ARC Review: The Assignment by Penelope Ward

The Assignment by Penelope Ward is a sweet and heartwarming story and I really enjoyed it! I found this one to be a cute and easy to read book that was exactly what I was looking for in between some heavier reads. I think contemporary fans will really like this one!

This book features a cast of real and genuine characters that I had a great time getting to know. Aspyn and Troy are both flawed characters, yet somehow together they are perfect. I loved seeing their relationship progress from enemies to friends with benefits and ultimately more. They were truly a case of your past does not define you, and it is never to late to turn things around and grow both individually and in a relationship. I loved the way things evolved and the heat between them.

I also really loved the side characters here, Aspyn’s niece Kiki, Troy’s grandfather Louie and father Giovanni. Each one had a hand in helping these two figure things out, and Troy’s grandfather was super cute. Overall, the emotion and steam here made this book a quick and easy read for me and was exactly what I have come to expect and love from Penelope Ward. Her books always leave me feeling happy and anxious for the next one. The Assignment was no different, and I recommend this one for contemporary fans!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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Review: Don't You Dare by CE Ricci

 

I have become a huge fan of CE Ricci's since reading her River of Rain duet. Having devoured every book she has out since, I honestly couldn't wait for Don't You Dare. This book is different from what she has released previously, but it was every bit as good! I cannot even begin to put into words how much I love her books, but if you are a fan of M/M romance, she is a must read. 

While she normally does enemies to lovers stories, Don't You Dare centers around best friends Aspen and Keene. These two are the friendship that everyone hopes to have in their life, the kind that would go to the ends of the earth and back for one another. I loved their bond and the fact that it had been so strong since childhood just made this one that much sweeter. Of course everything changed with a single dare when they kiss and from there I couldn't get enough of them. Seeing how they each struggled with their feelings and everything they thought they knew about themselves made me want to hug each of them. But it was clear that these two were meant for so much more than just friendship with one another. They were sexy and steamy, and I could not put this one down as they explored everything that was growing and changing between them.

I'm so glad that CE Ricci took a chance on writing something different because it absolutely paid off here. Keene and Aspen's story was perfect, emotional and sexy and captivating from start to finish. I am new to her books, but I have become such a huge fan and honestly can't wait to read everything from her that she writes in the future. If you are a fan of M/M books, she is a must read author and this one was fantastic. 

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