Tag Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Taylor Maid – Tara Lain

Posted on March 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Taylor MaidPublished March 1st 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Romance / Contemporary
Length: 218 pages, ebook
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Ebook ISBN: 9781634768146
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Characters: Taylor Fitzgerald, Alessandro Macias, Ally May

On the eve of his twenty-fifth birthday, Taylor Fitzgerald discovers that he must marry a woman before midnight or lose a fifty-million-dollar inheritance. Only problem is that he’s gay and who will he convinced to play as his last-minute bride?

Enter the beautiful maid, Ally May from Vegas. She’s the perfect candidate for Taylor’s plan but Ally is actually Alessandro Macias, son of a Brazilian hotel magnate who’s also on the run. With all these pretense, will they be able to make it work and realized in the end that they’re actually made for each other?

This was just sweetness overload! I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved Taylor and Ally so much and their love-story is just oozing with cuteness! It’s obviously a play from Chris O’Donnell’s The Bachelor and I just adore everything about it! It also reminds me of Sinders and Ash from the autho’s. Remember Sinders penchant for wearing her own designs?

This was my first from the Dreamspun Series and I’ve read not so many good reviews from the earlier books so I’m kinda worried on picking this up and I’m sure glad I did because it was everything I needed at the moment – something feel good, something really sweet and truly romantic! I highly recommend this one!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara had the first novel she ever wrote accepted for publication in 2011. She’s now on book 27 and counting. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes”.

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Book Review: Lap Dog (Shelter, #2) – Kate Sherwood

Posted on March 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Lap DogPublished February 27th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Drama, Romance / Contemporary
Length: 202 pages, ebook
Publisher: KSB (Kate Sherwood Books)
Ebook ASIN: B01CC1DDY4
Cover Artist: A.J. Corza
Characters: Tristan Beck, Simon Yeung

Tristan Beck sells his body for a living – he is a freelance prostitute. Everything is working fine in his life until Simon Yeung decided to swoop in like a boss forcing him into becoming a contracted escort to another high-paying Chinese family which Simon’s family is trying to get in good relationship with. Tristan naturally didn’t like this one bit and along the way, the spineless henchman that is Simon grew some conscience. When shit started to hit the fan, Tristan is still the one receiving the brunt of Simon’s doing. So really, I don’t even have to say how I totally despise Simon 80% of the story. He’s a family robot whose loyalty never faltered until he met Tristan.

I still don’t like Simon by the end of the book unfortunately. Although I really liked Tristan, I thought everything about his job and personality was simplified. He’s obviously a smart boy when he talks “shop” with Micah and I would’ve liked more exploration on his character.

Also, I didn’t feel the romance aspect of the book. I didn’t think there was a really prominent one either. It felt more like a friendship – something similar with Tristan and Shane’s relationship.

To be completely honest, I thought this was a bit of a downgrade from the awesomeness of the first book, Feral with  Shane, Noah and Dodger. I thought their appearance here added to the likability of the book. Not saying this is a total drag but it would’ve been way better for me if there was more to Tristan than his job and friends, and the whole thing about the development of his relationship with Simon was given more space. I’d definitely still read the next book in the series, that’s for sure.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Kate’s goal with her writing is to make readers feel, but also to make them think. She works hard to create realistic, flawed characters who are desperate for love, and also terrified of it.

Find more information at http://www.katesherwoodbooks.com

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Book Review: Feral (Shelter, #1) – Kate Sherwood

Posted on March 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

FeralPublished December 5th 2015
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Romance / Contemporary
Length: 282 pages, ebook
Publisher: KSB (Kate Sherwood Books)
Ebook ASIN: 0988153041 (ISBN13: 9780988153042)
Cover Artist: A.J. Corza
Characters: Noah Reed, Shane Black

I don’t know what’s so different about this book from the author’s earlier efforts because this was surprisingly good! I mean, I didn’t expect it to be so good. I’d even say that this is my favorite book to date from Kate Sherwood! I liked both MCs because they are very likable and realistic. I loved the progression of their relationship – not hurried and very tender. I also liked that despite the super-charged sexual tension between the MCs, it didn’t go overboard with the sex scenes (I don’t even remember if there was any at all which doesn’t bother me at all) – I mean, I’m perfectly fine with romantic stories from this genre and admire a great deal of authors who could write one without inserting heaps and bounds of sex into it.

Noah Reed is trying to get back on track after unfortunate incident happens to him in the past. When Shane Black stumbles into a clinic where Noah volunteers to seek medical help for his puppy, Dodger, they found out that the dog was poisoned. Together, they search its source and both were able to understand each other’s world and somehow found that there could be something more between them.

People will also get a kick out of Dodger’s cuteness! He’s the super-adorable dog that Shane Black found from the dumpster and the reason why he went to the pet clinic in the first place. Dodger keeps on making me grin whenever he’s on the scene.

I would’ve like a longer epilogue or an additional chapter perhaps because I want to see more in-depth interaction between Shane and Noah. I want them to explore their relationship more but I guess we’ll see them in the second book so it’ll do for now. ‘Tis a very solid writing! I’m very much looking forward to reading Tristan’s story.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Kate’s goal with her writing is to make readers feel, but also to make them think. She works hard to create realistic, flawed characters who are desperate for love, and also terrified of it.

Find more information at http://www.katesherwoodbooks.com

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Book Review: Spencer Cohen (The Spencer Cohen Series #1) – N.R. Walker

Posted on February 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

Spencer CohenPublished February 18th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Romance / Contemporary
Length: 137 pages, ebook
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Ebook ASIN: B01BOB6L56
Cover Artist: Sara York
Characters: Spencer Cohen, Andrew Landon

First, it should be known that I am  a massive N.R. Walker fan so just simply learning that she would be releasing a new book / series makes me hella giddy because I knew beforehand that it’s gonna be freaking good. And as usual, I am right to assume that the first book of this highly anticipated Spencer Cohen series is so full of promise!

The story is about this “lumbersexual” (yep, Google it!) Aussie named Spencer Cohen whose job is to help people win their ex’s back. He’s hired to pretend as the new beau of the jilted lover and make the ex’s jealous, realized their mistake and come running back. It was going smoothly for Spencer until he took a job from Andrew who’s trying to win back his fiancé that mysteriously abandoned him. Things were going as planned when the involvement of feelings started to become a distraction to Spencer’s job. He was attracted to Andrew and it looks like the feeling is mutual but Spencer knew that this is only a job. Only, that’s what he keeps telling himself.

I was just sailing through the book – turning page after page and waiting for something really big to happen. Spencer is likable and very relatable. There’s something about him that is very fascinating and you just want to dig deeper to know more things about this enigmatic guy. Why is he living in the US? Why did he leave Australia? What’s behind the true Spencer Cohen? It makes for an exciting plot to get to know Spencer little by little as the story goes. His chemistry with Andrew was real awesome! I’d like to think that we’d get more of Andrew in the coming books – perhaps dual POV from both guys? The latter part of the book made me stop on my tracks –  I loved how the author created the build-up to that “semi” big reveal about Spencer. It was then that I realized how I under-appreciated the first half of the book. That scene on chapter nine made me changed everything I initially thought about the book! It was total genius! I don’t think I can say more without spoiling the story so may I suggest that you guys pick this up asap and be one of us who are so yearning for the second and third book to come sooner!!!!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

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Book Review: Strong Signal (Cyberlove, #1) – Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell

Posted on February 22, 2016 | 1 comment

Strong SignalPublished February 15th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre And Theme: Romance / Contemporary
Length: 235 pages, ebook
Publisher: Megtino Press
Ebook ISBN: 9781634769099
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Characters: Kai Bannon, Garrett Reid

Blurb: I was counting down the months until the end of my deployment. My days were spent working on military vehicles, and I spent my nights playing video games that would distract me until I could leave Staff Sergeant Garrett Reid behind.

That was when I met him: Kai Bannon, a fellow gamer with a famous stream channel.

I never expected to become fixated on someone who’d initially been a rival. And I’d never expected someone who oozed charm to notice me—a guy known for his brutal honesty and scowl. I hadn’t planned for our online friendship to turn into something that kept me up at night—hours of chatting evolving into filthy webcam sessions.

But it did. And now I can’t stop thinking about him. In my mind, our real life meeting is perfect. We kiss, we fall into bed, and it’s love at first sight.

Except, like most things in my life, it doesn’t go as planned.

Strong Signal is a standalone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger

 This is going to be a ‘short’ review because everything I’ve to say about this book is good! It simply is perfection! See, I opted to just post the blurb above. I usually try to rewrite ’em but F it – I’m busy looking for the perfect gifs and basking on its awesomeness!

dancing1

Kai is too adorbs and G is sexy as fuck! Actually, they’re both totes adorbs and just fucking hot together! They are perfect for each other! I’ve never read a single book from the authors so I am happy that my first from them was this fucking amazing book which I need to reread like super-ASAP because it’s just so good. The feels ♥♥♥♥ The gooey-super-cheesy feeling ♥♥♥♥ The tingle from their sexy times ♥♥♥♥ Their banter  I just fucking loved everything about it. ♥♥♥♥

If you’re looking for something that is feel-good, unique and something that will make you really smile so wide like your face will split into two, then I suggest you pick this one now!

Check out Kai’s victory dance!

dancing 2

I’ve a request for Megan and Santino – I want more of Kai Bannon and Garrett Reid so can we at least get a novella before Costigan’s book? I know it’s way too early to ask for this but pretty please ♥

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About Megan Erickson
Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she’s probably listening to the characters in her head who won’t stop talking.

For more, visit meganerickson.org

About Santino Hassell
Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

To learn more about Santino you can follow him on:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/santino…
Twitter: @santinohassell
Facebook: theonlysonnyhassell | santinohassellbooks
Instagram: santinohassell
Newsletter:http://santinohassell.com/newsletter/

And at his official website: http://bit.ly/16sgcSu

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Book Review: November 9 – Colleen Hoover

Posted on February 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

November 9Published November 10th 2015
Format: Novel
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / New Adult
Length: 320 pages, ebook
Publisher: Atria Books
Ebook ASIN: B00UDCI1S8
Characters: Benton James Kessler, Fallon O’Neil

Summary: Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

My Rantview: (After reading it last January 16, 2016)

I just finished reading this book right at this very moment.

Gawd! Why oh Why! Those stupid irrational decisions and lies – Ben’s lies [WHAT A BIG FAT MUDDAFCUKIN LIAR] is the one thing that stuck with me. HE LIED. Gawd, I’m such a vindictive bi@tch. IDC if he’s 16 or what. HE LIED.

I remember when Fallon was telling Ben about Cody – and his reaction… LOL. Ben, it was your own damn fault Fallon got those scars. I don’t care if his Dad should’ve known that she was in his house in the first place. You were the one who did it.

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And then there’s Jordyn – Ugh. I think I swallowed my own puke reading that part / chapter. Gosh Ben you heartless, dumb sonofa….

It took four years for me to fall in love with him.

It only took four pages to stop.

I’m still upset and will collect my thoughts later on but my gawd. This made me feel terrible so I’m giving this a one star rating for now.

I cannot believe I’m giving a CoHo book a 1-star rating.omigod. I feel so bad. Arrrgghhhh

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

About The Author
I love to write and I love to give away things that I write, so follow me on my Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover

Twitter and Instagram: @colleenhoover

For information about The Bookworm Box, visit http://www.thebookwormbox.com

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Book Review: Moonlight on Nightingale Way (On Dublin Street #6) – Samantha Young

Posted on February 2, 2016 | Leave a comment

Moonlight on Nightingale WayPublished June 02, 2015
Format: Novel
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / New Adult
Length: 336 pages, ebook
Publisher: NAL
Ebook ASIN: B00Q5DLY42
Characters: Grace Farquhar, Logan MacLeod

I’ve read the first five books of the series last year and this is definitely my favorite in it! The solid story line with ample backstories for both MCs and that wonderful epilogue – it simply is perfection!

In this story, we meet Logan – ‘manHoor’ Logan. We met him back in the Echoes of Scotland’s Street. He was Shannon’s brother who put the guy who tried to rape her into a coma and subsequently served two years in prison for it. Poor, poor Logan. He’s trying his very best to bring his old self back [and tried to make up for the lost two years in the sex department. Uhm…okay.]

And then there’s Grace who escaped from her manipulative family by moving to a new city. Their path collided when they found themselves living next to each other. Will they ever have a chance at love when their past keeps getting in the way?

I love Grace! She’s super-fantastic and does not have all the super-filled angst characterization of the previous female characters in the first five books despite having a nasty family on the side (eerr like Logan – but at least the McLeod’s are “trying.”)

I thought Logan’s comment about fucking around with all those girls he brought home (who are exclusively blondes) was a bit misogynistic but yeah – boys will be boys – or NOT.

I also loved “Joss’s squad” / tribe (I started referring to them as Joss’s squad since she’s got the first story) and their meddling, as usual! This time, it’s not nearly as annoying as in the previous books!

And then there’s Maia! I loved her! What an absolute darling! This story is indeed a perfect way to end the series! Everything came full circle for all of the characters and it felt like their journey was my journey as well!

With this being the last in the series, I’d like to give few awards for the series as a whole.

Favorite Female MC : Grace
Favorite Male MC: Cole (since he was a wee lad.)
Story You Want To See In the Big Screen – Echoes Of Scotland Street
Most Annoying and Adorable Character [At The Same Time]: Ellie ❤
Most Annoying Female / Male MC: Nate / Shannon
Best Backstory: Grace
Best Cover: Echoes of Scotland Street
And finally…
To whom will you do the sausage swapping with? (lol! I forgot where I’ve read this one): Cole or Logan ^__^

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She’s been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET, Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE, and Best Romance 2015 for HERO. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha’s first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-nine countries.

Visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com for more information.

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Book Review: The Love That Split The World – Emily Henry

Posted on February 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

The Love That Split the WorldPublished January 26th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre & Theme: Romance / Contemporary / Time Travel
Length: 400 pages, ebook
Publisher: Razorbill
Ebook ASIN: B015NTIXS8
Characters: Natalie Cleary, Beau Wilkes, Matthew Kincaid

First, can we all take a minute to admire that uber-gorgeous cover? I mean if I haven’t read the blurb and someone asked me to read this based on the cover, I’ll definitely give it a chance just for that.

As for the story – it’s basically a time travel-themed love story. Natalie Cleary is spending her last summer before heading to college in her small Kentucky hometown. Things have been the usual for her until things around town magically disappear and reappears, changing in appearances and just all sort of things that her mind couldn’t seem to put logic to.

And then her “friend” she used to call “Grandmother” who appeared to her when she was a young girl suddenly reappeared  warning her  that “she only have three months to save him.” Only, she’s clueless on who to save. Then she meets Beau Wilkes who may or may not have the answer to all of her questions.

I’ve to tell you this bluntly, this is one hell of a confusing story but it’s worth analyzing because it was such an enjoyable read! There are ‘First Nations’ stories here that were heavily featured and are in congruent to the fate of our main character Natalie. I thought that was genius! I loved how the author was able to use these stories to flesh out a unique interconnecting plot points that made the whole thing super exciting!

There’s also a bit of a guessing game I created in my mind while reading this. Who’s Grandmother? I’ve two guesses and halfway through it, I’ve already figured her identity but I was still a bit shaken when I guessed it right. I’m like, dang! I knew it! I knew it! The anticipation on what’s about to happen to Natalie is almost palpable in each succeeding page.

The only reason I’m giving this one star short of a perfect is the too abrupt ending which I didn’t expect at all. It kind of raises several questions about the fate of not only Natalie and Beau but most of the characters. I wanted to know what happen to Megan, Rachel, to Matt, to Natalie’s siblings etc… It’s a minor thing though, or I’m just being too anal about it.

Overall, it was truly an impressive debut from Emily Henry! I’ll be looking forward to more books from her!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Emily Henry is full-time writer, proofreader, and donut connoisseur. She studied creative writing at Hope College and the New York Center for Art & Media Studies, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. She tweets @EmilyHenryWrite.

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Book Review: Strong Side (Eastshore Tigers, #1) – Alison Hendricks

Posted on January 26, 2016 | Leave a comment

Strong SidePublished January 20th 2016
Format: Novel
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Sports
Length: 171 pages, ebook
Publisher: Foxtales Publications
Ebook ASIN: B01AWVK8QC
Characters: Jason Hawkins, Derek Griffin
Summary: Two college football players who slowly succumb into their growing attraction between them while trying to manage their hectic lives.

I liked this book because it’s very easy to read. Everything’s smooth-sailing about it from the meeting of the two main characters, the development of their feelings up to that sappy happy ending. I would’ve liked a much broader story development though in terms of their backgrounds.

Derek has a great story to tell and it was reduced to a couple of scenes where he just explained everything to Jason – it went far too easy in my opinion. I was looking for more tension and won’t mind a longer explanation or even a confrontational scene involving someone from Derek’s past.

Jason was the god of football in their campus but I find his character a bit on the bland side. He’s just super focused, super nice and just perfect altogether. Even his Dad isn’t that much of an a-hole as it turned out. Really, I’d like to say that aspect is kind of refreshing however it became a bit unrealistic and far too convenient for the story.

It sounds like I’m tearing the book to pieces no? Lol. I don’t mean to sound like that.  There is really so much potential in this book for the upcoming installments. I just hope to read stronger conflicts in the future or say, a way for the characters to be more vibrant the next time. Overall, this isn’t half bad for a debut book!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Alison Hendricks is devoted to creating contemporary M/M romances that are sexy and emotionally satisfying. She loves making her boys work for their Happily Ever After and believes love stories are better with just a little angst thrown in.

Born and raised in Florida, Alison has always had a passion for writing, and romance novels of all kinds are her number one escape when life gets a little too hectic.

She’s currently working on her first series, Eastshore Tigers. Each book in the series is a standalone that throws together two hot college athletes who always “play for the same team,” even if they don’t know it yet.

If you want to be notified of Ali’s newest books, join her mailing list below:
http://eepurl.com/bNr7vX

Or connect with her on Facebook:
http://on.fb.me/1t8RPh3

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