*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Title: The Worst Best Man
Author: Mia Sosa
Publication Date: February 4th, 2020

Publisher: Avon
Category/Genre: Adult Romantic Comedy

Critically acclaimed author Mia Sosa delivers a sassy, steamy enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about a woman whose new job requires her to work side-by-side with the best man who ruined her wedding: her ex-fiancé's infuriating, irritating, annoyingly handsome brother. Perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, and Sally Thorne!

A wedding planner left at the altar. Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina’s managed to make other people’s dreams come true as a top-tier wedding coordinator in DC. After impressing an influential guest, she’s offered an opportunity that could change her life. There’s just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials.

Tired of living in his older brother’s shadow, marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he’ll be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning—absolutely off-limits—ex-fiancée. And she loathes him.

If they can survive the next few weeks and nail their presentation without killing each other, they’ll both come out ahead. Except Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina’s ready to dish out a little payback of her own.

But even the best laid plans can go awry, and soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina isn’t interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again...

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

4 “Brazilian Weddings” Stars

ARC provided by the author.

Thank you!!!

Mia Sosa is an author I can always count on to deliver great romances with a hint of Brazilian culture. This was another winner.

This was the story of Lina, a first generation Brazilian American wedding planner who was left at the altar years ago, and Max, the super sweet brother and best man of the jerk who abandoned Lina. Forced to work together, they slowly realize that Lina almost married the wrong brother.

The romance doesn't fit into the super slow burn category I gravitate toward, but it developed in a nice pace. There was plenty of chemistry between Lina and Max and enough angst due to their history to keep me interested every step of the way. I loved how their relationship went from almost hatred to friendship to love. The conflict near the end was also believable and the solution was satisfying.

Lina's family was a positive addition to the story. For me, as a Brazilian, her relationship with her cousins, aunts and mother felt genuine. Besides, every opportunity they mentioned BR food just made me extra happy. If you haven't tried brigadeiro or pão de queijo yet, you don't know what you're missing.

I highly recommend this if you're looking for a sweet and sexy read with great chemistry. 

*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - The Bride Test (The Kissing Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: The Bride Test
(The Kissing Quotient #2)
Author: Helen Hoang
Publication Date: May 14th, 2019

Publisher: Berkley
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

4.5 “You love her” Stars

I think I liked this a little less than The Kissing Quotient, but I’m not sure why. It was still adorable, diverse, sexy and beautifully written—pretty much everything I need in a romance. It was also super easy to get into, meaning I finished it fast. Khai and Esme were both great leading characters. There was plenty of chemistry between them, and I honestly thought they were perfect for each other. 

Esme’s attempts to seduce Khai, his confusion about his feelings for her, their awkward and adorable first time together, the conversation between Khai, his brother and cousin following that first time, and tons of other scenes made this a memorable read. There were moments I laughed out loud, smiled like a fool and swooned.

Still…there was just something that kept me a little (just a little bit) disconnected and I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe, just maybe it was Esme’s relationship with her daughter and how, though it’s implied that she’s trying to marry Khai to provide a better life to her little girl, I never really felt like that was what was driving her. The daughter was barely present at all in the book, which I also understand because this was about the romance and not her family. Yet, I get the feeling that either the story didn’t need the daughter or it could’ve handled that relationship better. Considering the author’s note at the end, I think the second option would’ve been the best choice.

Despite that, which is really not a big problem considering all the other great elements, I truly believe romance fans will not regret picking up this book. The Bride Test is another example of how a great author can write sexy and fun stories with respectful representation.

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

Release Blitz & Review - The Roommate Agreement by Emma Hart

Title: The Roommate Agreement
Author: Emma Hart
Age Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: March 26th, 2019

Let your homeless best friend stay with you, he said. Being roommates will be fun, he said. It's only temporary, he said.

He never said I'd fall for him.

The Roommate Agreement, all-new hilarious and romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is available now!

You know what isn't 'temporary?' The endless stream of dirty socks in my bathroom and empty food packets under the sofa—and don't even get me started on the hot guys who take over my living room every Sunday to watch sports.

I can't take anymore.

So I propose a roommate agreement. One that will bring peace and order back to my life, complete with rules that might just stop my newfound crush on my best friend in its tracks.

After all, there’s only so many times you can see your best friend naked before you start to lose your mind.

Rules. They're meant to be broken... Aren't they?

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Shelby shut the door with a click and peered over at me. “What are you writing? If it’s permission to use the feather duster as a sex toy, the answer is no. Unless you buy your own, but if you haven’t figured out where the laundry room is yet, I doubt you’ll find where to buy one.” She was as funny as a car crash, this one. “Hilarious,” I drawled. “No, I’m making amendments as I go. I added a new rule.” “You added a new rule?” She raised one dark eyebrow and walked over, hovering over me. “All right, what is it?” “Decent clothes must be worn. Do you know how many times I wake up early on a morning to open the gym and find you basically in your underwear in the kitchen?” “Basically in my underwear? Who are you seeing in the kitchen? I wear shorts and a tank top at the very least.” “Yes, but the shorts barely cover your ass, and you’re sure as hell not wearing a bra.” She paused, eyes glittering as she said, “And why are you looking at my ass and my boobs?” That was an excellent question. “Because there’s nowhere else to look!” I rushed out before my stupid cock could get any ideas. “Look, waking up in the morning can be challenging for a guy.” She stared at me. “I don’t need to get up for a coffee with… you know.” I motioned to my groin. “And see you half-clothed.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and walked to the kitchen, turning her back to me. “Why does it matter? I’m your best friend. I hardly think your little friend is remotely interested in whether or not I’m wearing a bra.” Yeah, well, he is. “Fine. If I have to wake up and see your perky nipples prancing around the kitchen, I’m going to stroll around in my underwear so you can get a good view of my morning glory.” She spun, lifting up a finger. Her cheeks were flushed, and she had to swallow before she could speak. “My nipples do not prance. They are not horses.” I grinned. “Also, I have no desire to have anything to do with your morning erection, much less get a good view of it, thank you very much.” “Have I told you that you’re cute when you blush?” “Have I told you that you’d be a cute dead guy?” I laughed, leaning back on the sofa. “C’mon, Shelbs. We need to respect each other’s privacy. You don’t want to see my cock hard over your breakfast, and I don’t want to see your nipples standing to attention when I make a coffee.” She sighed. “Why did I ever let you move in again?” “Because I was going to be homeless and you’re the best friend ever?” “Mm.”

3.5"Pick up your socks" Stars

My reading slump lasted WAY too long this time around--over a month.

But I'm back. For good, I hope. And I couldn't have asked for a cuter book to come back to.

Emma Hart wrote such a cute, fun story about best friends falling in love (I'm obsessed with this trope, and wish it was easier to find GREAT books with this theme). The characters are a little too dorky at times, but it worked, because it's clear this was supposed to be a fluffly love story with low drama.

I loved the banter and the slow burn, and even though I usually like angst in my romances, this was a perfect read for a lazy morning. I laughed and swooned, and finally finished a book with a smile on my face after so damn long.

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs. Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud. Yes, really. She's that sarcastic.

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

   

 Title: Fall

(VIP  #3)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Release Day: October 23rd, 2018

   

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

             

I clear my throat. “While I was eating my ice cream—”

He snorts, but remains tense.

“I thought about how you looked familiar to me.”

“It was the guilt haunting you.”

“Or … And I’m just throwing this out there. You’re Jax Blackwood.”

He actually flinches. “Fuck. You recognized me.”

“It was bound to happen. John? Really?”

His chin tips in a pugnacious angle. “It’s my name. John is … me. Jax is who I am onstage.”

I picture him performing, all electric energy and raw passion and sheer talent. It’s a sight to behold. Hell, a couple of really hot fantasies have been induced by that sight.

While I’m lost in a teen fantasy, his eyes dart around like he’s expecting someone to pop out from behind a snow mound and take his picture. Then his gaze snags on me. My expression must be slightly punch drunk, because his entire body leans away from mine. Not exactly flattering to realize he’s afraid I’ll try to lick his face or something. 

I snap my gaping mouth closed. “Oh, calm down. It’s not like I’m going to start squealing and try to grab your junk.”

His expression lightens a little. “I think if you grabbed my junk, I’d be the one squealing.”

“True. I have surprisingly strong hands.” When he stares at me in horror, I hold them up and wiggle my fingers. “Yoga. It’s highly effective.”

“My balls just flinched in terror.”

“Consider yourself warned.”

He snorts but then glances at our building. “You really live here?”

“Do you really think I hunted you down?”

John—because I can’t seem to think of him as Jax—runs his hand through his damp hair, which makes his biceps bunch and twitch. “Yeah … that does sound crazy.”

Crazy. This whole situation is. One day, I’m offered a four-month home in a dream condo, the next I’m standing on my stoop talking to a rock star. The biggest legend of my generation. I honestly don’t know how I’m not stammering right now.

“I can’t believe we’re neighbors,” I say without thinking.

His green eyes glint in the afternoon light, but he pauses and looks at me more closely. “You know, not to sound conceited here, but you’re kind of leering at me right now.”

My chin snaps up like I’ve been hit, even as my body flushes with embarrassment. Shit. I totally had been leering. No, not leering. But I had been staring at him in awe. Ugh. “Well, you do sound conceited. I was simply making polite eye contact.”

Liar McLiar-Face. 

            

 

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.

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*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Rebel Hard (Hard Play #2) by Nalini Singh

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: Rebel Hard
(Hard Play #2)
Author: Nalini Singh
Publication Date: September 18th, 2018

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Hard Play series with a sweet, sexy romance featuring big, fat, OTT weddings, a meddling grandma, and a too-serious hero who needs to be unbuttoned…

Nayna Sharma agreed to an arranged marriage in the hope it would heal the fractures in her beloved family… only to realize too late that a traditional marriage is her personal nightmare. Panicked, she throws caution to the winds, puts on the tiniest dress she can find, and ends up in the arms of a tall, rough-edged hunk of a man who has abs of steel—and who she manages to mortally insult between one kiss and the next.

Abandoned as a child, then adopted into a loving family, Raj Sen believes in tradition, in continuity. Some might call him stiff and old-fashioned, but he knows what he wants—and it’s a life defined by rules… yet he can’t stop thinking about the infuriating and sexy woman who kissed him in the moonlight then disappeared. When his parents spring an introduction on him, the last woman he expects is her. Beautiful. Maddening. A rule breaker in the making.

He’s all wrong for her. She’s all wrong for him. And love is about to make rebels of them both.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

5 “My heart can barely take all these feelings” Stars

This is the best romance book I read this year. Simple, beautiful, touching, full of feels and sexy AF.

I’m so in love with this book and these characters I don’t think I have words to describe my feelings.

Nayna is the kind of protagonist that steals my heart from page one and refuses to give it to back to me even after the story is over. She’s such a gentle soul. A beautiful person that I wish was real and my friend. Her desire for freedom and adventure never gets in the way of her love and respect for her family, and that balance is just another reason to love her.

Raj is book boyfriend material at its best. Thoughtful, respectful, serious, committed, sexy, smart. I can’t even with this man. He’s ridiculously perfect in a way that should be annoying but totally isn’t. I love, love, love his relationship with his parents and siblings. He’s one of those men who learned that he should treat women with the same care and respect he wants men to treat the little sister he dearly loves. He owes up to his mistakes, fights for the people he cares and protects them in a way that doesn’t feel suffocating.

The chemisty between Nayna and Raj is out of this word. I felt every scene between them from start to finish. Their adorable, sexy and perfect together. It also helps that Raj was so out-of-this-world in love with Naya. The “man who madly loves the woman who is reluctant to commit to her feelings” always gets me.

The romance was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Aside from Nayna and Raj’s perfect relationship, I adored the family dynamic. It was a beautiful thing to see both Nayna and Raj interact with their own families and with each other’s parents, grandparents and siblings. Nayna’s grandmother is probably my favorite character aside from the main couple. She made me laugh out loud more than a couple of times. But in truth, I loved everyone in Nayna’s family. Same goes for Raj’s parents and little sister. In fact, I was dying to read a  YA book about Aditi, because she came across as such a smart and strong young lady.

And there were happy endings delivered like Xmas presents and I can't even bring myself to care that some were unrealistic. Real life is hard so books are allowed to give me as many happy ever afters as they want.

Honestly, I can’t think about anything I didn’t like in this book. Even the annoying sister-in-law had her place in the story and the third person narrative, despite not being my favorite in general, worked wonderfully here. The book was just that amazing!

Well, I don’t know what you’re doing, but whatever it is can’t be more entertaining than reading this book, so stop and go get your copy.

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

*Grabby Hands* Cover Reveal - Bulldozer by P. Dangelico

Title: Bulldozer

Author: P. Dangelico

Publication date: November 12th, 2018

Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance

Amanda Shaw has pulled it together. It’s taken a couple of years, a boatload of hard work, and a ton of self-discipline, but she finally has her problems in a headlock. Her yoga studio in the city has become so successful she’s opening one near the beach, and her relationship with her ten-year-old son is improving every day. The last thing she needs is a monkey wrench thrown into her smoothly running life.

Grant Hendricks is one big monkey wrench. The four time Defensive Player of the Year, three time NFL sack leader, and all-around football god has officially hit rock bottom. A devastating back injury means he may have to retire and that scares him more than doctors telling him that the next hit could leave him paralyzed. All he needs is a quiet place to think and his teammate’s beach house sounds like just the place. Problem is, the woman already living there.

 What happens when a single mother is forced to live with a grumpy, ailing football star? The smolder turns red hot, of course.

Pre-Order your copy today!

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P. Dangelico loves romance in all forms, cuddly creatures (four legged and two), really bloody sexy pulp, the NY Jets (although she’s reconsidering after this season), and to while away the day at the barn (apparently she does her best thinking shoveling horse crap). What she’s not enamored with is referring to herself in the third person and social media so don’t expect her to get on Twitter anytime soon. Oh, and although she was born in Italy, she’s been Jersey Strong since she turned six.

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