Another fabulous read from Shay Savage!
Evan is now back in business working for the mob. He's still trying to get back into his boss' good graces, playing the good, little hit man. At least he has Odin.
However, his demons aren't ready to let him go. Evan is plagued by nightmares and he's going to snap... soon.
...he seeks the comfort of sleep from an unlikely candidate, but will confiding in her be his undoing?
My one though throughout the whole book:
...he seeks the comfort of sleep from an unlikely candidate, but will confiding in her be his undoing?
I bet I know what you're thinking when you read this. Well...
Thing again!
But his eyes... they had been haunted and haunting.
I loved Evan. Hated most of the choices he made, but loved him anyways. Shay savage's male characters are so complex and full of depth... she really does an amazing job.
The story was hypnotizing and I couldn't even entertain the thought of putting it down. It was that good.
If you haven't read this series yet than you have to pick it up!
Really looking forward to this one!!!
I met him at the bakery store where I work. The moment I saw him I knew he was trouble. It was written all over his gorgeous face. When I laid my eyes on his body, my heart started beating in double beats - everything in him screamed bad boy. I wanted to stay away from him but deep down I was dying to explore every inch of his muscular body. He tempted me and I fell under his spell without thinking it further. How can you not fall for someone who loves fudge cake? Ladies, a man who knows how to seduce you with sweets is not a keeper, he’s a sinner…
The first chapter is up now!!
Otherwise Alone is one of the best short stories/novellas I've ever read.
Even Arden is wasting his life away in a tiny shack in the middle of nowhere. It's not by choice, though. That's what happens when you piss off the boss. And it was either a shack in the desert or six feet under the ground. Now, if his boss would only send word for him to come back...
But when a sexy, lost women stubbles upon his shack things don't seem so bad and it's been ages...
He just might have to kill her, though.
The characters were developed perfectly and the story was mysterious, captivating and exceptionally written.
Shay Savage can do one hell of a male point of view. It didn't feel forced or strange... it was like I was really in his head. And I loved his no bullshit, unapologetic attitude. He was who he was and made no excuses for it.
Lia Antonio was another great character. We didn't know much about her, other than what Evan knew, and I was completely fine with that. Lia is one of the only female characters that I've ever read about that hasn't annoyed the crap out of me at some point.
That's a huge achievement.
However, that ending.... Evan what were you thinking? *deep sigh*
Men... you just can't win with them.
Rock Chick Revolution
What. the. hell. was. that? Me before reading:
Me after reading:
I've always been a huge fan of KA but Rock Chick Revolution was not for me. At all.
Ally was as annoying as they come. She thought she was indestructible.
She loves to be in everybody's business but once someone tries to help her she shuts down. Like, really? It can't be a one-way street.
Ren... I don't even know how you were able to put up with her. I couldn't finish. Not even REN could make me finish. If it was me Ally was tossing back in forth and acting like a complete bitch to, I would have just said this:
Alas, it wasn't me, though.
After all those frustrations I couldn't even enjoy the writing or any of the other characters. I was just so done with this book, everything else could have been superb and I wouldn't have finished.
A sad, disappointing one star read for me.
My casting:
Ren
Ally
Oh my... Prince Massimo Tittoni, you don't need Lex! You have me right here... waiting for you... naked... 
*cough what? who said that? not me...*
Avery Aster has done it again! We've got another steamy, sexy read that sure to rip the panties right off of you ;)
Trust me, you won't need them.
"You know within the first five minutes from meeting a man– if you desire him. You know after the next ten minutes if you want to fuck him. And you know after fifteen minutes you want to marry him."
Prince Massimo Tittoni
Alexandra Easton
These books never fail to make me laugh, swoon, and rip my clothes off and find myself a prince, Big Daddy or whatever the hell she's cooked up!
Masi was a grade A, cold-hearted bastard in book but he managed to win me over anyways. Once your really get underneath the arrogant exterior you find he's a big softy (but only his heart *wink* hee hee...)
He's so sweet and just so. damn. sexy. Avery definitely knows what the hell she's doing.
Lex was also a great character, not a sassy as Taddy (who's my favorite) but can definitely hold her own. Her and Masi were perfect together (although not as perfect as me and Masi).
The Manhattanites series never fails to put a smile on my face. If you're looking for an exciting, steamy read then you've come to the right place!
"Bella, this is home for me."
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More of my Manhattanites reviews:
Unscrupulous (The Manhattanites, #2)
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Gear up ladies because Warner is here to grab you by the ovaries!! Resistance is futile. This book was just…
FABULOUS
Warner,
Tabitha Adelaide Brillford
“It’s not my intention to be a diva. It just happens. I wake up like I’m flippin’ Beyoncé or something.”
Warner Truman
“I used to strive to live my life for happiness, not money or status. I don't know what happened or why I stopped.”
Taddy Brill has always known that the one person she can always count on is herself. She’s been independent since she was sixteen and built her PR empire from the ground up. She doesn’t depend on anyone, that way nobody has a chance to let her down. So when “Big Daddy” Warner comes along, she treats him like all the others, even though she knows he’s different. Her walls are staying up, just where they belong. But Warner is not taking no for an answer…
Unscrupulous was a fun, entertaining, and yummy read that I couldn’t put down for a second! The writing was easy, but captivating and I didn’t want to tear my eyes away from the magic *wink*.
As fun and just all out fabulous these two characters were, they haven’t had a perfectly paved out life.
Taddy lived the high life as a child. Her parents had their problems but she never expected that she’d have their love taken away from her. My heart hurt for Taddy. That prologue just gutted me because you could feel how confused and heartbroken she was.
“You could still act as if she’s your daughter,” her mother cried.
“She’s not.”
That just broke my heart.
Warner has also gone through some really tough situations and it just made me love him more. This sexy, man beast and his soft side captured my heart.
How I loved Taddy!! Her personality and being kept me laughing in shock throughout the whole book. That pedicure scene with the chair had me on the floor laughing. Poor guy…
Unscrupulous is a book I’d recommend for anybody in need of a hilarious, sexy time read!
Now onto Lex’s story and my prince charming…
**ARC courtesy of the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
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More of my Manhattanites reviews:
Undressed (The Manhattanites, #1)
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I read a book written by Karina Halle and become obsessed.
So another Karina Halle book? There's only one thing to say to that:
I rarely read novellas, liking a book to have time to develop without being rushed, but I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. I definitely see potential for this series.
Tanner is at concert, the only place that he can let go and find escape. That's where he sees Natalie.
He's had many women, more than he can count, but nothing has made him want to lose control like Natalie has. And he wants her. Whether she's ready for him or not.
There was good character development for Natalie. I really felt like I knew her and got invested into her story. She was so sweet and innocent but had some spunk.
Natalie
Character development for Tanner… not so good. I felt like I barely knew him. Sometimes it works in the book's/author's favor, like Søren in [b:The Siren|10970532|The Siren (The Original Sinners, #1)|Tiffany Reisz|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335832751s/10970532.jpg|15888570], but in Dark Desire, it left me confused.
He was commanding and, with every look, made it known that he was in control.
Tanner
The actual story was nice and had me wanting to keep reading. I could easily get lost into the book. I even liked the writing, which only had a few mistakes here and there.
There was a lot of detail, though. A lot. Maybe a little too much, for me. There were times I would just skim over a few parts because I didn’t need all the details and descriptions.
However, those details did come in handy during some steamy moments. Ms. Trent really knows her stuff; I was fanning myself through the whole book.
Natalie and Tanner’s relationship is an interesting one. We don’t know much about either, and they haven’t been together long, so I’m looking forward to see where it’s headed. The have the sexual tension down pat, though.
I’m looing forward to reading the other novellas!!
3.5 stars
**ARC courtesy of Emily Jane Trent Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is how bullies are made.
With a love for cars, racing and rainy days, Tate and Jared were inseparable. They were the perfect picture of friendship. And when Jared comes back from a summer with his father Tate expects everything to be like it was.
She was wrong.
Her sweet best friend is now gone and in place is a cruel version of him. A bully. And his target? Her.
Fortunately she gets the chance to study in France her junior year, the only problem is that in a year, she’ll have to come back.
I used to love people. I loved being a part of things and socializing. Now, I only wanted to be alone. Because alone was the only way I was safe.
What an amazing story! I really felt everything that went on. Bullying is a huge problem and as much as you like to chant ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’, words do hurt. Some things you can heal from, and others stay with you forever.
Tate was the best character in Bully. You really sympathize with everything she’s going/ gone through, but what I really loved was how imperfect she also was. It’s easy to write a perfect, sweet character that’s getting bullied and has never said anything bad about anybody. In my opinion, that would have made the story completely unrealistic. She definitely had her fair share of harming others with her words. It’s easy to get carried away in the moment and regret what ends up coming out of your mouth, so I was glad that Ms. Douglas didn’t just make Tate the harmless victim.
Jared, Jared, Jared… where to start with you?
His shiny brown hair was a mess.
I loved that.
His chocolate eyes glowed with confidence and mischief.
I loved that.
His toned arms and chest just made me wonder what his skin felt like.
I loved that.
He made me forget how awful he was.
I hated that.
He was so… mean. Which makes sense since he was the bully, but I didn’t expect him to be so cruel. They were once friends, after all, but that didn’t seem to hold him back. At all.
Yet despite how much of a jerk he was, I couldn’t help be intrigued by him and eventually start liking him.
The only serious problem I had with him was his reason for being the way he was all those years. While reading it all I could think was “are you kidding me?!” .
Their relationship was complex, but sweet and you couldn’t help but root for them. There’s nothing more beautiful than friends falling in love with each other. They had a lot of history, some good and some bad, but that’s what made it so strong and just… right.
“I want to touch you.” His words were against my lips now. “I want to feel what’s mine. What’s always been mine.”
We even get a few flashbacks that help you connect to and understand the relationship they had when they were kids.
The writing was simple but kept me engaged into the story. I never wanted to put the book down!
Bully was an easy to read, gripping story about love, redemption and friendship.
I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
“I love you more than myself, more than my own family, for Christ’s sake. I don’t want to take another step in this world without you next to me,” he said softly.
In the beginning, there was him. OH. MY. GOD. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.
More Nora and Søren? Like I'd ever turn that down.
*sigh* the waiting beigns...
“Fetishes… they’re the pet you feed or the beast that eats you.”
How to even find the words to do this series justice?
Raw, dark and real, The Original Sinners is a must read for everyone. Tiffany Reisz draws you in with her captivating story, complex characters and out-of-the-blue turns.
“My confession begins,” Father S said, “as the confessions of many men begin– with three words.”
“Father, forgive me?” Michael hazarded a guess.
“I met Eleanor.”
The Angel picks up about a year after Nora makes the decision to go back to Søren. It’s been a blissful year for her, but with Søren being made one of the contenders to become bishop, she must go away and keep a low profile. However, she won’t be alone. Michael “The Angel” will be joining her and staying at Griffin’s mansion.
Once Suzanne Kanter gets an anonymous tip to look into a priest, old memories come to haunt her and she knows she’ll do everything she can to crucify Father Stearns (no pun intended). And she’ll be damned if anything like what happened to her brother happens again.
I’m always afraid to start these books. I know that I’m going to be put through the emotional shredder and have one hell of a book hangover. But what I love about this series is that it puts you through hell and makes you enjoy every second of it. It’s rough and raw but there’s always a certain lightheartedness to the story.
There are books that you love and you rave about, but after a while you forget certain details or all the feelings you felt while you were reading it begin to dull. This is not the case with The Original Sinners. I can still feel all the love, surprise, heartache… everything. And I know I always will.
The characters are so complex that you can’t help wanting to know more and getting emotionally invested. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery that is Nora or Søren, you get slammed in the face with something new.
“Why did you leave him?”
“Winter,” she finally said, “can be so beautiful and so cruel. Cruel and cold. And if you live in the presence of winter you never have summer.”
Nora is as wonderful as ever. It’s truly a joy reading about her. She has so much pain but still manages to keep me smiling.
Michael and Griffin were great additions to the book. They had a beautiful relationship and you can’t help but me moved by it.
“I want to own you" Griffin whispered into Michael's ear. Michael smiled and for the first time in his life knew exactly what to say and how to say it. "You already do.”
Søren is as much as an enigma as ever. I don’t think I’ll ever solve the puzzle that is Søren, and with some of the secrets that came out in The Angel I’m not sure I want to.
Scar tissue, she’d once read, was the strongest of all tissue. Maybe Søren’s heart was so strong because it was so scarred.
But I still love him. Forget Wesley, Søren is mine.
Mwahahahahahahahahahaha nobody else can have him.
Except, maybe, Nora… maybe.
I didn’t really like Suzanne but I’m biased. As Nora said, why couldn’t she have been ugly? I’m just hoping she doesn’t make a reappearance.
Father Stearns and Nora Sutherlin had something, a connection, an intimacy… something deep and unexplainable, something untouchable, unreachable.
In short, if you haven’t read this yet then get started!
“You still love him, don’t you?”
“Many waters…”
“I never saw you cry over him, that year you were here. Not one tear.”
“Some hurts are too deep for tears.”
Michael "The Angel"
Søren
Nora
Griffin
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My Original Sinners Reviews:
The Siren (The Original Sinners, #1)
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I couldn't get enough of her. She was like a drug I wanted to keep going back to. I was addicted to the way she felt and the sounds she made. 
Very cute.
I liked the characters and Kyler was delectable!!
Not as good as J. Lynn 's other books but enjoyable.
Good story, nice characters, steamy moments... it made for a great "in between" book.
"I've loved you my entire life," he said, eyes locked on mine. "And I would love you for the rest of my life if you'd let me, Syd."
I used to dream, and when I did, I dreamt big.
I had plans, plans of a future so bright it would blind you. I can still remember the day those dreams, those grand plans, and that bright as the sun future went poof.
I just didn’t know it at the time.
If I could put together all the major things I’ve ever liked in all the books I’ve read, you’d come out with Axel. There was steam, alpha-males left and right, angst, and a great ending.
For two years, Isabelle West has been trying to pull herself on track again. Isabelle knows she’ll never be the same, but maybe she could try living instead of surviving.
But fate’s not done screwing her over yet, and when a not yet ex-husband starts making problems, she knows she’s in need of help.
And then the unthinkable happens.
She sees Axel.
I want Axel back. I want us and out love back.
Isabelle was an… interesting character. I’m not sure if I like her, but I can definitely sympathize with her. Life has been cruel, and I mean cut her open and rub salt all over her wounds, cruel.
However, during the first half of the story, I was constantly irritated with her. She had people there ready to help and she was being extremely difficult. She was pushing them away and it gets to a point where, one day they’re going to go away and she’s going to be left alone.
I had a huge problem with Axel in the beginning, as well. Talk about a**hole alert.
He’d call her a cold hearted bitch, a coward, ect… and then say she was “his” and nobody else could have her.
What the hell? I swear, I was suffering from whiplash with all that back and forth from one minute to the next.
He did eventually get his crap together and redeem himself.
Isabelle and Axel had a lot of unresolved feelings for each other, and to be able to move on, they needed to get everything out. We get a few flashbacks of their life together and after that, I couldn’t help wanting them to be happy together. If anybody deserved some happiness, it’s these two.
Not one day went by Izzy that my heart didn’t belong to you.
Then, of course, there was Greg, Maddox, Beck… I could go on forever. They were amazing characters and I can’t wait for their stories.
Even with these super alpha males, only one held my heart the whole time and that was Sway. I just loved him. He was like the light in all this effed up darkness.
“That is Sway.”
“I don’t know if I should laugh or run.” He laughs.
“I would run, you big beautiful hunk.” Sway yells over my laughter. “Oh my lawd, I would run. In fact, take that shirt off when you do… sweet lord, yes!”
As for the writing, it was good and kept me intrigued but there was a lot of repetition of thoughts and dialogue. It did get better towards the end, though.
Overall, I thought it was a nice, fun read and will be looking out for book 2.
Axel
Isabelle
She was mine. She is mine. She will always fucking be mine.
Buddy read with Jeanne!!
3.5 stars
I need a rock star husband. Pronto.
Beware.
Yup, with all those steamy moments, it’s as easy as that.
David
Evelyn
If your looking for romance, steam, humor, and angst in a neatly wrapped and easy to read package, Lick is for you.
Ev has turned twenty-one and her friend, Lauren, has decided it’s time for her to let her hair down and forget about her “plan” for a few days.
That’s how she wakes up in Vegas hungover.
With a husband.
And a huge rock on her finger.
Oh, and don’t forget about the tattoo on her left butt cheek of his name. Too bad she has no recollection of any of it.
Since her husband happens to be David Ferris, a rocks star, what happens in Vegas certainly isn't staying in Vegas.
“Let me get this straight, you don’t remember anything?”
“No,” I said, swallowing hard. “What did we do last night?”
“We got fucking married,” he growled.
I was pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed this book. Before reading, I got caught up in all the good reviews and praises that I came in with high expectations, and that never ends well with me. However, Lick was able to hold its own.
The beginning was a little slow for me but I quickly got caught up in the story and its characters.
“Mal?”
“What?”
“Close the door down there and lock it,” David yelled. “Don’t you come up here under any circumstances. Not till I tell you it’s okay. Understood?”
There was a pause then Mal yelled back. “What if there’s a fire?”
“Burn.”
David and Ev were perfect for each other. I loved how they were together.
David surprised me. For some reason, I pictured him as some asshole rock star but he was really sweet. He had his moments but for the most part I was swooning over him.
“What are we doing? I asked, bewildered.
“Spooning. We did it that night for a while. Until you felt sick.”
“We spooned?”
“Yep,” he said. “Stage two in the memory rehab process, spooning. Now go to sleep.”
“I only woke up an hour ago.”
He pressed his face into my hair and even threw a leg over mine for good measure, pinning me down. “Bad luck. I’m tired and I wanna spoon. With you. And the way I figure it, you owe me. So we’re spooining.”
Ev was awesome. I loved her personality and especially how she would think before she would act.
One thing I really respected was how she didn’t search the web for information on the band and David. I mean, I don’t know how many stories I read that the heroine would investigate the hero and it always led to disaster.
She trusted that David would tell her everything when he was ready.
“Love isn’t always smooth or straightforward. It can be messy and painful,” he said. “Doesn’t mean it isn’t still the most incredible thing that can ever happen to you.”
Another thing I liked about this book was how Kylie Scott described the famous/ rock star lifestyle. She didn’t make it out to be rainbows and unicorns but it wasn’t too graphic and off-putting.
Lick had me laughing, smiling, and fanning myself but it didn’t make me feel everything. When Ev found David “cheating”, it was sad but it didn’t devastate me. It was the only major thing that lacked for me. I wanted to really feel everything like I was there and not just reading what was happening.
Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the second one.
*Fingers crossed for book 2 being Mal’s*
A solid 4 entertaining stars.
★★★★
**Warning: Spoilers for those who haven't read the first one**Absolutely breathtaking.
A story about love.
Loss.
Pain.
And forgiveness.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Colleen Hoover comes and just knocks it out of the park!
Dean Holder
Linden Sky Davis
Holder still hasn’t forgiven himself from walking away from Hope thirteen years ago. And with Les’ death, he isn’t the same person her used to be.
And then he sees her.
And gets to know her.
And falls in love with her.
There are two sides to every story.
And this is Holder’s.
My heart stops.
Time stops.
The whole world stops.
I recognize those eyes.
Those are Hope’s eyes.
Honestly, I knew I was going to like Losing Hope, but I was afraid that it was going to be a lot like Hopeless, and therefore, a little boring. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, some parts were the same but it was also different looking at it from Holder’s POV.
The writing was phenomenal. The author pulls you in and I was experiencing everything with them like I was right there. I didn't want to put it down for a second. I was hooked. Like, wrap my iPad in ziploc bag and read while I shower, hooked.
Seeing everything through Holder’s eyes, while sometimes cute and hilarious, was heartbreaking. There was so much guilt and pain. I really felt for him in this book, even more than I did in the first one.
His guilt and pain over what happened to Les had me tearing up a few times. I don’t even know how to explain how much I felt, for him and for Les. It’s something you definitely need to experience on your own.
You knew I would be the one to find you and the fact that you knew that and you still killed yourself?
I hated that you did it anyway, knowing you wouldn’t be the only one who died. I was so mad because you let me die, too.
And the weight of walking away from Hope… was devastating.
What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I’ve ever loved… I’ve lost?
In Losing Hope, I really began to understand Holder. There were a few times in book one where I would question him but now I really know what went on and how precious Sky was to him.
Their relationship was even more beautiful reading it from Holder’s POV. With everything they have been through, they deserved each other.
If anything would make me believe in soulmates, it would be Holder and Sky.
“You know how I feel about you,” I whisper, staring into her eyes. “You know how much I love you. You know I would do whatever I could to take away your pain, right?
She nods, never pulling her gaze from mine, even for a second.
“I need that from you so fucking bad right now, Sky. I need to know you love me like that.”
The series is an absolute must read. You'll fall in love with the characters, the writing, and the story.
Just stunning.
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**