ARC Review: Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

I am a huge fan of Penelope and Vi, both individually and as a team! Their books never disappoint and I always look forward to seeing what they will write! Happily Letter After was such a charming read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. This one was so easy to get lost in and I think readers are going to love it just as much as I did. 

The characters in this book felt so real and genuine. Easy to root for and I felt connected to them right away. It was impossible not to fall for Birdie as well as Sadie and Sebastian. Sadie and Sebastian had such great chemistry and their connection was easy to see right away. Birdie was adorable and really brought everything together. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and was captivated from start to finish. The characters were the kind I love to read about, relatable yet unique and interesting. Vi and Penelope have done it again with Happily Letter After and I honestly can’t wait to see what they write next! If you are looking for a great contemporary read, I definitely recommend checking this one out!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: Playing With Fire by LJ Shen

 

LJ Shen continues to get better with each new book she writes! I love that she delivers everything we have come to know and love from her, yet continues to grow and give readers something new as well. Playing With Fire was angsty and addictive and I couldn’t put it down. 

Grace and West were everything! I felt so much for them, and my heart broke the more we learned as the story went on. I felt so connected to them and was so excited to be a part of their journey. These characters were unique and genuine and they seemed to be so real as though they could leap off the page at any time. I couldn’t get enough and I loved how different they were. 

I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. LJ Shen is such a talented author and has proven that she can write anything and excel at it. I always recommend her books because I believe that they have something for everyone and they never disappoint! Playing With Fire is a top read for 2020 for me and a must read for fans of Shen as well as those that have not yet read anything from her.

**ARC Provided By: Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Wild Fire by Kristen Ashley

 

I absolutely love the Chaos world that Kristen Ashley has created. It is one of my all time favorite series, so I couldn’t wait to get the story of Dutch. There was a lot to love here for fans of the series, and it was great to see familiar faces as well as meet some new ones. Wild Fire also set up the series to continue with Jagger’s story and I already can’t wait. 

While I liked the characters here and was excited to see Dutch get his story after seeing him grow up with Chaos, it took me a bit to warm up to Georgie. In the end I was happy with how things turned out and was on board with them. They had chemistry and I enjoyed seeing how things grew and changed between them. 

KA is one of my favorite authors and I always jump at the chance to go back to the Chaos world, so I can’t wait for more in this series and to get to know Jagger better. Fans of Chaos will enjoy reading more in this world, and if you are new to KA, I highly recommend giving this series a shot!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward

Penelope Ward is one of my favorite authors, and I am always anxiously awaiting her next book. I was super excited when I first heard about The Anti-Boyfriend as it sounded so good, and it was worth the wait. I really enjoyed reading it and it was one I didn’t want to put down. 

Deacon and Carys were great for one another. I loved their friendship and easy bond that was there from the beginning and seeing how it deepened the more time they spent together. These two had so many things in common that helped them to relate to one another in a way no one else could. The tension and chemistry between them was so strong and I couldn’t help but love seeing them try to fight it knowing that it would explode at some point. 

I also really loved seeing how Sunny fit in with them, and it was so sweet how Deacon cared for her. What kept this one being a five star read for me, was something that I think was just a personal issue. I don’t want to reveal anything and spoil it for other readers. But I just wish that things had gone differently in regards to some outside characters once Deacon and Carys admitted they had feelings for one another. Still a great read that I definitely recommend though, and I can’t wait to see what Penelope writes next!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: If I Could by B. Celeste

I love B. Celeste’s books and I could wait to read If I Could after first hearing about it. This is a standalone M/M story featuring two great characters that you might be familiar with if you have read some of her previous books. While it was nice going in knowing these characters a bit, you don’t need to have read either of the books these characters were in before in order to enjoy this story!

Ren and Reece were great! I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t get enough of them. Each of them had vulnerabilities that made them the men they were and without everything they had been through, they might not have been as perfect for one another as they were. But I loved seeing those sides to them, and also how each of them made the other better and loved the other because of everything that they had overcome. They had a great connection right from the start, genuine and undeniable. Their chemistry was off the charts and I couldn’t get enough of them. 

I really enjoyed this story. It was one of those books that just pulls you in and is easy to get lost in. I read it in pretty much one sitting because I didn’t want to put it down. While it does deal with some heavier subjects, it felt light and effortless to me. If you are a M/M reader, I highly recommend this story. I think contemporary fans will really enjoy this one and I know whatever B. Celeste writes next I’ll be reading!

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: The Jezebel by Dylan Allen

I have loved the Rivers Wilde series so far, and that continued here with The Jezebel. Each book is a standalone story, but I love the way they connect and you get to see different sides if you read them all. Though it isn’t necessary to enjoy The Jezebel, I highly recommend reading the previous books if you haven’t already. 

I loved Regan and Stone. Each was both strong and unique, yet had vulnerabilities and fears that made them relatable. I felt for both of them, and yet because of who they each were I knew that they’d find a way through it all. Their chemistry and connection were there from the start, but as is often the way, life had other plans for them. Their journey wasn’t easy, but everything that happened led to who they became and it was impossible to imagine them being any different than they were. I couldn’t get enough of them and honestly felt like they were made for one another. 

The main thing that kept this one from being a five star for me was something personal, and that is that while necessary to tell this story there were several jumps in time. I personally struggle with that in books, with it oftentimes distracting me from the story and becoming cumbersome to try and follow. While I got this story spanned a large stretch of time, I found myself being drawn out of the story at times because of the jumps and that kept me from being as captivated as I might have been. I still loved the story and the characters though, and it was great to see familiar faces again. I highly recommend this book and the entire series and I cannot wait for more from Dylan Allen in the future.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

I was excited to read this book, often times seeing it compared to Red, White, and Royal Blue (which I really enjoyed and definitely recommend!) Unfortunately, Boyfriend Material just didn't live up to that at all and I have to say that this one wasn't what I had been expecting or hoping for at all. 

Everyone in this story was immature and silly at times, and honestly none of them acted their ages. It drove me nuts most of the time, there were times that I found things funny though. This one was just so over the top at times though that I struggled. That coupled with the fact that the main characters were unlikable for good portions of this book just didn't work for me. I really wanted to love them and see them get on the right track, but it was just setback after setback. I also wasn't totally feeling the romance. They had chemistry and a connection, but they also doubted each other as often as they doubted themselves. While I don't need a book to be super steamy, we saw them be affectionate but everything else was closed door and I really would have liked to see them getting to know one another better both in and out of the bedroom. 

By the time I reached the ending, I was just hoping that we would get a satisfying ending and I felt this one was rushed. I have heard that Alexis Hall has great books, but this was my first read and I'm not sure if i'd give any others a shot or not. I have seen a lot of really positive reviews for this one though, so it might be for you if you like OTT rom-coms and don't mind some immaturity. 

 **ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Rivals by Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland is an auto-buy author for me. I honestly don’t even read her blurbs anymore, I just know that I am going to read whatever has her name on it! I went into The Rivals only knowing the name and honestly I really enjoyed this one! The characters were great and I read this in pretty much one sitting. 

I will admit that I was a bit slow to warm up to Weston here, but a lot of that was because at first glance he just seemed to be arrogant without much to redeem him. That quickly changed though as we got to know more of him and I couldn’t help but fall hard once I saw all his vulnerabilities and what made him who he was. I really felt for him, and Sophia was exactly what he needed. I loved seeing her be exactly who she was. She was strong and resilient and had been through a lot as well. These two had so much chemistry right from the start, and sparks seemed to fly whenever they were around one another. But seeing them really get to know one another and turn that into more was what had me unable to put this one down. 

Overall, this was another great read from Vi and I think readers will love it! If you love enemies to lovers romance, this one is not to be missed! Vi Keeland is a talented writer that always delivers, and I cannot recommend her books enough!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: Color Me Pretty by B. Celeste

I have read a few books by B. Celeste now and I love her forbidden stories! Color Me Pretty was another great read from her, and I knew I had to read it when I found out it was a daddy's best friend book. While I did really enjoy it, this one won't be for everyone. I think if you are open to a beautiful story and connection though, this one is worth the read. 

Theo and Della were great! They had such a strong connection and it was so clear that they were made for one another. Their connection and relationship morphed over several years and grew as they did. They were genuine and vulnerable, and I loved getting to know each of them. 

What kept this one from being a five star read for me were just a few small personal things. I felt like I would have liked a bit more about Theo and Della as this one was a lot about Della and all she had been through. While I liked seeing some of it, it was a lot of personal growth and I felt the romance suffered a bit for how focused on her it was. I also felt like for how much this was supposed to be forbidden and how it was brought up so many times, that things were resolved easily and it just felt like a lot of build up for something that was just basically accepted. I was expecting a bit more fallout. I still really enjoyed the book, and these things might not even matter to someone else but for me it was the difference between a 4 and 5 star read. I can't wait to see what B. Celeste writes in the future though. I really hope she continues to give us these great forbidden stories! 

 **ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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Feature: A Royal Second Chance Summer by Viv Royce

Prince Nicolas is looking for a priceless royal heirloom. Trying to stay under the radar, he keeps that he’s a prince secret—especially from the cute antiques dealer he asks to help him. The longer it takes, the more time they get to spend together, though no matter how attracted he is to Lizzie, love is certainly not an option for the heir to the crown of Belfort.

Lizzie Cates fled her family’s new-found fame and fortune because life in the spotlight wasn’t for her. She loves her small town, where the most exciting thing on the schedule is the car parade for the Fourth of July. That’s just how she likes it, until Nicolas comes along. Lizzie finds herself falling for the caring man who craves the country and small-town life as much as she does.

Except Nicolas has a secret that will shatter both their dreams...

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ARC Review: Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan

I love Kennedy Ryan! She is an amazing human and her books are fantastic. Each new book of hers I go in with such high expectations because of all she has written but telling myself that it’s okay if it isn’t as good as her previous ones, and yet she always delivers something beyond my expectations. Queen Move proved this yet again, and I honestly think her talent just continues to grow. 

My favorite thing about Kennedy Ryan’s books is her ability to create unique and relevant characters that are so realistic, while also delivering a powerful story full of subjects that are meaningful. I love that her books make you think and want to constantly be a better person while growing as a reader and as a human. Ezra and Kimba definitely fit this, and I just loved them so much! Their story was one that had me from page one, and I loved getting to know them and what made each of them who they were. Their journey wasn’t easy, but it was exactly what it should have been. 

Overall, this was another amazing book from Kennedy and I cannot recommend it enough. My all time favorite Kennedy Ryan man is Grip, but Ezra gave him a run for his money for sure! He was just the kind of hero that makes me keep reading romance. Kimba was fantastic as well, and I loved her even more than I did after reading the All the King’s Men duet. If you haven’t read those books, I highly recommend them! They are so good, and that is where you get to meet Kimba. I can’t wait to see what Kennedy Ryan writes next, I know it will be another must read just like this and all her other books!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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