Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys
 I've Loved Before #1)

Author: Jenny Han
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Borrowed ARC
First published on Kid Lit Frenzy

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

I just finished this book and I have to say wow, I really liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Though I've heard lots of great things about Jenny Han (I have her Summer series one shelf waiting to be read and have met her and find her think she’s funny and adorable), contemporary YA novels aren't usually my thing and I wasn't sure how I would feel about this. However, the pretty pink cover drew me in and I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did. To All the Boys is fantastically written, with well developed characters and relationships that make for a standout novel.

It was hard for me to connect with Lara Jean when I first started reading. Her voice is a lot younger and more naive than what I expected of a 16-year-old in a contemporary YA novel. However, as the story progressed and I got into Lara Jean’s head, I found myself really liking her and relating to her in a lot of ways. Lara Jean reminds me a lot of myself at her age. She is quiet and, while not unpopular, is not a part of the cool crowd. She isn't afraid to be herself but she still cares about what people think of her. She's a little naive and is afraid to move outside of her comfort zone. In a landscape littered with cunning teen assassins and snarky mean girls, Lara Jean’s sincerity and earnestness is a refreshing change.

Another thing I loved in the book were the relationships. While I don’t have sisters, the sibling relationship between the Song sisters rang true. No one knows how love you and to hurt you as much as a sibling does. I loved how strong the family ties were and how they supported each other. There is no absentee parenting in this book. I was also happy that there was no insta-love. I am usually pretty wary of love triangles, but it worked here because all of the characters were well developed and I can see why Lara Jean would be drawn to both boys for different reasons.

The book had some good secondary characters as well, the standout for me being Kitty, Lara Jean’s little sister. She reminds me a little bit of Louise Belcher from Bob’s Burgers and I have a feeling that she will be ruling the world one day. It was also nice to see a little diversity in the book with a bi-racial main character.

My only small gripe about this book is that I wish the ending was a longer. It felt a little rushed and wished I’d had a little more resolution. I’ve heard that the finished copy of the book (I read an ARC) has a longer ending though and I am interested in re-reading the ending to see if it provides a little more closure. And good news is that there will be another book! Things were left a little open ended and I am glad to hear that there will be another book in this charming series.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a sweet, quirky coming of age story that will appeal to fans of contemporary YA fiction and romance. Now that I’ve read Jenny Han I can see why her books are so popular and I look forward to reading her backlist.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Short Story Review: Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz

Title: Misbehaving

Author: Tiffany Reisz
Publication Date: February 1, 2014
Publisher: Cosmo Hot Reads from Harlequin
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Wanted: Adventurous, open-minded man willing to try anything…

As a popular sex blogger, Beatriz gets paid to have orgasms. So being on deadline the week of her sister’s wedding isn’t as rough as it sounds. There’s just one hitch: Bea’s assignment is to write a review of a sex position manual, but she doesn’t have a plus one to play with.

The good news: Ben, the one who got away back in college, is also attending stag--and he's as temptingly gorgeous as ever.

The bad news: Ben turned down Bea’s offer of graduation night sex five years ago.

The best news: He’s not planning on making the same mistake twice.

If you don't already know, I am a huge Tiffany Reisz fangirl. Her Original Sinners series is fantastic and I'll pretty much read anything that she releases. When I heard that she was releasing a new short story about a blogger who writes about sex and her weekend wedding fling with the one that got away, I jumped at the chance to read it. Could Reisz pull off a satisfying romance without without the BDSM and without the familiar cast of her Original Sinners series? I'm happy to say that Reisz does not disappoint and Misbehaving is a fum, sexy and laugh out loud funny read that will leave you wanting more.

Of course, this being Tiffany Reisz, even her more conventional romances are anything but vanilla. Beatriz is a sex blogger. She's paid to orgasm and write about it. Bea is off to her sister's wedding where Ben, her college crush and the one who got away, is the best man. Five years have passed but the attraction is still there. An urgent deadline for a sex book provides the perfect excuse for Bea and Ben to pick up where they left off years ago.

I had a good time reading this. While I missed the angst and kink that usually comes with a Tiffany Reisz novel, Misbehaving is a fun read that you'll finish in no time. I liked how open both Ben and Bea were with their sexuality and how willing they were to try new things. Their review sessions were often hilarious while still being super sexy.

I didn't give this a higher rating because I had a couple of small issues with the story. First, I thought that Bea's sister and her husband totally overreacted when when the big conflict happens. To me, it just didn't seem like the most rational response to the situation. I also didn't like how Bea immediately turned on Ben when he wanted to find out more about the situation before taking sides. I thought his reaction was the most rational one but Bea was ready to throw him out the door. A little bit of calm thinking and discussion could have prevented a lot of strife, but then I guess there would't have been on obstacle to overcome.

This is an easy, fun read - just the thing for a day at the beach or a bit of light vacation reading. Fans of The Original Sinners series might find this a bit tame compared to that series but Reisz knows how to spice up any story. If you haven't read any Tiffany Reisz yet, this is an easy primer into her writing and I would definitely recommend it for fans of sexy romps and romance.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Review: When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries

Title: When the Rogue Returns (The Duke's Men #2)

Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Publication Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Victor Cale never imagined that his sweet, shy bride, Isabella, would use her talents for creating exquisite imitation jewels criminally. But there's no denying that her handiwork was used in the theft of the Dutch royal diamonds-- right after Isa disappeared into the night.

Ten years later, Victor is sent to Edinburgh to investigate a wealthy baron's mysterious bride-to-be... who turns out to be Isa, masquerading as an alluring widow. No longer the meek girl he once knew, Isa boldly asserts that it was Victor who abandoned her, after he helped steal the royal diamonds!

Piecing together the truth of the past reawakens their volatile passions, which burns hotter than ever. But with a decade of secrets between them, Victor and Isa must trust each other to bring the real thieves to justice-- without getting burned themselves.

When the Rogue Returns is the story of Isabella and Victor, two young newlyweds who were separated in a scheme instigated by Isa's family. Isa believes that Victor has abandoned her with his share of the stolen jewels while Victor believes that Isa has stolen the jewels and left him to take the blame. But Victor never stopped looking for Isa and, after almost 10 years, he finally finds her, living under an assumed name and posing as a widow in Scotland. He wants answers and so does she. Even though they're angry at each other and hurt, they still have feelings for one another. Can they overcome their past and have to have a future together?

I am a fan of Sabrina Jeffries and really enjoyed the first book in this series, What the Duke Desires, and had pretty high expectations for this one. Happily I was not disappointed and When the Rogue Returns is a quick, sexy read with a lot of heart. The estranged lovers trope is one that I usually enjoy in romance novels. There is a chemistry that is present when two people have known each other and are then apart for many years that ratchets up the intensity of the story. I also love the idea of two people who were once in love re-learning each other and falling back in love. I liked that Isabella and Victor took their time getting to know each other again. They both have secrets and they have to learn to trust each other and their feelings. Years of bitterness, anger and resentment take time to heal and I liked that Jeffries did not rush them. It made their relationship more believable and I was rooting for them the whole way.

I really liked both Victor and Isa but Isa was my favorite. She is not your average historical romance heroine. Isa left the only two people she knew in the world to start a new life, while she was pregnant no less. She has a skilled job and is at the top of her field. She held her own against Victor and the two clash but also compliment each other beautifully. There's a lot of sexual tension in the book and when Victor and Isa finally get together, well, it's worth the wait.

There isn't a lot of suspense or mystery to the plot (though it gets more exciting in the latter part of the book) but I didn't mind and was happy to focus on Isabella and Victor. I had high expectations for this book and I was not disappointed. When the Rogue Returns is a sexy, funny and satisfying romance that begs to be read in one sitting. This series has become one of my go-to reads when I need a pick me up and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Review: The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole

Title: The Professional: Part 3

Author: Kresley Cole
Publication Date: January 20, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Purchased

Are you ready to play?

Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy's reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest - and most forbidden - fantasies can come true  cover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true.

The final installment of The Professional finds Natalie and Sevastyan at a crossroads in their relationship. Their courtship was brief and intense but now it's time to see if they physical connection can translate into something more lasting. Sevastyan is intent on hiding his part from Natalie, but Natalie knows that they cannot move forward without knowing all of each other.

This book started with a lot of promise for me. I really liked Sevastyan and Natalie, two very different people who found a way to connect. However, as the story went on, I felt like their characters actually regressed rather than moving forward. Sevastyan continues to close himself off from Natalie, pushing her away even while he asks her to stay. I really did not like his behavior at the airport. It was mean and manipulative and it would have served him right it Natalie had left him there. One of the big reasons that Sevastyan is so closed off is because he is hiding his deep, dark past Natalie. However, by the time his past is revealed I found myself wondering what the big deal was. Knowing who he is and what he does now, I don't think Natalie expected him to have some idyllic childhood and I was expecting a lot worse. The introduction of his mysterious brother was interesting but again, fell a little flat. After hiding his existence from Natalie for so long, I expected him to be a

I also hated how Natalie ended up blaming herself for Sevastyan's inability to open up. Suddenly it was her fault for not being patient enough and understanding. I am not sure how she came to that conclusion but I call BS. The independent woman that Natalie started out as was nowhere to be found by the end of the book.

I also found the resolution of Natalie’s family ties to mob a little unbelievable. Maybe I am just a realist but it seems like it would take longer than a few weeks to undo a lifetime of mob dealings. It did wrap things up nicely for Natalie and Sevastyan though and let them go about their lives spending mob money guilt free.

As a fan of Cole’s Poison Princess series, I had high hopes for this book. The world building and character development in that series shows what the author is capable of. However, those qualities are not as apparent in this book and was left feeling a bit let down. 

Overall this book gets a 2.5 rating from me. I really enjoyed Part 1 but the lack of character development made the book less enjoyable in the later installments. If you're interested, definitely give it a go. While this isn’t my favorite Kresley Cole book, The Professional is still a fun read, with plenty of hot sex and daring escapes to keep things interesting. 

Also, check out my reviews for Part 1 and Part 2 of The Professional.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at kresleycole.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @kresleycole

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

The Last Good Knight Blog Tour: Review and Q&A

Hi, everyone! I am really excited to be on the The Last Good Knight blog tour today, hosted by The Novel Tease. If you're a reader of this blog you know how much I adore Tiffany Reisz's writing and I am happy to be on the tour for her newest novella in the Original Sinners series. This novella is being released in 5 parts, and the first part is available now. Read on for my review of all 5 parts as well as a Q&A with Tiffany at the end of the post. 

Title: The Last Good Knight (Parts I - V)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publication May 6, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Adult Romance/Erotica
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

The Last Good Knight is an Original Sinners novella starring Mistress Nora, released in five parts.

The Last Good Knight by Tiffany Reisz is a prequel novella set 3 years before the events of The Siren. The Last Good Knight is a delicious and naughty tale that is just the thing for all of the Sinners fans eagerly awaiting the next novel in Reisz's Original Sinner series, The Saint, due out in June. The story has been serialized into five parts and includes some of your favorite Sinners characters, including Nora, Søren, Kinglsey and new love interest Lance. While the story could probably be read without reading the other books in the series, I would not recommend it. These characters all have a long history with each other and it's best to know that history to get the full effect of the story. Besides, the series is awesome and you won't regret reading it.

I am going to review and rate each part by itself and then give my thoughts on the story as a whole at the end.

Part I: Scars and Stripes - 4 stars

Reisz cuts right to the chase in the first part of The Last Good Knight. When Nora encounters a good looking male sub at the bar of the 8th Circle, she doesn't waste any time getting to submit to her whims. A steamy session follows and Nora finds Lance to be the perfect sub. Though they've just met, she begins to feel that there may be more than just a one night stand between them. They are about to head into another round of fun when their night is interrupted by Søren telling Nora that a female Domme has been attacked and that she needs to go to Kinsley's immediately.

This was a good intro into the story and drops us right back into the world of The Original Sinners. Nora is her usual irreverent self and it's interesting to see what her life was like after leaving Søren and working near him on a regular basis. The two definitely still have amazing chemistry even when they are not together.  Like Nora, I immediately liked Lance and wanted to know more about him.

Part II: Soft Spots - 3 stars

Nora and the employees of The 8th Circle all convene at Kingsley's house and learn the details of Natasha's assault. The news of how badly she was beaten and the fact that the culprit is still on the loose rattles the of The 8th Circle. Though somewhat shaken herself, Nora knows that she needs to put on a brave face for the others and she decides not to alter her schedule. Though he's not happy about it, Søren agrees as long as she has a bodyguard. Kingsley ends up sending Lance to be Nora's bodyguard with the rule that they cannot have sex while he is working for her. This complicates things as all Nora can think about is having sex with Lance.

Lance escorts Nora to her various appointments throughout the day, including one to a kindly old judge who has a foot fetish.  During their drives, Nora takes the opportunity to learn more about Lance. We find out the particulars of his divorce and the circumstances of his child custody case. It's clear that Lance is a honorable and good man and, the more Nora learns about him, the more she wants him. Frustrated, horny and unable to sleep with Lance, Nora turns to the one man she knows how can take care of her needs.


Part III: The Games Destiny Plays - 4 stars

Nora shows up at Søren's house, needing release and knowing that he can give it to her. He wastes no time and what they both need. This is one of my favorite parts just because I love Søren and Nora together. We definitely get to see they dynamic at work here and we can see why they are so good together. Nora is struggling because she still loves Søren but doesn't want to give up her freedom. Her growing feelings for Lance don't help the matter and she even asks Søren for advice.

Lance is, at first, angered by the bruises that he sees on Nora but later understands that her needs are similar to his own and that he cannot judge her for it. Part III ends on a cliffhanger when Kingsley informs Nora that the perpetrator has made another move, this one against Nora.



Part IV: Fit To Be Tied - 4 stars

Part III left us with the knowledge that the attacker had broken into Nora's dungeon. However, Griffin (love Griff!) was there and was able to apprehend him. Without the threat of an attacker on the loose, Lance and Nora no longer have to abide by Kingley's rule not to have sex. So their clothes come off and the cuffs come on. :)

While I really liked the love scene between Lance and Nora, I have to say that I was a little disappointed in this part. The fact that the attacker was detained so easily and with so little fanfare was quite a letdown. I expected more since the attack was the entire premise for the story and I wanted a little more from it. But the love scene is pretty awesome so I can forgive the lame ending to the mystery.




Part V: The Last Good Knight - 4 stars

The threat of the attacker is gone and Nora no longer needs a bodyguard. Her feelings for Lance have grown and she feels like she may want to keep him. Unfortunately her plan to help him get his daughter back might just be the thing that keeps them apart.

The last installment of The Last Good Knight is a bittersweet one Lance must make a difficult choice and choose between two people he loves. I thought that the ending was very fitting and really showed how much Nora and Lance cared about each other. But, as the song says, love isn't always enough and sometimes having one thing means giving up another. This segment was a really emotional one that tied up the story really well.

Overall:
This is a great little novella in The Original Sinners series. Lance and Nora are a great couple and it was really interesting to see a male sub/female Domme relationship. The story also gives us more insight into Nora and Søren's relationship prior to The Siren. While I thought that each part was well paced and started and ended at a good spot in the story, I am still on the fence about serialized stories, especially ones that are as short as this one. Since this is a short story, each part is really short, and I think the serialized format would work better for me with a full length novel. That said, this is still a great, sexy read. I don't recommend reading it without having read at least The Siren. You'll get much more out of it if you have some context of the people and relationships involved.

Overall rating:

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Q&A with Tiffany Reisz

Hi, Tiffany! Thank you so much for coming onto the blog today. We are so excited to have you and to hear more about your new release, The Last Good Knight.

Happy to be here! Spanks for having me!

Can you tell us a little bit about The Last Good Knight? Where in the timeline of the Original Sinners does it fall? 

The Last Good Knight takes place three years before The Siren. Nora has broken up with Søren and is working as a professional Dominatrix for Kingsley. She’s struggling with how much she misses Søren but isn’t ready to give up her freedom yet. She spies a handsome male sub at the club and seduces him. Why? Because she’s Nora.

Serialized stories and novels seem to be gaining popularity with publishers lately. Why do you think this is and why did you think that this story would be best told in that format?  

Originally serials were the main form of popular fiction distribution. Almost all of Charles Dickens’s books were told in serial format in newspapers. I love this old-fashioned format. It’s a fun throwback to the old days. My publisher simply asked me for a linked story about Nora’s life as a Dominatrix and this is what came out of my head.

Was the writing process for a serialized story like The Last Good Knight different than your normal writing process?

Not really. The only thing you have to do with a serial like this is have a strong ending at the finale of each part and make sure there’s some sexual content in all five sections. Fitting in that much sex is the trickiest part.

Tell us a little bit about Lance, the new love interest in The Last Good Knight.

Lance was inspired by a man I met at a book event. He’s the bodyguard and collared submissive of a professional Dominatrix. A lot of people don’t realize how tough and manly male submissives can be. They’re not all sweet little angels like Michael. Some of them can kill you. Lance’s crisis in the book is unfortunately based on true events. A Dominatrix I used to see for pain sessions had to quit her dungeon when she went through a divorce and a custody battle for her child.

Is there anything that Nora won't do? 

Cook. It’s just not her thing.

Thank you, Tiffany. This was so much fun and we wish you the best with The Last Good Knight! 

Thank you and spank you!

Thank you to Tiffany, The Novel Tease and Harlequin MIRA for including us on this tour!

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Visit the author online at tiffanyreisz.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz. 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Short Story Review: The Duke's Shotgun Wedding by Stacy Reid

Title: The Duke's Shotgun Wedding (A Scandalous Novella)

Author: Stacy Reid
Publication Date: April 14, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher

Victorian Era England...

As far as rash decisions went, it was formidable. But Lady Jocelyn Rathbourne's will remained strong. If the only way to save her family's estate and reputation was by aiming a small pistol at the Duke of Calydon, then so be it.

Lady Jocelyn demands satisfaction--and she will have it at any cost. Even if it means demanding the hand of the intense and foreboding Duke himself. But she's made the first move against a very dangerous opponent. Sebastian Thornton is no stripling to be trifled with. The lady has played her hand; now it's his turn.

Sebastian is in need of a wife, and to find a wife with spirit and fire--even if she means to only marry for his money--would be a great prize indeed. He intends to thoroughly take his pleasure with her, and demand his own satisfaction in return...

Jilted woman holds a peer at gunpoint, secures hand in marriage, title, and huge financial settlement in one go: this is just the kind of ludicrous set-up that makes me want to pick up a novella!

The arrogance with which Sebastian deals with the world, conferred upon him by his station as a duke and judgments about women and marriage that he formed long ago, makes him easy to dislike. Jocelyn, meanwhile, is suspect as well--her intentions to marry into money were clearly borne out of desperation, and she makes no secret of this. Again, the common weakness of novellas like these is that they are utterly predictable. From the moment he accepts her unconventional proposal, it's clear they will end up falling in love.

I admired Jocelyn's willingness to risk gossip (and at worst, jail--what if he had called the magistrate down on her instead?) for her family's benefit, as well as Sebastian's endeavors to knock down the walls inside their marriage--though he at first only does this literally. Based on his own parents' cold and disappointing relationship, he had had the walls between the master bedrooms knocked down so that it was a single, huge room (with a single, huge bed!), but he did this without even the real intention of marrying anyone, let alone this brazen hussy who had walked into his life just a day ago.

However obvious the destination is, the journey towards that happy ending is engaging enough. Their sensual wedding night is followed immediately by conflict. I found myself rooting both for stubborn, straight-shooting Jocelyn, as well as for the wounded and cagey Sebastian. The sultriness of their reconciliation makes up for any lack of surprise as to how their relationship is mended.

This was a well-paced, quick read with interesting and sympathetic characters. Stacy Reid gets the Regency voice down pat on her first try and deftly twines sensuous romance into her work. While I definitely wish for a little more complexity to the plot, that is understandably hampered by the short format she writes in. Still, I'll definitely look for further novellas from this author.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.stacyreid.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @st_reid

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here.

Short Story Review: The Affair by Lily Maxton

Title: The Affair (A Sisters of Scandal Novella)

Author: Lily Maxton
Publication Date: April 14, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher

She was his for one week only...

When a beautiful stranger ducks into his bookshop during a rainstorm, Cale Cameron, well-known rake, is instantly attracted to her.

Elizabeth, Lady Thornhill, is restless and hungers for something she cannot name. Society would never accept a countess and a mere bookseller, so they agree to a one week affair to indulge their desire.

As their passion ignites and their connection grows, Elizabeth threatens the one thing Cale has protected above all else—his heart. Letting her go is the only solution...and the one thing he is not prepared to do.

As an avid romance reader, there is something so satisfying about a novella that gets down to business quickly. The Affair is that kind of story. Lily Maxton quickly sets up the scene: a widowed and impoverished countess with nothing to lose who stumbles into a relationship with a completely inappropriate and rakishly handsome self-made man. Elizabeth struggles to reconcile society's values versus her needs; it's not difficult for the reader to figure out that love and lust will win out in the end (bringing financial security with it). As it is with so many novellas, this predictability is The Affair's greatest weakness.

Thrown into the mix is the new Lord Thornhill, her late husband's cousin, who is kind enough in his way and has made enough of a fortune abroad to restore the estate, but fails to incite the kind of passion that Cale can immediately kindle within Elizabeth. After a second brief and steamy encounter, a gift to make any booklover swoon, and a surprisingly pleasant evening spent in unsuitable company, she cannot resist his offer. Just as soon as she begins the affair, it is over.

The way Maxton builds the emotional stakes and just as swiftly knocks them down again is what kept me riveted and will keep me coming back to this novella. While Elizabeth takes some unusual risks (especially given her station and shaky financial situation) she never fully compromises her own integrity, and comes out stronger for it at the end. Cale is at once smoldering and sympathetic--and does it hurt that he owns a lending library, bookshop, and publishing house? In a longer novel, the new Lord Thornhill might have been a true contender, as there is nothing really despicable about him; in novella format, he clearly has no chance. Only the first of Elizabeth and Cale's encounters is fully described, but it was enough for me--definitely quality versus quantity.

Overall, I enjoyed this debut novella. While it doesn't hold any surprises, it delivers the three H's I usually look for in a romance: Heat, Heartbreak, and a Happy Ending. Maxton also sets up a few side characters that I hope she will explore in future novellas: in particular Elizabeth's bookish sister Olivia and the soon-to-be infamous courtesan Miss Forsythe (who is penning a tell-all for Cale's press). I'll definitely watch out for future releases (she has two more novellas coming out this year).

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.lilymaxton.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @lilymaxton

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: Lush by Lauren Dane

Title: Lush (Delicious #3)

Author: Lauren Dane
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She has everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.

Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were fresh out of high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.

What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon gets much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long, it’s Damien who wants more from Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to celebrity news, and he’s got a very big job ahead of him: proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand.

Lush is the third book in Lauren Dane's Delicious series. Somehow this series had gone under my radar but knew that I wanted to read it after I saw the cover and realized that it was about a woman who runs a supper club. I love food and if I can have romance and good food in one book, I'm taking it.

Lush starts off with a bang and Mary and Damien find themselves in a hot fling during her friend's wedding. Both of them know it's just for fun though and neither is expecting a commitment. But the two continue to see each other while Damien is on the road with his band and it becomes apparent that this it's more than a fling. Mary is wary of Damien's bad boy rocker rep but Damien is out to prove that he's serious about their relationship. I thought that the two had great chemistry and, despite his reputation, I found Damien to be very sweet and he treated Mary well.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the book was probably my favorite part and I started to lose interest in it about halfway through. While I normally don't have trouble jumping into a series halfway through (though I prefer not to) it was clear that Lush was part of a larger series. There were so many side characters in it and they actually took up a lot of page space. I felt like the author really wanted to catch us up on the lives of these characters and it really took me away from Mary and Damien's relationship, which is what I was most interested in.
I found myself losing interest in their relationship as the focus veered away from them.

I also hated how Damien was made out to be the bad guy in this. Sure, he has a reputation, but he never did anything to Mary to make her assume the worst of him. He did all he could to assure her that he had real feelings for her and wanted a relationship with her but, at the first sign of trouble, she runs and cuts him off - and then we're supposed to think it's all his fault for being such a bad boy. His behavior should have garnered more trust than he received. It also annoyed me how Mary's friends and family were all so quick to warn Mary away from him repeatedly and rudely, when it was really none of their business (as Mary even told a few of them).

I really wanted to like this book but there was just too much focus on all of the other characters and not enough on Damien and Mary. I was never able to fully invest in their relationship and was bored for much of it. I might have had a different opinion if I had read the other books in the series but I still think a series book should be able to stand on its own and, unfortunately, Lush did not work for me.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.laurendane.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @laurendane

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Review: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Title: Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1)

Author: Tessa Dare
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?This one.

Isolde (Izzy) Ophelia Goodnight is twenty-six, plain and penniless. The daughter of a well-known children's book author, Izzy grew up dreaming of knights, romance and a life of adventure. However, after years of disappointment, Izzy no longer believes in fairy tales. Orphaned and homeless, she suddenly receives word that she has inherited a castle in Northumberland. Thinking that perhaps her luck has changed, Izzy uses everything she has to travel to the castle and claim her inheritance. Unfortunately she finds the castle still occupied by its former owner, a very irate and brooding Duke of Rothbury (Ransom). Nearly blind from a recent duel, Ransom has been hiding out in his castle and claims that it was never sold. It's a standoff now as neither Ransom nor Izzy is willing to give up the castle. They decide to work together to unravel the mystery and end up finding more than either of them bargained for.

I am fairly new to Tessa Dare's writing but have become a fast fan. Her stories are charming and sweet with a lot of humor. Romancing the Duke is the first book in a new series, each with a heroine who inherits a castle. Izzy is the heroine of this book and I really liked her. She's been disappointed a lot in life but she isn't jaded or mean. I liked her curious mind and the fact that she didn't let Ransom scare her away. She's tenacious, loyal and more than a match for the Duke.

The Duke is a difficult character to love - at first. He's moody, mean and gruff and does everything in his power to get rid of Izzy. His scars, inside and out, have made him a hardened man who pushes people away. But as Izzy chips away at his rough exterior, we find a man who is romantic and charming (though still rough around the edges).

Both of them have grown up believing that they weren't good enough - Ransom because of his jackass of a father who blamed him for his mother's death, and Izzy because she she thinks herself plain and isn't able to live up to the legend of The Goodnight Tales. It broke my heart to see how neither of them really knew their own value. But, as their relationship grows, they do as well and both start to see each themselves in a different light.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While it's not my favorite Tessa Dare book (I still prefer the Spindle Cove series a bit more), I had a lot of fun reading it and will definitely be re-reading it in the near future. I am excited to see what is going to happen in the next book in the series. Romancing the Duke is another great romance to add to my growing Tessa Dare collection.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at tessadare.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @tessadare

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Review: The Professional: Part 1 by Kresley Cole

Title: The Professional: Part 1

Author: Kresley Cole
Publication Date: December 16, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

He makes the rules . . .
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.
Rules are made to be broken . . .

PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.
Are you ready to play?

Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true.

The Professional: Part 1 is the first installment of an erotic romance by Kresley Cole, author of the Immortals After Dark and Arcana Chronicles series. The book is being published in 3 parts, with each part being a little over 100 pages. This is my first Kresley Cole book and I wasn't sure what to expect. While it has its faults, I found this story to be sexy, entertaining and extremely addictive.

Life is pretty normal for grad student Natalie Cole. To make ends meet, she works 3 jobs when not at school. This leaves little time for romance. But even if she did have the time, Natalie isn't interested in any of the men she meets. Then one evening, tall, dark and Russian wanders into her bar and the attraction is immediate. But Aleksandr Sevastyan isn't an ordinary customer but a hit man and bodyguard sent to protect Natalie. Stevastyan informs Natalie that the biological father she's been searching for is the head of a Russian mafiya clan. As his only heir, she is in danger and Stefavtyan whisks her away to Russia and introduces her to a life of wealth and forbidden pleasures.

Part 1 of The Professional throws you right into the thick of things. To say that the plot moves quickly is a bit of an understatement. One minute Natalie is cozy in her Midwestern house and the next, she is given a new life in a Russian palace, complete with jewel and a new wardrobe. I generally enjoy fast paced plots, but I wish we could have slowed down just a little. Natalie seems to accept her new life a bit too quickly and I would have liked to have seen a little more of her internal struggle. Though, to be fair, if a hot Russian came up to me and told me I was a millionaire Mafia princess, I might not argue either.

Natalie and Sevastyan are not the most original characters, but I liked them. Natalie is feisty and funny and loves pushing Sevastyan's buttons. Sevastyan is your typical alpha male. He's domineering and possessive, and also very sexy. I was a little annoyed at how hot and cold Sevastyan was. One minute it's "you're mine" and the next he's sworn off of her. Natalie is quite frustrated with these mixed signals and I can understand why.

While there isn't anything groundbreaking about this story, it's a fun guilty pleasure read. The love scenes are hot and I have a feeling that they're going to get even hotter in the next installment. I am not sure if I am sold on the serialized format. I do not see the point of it, though the cliffhanger ending does leave you wanting more. And I've already downloaded Part 2, so Cole must be doing something right. Now to read Part 2 and find out what happens in that sauna!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at kresleycole.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @kresleycole

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Review: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn

Title: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

Author: Julia Quinn
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N; Book Depository
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

For the first time in print, New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents a collection of "second epilogues" to her Bridgerton series, previously published as e-originals, plus a new bonus Bridgerton novella: "Violet in Bloom," a short story in which we finally meet Edmund Bridgerton.

The Bridgertons are back! As a huge fan of the Bridgerton series, I was very excited to hear that Julia Quinn was coming out with a book of second epilogues for the Bridgerton family. I relished the idea of revisiting these characters and was excited to also see that the Bridgerton matriarch was getting a story as well. The stories range in time from immediately after the original books end to many years after. Each story comes with a brief intro by Quinn which gives the reader some fun insight into the story. These were all (except for Violet’s story) previously published as short e-originals and are collected here for the first time.

Please note that I have read all off the Bridgerton books except for two (which I’ll note below). That did not take away from my enjoyment of these stories at all, though, as you will see.

The Duke and I: The Second Epilogue (Daphne & Simon)
Simon and Daphne’s story takes place many years after The Duke and I. Daphne finds herself unexpectedly pregnant again and is waiting for just to right time to tell Simon. We also finally learn what is in the packet of letters that Simon’s father left him. Such a fun, sweet story! Daphne and Simon were always one of my favorite couples and I loved seeing them living happily years later. You really get the feel of the Bridgteron family dynamic in this one and the affection between Simon and Daphne is clear. Funny, sweet, and touching, the second epilogue for Simon and Daphne was one of my favorites.

The Viscount Who Loved Me: The Second Epilogue (Kate & Anthony)
This story re-visits the infamous Pall Mall game from The Viscount Who Loved Me. Each year the players of the original game get together to play it again, with Anthony and Kate vying for the mallet of death. This story is hilarious and I love how each player continues to try and one up the other. This one made me laugh.

An Offer From A Gentleman: The Second Epilogue (Sophie & Benedict)
The second epilogue from Sophie and Benedict focuses on Sophie’s half sister Posy. Posy was the only non-awful family member that Sophie had and this story is about her finally finding her happily ever after. This is a really cute story. I always liked Posy and it was nice to see her find love. We also get a bit of an update on Sophie and Benedict, who are living happily in the country with their children. A very sweet story.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton: The Second Epilogue (Penelope & Colin)
Colin and Penelope were always my favorite couple and this was the story I was looking forward to the most. To keep things spoiler free I will just say that this story is about how Eloise finds out about the big secret that was revealed in the book. I was a little bit disappointed that the story didn’t really focus on them and their relationship, but I still liked it.

To Sir Phillip With Love: The Second Epilogue (Eloise & Phillip)
This story is a bit different than the others. It’s told in first person and is from the point of view of Amanda Crane, one of the troublesome Crane twins from Eloise and Phillip’s story. This story wasn’t my favorite only because I didn’t have a lot invested in Amanda’s character. It was nice to see what happened to her as she got older but I think I would have preferred something focusing on Eloise and Phillip. I enjoyed the first person point of view though and it was a cute story.

When He Was Wicked: The Second Epilogue (Francesca & Michael)
This is one of the epilogues whose accompanying book I have not read. This epilogue takes place three years after Francesca and Michael’s story ends. The two have not been able to conceive any children thus far and the story focuses on Francesca and how she is dealing with the fact that she may never have her own children. Despite having never read their story, I found this epilogue to be one of the most emotional and moving in the whole collection. You can really see the family dynamic at play here with appearances by Violet, Eloise and many nieces and nephews. I don’t know Francesca and Michael’s story but this makes me really want to read it. They have a really playful and sweet relationship and the ending of this story left me with a smile on my face.

It’s In His Kiss: The Second Epilogue (Hyacinth & Gareth)
This epilogue answers the question about whether or not Hyacinth ever finds the diamond necklace that she is searching for in It’s In His Kiss. It’s 22 years later and Hyacinth and Gareth are still happily married. Hyacinth is determined to see her daughter Isabella married during the season and finds that she has a difficult job ahead of her. This is a really fun story that shows of Hyacinth’s personality well. The tables have turned and she now knows what it’s like to have a daughter just like herself. Gareth and Hyacinth are a great couple and I liked seeing them again. Isabella is a fun new character and was fun to read about. I thought the ending was fitting and am happy to know what finally became of the necklace.

On The Way To The Wedding: The Second Epilogue (Gregory & Lucy)
This is the other book that I have not read yet. It takes place right after the events of the book when Lucy gives birth for the last time - only the birth doesn’t go quite as planned. Even though I did not know much about Lucy and Gregory’s story, I found myself emotionally invested in this one right away. It’s a bit harrowing but, don’t worry, it still has a happy ending.

Violet In Bloom: A Novella
Violet’s story is both wonderful and bittersweet. If you’ve read any of the books in the series (spoiler alert!) you know that Edmund Bridgerton dies at a young age from a reaction from a bee sting. Though he has been gone for quite a while before the first book begins, his character’s presence can be felt in every book. I loved this brief glimpse into the past to see how Violet and Edmund meet and come to be married. We mourn with Violet as she deals with the sudden and devastating loss of her husband and go with her as she learns to move on to embrace life with her children. This is a really wonderful and touching story that gives great insight into the Bridgerton matriarch.

I would not recommend this for anyone who has not read most, if not all, of the Bridgerton books. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favor and try it. If you are already a fan of the Bridgertons, Happily Ever After is a must read. It has all of the humor and heart that I’ve come to expect of Quinn’s writing. The Bridgertons are like old, familiar friends and I had a lot of fun visiting them again. Most of these stories were previously released as short story ebooks. I had not read any of them, so it was nice to have them all in one place. Even if you already own a few of the stories, it may be worth it to buy the collection and have them all in one volume, depending on whether or not you plan to re-read them (which I totally do). The story about Violet is also a nice bonus.

I really enjoyed this one. The Bridgertons never fail to put a smile on my face and I was glad to see them one more time.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.juliaquinn.com and Facebook.


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Short Story Review: The Scandal Before Christmas

Title: The Scandal Before Christmas (The Reckless Brides #3.5)

Author: Elizabeth Essex
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
Publisher: Forever
Genre: St. Martins Paperbacks
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Lieutenant Ian Worth needs a wife by Christmas, and he can't afford to be choosy. He has to find her, woo her, and wed her before he goes back to sea - all within a matter of days.

Anne Lesley is a shy spinster with no prospects, and nothing and no one to recommend her but her own self. She accepts the lieutenant’s hasty offer only for the comfort and security it will bring. But when a midwinter storm snows her and Ian in, they both find they got much more than they bargained for - daughter, light, and a Christmas filled with honest to goodness true love.

The holidays are upon, which means it's time for me to read a few holiday novellas. Historicals are my favorite when it comes to short stories and The Scandal Before Christmas looked to have all of the elements of a fun, holiday read.

Lt. Ian Worth is the second son of an overbearing father. Until now, he's been mostly left alone and is away at sea most of the time as an officer of the Royal Navy. However, when Ian's older brother suffers what could be a fatal accident, his father demands that he marry immediately and sire a child. To try and get his father off his back, Ian tells him that he's already married. Needing to find a wife quickly, Ian arranges to meet the spinster daughter of one of his naval friends. At first Ian thinks Anne is too plain and without spirit, but soon learns that underneath her plain exterior lies a passionate young woman that may just be his match.

As novellas go, The Scandal Before Christmas had more depth than most. Like most novellas, it did feel like there wasn't quite enough time to get a really well rounded story.  The pacing of story was uneven and I felt like the ending was very rushed. I was also expecting a much more dramatic ending and the quick resolution and wrap-up left me feeling a little bit underwhelmed. However, I enjoyed watching Ian and Anne getting to know each other and like their frank conversations.  Of the two, I was more drawn to Ian, who is charming and has a good heart. I liked Anne well enough though her ugly duckling status was a little overplayed. The two had a good rapport though and I enjoyed their unconventional courtship.

With a good balance of romance and drama, The Scandal Before Christmas delivers a romantic read that's great for the holidays. If you like ugly ducking tales, you may enjoy this one. This novella is part of a series but I haven't read any of the previous books and had no trouble following along. It's also piqued my interest in this series and I plan to read the first book in the Reckless Brides series soon.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.elizabethessex.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @EssexRomance

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