Penelope Douglas--Bully (Fall Away #1)

Adult Romance 18+

My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way in hell I'll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back.

I'm not going to let him bully me anymore.

***This novel contains adult/mature young adult situations. It is only suitable for ages 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations.


(5 stars)

I wasn't going to read this one, the topic hits too close to home for me. I was bullied as a teen, and I wasn't sure I wanted to revisit those memories. But my fellow GR reviewers had me giving it a try. I didn't think I would like it, but I found myself loving it. The fact that this is her first book is amazing. It's well written, great character development, and pulled me in emotionally. It's hard to read about the emotional rollercoaster that Tate has to endure during Jared's torment. But even as you read it, you can see that somewhere there is a reason behind it all (in the storyline plot, I never condone bullying). None of it makes sense, they were best friends and now he hates her? The puzzle kept me intrigued, and my need to see if they got their HEA was too much to stop me from putting the book down. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that I am so happy with how this book all played out that I am looking forward to reading the rest of her series, and actually anything else she writes. It earned 5 stars from me for the fact that I fell completely in love with Tate and Jared and was so emotionally invested that I just had to give it a 5.

C. M. Stunich--Get Bent (Hard Rock Roots #2)

Adult Romance 18+

Naomi Knox is missing.
I don't even f*cking know whether she's dead or alive.
What I do know is that she's the air I need to breathe.
She's my redemption, an all consuming fire that burns in my blood.
And I'll do anything to find her. Anything. Even if it means the end for me.

& & &

Turner Campbell is searching.
But he has no f*cking clue what it is he's searching for.
There's darkness all around and enough secrets to choke.
There are angels, and there are devils. It's impossible to tell them apart.
Light needs to be shone on the truth, but there's no one left to hold the torch. The line between life and death is blurred, and the players are all thoroughly entrenched in the game. The question is: am I still one of them?


{4 stars}

Ugh!!! I hate cliff hangers! And I really don't know how to convey my feelings about this book. The synopsis won't help you decide, because, quite frankly, it sounds more like song lyrics than a book description. But, my first thought when I finished this one, was that it read like a song lyric. Have you ever had a favorite song, one where the lyrics just touched something deep inside you? The storyline flows like a never ending song, with emotion and angst, and truth. Sounds weird huh? But the "song" is layered on top of a mystery, and the puzzle pieces just get more cryptic as we go. The love/hate, passion filled relationship between Naomi and Turner is like the back n forth in a song. Each one takes turns singing lead. It's weirdly fascinating and magical all at the same time. The story is fast paced and has lots of puzzle pieces to put together to figure out the "who done it" that's behind all the drama. And just when I thought I had the answer.....cliff hanger! I am now thoroughly entrenched in the "song" and can't wait to find out what happens next..... 

C. M. Stunich--Real Ugly (Hard Rock Roots #1)

Adult Romance 18+

Turner Campbell is an asshole.
I f*cking hate him.
But I can't get enough either.
He sings like an angel and f*cks like a devil.
If I could, I'd run away and never look back because to tell you the truth, I think this man might be the death of me.

***

Naomi Knox is a bitch.
I can't f*cking stand her.
But I can't stop thinking about her either.
She looks like an angel and plays like a devil.
If I could, I'd f*ck her good and forget all about her, but to tell you the truth, I think this woman might be my last saving grace.


{4 stars}

WTF did I just read? It started out rough, I didn't like it, but I pushed through to give it at least a 25% chance. Then I fell into the story and forgot about the things I didn't like (and the proof reading errors). I just followed along on a rock journey that has little to do with music and more about the pain of decisions made on your way to that rock dream. Turner and Naomi have a past, one he doesn't remember at first. But Naomi holds on to that memory, and its aftermath, like a shield against the world. She pours all her pain and rage into her song writing, but her past is reaching out and slapping her in the face. Turner realizes who she is, and that she is the "one" he must have. She challenges him, fights with him, and is the one girl he remembers above all the countless girls he has slept with. They are a complicated mess. Sex, drugs, fighting, all the things that go along with a rock tour. Then add in their past encounter together, Naomi's murderous past, and you wind up with a rather intriguing mystery. It's not a romantic fairytale, it gritty, raw, ugly, and compelling. Didn't think I would like it, but wound up being captivated by it. Going on to read book 2.......

Kristen Ashley--Rock Chick Revolution (Rock Chick #8)

Adult Contemporary Romance

 Ally Nightingale has secrets. Secrets she doesn't even share with the Rock Chicks. But two men know what she's up to. One has her back. The other has her heart, but he doesn't know it.

As Ally rewinds the last year of her life, she knows two things. One, she’s never going to get what every Rock Chick should have—her own Hot Bunch guy. And two, she’s a Nightingale through and through. She just isn’t sure what to do about that.

But as her secrets are revealed, the men in her life react. Darius Tucker, a lifelong friend, as usual takes her back. Ren Zano, the man she loves, isn’t quite so sure. The Rock Chicks, Hot Bunch and the entire gang at Fortnum’s weigh in, and a Rock Chick Revolution starts brewing.

It’s up to Ally to control it and prove what she knows down to her bones.

She’s a Rock Chick, she deserves her hot guy and she’s going to keep the one she wants…

Because she’s a Nightingale...

{5 stars} **spoiler alert**

Ok...everyone that has read this series knows this is the end of the Rock Chick series. But is it the end of the Rock Chicks? I hope not, I hope we see glimpses of them in future KA books. Maybe their kids, or a Rock Chick Investigations series? 

KA is brilliant. She pulls every last string together and still gave me a little extra I wasn't expecting. Jane? Wow, to pull her in as KA herself was a stroke of genius for me. It made this series all the more special to me. Jane's take on writing the books almost made me cry. She believes all fairytales should be shared. And isn't believing in fairytales why we read these books? Ren and Ally have the true Rock Chick romance, alpa male dominance, rock chick stubbornness, fighting, hot make up sex, and true romance. I laughed out loud, cried a little, and truly enjoyed every word. I really didn't want it to end. Its 506 pages, and I usually struggle with that long a book. But not this time, it was the end of a journey with a lot of action, a lot of information, and a lot of storylines to tie up. Well done Miss Ashley! I will miss the Rock Chicks.....and I still believe in fairytales....

***There is a sneek peek hint that we are going to move to California for some Hot Bunch action.....

Crystal Spears--Seize Me (Breakneck #1)

Adult Romance 18+


Winter Belov was the sweet innocent one in her crime family, the dutiful daughter that never disappointed her father. One day, her father does the unspeakable. When he turns his back, Winter flees across the country, taking her life savings with her, determined never to enter that sort of lifestyle again.

No longer innocent, she now lives in Nevada. Lana is her best friend and the only family Winter has. Together, they are two of the best exotic dancers in the county. While working a shift, Pyro, Lana’s long time crush, propositions Winter. He begs her to do a private gig at Breakneck. She accepts, with the condition that Lana dances with her.

When Winter’s eyes lock with Braxxon Breaker's, the President of Breakneck, she realizes she is no longer free; she has been seized. He is everything she is running from but at the same time, everything she wants. Braxxon will not take no for an answer, and purposely disrupts Winter’s life.

Rivals of Braxxon’s club are vicious and they do something that will have him out for blood. Winter's and Braxxon’s relationship is anything but a normal one. If they want to be together, crimes must be committed, friendships will be broken and people are going to die.

What happens when all that chaos mixes with Winter’s father locating her? It will be a bloodshed when Winter and Braxxon seek revenge and take no prisoners.
***WARNING***

This novel contains explicit language, sex, drugs, abuse and some sexual situations.


{5 stars}

You have to be a fan of hard biker stories to like this one. I love the Undeniable series (by Madeline Sheehan), so this was a similar fit. I have read the reviews, and was already prepared for the impact of the assault scenes. But as much as I don't like them, they were part of the story. It was a part of what happens to Winter and how she deals, seeks revenge, and moves on with her life. This is a hard, no apologies, story. Raw, emotional, violent, and equally sweet. Life in an MC is never hearts and flowers, no "dating", no romantic dinners. It's survival, almost on a daily basis, but when that is the only life you know, you learn to take each day as it comes. The synopsis doesn't really give you the soul behind it, when you meet that one personal that makes you stop breathing, you will do anything to have it. Even disrupt their world to have them close. Braxxon doesn't know what to make of his new feelings, its never happened to him before. So he goes about trying to control Winter. But she comes from an equally scary world, and is stronger than he can imagine. They fight, they make up, they learn to deal with tragedy, and they love each other. I was hooked from the first page and could barely put it down. Can't wait for ZZ's story!

Chloe Neill--Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires #8)

Paranormal Romance

 

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.


{4.5 stars}
This series is one of my "go to" series. I am never disappointed, and I get totally swept up in the story, forgetting about everything else. And find myself surprised when its over, I want it to keep going. I've read that Merit is described as the "Nancy Drew" of the vampire world, and they are right. She never catches a break, the action keeps going while her and Ethan are trying to really develop their relationship. It's just one mystery/problem after another. It seems there is always someone trying to end all vampires, or destroy Cadogan House. But Ethan and Merit, along with a few supernatural friends come together to save the day once again.....

Love this series!

Kim Jones--Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas #1)

Adult Romance 18+

When the self-righteous, millionaire bachelorette, Dallas Knox walks into Hattiesburg’s largest night club she is looking for one thing – a one night stand with no strings attached. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself at the mercy of the Devil’s Renegades Motorcycle Club and their President-Luke Carmical.

Luke is dangerous, sexy, and dark. The life he lives is far di...more

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the self-righteous, millionaire bachelorette, Dallas Knox walks into Hattiesburg’s largest night club she is looking for one thing – a one night stand with no strings attached. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself at the mercy of the Devil’s Renegades Motorcycle Club and their President-Luke Carmical.

Luke is dangerous, sexy, and dark. The life he lives is far different from the privileged life Dallas is accustomed to.

Can she accept the lifestyle of an MC?

Can she handle the domineering nature of Luke?

Or is it too late to save Dallas from the path she has chosen.

 

{4 stars}

 

The cover alone - 5 stars!!

 

But I'm going to review this book in 3 parts (you'll understand at the end)

 

First third of the book -  It was confusing, intriguing, and kind of like watching a tennis match with all the back and forth in their personalities. And Dallas was irritating, I didn't like her. But that didn't stop me from continuing on...

 

Second third of the book - . It was still a little confusing, but Dallas and Luke kept my attention hooked, I was compelled to keep reading to find out who was going to tame who. They are a HOT couple when they clash and come together.

 

The final third of the book -  The story really started to come together for me. We still had some multiple personalities peeking through, but once you learn what's really going on, it all makes sense. Dallas has no idea what's really going on, and Luke is afraid to tell her the whole truth. Afraid she will walk away from him, and he has fallen in love with her. Dallas (I adore her now) has fallen hard for Luke, but is hurt and confused by his attitude switching. It all heats up toward the end, action, kidnapping, and drama leave us with a cliff hanger ending (Ugh!). My reason for the review in stages is to say, don't put this one down, all the pieces come together and make sense once you find out what is really going on. Yes, it was confusing at first, but I'm happy I didn't give up and now I can't wait to read the next one. Dallas and Luke turned out to be great characters, and with the added cast surrounding them, this could be a really great series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maya Banks--Fever (Bk 2 The Breathless Trilogy)

Adult Contemporary Romance

Jace, Ash, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Jace, it’s a woman whose allure takes him completely by surprise...

Jace Crestwell, Ash McIntyre, and Gabe Hamilton have been best friends and successful business partners for years. They’re powerful, they’re imposing, they’re irresistibly sexy, and Jace and Ash share everything—including their women.

When they meet Bethany, Jace begins to feel things he’s never experienced before: jealousy, and a powerful obsession that threatens him, overwhelms him—and excites him beyond control.

Jace isn’t sharing Bethany—with anyone. He’s determined to be the only man in her life, and it’s jeopardizing a lifelong friendship with Ash. Bethany will be his and his alone. Even if it means turning his back on his best friend.


{4 stars}
Fairy tales do come true.....

Well, I should have taken a break between books, because this one is at least 75 pages to long. BUT, I really wanted to know what happened to Jace and was compelled to rush into book 2. Jace and Bethany's story is not like any I have read. She has a backstory that doesn't usually get told, but it really did work out for the whole fairytale love story. Think "pretty woman" without the prostitution and add in a dominant alpha with a BDSM personality and voila! You have a story. Mistakes, trust issues, a destructive friend (on Bethany's side), and you have a mix that was compelling, and even romantic at times. Who wouldn't want to be swept off their feet and pampered like a princess? Too long for my taste, but a great story anyway. Going to move on to Ash after a "break" to clean my brain.... 

Maya Banks--Rush (Book 1 of the Breathless Trilogy)

Adult Contemporary Romance

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

{4 stars}
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, honestly I wasn't expecting to like it. It kind of fell somewhere in between Fifty Shades and Crossfire in plot line and sometimes MB gets lost in the sex and forgets the story. But, even though I did skim a lot of it (it was kind of long winded), I really did enjoy Mia and Gabe. Gabe has known Mia almost her entire life, she is his best friends little sister after all. But the "always in control" Gabe doesn't know what hit him when he realizes how much power Mia has over him. He is in love with her, probably always has been. But falling in love brings him outside of his comfort zone and he makes mistakes. Big, big mistakes and pushes her away. But how can he live without her? Mia and Gabe are great characters, and I am looking forward to reading Jace and Ash's stories. Don't let your mind make to many comparisons to Fifty Shades or Crossfire, and you will enjoy this trilogy.