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: One Sweet Ride by Jaci Burton

Title: One Sweet Ride (Play by Play #6)

Author: Jaci Burton
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Library

Gray Preston was born into money, but he’s built his racing empire on hard work and muscle. And now that Gray has millions of fans, his senator father sends one of his aides, Evelyn Hill, to elicit Gray’s help in garnering votes for the upcoming national election. Gray wants nothing to do with his estranged father’s campaign, but Evelyn can be pretty persuasive. She’s willing to learn about racing, and maybe even get a little dirty.

Evelyn’s number-one goal is politics, which makes working with Gray difficult, because his only passion is fast cars. As she and Gray spend time together, he teaches her about the sport he loves, and she learns a lot about the man behind the wheel. The more she learns, the more she wants him. But any desire that threatens to derail the carefully laid plans for her future is a dangerous one.

With the passion Gray and Evelyn share running hotter than either imagined, one of them is going to have to compromise, or else run the risk of losing more than their hearts.

Let me just start off my saying that this series really has the best covers. Every single one of them is drool-worthy and, even though they usually feature a half naked man on the front, I would not be embarrassed to read them in public. Because really, look at those abs.

Now that I am done drooling over the cover, let's get to the review. One Sweet Ride is the sixth book in Jaci Burton's Play by Play series. I am a fan of the series but admit to being two book behind. This sixth installment has veered away from the Riley family (who were featured in the first 5 books). While I still miss the Riley (and will go back and read the previous books), I went into this with an open mind.

Sadly, I was disappointed with this book. It wasn't bad, but there was nothing in it that really made it stand out either. I think part of my problem was that it took me a long time to warm up to Evelyn. She doesn't have much personality and I was annoyed that she thought she could just waltz into Gray's life and presume to tell him that he really need to re-think his relationship with his father, all for her own agenda. I liked up to her more as the story went on but it was a lukewarm feeling at best.

I liked Gray better, though he, too, was pretty bland. I liked that he was passionate about racing and charitable causes but he didn't illicit any strong feelings in me. I thought that the chemistry between the two was just OK. With a love/hate story I usually expect a lot of tension and sexual energy. I didn't feel that between these two until much later in the book. The sex scenes, while hot, started to get boring after a while. And trust me, I am all for a good love scene and am not one of those people who usually says less sex in books, please. The scenes all just seemed really similar and weren't as exciting or inventive as what I've come to expect from Burton.

Another small thing that annoyed me was that we are introduced to characters that are obviously going to be featured in their own books down the line. I didn't mind the intro so much, but it felt forced and took me out of Gray and Evelyn's story. I wish that these characters had been introduced in a more subtle way.

Jaci Burton is usually hit or miss for me. When it's a hit (Changing The Game), it's a big one, but this one was a miss for me. The stakes didn't feel high enough and I just wasn't as emotionally invested in the relationship as I should have been. No doubt others will enjoy but I am glad that I borrowed a copy. I still plan reading the Riley clan books I missed though and would definitely still give the next books in the series a try.

Review: Game On by Tracy Solheim

Title: Game On (Out of Bounds #1)

Author: Tracy Solheim
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

The only way to win is to score…

With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin was a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad-boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback, and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. And he’s about to take a hit he never expected.

Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping them at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him.

Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?

What do you do with a story where you actually like both the hero and heroine but you want to still knock them upside of the head? This was my dilemma with Game On by Tracy Solheim. First, let me say, I gave it 4 stars because overall, I enjoyed it. When I read a book nearly straight through with only necessary life breaks, I have to give it at least 4 stars for grabbing my attention. Additionally, Solheim made me want to see what would transpire between the two main characters.

In Game On, Solheim has given readers a sexy, hot, bad boy of football in her hero, Shane Devlin. Devlin is a talented athlete but has a few flaws that resulted in teams not wanting to touch him thanks to his reputation. However, the Baltimore Blaze is giving Devlin a last chance to play when their starting quarterback is out with an injury for the season. Despite being offered a contract, Devlin recognizes that he still needs to prove he should be the starting quarterback while being monitored by the conservative Blaze owner.

Our heroine, Carly March works for the Blaze and just happens to be the sister-in-law of the Head Coach. Carly’s past history comes quickly to light. Her mother, a famous reporter, died when she was a child, which landed Carly in the eye of the media. Additionally, Carly’s recent relationship with a European soccer player ended up in a very public break-up. Consequently, she isn't interested in dating another athlete or dealing with the paparazzi.

Most romance writers would stop with just the challenges two characters would face given working for the same organization and some past history. However, Solheim does not shy away from adding in some additional issues. On one level, I truly appreciate Solheim's desire to create a more complex story than just a hot and steamy romance. However, at times, I was left wondering if there were too many issues.

In addition to the conflict of Carly working for the Blaze and Shane's need to focus on making the team as starting quarterback and  that it's probably best to stay away from the Head Coach's  attractive sister-in-law, Solheim brings in a few more threads. Both Shane and Carly lost their mothers when they were children. Though this gives them a common ground, their reactions to this significant life event has shaped them both in different ways. Shane struggles with issues with his father and feeling abandoned by him as a child. When his father and stepmother die in an accident, Shane needs to confront issues related to his father, general commitment issues, and the pressing need of caring for his 12 year old half-brother. Throw in another thread where Carly is dealing with a stalker and the book becomes weighted down at times.

As a result, I felt Solheim was ambitious in drawing in so many levels of conflict for her main characters. When I did find myself “eye-rolling” over certain actions by Shane or Carly, or my annoyance with Shane’s resisting change or Carly’s being too kind, I wondered if I was being fair in my judgement. How much of their actions were justified because of what they were dealing with? Together they were good even if both were afraid to commit -Shane more so than Carly. And Carly was good for Shane, though I wasn't always so sure Shane was good for Carly other than she had great chemistry with him, coupled with passion, hot sex, and a sense of security.

Since this was Solheim’s first book, I decided to rate this with four stars. I have high hopes for Solheim and I look forward to seeing her grow as a writer, and I would love to see her continue with complex stories without things feeling like there is a little too much going on. I do like her characters and plan to pick up Foolish Games (Out of Bounds #2) and read about Carly's friend Julianne.

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

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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: Long After by Cheryl McIntyre

Title: Long After (Sometimes Never #3)

Author: Cheryl McIntyre
Publication Date: October 14, 2013
Publisher: Cheryl McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

For Annie Phillips, there is a right way to do things and everything has a place. College and her flawless GPA are top priority, as is planning her perfect future. Anything less than perfection is unacceptable. So when she meets Loden Guiles, she believes she has finally found her perfect happily-ever-after.

Chase Malloy is funny, loyal, and an all around nice guy. He’s also sloppy, tattooed, and undirected. All Chase wants to do is survive college, hang out with friends, and make music. Knowing his best friend’s step-sister since they were fourteen, Annie and he have always had a love-hate relationship. The last thing Chase expects is to fall for Annie, but he knows he’ll never live up to her idea of the perfect man.

On the outside, Annie and Loden’s relationship appears picture perfect. But behind closed doors, Annie quickly realizes Loden isn’t the man he pretends to be. Every time her not so well laid plans crumble, and Loden proves to be not so Mr. Right, Chase is there to pick her up and brush her off. Will she realize the perfection she’s been searching for has been in front of her all this time?

*Long After is a companion novel to Sometimes Never and Before Now. Many of the same characters appear in Chase and Annie's story. However, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

**This is a new adult novel. Due to harsh language, sexual situations, and violence, this book is recommended for 17+.

Chase and Annie - *sigh* I reviewed Before Now by Cheryl McIntyre at the beginning of January. I expected to complete the review for Long After at the same time, but I find that when I love a book it takes me forever to write up the review. I loved Before Now but Long After touched me at an even deeper level. How do I write anything that makes sense when all I want to do is re-read the book and shower it with lots of love?!

Readers are introduced to Chase and Annie in McIntyre's earlier books, and their relationship is hinted at in Before Now. Unlike many romance stories, there is no insta-love in this book. Chase and Annie have known each other for seven years. Quintessential opposites, they have had a non-romantic relationship characterized by on-going verbal sparing and snark.

Annie is bright, driven, and often a bit rigid with her compulsion to do well and be perfect. Chase is still figuring out where life is taking him but along the way, he proves himself to be a great friend. Though Annie is an intelligent young woman, she is desperate to escape what she sees as the mistakes her mother has made. When she catches the attention of Loden, attractive and goal-oriented, she begins dreaming of her perfect future. However not all is what it appears to be. Shame and fear cause Annie to hide what is happening in her relationship, but eventually Chase discovers what is happening and attempts to help as much as Annie will allow.

At times, it was hard to watch the struggles Annie must go through and the decisions she makes. Chase proves to be the caring and patient friend that Annie needs. Readers quickly learn that Chase obviously loves Annie, and as a result is willing to give her time and space she needs to recognize her feelings towards him. It is their friendship and the safety that Chase provides for Annie that helps her finally confront what is happening between her and Loden. Unfortunately, this doesn't spare the couple from also dealing with additional consequences that arise.

I loved Chase and Annie. I loved the snarky banter between the two, and how Chase dealt with Annie's insecurities and other concerns. There were so many special scenes between the two that I found myself re-reading. And as a fan of sticky notes, I liked their inclusion in several scenes. As a result, Chase is my new fictional boyfriend crush.

In Long After, McIntyre takes on the difficult issue of being in an abusive relationship. It isn't an easy topic, and she doesn't treat it lightly. For many young women, college is a time to explore various dating relationships, but even when they think they are smart enough or strong enough not to be caught in an unhealthy, controlling relationship, they may find themselves in one. McIntyre does not preach, but does handle the situation realistically. One thing I would have liked at the end of the book would have been some tips/resources similar to what Tammara Webber includes at the end of her book, Easy.  

****Spoiler if you haven't read Before Now*** On a lighter note, readers do get an opportunity to re-connect with Park and Lucy from Before Now including seeing their wedding from Chase and Annie's eyes.
I love updates on previous characters from earlier books.

My love for Cheryl McIntyre's characters and stories continue, though I wonder if I could love anyone more than Chase and Annie.

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

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Review: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

Title: Beautiful Beginning (Beautiful Bastard #3.5)

Author: Christina Lauren
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

Back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands off each other in Beautiful Bastard, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And—of course—a whole lot of name calling.

Chloe and Bennett are finally getting married! Their relationship has seen its ups and downs but the two are finally tying the knot, in true Bennett and Chloe fashion.  Full of all of the humor, snark and super hot sexy times that I've come to expect from Christina Lauren, the final chapter of the Beautiful Bastard series was as good as I'd hoped and I am really sad to see the series end.

Of course there are going to be a few hiccups, but a couple randy aunts and a small flood aren't going to stop these two from getting married, though it just might make them a little insane. Bennett and Chloe have always been one of my favorite couples. They bring love/hate to a totally new level but, underneath it all, there is a really strong bond of love and trust. They know just how to push each other's buttons and neither is easy to be with but they accept and support each other through it all. I love the quieter moments that we see between the two as well. The two still have amazing chemistry and the tension is ratcheted up even more by Bennett's no sex before the wedding rule.

The gang's back together for the wedding and it was really great seeing Max, Sara, Will and Hanna again. Max and Sara are still head over heels for each other and Sara is expecting their first child. Will gets a bit of payback in the form of a practical joke, with some pretty hilarious results. While I was happy to see everyone again, I am glad that the story did not focus too much on the other couples. As much as I love them, this was Chloe and Bennett's story and I didn't want to be distracted from it. That said, I full would fully support a novella for each of the other couples to finish out their stories as well (hint, hint).

If you're a fan of Bennett and Chloe, I think you're going to have fun with this one. I am really hoping that this isn't the end but, even if it is, I am satisfied with Chloe and Bennett's HEA. Very excited to see what Christina Lauren cook up next.

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Visit the authors online at www.christinalaurenbooks.com, Twitter (Christina, Lauren) and Facebook.
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Review: Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis

Title: Accidental Cowgirl

Author: Maggie McGinnis
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

After being betrayed by her con man ex-fiancé, Kyla Bennett nurses a broken heart. But Kyla's friends have other ideas and when they whisk her off to Whisper Creek, a dude ranch staffed by cowboys so hot they dim the Montana sunset, all Kyla wants to do is hide under a quilt. Then in rides Decker Driscoll. He’s hauling about as much emotional baggage as Kyla, but when he stands close by, both of them want to stay close—and begin to succumb to an undeniable attraction.

After experiencing personal tragedy, Decker never thought he’d see Big Sky country again. But now that his family's Whisper Creek property is in deep with a Vegas gambler, Decker’s back for the summer—and spending all his time running from “cowgirls” who come to the dude ranch to score some dudes. Then he meets Kyla, a kindred spirit who brings on a stampede of protective feelings . . . and a powerful hankering to sear her with a new brand of love.

My first foray into romance novels was through urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Then came sports romances while looking for some recommendations for my sister. I followed this up with a string of contemporary romances. However, I realized that I had been avoiding romance stories with a cowboy twist. So I started searching for titles to read and came across the Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis which looked like a good place to start. The story takes place on a ranch in Montana but Decker Driscoll (the hero) is more than what I had conjured up as a typical cowboy.

Accidental Cowgirl is one of those fun, fast reads.  It is easy to sit down, fall into escape mode, and finish this one in a couple of hours.  The characters are likable and there is a great small town feel.  Kyla (the heroine) has had a heck of a year and comes out to Montana for a vacation along with two friends.  Decker is back home helping his mother and brother after his father's death.  Both have emotional baggage that they are struggling with throughout the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  I recognize that in most romance stories there will be insta-love.  It seems to be a standard ingredient, and there is no surprise here with the insta-love element.  Right from the start, Kyla's rental car gets a flat tire and who of course comes to the rescue but Decker.  She doesn't know that he is from the ranch, but she sees him again on the first night when she attends the evening reception. Decker is also attracted to Kyla.  Despite the no dating guests rule, which Decker never worried about before, he finds it difficult to stay away from her.

Whether it is emotional baggage or secrets or some combination of the two, conflict is needed for the couple to struggle with before finding their HEA.  This book has plenty of secrets, past history, and emotional scarring to satisfy readers.  No spoilers, but Marcy is one of those issues in this book. She is stereotypical and over the top, and you will just love to hate her.

One element of the story that produced mixed results for me had to do with Kyla and her penchant for finding or getting into trouble or accidents.  Initially, it added some humor to the book.  However, towards the end, I almost wanted to say "enough is enough".  The poor girl can't take any more and still be alive.

A part of the story that I enjoyed was all of the secondary characters.  Readers will find themselves liking Decker's mother and younger brother.  There is also the retired sheriff, Kyla's two friends, and some of the others who come and go in the book. Even the beauty of Montana can almost be considered a character in the book since it plays such a significant role.

If you like your romance stories with quite a bit of detail and heat, then Accidental Cowgirl will disappoint. Yes, there is chemistry between Decker and Kyla and they do share intimate moments but the descriptive elements really are the fade to black kind.  This one is more PG-13, and I was okay with this.

I look forward to additional stories from McGinnis and in checking out some of the other Loveswept titles.

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

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Review: The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole

Title: The Professional: Part 2

Author: Kresley Cole
Publication Date: January 6, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Purchased

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.

Though I enjoyed parts of The Professional: Part 2, it didn't live up to my expectations. I had a lot of fun reading Part 1 - Sevastyan is possessive and dominant, with a sexy Russian accent to boot and Natalie, while a little annoying at times, was, for the most part, a heroine that I could root for. 

While they continue to explore their sexual relationship in Part 2 (hot!), there was little emotional or personal development in the characters. Sevastyan was especially frustrating and ran from one extreme to the next. One minute he wanted nothing to do with Natalie and the next he couldn't live without her. And while I found his intensity slightly unsettling but still sexy in Part 1, it bordered on creepy in Part 2. I hated how he distanced himself emotionally from Natalie and thought that it really bordered on cruel. He asked her to commit to him completely, while he held himself back from her at every opportunity. I also hated how his dark past was hinted at all the time but never revealed. This has happened to me before in books and the actual reveal almost never lives up to the buildup.

Natalie got on my nerves as well and I found her to be really whiny and annoying. She and Sevastyan definitely had physical chemistry but not much else. Overall I just felt like the characters and relationship lacked depth and I wanted more than hot sex.

Though this installment left me feeling frustrated, I am not giving up on this book. Natalie and Sevastyan seemed to be making some headway in their relationship near the end of this segment and, well, there's still the smoking hot sex. This installment also has a bit of action in it which added some excitement.

The bad thing about serialized novels is that authors often like to end things on a cliffhanger, which Cole does here, to great effect. I am dying to know what happens in Part 3 and how things will resolve. Will Natalie and Sevastyan be able to work through their issues and have a relationship that's more than just sex? Who is after Natalie and can Sevastyan keep her safe? I guess I'm going to have to read Part 3 to find out!

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

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Review: In Bed With Mr. Wrong by Katee Robert

Title: In Bed With Mr. Wrong

Author: Katee Robert
Publication Date: January 13, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

The blind date from hell is about to get hotter…

Brianne Nave is never doing her friends a favor again. When they begged her to go on a blind date, she didn’t expect someone so perfectly gorgeous. She’s a mousy librarian—totally not in this man’s league. And judging by his odd reaction when she opens the door, he knows it, too.

Air Force Pararescuer Ryan Flannery avoids his hometown at all costs. He’s not thrilled about the date until he’s shocked silent by the prickly little librarian’s sweet curves and kissable lips…and her smart mouth. But then an argument leads to a kiss that spirals out of control. How can two people have so little chemistry outside the bedroom when they fit together so perfectly in it?

When their friends strand them in a cabin to "work things out," Bri’s not sure whether to kill him or put the industrial-sized box of condoms they find to use. Bottom line—Ryan’s career military and hates the tiny town she loves. He’ll leave, just like everyone else in her life. And if she’s foolish enough to give him her heart, he’ll take it with him.

One of the things I like about the Entangled Brazen line is that I can usually find some fun, fast reads. Katee Robert's In Bed With Mr. Wrong fits this description to a tee. This was my first book by Katee Robert and the first in her new Out of Uniform Series. I discovered it while I was browsing either GoodReads or Amazon, and something in one of the reviews made me give it a shot.

In the story, Ryan (the hero) is home from the military for a visit. His brother Drew and his girlfriend, Avery, set him up on a blind date with Bri (the heroine). Ryan is soldier, and very good looking. However, Bri sees herself as a "plain" or "mousy" librarian. When they meet for the first time, Bri misinterprets Ryan's silence to mean that he is underwhelmed by her or not interested. This initial communication breakdown triggers verbal sniping and misunderstanding between the two of them. It also leads to some hot sex. Though Bri is convinced that Ryan is not the man for her, Drew and Avery have other plans which include stranding Ryan and Bri at a cabin in the woods. The couple can either argue their way through the weekend or see if there is something more.

In Bed With Mr. Wrong is truly a fun, fast read. I think I read it in nearly one sitting. I liked Ryan a lot and liked how he cared for Bri. Though Bri had moments where I wanted to shake her, overall I liked her, too. They may have seemed mismatched but the story reveals that the two may be more alike than different. Some of the verbal sparing was hysterical and I found myself laughing so hard that I had to keep wiping the tears from my eyes. However, there were also tender moments as Ryan realizes that Bri is trying to hide behind her walls and avoid the pain that comes with getting too close. It was touching to see how Ryan attempts to provide Bri with some of the experiences she had missed out in her childhood. As a reader, you do understand Bri's background and what causes her to behave in the way she does. It takes her a bit longer than Ryan to come to the realization that he really cares. The epilogue at the end provides readers with a sweet HEA.

I am looking forward to checking out some of Robert's other books and hoping for another fun read such as this one.

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

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Review: Hope Flames by Jaci Burton

Title: Hope Flames (Hope #1)

Author: Jaci Burton
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she's not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.

That's fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he's devoted to the only faithful companion in his life--his police dog. Still, there's something about Emma he can't shake.

When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they're giving each other something they thought they'd lost forever...hope.

This time last year, I began reading Jaci Burton's Play by Play series, which for the most part I really liked. I also recently read and enjoyed her Christmas series with the Kent Brothers. When I saw that she was going to be starting a new series, I pre-ordered the first book. When it arrived, I was eager to start reading it.  Since I was already comfortable with Burton's writing style, I settled in fairly quickly.  Unfortunately, as I was reading, something felt missing, which is why I gave this book 3 stars rather than four.

In the story, you have two likable characters - Luke (the hero) and Emma (the heroine). One thing they have in common is their love of animals, especially dogs.  Luke is a cop with a canine partner and Emma is a vet. As with many romance novels,  both of the main characters come with emotional baggage.  Readers learn fairly early that Luke experienced a terrible first marriage.  It takes longer to discover Emma's past, though it is easy to guess at some of it. As a result, they are both hesitant to get involved in a relationship again. This is fairly standard fare for a romance story and something that usually Burton delivers on pretty well. Unfortunately, there seems to be something missing with the romance in Hope Flames.  I wonder if the characters' indecision on the whole relationship thing put a little fizzle on the passion for me?! The whole "we are not in a relationship" thing, when they  are obviously in a relationship became slightly grating and, though I can see that it was supposed to be part of the build-up and conflict, it was mostly frustrating. 

One of my issues is that it took 60% of the book for Burton to reveal what Emma's issue was with men. Not that I hadn't suspected it, but it felt dragged it out.  I suspect that was a plan to keep readers in suspense, but in this case, it was more frustrating for me.   We knew Luke's issue from the beginning of the book, why couldn't we know Emma's issue? Seriously, Burton could have told the readers much earlier even if she didn't want to reveal it to Luke until later on. I think it takes exceptional skill to reveal a secret very slowly without it just becoming annoying for the reader. When you do finally find out, it feels like a bit of a let down. Additionally, Burton uses this as the issue that is central to the conflict.  It did not feel like it was developed properly nor did it have the level of suspense that was needed.  In order to remain spoiler free, I am trying to limit what I say about this part.   

Another issue with the book - why do women always apologize when it's the men who should be doing the apologizing?! Early in the book, Luke says something that Emma finds annoying/irritating/insulting.  In a later scene, you learn that Luke knows on some level that he has insulted her. He admits he needs to fix it but doesn't until after she apologizes. For the most part, Luke is a great guy but I found myself fuming with this part.

What I did like in the story were Emma's friends Jane and Chelsea and her parents. There are books that frequently isolate the couple from friends and family and I particularly like how Burton always builds family and friends into the story.  I liked Luke's older brother Logan and am interested in reading Hope Ignites and learning more about him. There is also a prequel novella with Jane and Will coming in February which I am interested in reading. 

Despite some of my frustration with Hope Flames (which may not be things that bother other readers), I will stick around and see where the series goes.  

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

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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: Before Now by Cheryl McIntyre

Title: Before Now

Author: Cheryl McIntyre
Publication Date: June 2, 2013
Publisher: Cheryl McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

Park Reed is a bastard in every sense of the word. He hasn't always been this way. But after his heart was broken by the only girl he ever loved, being heartless gets him through the day and allows him to fill his nights with the nameless girls he has no intentions of seeing again. He now lives his life following his ever-growing list of “life lessons.”

Lucy Braden is everything Park is not. She’s sweet, caring, and an all-around nice person. She tries to follow Lucy's Rules to Live By everyday.
When Park moves in with Jessie, which happens to be the floor below Lucy, Jessie's one stipulation: Lucy is off limits to Park. The problem with that is Lucy is determined to be a good friend to Park and see past the drinking and random girls to find the man beneath it all. The other problem: Park follows his own rules.

*This is a New Adult novel. Recommended for 17+ due to sexual situations, harsh language, and drug and alcohol use.

Before Now is a companion novel to Sometimes Never, and many of its characters are in Park’s story. However, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

Confession - I have no idea how I found out about this book.  Another confession, I have no idea why I downloaded it.  Typically, I avoid angsty stories featuring arrogant bad boys.  Also, I normally begin with the first book in a series and this is the second.  The only thing I do remember is reading the reviews before deciding to start this one.  They were all exceptionally strong reviews, which is not typical for Amazon. Guess what? I fell in love with the characters and the book turned out to be one of my favorite reads of 2013.

Park Reed's life is full of angst.  His heart was broken by a girl at the end of high school and, in an effort to deal with the pain, he anesthetizes himself with alcohol, chain smoking, and nameless sex. Every rule, every action is done to protect himself from any further pain or disappointment.  Lucy Braden embraces life, cares about her friends, and can see the good in everyone. On the day Park is moving into a new apartment with his friend Jessie, Lucy mistakenly squirts him in the face with a water gun. Not long after, Jessie makes it clear to Park that Lucy is off limits - not because he is interested in her but because she is the best friend of his girlfriend, Bree.

At this point, McIntyre had me completely hooked.  I already liked Lucy and maybe there was another side to Park?!  I kept reading and reading and would have stayed up all night to finish the book but I had to get to work early the next morning.  Park proves that he is truly damaged goods with a lot of baggage.  However, he does try to respect Jessie's rule.  Lucy is the best friend you wish you had and you understand why Bree and Jessie are protective of her.

With Park's life lessons and Lucy's Rules to Live By, readers learn more about Park and Lucy. Each chapter is told in alternating point of views.  And though readers know that there is going to be a point where everything will come together and bottom out, you can't look away from the pending train wreck.

Interestingly enough, McIntyre has this moment appear much earlier in the book than I normally expect.  This allows McIntyre to re-develop the relationship with Park and Lucy moving from the initial insta-attraction to a gradual reconnecting and growth of their feelings for one another complete with the consequences of earlier actions and decisions.  The book concludes with a special gift in the form of the epilogue.

Cheryl McIntyre scored on so many levels with this book.  I loved her characters.  She did a great job of making Park both irritating and lovable.  With Lucy, you wanted to hug her one moment and then protect her from some of her choices.  She lives life consistently with her beliefs though.  There is great chemistry between Park and Lucy and the sex scenes are hot but not over the top.  The secondary characters were all nicely developed and essential.  I was sad when the story came to the end, but excited that I could move onto the story of Chase and Annie (Long After).  I will definitely finish all of the books in this series and will keep an eye out for any future books by McIntyre.

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

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