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 - The Kissing Quotient by Helen Hoang

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: The Kissing Quotient
Author: Helen Hoang
Publication Date: June 5th, 2018

Publisher: Berkley
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

4.5 “Worth the Wait” Stars

I've been waiting for this release for what feels like FOREVER, and I've been so obsessed with the idea of reading it that I told myself I wouldn't finish it in one day. I would prolong the experience because you only get to read a good book for the first time once. And because I'd been dying of jealousy of all the people who got to read this before release. I'll tell you, it was torture to watch my Goodread friends gush about this when it felt like June 5th would never get here.

Well, I could hardly believe when the day came. And I can hardly believe I was strong enough to stop reading that first night so I could save some chapters for the next day. But I did it! And to no one's surprise, I loved every second of it.

This book is amazing.

Again, this is another example of good representation kicking ass and taking no names. The voice was so authentic, you couldn't help but fall for Stella. She made me feel for her when she struggled and cheer with her when her journey came full circle. It was such an amazing and honest take on what life can be like for a woman on the autism spectrum, and that's because the author put some of her experience there, too. It was an emotional and satisfying read in every aspect.

Though Stella was the real star of the story, Michael didn't fall far behind. I'm always, always here for a good escort romance, and I'm happy to see this book join Mister Romance by Leisa Rayven on the list of must-read stories with this theme. And it's all thanks to Michael.

Michael, who's a hot  half-Vietnamese, half-Swedish sweatheart who happens to be excellent at sex and caring and romantic and patient and all the good things that make perfect man perfect. Sure he had flaws and bagagge, but who cares when he's all of the things I just described? I can't blame Stella for falling so hard for the guy she was paying to teach her to be confident in bed. I would've fallen for him, too.

The romance is a little less slow burn than I normally like, but it was still filled with so many sweet and heartwarming moments that I couldn't complain. It was also hot AF. The sexy scenes?

There was drama, there was diversity, there were family members that stole my heart (in fact, both mothers made me smile and laugh and hold to hold them every time they appeared), and there was a lot of swooning involved in reading this story.

In the end, all I can is that this book was well worth the wait.

*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Lennon Reborn by Scarlett Cole

Title: Lennon Reborn

(Preload #4)

Author: Scarlett Cole

Publication date: May 1st, 2018

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Swerve

From the queen of heart-pounding, sexy, emotional romance Scarlett Cole comes Lennon Reborn, a stunning, shattering rock star romance in the Preload series.

Lennon McCartney is not a broken man. Because being broken implies being whole once. When a horrific accident deprives him of the one thing he loves—his talent as a fierce and explosive drummer—Lennon is left with a life chained by an abusive mother, by crushing guilt over a tragic past. A life he doesn’t want.

Dr. Georgia Starr is a legend. She’s one of the most successful neurosurgeons in the world, coming from a long-line of respected New York doctors. Her life is built around solving complex medical cases in order to bring relief and hope to sick children. But the one problem she can’t solve is how to live her life. How to be shake loose the burden of being her elitist, arrogant father’s daughter. How to be free.

Can a man who despises his life and a woman who desperately needs to live find the answers, and love, with each other?

**Warning: Deals with dark themes and deep personal struggles.**

Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon

4 “Grey's Anatomy with Rock'n'Roll” Stars

ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you, Swerve!

Here are the things I've said about this book before it was probably even written:

"I'm still so very much in love with all the band members, and dying to get my hands on the next titles. I'm guessing Lennon's story will reduce me to ashes, so I'm here...not-so-patiently waiting for that." - Review of Elliot Redeemed.

"While I have to say Lennon’s book is the one I’m most anxious about, I had a good time reading Nikan Rebuilt. It was a little different than what I expected, and maybe lower on the suspense and angst vibe than the previous titles in the series, but it was a pleasant read." - Review of Nikan Rebuilt.

So, yeah, I've been anxiously awaiting Lennon's book for a long time.

I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint.

Sure, it wasn't as angsty as I had imagined and sort of hoped for, but it was still a great and emotional read.

Lennon and Jordan are my favorite Preload members, so I couldn't be happier that Scarlett chose those two to start and end this great series. I'm sad to see all of them go, but at least I got to do it while finally learning more about Lennon, the drummer who acts like a jerk but is made of insecurities, trauma and a lot of love for his bandmates.

The story starts with a BOOM when a tragic event brings a huge chance into Lennon's life, forcing him to stay away from the only thing he thinks makes life worth living. I won't get into details because I believe going in blind is the best strategy, but I'll say I was shocked and a little pissed at the author for adding that trauma to Lennon's already long list. Having sad that, this choice made perfect sense considering everything Lennon believed about his worth and everything he learned throughout the book.

What followed were scenes that made me tear up. I got extremely emotional when he first realized what had happened and broke down, when he grieved what he had lost, when Petal stopped by and when he got a picture of her holding something he gave her...

I have to say this, though. I missed more of interactions between Lennon and his bandmates/brothers. I wished there had been more of that. The few interactions we got between them were stellar, especially the epilogue.

But since this is a romance, it makes sense that most of the book was focused on Georgia, the amazing woman tragedy brought into Lennon's life. With everything going on, Georgia was exactly the person Lennon needed to help him stay strong and go on with his life--she was extremely smart, patient and understanding. She didn't understimate his pain and suffering. She didn't try to sugarcoat the situation. She stayed by his side through all the bad moments and they finally got their well-deserved happy ending.

Again, I wished their relationship had been a little more angsty, but I was satisfied with the way things played out. I was also satisfied that, despite being a major influence in Lennon's new life, Georgia wasn't the only answer. It was Lennon's love for his family, as well as for Georgia, that made him want to adapt to his new life and keep going.

There were tons of touching messages and moments in this story and in the series overall. I'm so happy I got to read it from start to finish, and that the epilogue was the perfect addition. After everything those guys went through, they deserved their happy ending.

 

*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 - High Voltage (Fever #10) by Karen Marie Moning

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: High Voltage
(Fever #10)
Author: Karen Marie Moning 

Age Category/Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Publication Date: March 6th, 2018
Publisher: Delacorte Press
 

There is no action without consequence…

Dani O’Malley was nine years old when the delusional, sadistic Rowena transformed her into a ruthless killer. Years later, she’s tough, hardened, yet achingly vulnerable and fiercely compassionate, living alone by her own exacting code. Despite the scars on her body, driven by deeper ones carved into her soul, no one is more committed to protecting Dublin. By day, she ensures the safety of those she rescues, by night she hunts evil, dispensing justice swiftly and without mercy, determined to give those she cares for the peace she has never known.

There is no power without price…

When the Faerie Queen used the dangerously powerful Song of Making to heal the world from the damage done by the Hoar Frost King, catastrophic magic seeped deep into the earth, giving rise to horrifying, unforeseen consequences–and now deadly enemies plot in the darkness, preparing to enslave the human race and unleash an ancient reign of hell on Earth.

There is no future without sacrifice…

With the lethal, immortal Ryodan at her side, armed with the epic Sword of Light, Dani once again battles to save the world but her past comes back to haunt her with a vengeance, demanding an unspeakable price for the power she needs to save the human race and no one—not even Ryodan who’d move the very stars for her—can save her this time…

Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon

4.5 “High Fever" Stars

The Fever series is my favorite book series ever, and I will never get tired of it. That is all.

No. That's not all, obviously. But I won't write a long review because my thoughts are never coherent when it comes to these characters and this world I love so freaking much. All I want to say before is that I miss Mac and Jericho (because, yes, they still are my OTP), I'm completely obsessed with Dani and Ryodan, and I suspect I'm just going into another major book hangover. Honestly, I don't know why I read Fever books right after they're released because it always leaves feeling me depressed at the thought I'll have to wait another year or longer for the next one. I imagine that's how people felt when the Harry Potter books came out (I read them much later on).

So, yeah, this was another winner for me. Sorry for those who don't like Dani and Ryodan. Sorry for those who think KMM should've ended the series after the first 5 brilliant books. Sure they haven't been as spectecular, but when you have a world like the one she created and characters that can make you feel as much as they do after ten books, I have to say: Keep writing!

One thing, though. High Voltage read a lot more like fantasy romance than urban fantasy, but see the gif bellow if you think I cared:

This book gave me ALL THE RIGHT FREAKING FEELS, so I'm using gifs for the rest of my review. This was me when:

1. Chapter One ended

2. Dani thought about Ryodan:

3. Shazam was Shazam:

4. Chapter Seventeen happened and almost gave me a heart attack:

5. Chapter Twenty brought me Dani's dress and that car ride:

6. Jericho made a brief appearance:

7. Mac made an even briefer (is that a word?) appearance:

8. This quote gave me life: "He ran his thumb over the screen as if he might somehow touch Mac through it. And I thought, Holy hell, Jericho Barrons has a…not a vulnerability but yes, that. A weakness, a need. Mac. I’d seen it in her, too."

9. The letter revealed more about Ryodan's actions:

10. Every time Lor talked:

11. Chapter Thirty-One tried to end my life:

12. Chapter Thirty-Four finally brought me the words I wanted to hear:

13. All the other POV chapters got in the way of my ship time:

14. The villain was dealt with in one page:

15. Dani "evolved" and learned the truth of what she was/could do:

16. The Shazam twist came:

17. Roydan thought it was an illusion:

18. Everything about the last chapter and epilogue happened and just gave me life back:

19. I realize Fever #11 had no release date yet:

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