*Grabby Hands* Release & Review - Nothing but Trouble (Malibu University #1) by P. Dangelico

Title: Nothing But Trouble
(Malibu University #1)
Author: P. Dangelico
Age Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: March 26th, 2019

Reagan Reynolds...

Water polo god.

Owner of a face that belongs under Wikipedia’s definition of drop dead gorgeous.

Too charming for his own good.

But most importantly––the worst driver on the planet.

No, really, I’m pretty sure his blind nana taught him how to drive.

I had no idea who he was until he almost ran me over. And frankly, I kind of wish I still didn’t because then I wouldn’t have a sprained ankle to show for it. And my leg wouldn’t resemble a boa constrictor that’s swallowed a feral pig.

Yeah, it’s that bad.

I’ve spent years saving every penny I’ve ever earned to be able to transfer to Malibu University. And now my entire future––including my scholarship––is in jeopardy.

So I either accept the help he insists on giving me, or lose everything I’ve sacrificed for.

In the meantime, I’m going to ignore the fact that we’re becoming friends.

And I’m definitely going to pretend he’s not turning into the object of my…umm, dirty fantasies.

That’s not happening.

Not even a little.

Because the minute I clapped eyes on him I knew he was nothing but trouble.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DRrqU7

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2GbI3v0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2CY8yAU

Nook: http://bit.ly/2SsB1J1

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H2Fqgx

Alice

A strong gust of hot air invades the car and Reagan’s hair gets ruffled. It’s been like this the last few weeks. Crazy hot winds picking up now and then. Mine is literally standing on end. I’m forced to hold it down with both hands.

“The Santa Anas,” he says as if reading my mind. I look over and find him smiling at me. “The hot wind.” He swirls his index finger.

I let go of my hair, close my eyes, and let it have its way with me. It stands instantly upright, like I stuck my finger in a socket. I’m sure I look like an idiot but it makes me laugh, a burst of pure joy emanating from my chest that can’t be contained any more than the wind can.

“Nice hair,” he mocks with a teasing smile.

“Thanks, Flipper.”

“I thought we established that it’s not a dolphin.”

“You’re not going to like me saying this, but you’re more dolphin than shark,” I happily point out. He’s always perky and upbeat, likes to socialize, loves all the attention. He’s a dolphin––whether he likes it or not.

He levels narrowed green vengeance on me, offset by a sly smile. “I’m the top of the food chain, babe. I’m all shark.”

“That’s adorable. Especially coming from someone that wears a swim cap like my nana used to wear. Except yours has those darling cinnamon buns over the ears. Like Princess Leia.”

He fights his amusement. “Those cinnamon buns are meant to protect my ears from all the rough, manly activity. And I’m tellin’ on you. I’m tellin’ all the guys you said that.”

The Jeep comes to an abrupt stop. Only then do I realize we’re parked in front of the apartment building where my study group is being held. Scanning the parking lot, I see people I recognize from class pouring out of a car.

My attention returns to Reagan and I find him watching me. His smile melts. His expression grows serious like he rarely ever is. I rake my hair down and get my fingers snagged on a few knots. Unfortunately I’m not the comb-carrying type.

Mental note: purchase comb. Crazy winds are afoot.

“Thank you for driving me.” I look for some sign of what’s going on in his mind and finding the door shut.

“What time should I pick you up?” He reaches out and I lean away, staring at his hand. “Chill, Bailey. You have a piece sticking up.”

“Oh…okay.” He’s trying to be helpful and I treat him like he’s a festering case of the bubonic plague. How embarrassing.

I lean in and he sets about gently brushing down each and every one of my stray hairs, so gently I can barely feel him picking apart the knots. I can feel his breath on my skin. Fresh from a shower, I can smell his shampoo. My scalp tingles and goose bumps break out on my forearms. Lord give me strength.

4 “Water polo is my new favorite Sport” Stars

ARC provided by the author.

Thank you!

I first heard of P. Dangelico when Wrecking Ball came out a couple of years ago, and I was instantly hooked and ready for more of her slow-burn romances. Five books later, I can say I’ll probably read anything she writes and love it.

As a reader who misses New Adult romances, Dangelico’s new Malibu University Series is the perfect fit for me. The first book, Nothing But Trouble, had everything I look for in a good NA romance: likable characters, amazing chemistry, drama, friendship, and slow burn romance.

Alice was a captivating heroine—no surprise there—and I immediately felt a connection to her. And like Alice said, Reagan was a hero with a heart of gold (even though he misbehaved and deserved a good shaking toward the end of the story). Their relationship had a shaky start, but the friendship that soon followed was pretty amazing. I love her Dangelico takes her characters from strangers to frenemies to friends to lovers. This is combination is one of all times favorite tropes, and it worked so well in this story. The slow burn, the longing, the will-they-won’t-they does it for me every single time.

Other positives were the friendship between Alice and her roommates (#girlpower), the little hints of drama in the lives of Reagan’s teammates (can’t wait to read their stories), the unexplored sport portrayed in this story (don’t regret the time spent Googling water sport players) and the heart-breaking relationship between Reagan and his brother.

As you can see, there was a lot to love about this book.

I will say, though, that I wished the ending had been a little different. I wasn’t a fan of how Reagan reacted and what he did, though I can see why he thought he was doing the right thing at the time, but I still wish Alice had made him grovel. Girl, you need to let him feel shitty a little, then you can take him back.

In the end, I was still extremely happy that I had the chance to read this book before most people, and I can barely wait for what one of my favorite authors will write next.

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.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p.dangelico/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDanAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdangelicoauthor/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2C91Fv7 

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

Release Blitz - Nothing But Trouble by P. Dangelico

Title: Nothing But Trouble
Author: P. Dangelico
Age Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: March 26th, 2019

Reagan Reynolds...

Water polo god.

Owner of a face that belongs under Wikipedia’s definition of drop dead gorgeous.

Too charming for his own good.

But most importantly––the worst driver on the planet.

No, really, I’m pretty sure his blind nana taught him how to drive.

I had no idea who he was until he almost ran me over. And frankly, I kind of wish I still didn’t because then I wouldn’t have a sprained ankle to show for it. And my leg wouldn’t resemble a boa constrictor that’s swallowed a feral pig.

Yeah, it’s that bad.

I’ve spent years saving every penny I’ve ever earned to be able to transfer to Malibu University. And now my entire future––including my scholarship––is in jeopardy.

So I either accept the help he insists on giving me, or lose everything I’ve sacrificed for.

In the meantime, I’m going to ignore the fact that we’re becoming friends.

And I’m definitely going to pretend he’s not turning into the object of my…umm, dirty fantasies.

That’s not happening.

Not even a little.

Because the minute I clapped eyes on him I knew he was nothing but trouble.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DRrqU7

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2GbI3v0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2CY8yAU

Nook: http://bit.ly/2SsB1J1

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H2Fqgx

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.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p.dangelico/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDanAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdangelicoauthor/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2C91Fv7
Website: http://www.pdangelico.com/
Stay up to date with all things P. Dangelico. Join her mailing list, today: https://www.pdangelico.com/contact

Review - The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise

Image and blurb from Goodreads

Title: The Hardest Fall
Author: Ella Maise
Publication Date: April 18th, 2018

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

The first time you meet someone, you make eye contact. You smile, say hello. Should be simple, if you’re anyone but me. The first time I met Dylan Reed, I found myself making eye contact with a different part of his body. You see, I’m very good at being shy, not to mention extremely well-versed in rambling nonsense and, unfortunately, rather highly skilled at making a fool of myself in front of a guy I’m attracted to.

At the time, I knew nothing about him and thought none of what I said would matter since I’d never speak to him again. Turns out, I was very wrong. He was the star wide receiver of the football team, one of the few players expected to make it into the NFL, and I ended up seeing him all over campus.
I might have also propositioned him, run away from him, attacked him with a cooking utensil…and…uh, maybe I shouldn’t tell you all of it. It’s pretty normal stuff, things you’d expect…from me. Eventually, the time came when I couldn’t hide anymore—not that he’d have let me even if I tried.
Before now, he never knew I was secretly watching him. Now that we see each other every day, he knows when I have a hard time looking away. It doesn’t help that I’m not the most subtle person in the world either.

He smiles at me and tells me he finds me fascinating because of my quirks. I can’t even tell him that I think my heart beats differently whenever he’s around.

He thinks we’re going to be best friends. I think I have a big thing for him, and the more I get to know him, the more I don’t care that I’m not allowed to be his friend, let alone fall for him.

The thing is, that’s exactly what I’m doing—what we’re doing, I think.

Falling.

Hard.

Goodreads

Buy Link: Amazon

3.5 “New Adult Slow Burn” Stars

Right about when this book came out, I tried reading it, but it might’ve been the wrong time because I didn’t connect with the writing and decided to save it for later. Now, after seeing tons of readers recommending The Hardest Fall for slow burn fans, I gave it another choice and I really enjoyed it.

It’s been a while since the last time I read a romance about college students, and this book had so much of the things I love in NA. The writing wasn’t exactly my favorite, but I loved Dylan and Zoe’s relationship—especially because it was easy to see Dylan’s feelings, and I always LOVE when the hero is the one waiting for the heroine to catch up and admit her feelings for him.

Dylan was an amazing hero. He was alpha, but not an asshole; he was sexy AF and he never made fun of all of Zoe’s quirks or disrespected her in any way. Despite being a football player, he wasn’t portrayed as a man-whore. In fact, he made it clear from the start that he was a one-woman kind of guy and he showed that repeatedly. He adored Zoe and he wasn’t shy about showing anyone he felt that way, which only made him more appealing. I absolutely loved Dylan.

Zoe was also a great character. She was a little much at times, but she had some great moments and her reaction when one of her friends was attacked won me over, because she pushed fear away and was brave enough to protect the person she loved.

Overall, this was a sexy read with a slow burn romance and a book-boyfriend material hero, so I’m happy I didn’t give up on this story.

*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.

Release Blitz & Review - Tiebreaker by P. Dangelico

Title: Tiebreaker
Author: P. Dangelico
Age Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: July 25th, 2018

All is fair in love and second chances.

Professional tennis star and everybody’s darling, Maren Murphy is going home. Unfortunately, going home is the last thing she wants to do. She doesn’t know what’s worse, being named the executor of her grandfather’s estate, or having to deal with her grandfather’s business partner, Noah Callahan. That devil’s spawn may have broken her young, tender heart, but this time it’s advantage Murphy. If anyone’s calling game, set, and match, it’ll be Maren.

Re-match on.

Noah Callahan is a screw up. Well…he used to be a screw up. Bad boy reputations, however, are not easily shed. He’s been a successful business owner for over a decade. You would think the people in his hometown would’ve forgiven and forgotten already, but alas no. Until his one shot at redemption walks into his office. Maren Murphy is the only woman he ever loved––and the one he purposely drove away.

She’s vowed to hate him for all eternity. He’s vowed to love her forever. Can a second chance be the tiebreaker.

Read Today! 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LCe0zV 

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2A7Dq3X 

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2KSNguI

3.5 “Tennis and Second Chances” Stars

ARC provided by the author

Thank you!

First, let me make it clear that I will read anything P. Dangelico writes because she created Ethan freaking Vaughn and she’s up there with Mariana Zapatta as slow-burn queens for me. So there’s that.

I didn’t know about this book until I got an email about an ARC tour and I immediately clicked the PLEASE, I NEED AN ARC button. As soon as I got it, I started reading. That’s what happens when I get my hands on stories by my favorite authors.

First page and once again I’m hit by that feeling of “I’m going to love this”, because all the right elements are there: voice, great writing, humor.  Mid chapter 2 and I’m already madly in love with the entire thing and with Maren, the main character. She’s super funny, relatable and has such a strong personality.

I’m normally slow to warm up to second chance romance, but this had a childhood friends that were lovers and now hate each other theme, so it was much easier to get into it.

Another thing I’m usually not a fan of but ended loving here were the flashback chapters. Maren and Noah had some pretty adorable moments as kids, like this:

“Will you marry me when we get old? I promise I won’t fight with you.

It sounded like a good plan at the time. She liked sports, jumping off cliffs, and video games.

Something else I loved about this was Maren’s relationship with her family. There were some heartbreaking moments, but mostly they were adorable and fun together. Her sister, Annabelle, is already my favorite person and I can’t wait for her book.

So, about Noah…He didn’t narrate as many chapters as Maren’s, but I got to know him a little bit more through his POV. I still wish there had been more Noah in this book (especially more Noah working hard to earn Maren’s forgiveness). Sometimes it felt like Maren and everything else in her life had more space in the narrative than the romance between Maren and Noah; and I missed more scenes with them in between the reveal and the happy ever after.

It was pretty clear from early one what the reveal would be about. It’s something that usually makes me dislike the book, but I still wanted to give it a chance because of my love for this author’s previous work. Well, the reveal turned out to be what I expected, and the reasons for the character’s behavior was there. There were a lot of extenuating circumstances surrounding the whole thing. I’m just not sure if they made it better or worse for me.

In the end, this book wouldn’t have worked had it been written by a less talented author with a less relatable main character. Since those two elements were present, it made for a fun read, with a lot of great moments.

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.

Connect with P. Dangelico:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p.dangelico/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDanAuthor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdangelicoauthor/ 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2C91Fv7 

Website: http://www.pdangelico.com/ 

Stay up to date with all things P. Dangelico. Join her mailing list, today: https://www.pdangelico.com/contact

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