slow burn!!!!), and they go from friends to more in a way that feels organic. They were sexy, adorable and funny together.

Now, I wish we’d gotten more scenes with all the cast together, but since they were off tour, there were less opportunities for Kill John’s members and their loved ones to interact with the main characters of this book. But the scenes we got were just as great as I remembered. Plus, I got to see Gabriel Scott and Sophie Darling being adorably in love and introducing us to the new member of their family. OMG, you need a scene with Gabriel Scott holding his gorgeous baby boy in your life. Trust me, you do!

Now, I’ll have to wait what will feel like forever to read the next book, which might be or might not be about Brenna and Whip, and you HAVE no idea how much I need that story!

  

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Website / Facebook / Twitter /Amazon Author Page

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.

*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Professor Feelgood (Master of Love #2) by Leisa Rayven

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: Professor Feelgood
(Master of Love #2)
Author: Leisa Rayven
Publication Date: September 16th, 2018

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

What's a girl to do when a man who's countless shades of wrong feels oh-so-right?

Ambitious book editor Asha Tate is a hopeless romantic. Despite her mediocre track record with men, she believes in swooning, sighing, and the everlasting love of true soul mates. Sure, sex is okay, but she’s not someone who’s ever been driven by her animal urges.


Until now.


When Asha stumbles upon the scorching hot Instagram feed of someone calling himself Professor Feelgood, she falls in lust for the first time. Not only is she left panting over the professor’s insane body, but his angst-filled poetry about losing his one true love speaks straight to her soul. 


Desperately in need of a bestseller for her struggling publishing company, Asha knows the professor’s potential to sell to his millions of loyal followers could be the lifeline her bosses need. However, the ink is barely dry on a book deal before she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Sure, the professor is incredibly talented and sexier than any man has a right to be, but the man behind the persona isn’t at all who she pictured. In real life, he’s intense, arrogant and infuriating, and his uncanny ability to rub her the wrong way turns her dream project into a total nightmare.

Knowing that the professor is everything she doesn’t want in a man should help Asha ignore her occasional urges to mount him, but she quickly learns that explosive, unwanted chemistry can make even smart people do stupid things.

Don't miss this sexy new standalone from the international bestselling author of Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

4.5  “All the Feels” Stars

I absolutely love how Leisa Rayven, one of go-to romance authors, always comes up with interesting themes for her books. After an escort who makes romantic fantasies come to life in Mister Romance, she brings us an Instagram celebrity who writes poems about his heartbreak and the woman he loves.

Like Eden, the protagonist of Mister Romance, her sister Asha is another strong, likable woman who makes reading this book easy and enjoyable from page one. Falling for her takes no effort and her voice is just as strong as I’m used to in books written by this author.

I also thought the story developed in a similar way to Mister Romance (which isn’t a complaint AT ALL), with the identity of the love interest being a mystery for a good part of the first third of the book. When the reveal came and the banter kicked in, I had everything I needed because I knew how this would eventually end and I was ALL IN!!

  

I can’t say much about the reveal and the romance, because I don’t want to spoil the story too much, but the romance arc gave me two of the tropes I love the most: hate to love + BFF to love.

Then, the story hits the halfway mark and things start to get angsty and hot, which makes it PEERFFECT for me.

I have to say I knew what the twist would be, but I caught myself doubting it would happen a few times, and the way Leisa wrote the story is the one to blame for that. It only made everything sweeter. Sweet is also the perfect way to describe the ending.

So, once again, Leisa Rayven gave me a romance book to love and I love her for that.

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.

Release & Review - Intercepted by Alexa Martin

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: Intercepted
Author: Alexa Martin
Publication Date: September 11th, 2018

Publisher: Berkley Books
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there's a new player on the horizon, and he's in a league of his own...

Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights. 

Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation. 

Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

3.5 “#NFLwivesarescary” Stars

As a fan of football and NFL-themed romances, I was looking forward to Intercepted, a book that got a huge amount of buzz before its release. The romance lived up to the hype, but I was so bothered by how women were portrayed in this story that I couldn’t fall entirely in love with the book.

Look, the protagonist, Marlee was fun and her voice was awesome, even with all the hashtags thrown in the middle. I loved that she was biracial! She was one of those “out there” people who loved their personality and didn’t make excuses for it, which made her easy to like. It also helped that this was written by a former NFL wife, which gave authenticity to the whole thing. There were some nice inside details thrown in there.

Gavin was a little grey for me. Not really alpha, not really beta, but still pretty hot and likable. Aside from that move near the end, he was thoughtful and respectful of Marlee. Together, Mrlee and Gavin had great chemistry.

If only based on the romance, my rating would’ve been higher. Problem is, Marlee pretty much hates and is hated/antagonized by practically every women she meets. Like I said, this is a debut from a former NFL wife, so I guess she knows what she’s talking about, but I still find it hard to believe every single NFL wife is a selfish, self-serving, problematic, bitchy person.

Thinking back, I can only recall two women that were nice to Marlee from start to finish: her best friend, Noami (a really great character), which doesn’t really count because being nice is part of the job as a BFF; and her new boss at a super cool bar she starts working at. Every other woman (and there were tons of them) antagonized her. The main villain was the wife of the former quarterback, and that rivalry worked just fine considering their loved ones position in the team, but it could’ve ended there. There was no need for every other woman to be portrayed as insufferable and selfish human beings. It really bothered me to see all the woman-on-woman hate.

#Taylorsaiditbest

So while I enjoyed the romance, the dynamics involving the main character and the other women in the story left a bitter taste in my mouth, preventing me from loving this.

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.

*Grabby Hands* Review - Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: Sometimes I Lie
Author: Alice Feeney
Publication Date: March 23rd, 2017

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Category/Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller

My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 
1. I’m in a coma. 
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 
3. Sometimes I lie. 

Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it's the truth?

Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon

4.5 "Twisted like a Pretzel" Stars

 

Three things you need to know about Sometimes I Lie:

 

1. Don’t look at spoilers before or while you’re reading

2. You probably won’t guess all the twists and turns and that’ll make the experience even better

3. It’s as good as everyone else is saying

 

Sometimes I Lie has been on my TBR for a while, but the library waiting list was LONG, so I had to sit and wait. I did, and I was rewarded with a great reading experience.

 

I can’t go into too many details (read #1 above), but I have to say it’s been a long, long time since I read a book that kept me guessing. The last psychological thrillers I read were good, but the surprise elements fell short because I guessed them pretty early on. This didn’t happen this time. I had a bunch of theories about the accident, the diary, the people involved in all of it, like I normally do, and but while I guessed some of the small twists, the major ones caught me by surprise.

 

The whole thing was so well-planned that, every time a twist was revealed, I had to stop, go back and reread some scenes just to make sure they fit the narrative. I’m glad to say most of them did.

 

The characters were another great surprise. I wasn’t sure how to feel about Amber, but she turned out to be smarter and stronger than I expected. I almost threw my Kindle across the room when the last chapter started (that’s how mad I was at what I thought was her “decision”), but then, once again, BOOM!

 

 

Again, reviewing this book and keeping it spoiler free is almost impossible, so I’ll stop talking. All you need to know is that the book is well worth the read, even if the twist at the end was confusing and unnecessary, in my opinion.

 

Grab your copy, get ready to for all the twists and reveals and enjoy the ride.

*If you liked this review (or not), if you read the book (or not), come say hello and leave your comments bellow.