ARC Review: Profited by Lacey Black

I think this was my first book by this author and I really liked it. I’m a sucker for a “baby you didn’t know about and now you want both of us” book but it has to be done in the right way. The right way is a way that gives us a plausible reason why the dad did not know about the kid that does not make us want to drop kick the Mom.

In Profited Dani and Reid hook up one night when they are both beginning as adults. Right from the beginning of the book there is some indication that Reid has somehow sold his soul to the Devil. I liked that the issue was kind of mysterious though and we didn't completely know what was up with Reid until closer to the end of the book. I loved the instant chemistry between Dani and Reid. Even though their night together was just a hookup, I felt the intensity of their feelings for one another and I was into it.

So fast forward about 8 years, Reid has taken over the world, Dani is the mother to his son and Reid has no idea his world is about to get turned upside down. Reid was a complete A hole when Dani re-entered his life but I really liked his aholeishness. Reid was bossy and in charge and he could not resist Dani. I don't know what weird childhood issues I suffer from but I love an alpha hero who is rude but also obsessed with his woman. I really enjoyed the get to know you phase between Dani and Reid. Dani is strong and independent but not ridiculous about it. Dani wants what is best for her son and right away starts facilitating the relationship between him and his Dad. As if Reid's personality wasn't enough, his relationship with his son is just so endearing. He was seriously making my womb tremble with how much he loved his son.

It was kind of crazy that Reid and Dani really didn't acknowledge that a relationship was happening between them and yet it was. I knew Reid was hiding some crazy ish and I kind of guessed what it was. Of course Reid handles everything horribly. Hey he was an emotional cripple. However, I appreciated that he pulled it together in short order and we got our HEA. This book is well worth the read, especially for those of you who already like these themes!

**ARC provided by InkSlinger PR**

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Feature and Giveaway: Profited by Lacey Black

One night. Let go. Be free.

Even at an early age, Reid Hunter’s future was already planned out. Though he was groomed to become successor of the family business, he quickly discovered his destiny wasn’t through his family’s legacy, but to build his own empire. His plan: takeover Vegas, one building at a time. Known as a hard, no-nonsense man, inside the boardroom and out, Reid isn’t prepared when he comes face to face with a woman from his past. The only one with the ability to make him question everything he stands for.

Raising a child is hard. Raising a child as a young, single mother is downright difficult. Yet Dani Whitley has managed to put herself through college, purchase her own home, and raise the unexpected, but greatly adored son she created while in college, after one night with a gorgeous stranger. Knowing nothing but his first name, Dani has managed to push all thought of Reid out of her mind until one day, nine years later, she is forced to face the man himself. Ruthless and callous, Reid Hunter is nothing like the young man she met at that music festival all those years ago. Yet Dani is still drawn to him, more than she was before.

Sin. Money. Success. Profits. That’s the foundation of Las Vegas. But what happens when one day you realize that it’s not enough? When the greatest thing you could profit is bigger and better than money: love.

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ARC Review: Trust Me by Lacey Black

Trust Me is the debut novel of Lacey Black, and those can always be sort of tricky. While the blurb sounded amazing, you never quite know what you are in for with a debut. I am so glad to say that Trust Me by Lacey Black was definitely worth the risk, and I really loved this book! I enjoyed the whole story and loved the characters. I couldn't put this book down and this book was so much more than I ever expected. I was originally interested because of the brother's best friend and little sister trope as well as the fact that this one is set in my home state (Yay Missouri!), but I was instantly drawn into the story and I thought that Lacey Black had a wonderful writing style that was so easy to get lost in.

Avery Stevens has a hard time trusting after being betrayed by men in her past. Now she is raising her three year old daughter Brooklyn at the age of twenty-two and relies on the help from her family and friends. Avery has always had a crush on her oldest brother Jake's best friend Maddox Jackson. Maddox has watched Avery grow into the beautiful woman she is now from the annoying little girl she used to be. He works as a cop with her older brother Jake and they have always been best friends. But Maddox has struggled with his attraction to Avery, and the many reasons that he shouldn't be having the feelings for her that he does. Not only is she off limits due to her brother, but there is also the large age difference and her little girl. Maddox has never done girlfriends or commitments, but for the first time he is starting to want more as long as it is with Avery. But can Avery trust Maddox after everything that she has been through, and can they get past all the obstacles that stand in their way?

I really loved Maddox. For all of his playboy ways and reputation, he was so sweet and dedicated to Avery. Once he had realized his feelings for her and decided to go after her, he was completely into just her. He was so sweet with her and Brooklyn, and I loved how he didn't seem to have any problems making that transition even if he knew that he was unfamiliar territory. I thought that he was so thoughtful and kind, and I loved that he was building something with not just Avery but also Brooklyn. You could tell that he was really falling for both of them, and it could not have been more adorable. Avery was great as well. She was such a strong and independent woman, and she had a great head on her shoulders for her age. She was a great mother and Brooklyn was always her priority. I really enjoyed seeing her let Maddox in though, and I loved watching as she opened up to him and started to fall for him. What really made their connection so strong was that they had known each other for so long and that they fit together on every level. They had great chemistry and were really attracted to one another, but they also had the emotional bond that made their relationship so real and believable.

Overall, this book was so good. I really loved every bit of it and I didn't want this one to end. It was sweet and cute, and I loved all the characters so much. I can't wait to get more of this series, and I am really excited that Avery's brother Jake's book is next. I can hardly wait to see what Lacey Black has in store for him and I can't wait to see him fall hard! I think that contemporary romance fans should definitely give this one a shot, and I think that readers will really enjoy this sweet story. I can't wait to see more from Lacey Black in the future.

**ARC Provided by Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews**

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