ARC Review: Rule by Jay Crownover

I have read books in the Marked Men series by Jay Crownover before, but I will admit that I read them completely out of order. I hadn't started with the first book in the series, so while I knew how things ended up for Rule I was looking forward to actually seeing how he got to where he did. While I did like Rule and Shaw, I will say that there were times in this book that I seriously wanted to shake them both.  

Shaw has loved Rule since she first met him, but everyone seems to know it except Rule himself. While at first they look like complete opposites, Shaw has always seen and loved Rule for exactly who he is. But even if he was the type to commit to one girl, Shaw belonged to his dead twin brother and he refuses to go there. But when a drunken birthday leads to an unforgettable night together, both Rule and Shaw must figure out what it means for each of them and if there is possibly a future together. 

I liked both Rule and Shaw, and I thought that they were good together. These two had a lot more in common than you would first think, and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another better. There was so much more beneath the surface to each of them, and seeing them explore that was really interesting to me. Shaw was kind and she understood that Rule had issues. For the most part she was patient and seemed to know what he needed. Rule on the other hand struggled to embrace change in his life, even when he wanted it. The back and forth with these two drove me nuts, and I really thought that they just needed to talk to one another a lot of the time. I hated that they would run away from each other when they should have been running towards each other.  

The other thing that bothered me here was the fact that both of them let their parents treat them horribly. Besides avoiding them at times, they really didn't do much about it and that drove me absolutely nuts. These people did and said horrible things, and there really wasn't much resolution until the end and at that point it was a bit too little too late for me. There was also an incident that happened that I wasn't a fan of at all. I felt like it was forgiven a bit too easily and even though it wasn't as bad as it could have been, I was never able to really forget that it had happened even if the characters were able to move beyond it. Overall, this wasn't my favorite of the series though I did enjoy it. I like Rule and Shaw, and I do believe they belong together. I love that Jay Crownover gives us unique and different characters than the norm, and the Marked Men all have such strong personalities. The camaraderie between them keeps the read invested and anxious for more, and I look forward to reading more of this series that I haven't so far. 

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ARC Review: After the Game by Abbi Glines

I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect with After the Game when I started this book. I have read and loved books by Abbi Glines, but I have also read and really disliked books by her as well. The Field Party series is one that I have both loved and disliked, so I just wasn't sure what I would get here. While this book still doesn't compare to the first in the series for me, I did like it better than the second book. Technically After the Game can be read as a standalone story, but I really wouldn't recommend it as I think you will lose some of the experience if you just jump in here. The backstory is mostly explained, but these characters are set up from the very beginning and I think the reader gets a better idea of where they have been and where they are going if you have read the first two books in the series before starting here. 

Riley fled Lawton after accusing the town's golden boy of rape when no one believed her. But now that Rhett is off at college and her grandmother needs help, her family makes the decision to return for Riley's senior year. The town still hasn't forgotten all that she accused Rhett of though, and the reception she receives is less than friendly. But the town's current golden boy and quarterback of the football team Brady offers Riley some kindness when he finds her and her daughter in need of some help. Soon he begins to question everything he thought he knew as he gets to know Riley and her little girl. 

After the last book, Brady had a lot of redeeming to do and I really felt like he did. There were still times that I struggled with his character, but I did see growth and change and that made a difference. I also liked Riley a lot. She was strong and great with her daughter, and I loved her for it. She definitely had a good head on her shoulders, especially with everything that had happened. I felt like these two worked well together, and I liked them for one another. I wasn't entirely captivated by them the way I was with Maggie and West, but I did like them. 

I will say though that there were a few things that didn't work for me here. They might be minor spoilers, so please stop reading if that is something you would like to avoid. The first thing is the fact that Rhett got off with no consequences for what he had done. I understand forgiveness was a big deal, but I just wasn't okay with nothing happening to him. The second thing was how abrupt this one ended, and the fact that there was no epilogue to give us any kind of glance into the future. With them leaving school soon and heading off to the real world, it really felt like things between them were tentative at best and that they could be heading in different directions. I really wanted more and I felt like the reader was left hanging a bit. It wasn't a cliffhanger really, but it definitely felt unresolved. Overall, this was better than the last book but still nothing like the first. I am hoping that maybe Abbi will write more in this series and we can see how things are a bit down the line for these characters.

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ARC Review: Friend (With Benefits) Zone by Laura Brown

I really enjoyed Laura Brown's book Signs of Attraction, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out I was excited to read it. As much as I liked Signs of Attraction though, Friend (With Benefits) Zone was really hard for me to get through and I was very frustrated while reading this book. I wanted to give up several times, but ultimately I pushed through to see how things would turn out. Jasmine and Devon have been friends since they were children and both of them are deaf. 

fter her father died Jasmine's family fell apart and while Devon and his family were there for her, she quickly learned that she could only rely on herself. So when she comes home after work to find an eviction notice, the last thing she wants to do is ask her best friend for help. Devon can't help the fact that he is a helper by nature, and of course there is no one he wants to help more than Jasmine. So when he offers his place for her to crash at while she figures out what to do next, he views it as a chance to finally have her close to explore the growing attraction between them while she views it as a temporary imposition that she plans to change as soon as possible. Can Devon show her that she is exactly where she should be with him, or will Jasmine's determination to do everything alone be what destroys not only a chance at a future together but their friendship as well?

I loved Devon. He was sweet and caring, a good person to the core. He was a great friend and was always considering others before himself. Jasmine on the other hand got off to a good start but quickly grew irritating and did nothing but get on my nerves. I really loved her strong sense of independence at first, but that quickly turned into being one of the most stubborn and unlikable heroines I have ever read about. She was bullheaded to a fault and I got tired of reading about her friends trying to help her when she did nothing but push them away. She refused to accept help and often used sex to deflect actually dealing with the problem. I hated that, and I wish that Dev wouldn't have allowed her to get away with that either. I still loved him, but he should have handled that differently. 

Overall, this story was just a miss for me. While I liked Dev and this book had a ton of promise, it unfortunately just frustrated me to no end and I honestly grew so sick of Jasmine that I wished she would wind up alone in the end. She was impossible for me to like and it just got worse of the course of the book. I loved Signs of Attraction and that is definitely one I would recommend, I just wish I could say the same for Friend (With Benefits) Zone.

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ARC Review: From the Start by Cheryl Etchison

I have become a huge fan of Cheryl Etchison's over the course of her American Valor series. With each book of hers I have read, she continues to impress me with her writing talent and is quickly becoming an author that I can't get enough of. From the Start is the third book in the American Valor series, but each book is a standalone story so don't worry about starting with this one if you haven't read the previous two books. 

When Kacie finds herself at her sister's bachelorette party in need of saving, Michael MacGregor rushes in to save her. But while there is a chemistry and attraction to each other, Kacie is the one woman who wants nothing to do with Michael. As if him being in the military and being a surgeon weren't enough to make her run after her past, the fact that she is leaving at the end of the summer would. So when Kacie finds herself in a situation wanting to through caution to the wind, she knows Michael is just the man to help her out. What starts out as a summer fling turns into more, but Michael will have his work cut out for him convincing her to give a future a real shot. 

I really liked these two. I felt their chemistry and the attraction between them right away. But there was so much more that was developing between them and I really enjoyed seeing that. Kacie had a past that made it hard to let someone in, especially with Michael having some things working against him right from the start. But I felt like he was so good for her and I was glad that she decided to shake things up a bit and do something out of character for her. Michael was a really great guy, and I felt like he needed Kacie just as much as she needed him. These two were just so good together. 

Overall, another great book from Cheryl Etchison and I am loving this series! If you like contemporary romance and military heroes, this is definitely a series you need to check out! Cheryl Etchison seems to get better with each book she writes, and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.

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ARC Review: The Scottish Duke by Karen Ranney

Karen Ranney is an author I have heard about numerous times and have been wanting to read for a long time. The plot of “The Scottish Duke” intrigued me instantly. I really love romances where the underdog is the one that gets the happily ever after. Although Ranney is a very accomplished author, this was my first time reading one of her works. 

Lorna Gordon is the daughter of a gentleman. But because of certain circumstances, she ends up a maid at the home of a Duke. Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross, is a widower. His wife died in childbirth but theirs was not a happy union since she often cheated on him. Alex, aside from his wife’s betrayals also lost his father and siblings in a tragic accident. Emotionally closed off, he is resigned to finding a wife in order to produce an heir. 

Lorna has been a maid in Alex’s house and like many of the other maids, has been in love with Alex. Lorna often traveled with her father who had a love for herbs and remedies. Very talented at coming up with her own herbal remedies, people often seek her out for ointments. One night Lorna decides to be bold and attends a mascaraed ball. Alex is so taken with her that even though he can’t see her face he takes her to the garden where they share a very passionate moment. That very passionate moment leads to Lorna getting pregnant and having to leave the household, thanks to her good friend, the Duke is told about Lorna’s pregnancy and instantly goes to find her and bring her back. Lorna and Alex are complete strangers, but have a child together, much of their hard work is just starting as they have to learn to get to know one another. Added to that is a very jealous sister-in-law from his previous marriage, who is not happy that Alex, whom she has been madly in love with, has married a maid. 

First, I have to say that I tried really hard to like this book but it fell flat for me. One, was the instant lust that Alex and Lorna felt. Alex, a man of high moral ground threw caution to the wind and got Lorna pregnant, completely out of character for him. Aside from that, I didn’t think that there was a real connection or chemistry between Lorna and Alex. Just when I was starting to warm up the characters, Alex leaves for six weeks when his wife gives birth because he is afraid of getting his heartbroken. He felt very wishy-washy and I couldn’t get into their unnecessary drama. Ranney is a very popular author and I’m sure many of her fans will enjoy this book. Personally, it wasn’t what I had hoped for.

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ARC Review: Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James

Eloisa James has become one of my favorite authors. I have to admit that in some of her earlier stories there was always lords, duchesses, etc… In “Seven Minutes in Heaven” James presents us with a widow and working woman, Eugenia Snowe runs a business that employees Governesses. One of her clients, Edward Reeve is also a sort of outcast. He is the illegitimate child of an earl who is now the ward of two children who are orphaned. Reeve’s is in need of help and Snowe’s is known for employing the best governesses. 

When Reeve’s and Snowe meet they are at odds. Reeve’s is in desperate need of help with his two wards. His half-brother and half-sister are a handful. Aside from having two very demanding kids to take care of his grandmother is fighting for custody of them. His wards refuse to cooperate with the governesses that Snowe has sent and when the last governess leaves Reeves knows that the only person that can help him is Eugenia.

Eugenia is all work and now play. She is devoted to her business and doesn’t make more time for anything else since her husband has died. She carries tremendous guilt and sadness about the his death. Even though Edward brings up feelings she has long forgotten about. 

“Seven Minutes in Heaven is classic James. The characters are fun and witty. The scenes are filled with little bits of comedy and also moments of extreme tenderness. Edward knows that Eugenia is not looking for a love match and neither is he. He is more than willing to offer her an agreement that will mutually benefit them. I really enjoyed this book and really enjoy the Duchesses by the Numbers” series. James always writes memorable characters and stories.

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ARC Review: Daring to Fall by T.J. Kline

Daring to Fall is the first book that I have read from T.J. Kline, but it won't be my last. I was immediately drawn in with this gorgeous cover and will admit that I really didn't pay much attention to the blurb. It just looked so good that it made me want to read it, and I am really glad I did. I was engaged right away and enjoyed reading this new to me author. 

Emma returns home after the death of her father to run the animal sanctuary that is his legacy. But when things start happening and it appears that someone is out to shut her down, Hidden Falls' sexiest fireman Ben McQuaid starts to ask questions. The more Ben digs, the more he must decide if he can keep his loyalty to Hidden Falls separate from his growing feelings for Emma. But can they figure out what is going on and have a chance at something together, or will they soon find out that the game they are playing could destroy everything?

I loved Ben right away! He was sweet and sexy and one of those guys that is just genuinely good. I couldn't get enough of him and he was definitely a hero worth rooting for. I will admit that it took me a bit to warm up to Emma, not that I didn't like her I just found it kind of hard to relate to her. She had some issues that she was dealing with and that made it hard for me to connect with her. These two had chemistry and a growing connection, but this was definitely a slow build romance, with things taking time between these two. While I enjoyed that to some extent, I would have liked to have seen more of the focus here on these two and not just what was going on around them. 

While I enjoyed the story overall, I did think that the slow build of the romance and the fact that much of this story was about Emma and the sanctuary kind of kept me from loving the book. I am more of a romance reader, and while it was there at times it felt secondary to the rest. I prefer to have the romance a bit more front and center than it felt here. But I did enjoy it and Ben is definitely worth the read. I am curious to go back and read the first book, and I would read more from T.J. Kline in the future. This was a good read, and I think if readers know that this is a bit light on the romance side going in that a lot of readers will enjoy it.

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ARC Review: Fury on Fire by Sophie Jordan

Fury on Fire is the third book in Sophie Jordan's Devil's Rock series. I have really enjoyed this series from the start, with its raw and gritty characters and romance. I have to say though that this was my least favorite book in the series, and it felt nothing like the previous books that I had read and loved so much. I'm not really sure what happened here, but I just had a lot of problems here and was barely able to finish it. 

North Callaghan is finally free after spending years in prison. He throws himself into work and the beds of willing women. So when his new neighbor catches his interest, he figures that she is the perfect choice for his next hookup. But Faith Walters is anything but another notch in a bedpost and he is the last man that she should be interested in. But Faith and North find themselves unable to deny the attraction between them. 

I have to say that my biggest issue here with Fury on Fire was the fact that this entire book felt as though the pacing was off. Things were so slow to progress at the beginning, with Faith and North not even really meeting until about 40-50% of the way through. Once they did though, things seemed to move at warp speed, with their relationship progressing from hatred to love almost immediately. I honestly felt like I couldn't keep up, and I had no idea how they got from point A to point B. I saw the attraction, but I really never felt like we got anything more than that. I didn't see their connection or how it formed, and I just didn't really understand how these two could possibly have anything together beyond lust. 

While I did enjoy seeing characters from the previous books, this one was just a miss for me. I wanted to love it as North had intrigued me from previously in the series. But I was really disappointed with his story and the fact that I just couldn't believe in the romance and relationship between him and Faith. I think that there are some that will enjoy this book, but to me it wasn't what I had been hoping for or expecting. I am still a fan of Sophie Jordan's though, and I know I will read more from her in the future. If you are a fan of this series or think it might be one you would like, I recommend you give it a shot as maybe this is just me personally not connecting here.

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ARC Review: Holding Out for a Hero by Codi Gary

Holding Out for a hero is the third book in the Men in Uniform series by Codi Gary. Each book is a standalone story, so these can be read out of order if you haven't read the previous books. While I have enjoyed this series, I haven't loved it. I keep hoping with each new book that it will get back to what I love so much from Codi Gary, but I have to admit that these have just been okay for me rather than great. 

Two years after losing his wife, Blake is still struggling with his grief. His favorite waitress Hannah is the bright spot in his life and he finds himself stopping by the local diner to feel happiness. But Hannah is looking for more when it comes to Blake than friendship, and that is more than he can give. Just as Hannah is convinced nothing between them will change, Blake kisses her and everything changes. But the closer they grown, the more distance Blake tries to put between them. Can Blake face his past for a shot at a future with Hannah, or will they both wind up with a broken heart? 

I have to admit that I struggled a bit to connect with these characters. I felt for both Blake and Hannah, and I could feel a genuine connection between them. But there was so much hot and cold, and back and forth that it just sort of lost me and I had a hard time feeling fully invested in their story. I wanted both of them to let go a bit and they each had issues that kept that from happening. I just felt like something was missing because I never felt like they made much progress. It was a definite case of one step forward, two steps back and after awhile I was just over it. 

While I wanted to like this one, the ending felt rushed and cliche. Things were wrapped up too easily and it wasn't a satisfying conclusion after all that we had been through with these two over the course of the story. If you are a fan of this series, this one is worth giving a shot. I have to admit that it isn't my favorite from Codi Gary though, and wouldn't be one that I recommend for anyone looking for a solid romance story. I think it lacked depth and I was frustrated more often than not here.

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ARC Review: Bedmates by Nichole Chase

Bedmates was my first book by Nichole Chase, but it definitely won't be my last! This book was the first in her new American Royalty series, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. This was such a sweet and sexy story and I had a great time reading Maddie and Jake's story! 

When Maddie McGuire's latest mistake lands her in handcuffs, she knows that things are about to go from bad to worse quickly due to the fact that she is the President's daughter. When she agrees to pay for the damages and do community service, she never expects that she will find herself working alongside Jake Simmon. Not only is Jake annoying, but he ratted her out in the past. But Jake is no longer the same guy she remembers, and since returning from Afghanistan with a life changing injury he struggles with the horrors of everything that he has been through. Maddie and Jake might fight like cats and dogs, but they soon realize that there is a fine line between love and hate. Can Maddie help Jake with his demons though, or will he push her away when he needs her the most?

I really loved these characters. They had so much depth and I loved the fact that they were different yet had so much in common. They understood each other in a way that no one else could because of their circumstances, and that had them relating to one another even before things really started to change between them. They were both sweet and sexy, and the emotional connection they were forming was one I couldn't get enough of. Both Maddie and Jake wanted to make the world a better place, and their determination to do so was great to see. They weren't doing it just because of the position they were in because of their parents, but because they genuinely believed in the causes that they were passionate about. 

Overall, this was a great story and I loved it from the very beginning. There were a few times that Jake annoyed me with his pushing Maddie away, but I understood it even if I didn't like it. The only reason this one wasn't a five star book for me was because of something that is an issue for me personally. I don't know that it will bother other readers like it did for me, but Jake did hook up with a few girls in the beginning of this story, one he definitely should have known better about, and that was something I don't care for. Maddie and Jake weren't together, so he didn't cheat, but he did recognize his feelings for Maddie and it was clear that Maddie was upset about him with the one girl, so that just rubbed me the wrong way. We find out later that he had been with a few other girls as well and to me once feelings and a connection start to form, I don't want the hero or heroine to be with anyone else. Again though, that could just be something that bothers me personally and I still really enjoyed the book. It just kept me from absolutely loving this one when I think had that been different that this would have been easily five stars. I definitely can't wait to read more from Nichole Chase though, and I already can't wait for the next book in this series.

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