Review: Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie

I really enjoyed this book and couldn't believe what a great debut Beautifully Awake was for the writing duo Riley Mackenzie. This book grabbed my attention right away and didn't let go the whole way through. I didn't want to put this one down, and I can't wait to read more in this series. I was really impressed with this duo's writing style, and I loved the characters a lot. I will definitely be looking for more from Riley Mackenzie in the future.

Both Lili Porter and Chase Colton have painful pasts that they are trying to escape. Neither one of them has been able to find someone to commit to until they find each other. Lili is a case manager for a hospital and loves her job of helping others. She followed her father's advice to keep her chin up after a horrible event in her past and she now has relocated in order to start over. It is at the hospital that she meets Chase Colton the Chief of Neurosurgery. Lili and Chase are instantly drawn to one another and things between them heat up quickly. But they both have secrets from their past that they aren't ready to share with one another. As their relationship progresses, Lili and Chase must learn to let one another in or risk their relationship ending before they ever really begin.

I loved Chase. He was so sexy and commanding. He was possessive of Lili and claimed her right from the start. I loved how much he wanted her to be his and only his. He had so many different sides, but through everything his feelings for Lili never wavered and were always clear. He had some painful things from his past, and it clearly still affected him. I couldn't wait for him to open up to Lili and really let her see all of him. I think that Lili and Chase were perfect for one another and exactly what the other needed. Lili had been through a lot as well and was really strong. She was sweet and kind, and so compassionate. She was dedicated to her job, and I loved that she was able to move forward with her life and do something that make her happy. Lili and Chase were so good together, and I felt their connection right from the start. They had off the charts chemistry and even though their relationship progressed rather quickly it felt natural.

Overall, I really loved this story. I thought that it was super hot and I couldn't get enough of these two. The characters were fantastic, and Chase was seriously one of the hottest alphas I have ever read. I loved him so much. I did feel like the story seemed a bit long to me though, and the epilogue wasn't my favorite. That is the only reason this book wasn't five stars for me. After such a great story, I just expected more from the epilogue and it felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying to me. I wanted more, and I am hoping that we get more of these two in the next book. I highly recommend this one though, and I think that this book is definitely worth the read for Chase alone.

**Review Copy Provided by Literati Author Services**

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Feature and Giveaway: Beauty and the Brit by Lizbeth Selvig

Tough and self-reliant Rio Montoya has looked after her two siblings for most of their lives. But when a gang leader makes threats against her sister Bonnie, even Rio isn't prepared for the storm that could destroy her family. When their dreams are shattered in one dangerous moment, Rio seeks refuge for them all at a peaceful horse farm in the small town of Kennison Falls, Minnesota.

Rio should feel safe in Kennison Falls, but her budding romance with the stable's owner, handsome British ex-pat David Pitts-Matherson, feels as dangerous as her past. The incredibly sexy David is as far from her type as any man could get, yet he tempts Rio in a way she never expected. But Rio knows that her time in Kennison Falls is limited, that her family is still in danger, and that she and David come from completely different worlds–a recipe for disaster.

David has his own secrets, and even the sparks he feels flying with the fiery and beautiful Rio may not be enough for him to let her into his heart. Can the beauty and the Brit ever find common ground? Or will their pasts stand in the way of true love?

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Review: Kings of Asphalt by Alexx Andria

Kings of Asphalt is the first book that I have ever read by Alexx Andria. I was drawn to this one because of the blurb, and I loved the idea of an MC menage. While I did like things about this book, I also had some problems with this story as well. I thought that this could have been a really great story, and I loved the novella length as I think it worked perfectly for the story that Andria was trying to tell. However this book felt a bit like a debut novel that needed some work to me.

Zoe Delacourte is tired of writing useless pieces of fluff, and decides to take matters into her own hands about getting a news story worth telling. She decides to go undercover to meet Jax Traeger and Hunter Ericksen, leaders of The Kings of Asphalt motorcycle club, when two people associated with the club wind up dead. With both of the dead being killed execution style, Zoe is determined to find out the truth about the turf war raging between the Kings of Asphalt and their rival club. But upon meeting Jax and Hunter, the three of them are drawn together in an undeniable way unlike anything they have ever felt before. Jax and Hunter know that Zoe is in danger for asking too many questions and beg her to stay away from them and the story. But Zoe refuses to leave it alone and finds herself in danger. Can Jax and Hunter not only get to the bottom of what is happening but also find a way to protect Zoe while convincing her to give a relationship with them a shot?

I really liked Jax and Hunter, but I did have a few problems with them as well. Jax was sweet and seemed to be the one to smooth things over when feathers got ruffled. He was the more approachable of the two, and he also was the one that seemed to think things through. Hunter was more the type to jump into action and worry about the consequences later. I thought that they were really great friends and worked well as a team. They had each other's backs and had a lot of trust and friendship between them from all the years they had known one another. I did think it was a bit odd that they had no idea what was really going on under their noses though, and that it finally took someone else telling them about it to see. They were portrayed as these smart leaders, and I felt it was a bit obvious for them to miss. I also felt like while they did have their bad boy moments, they weren't as dark or bad as I had expected. They were actually more sweet and approachable than I would have expected. I did have issues with Zoe though. I felt like she was a bit sheltered and immature at times. She came off as flighty and a bit strange. I thought that it was kind of odd that she went from being almost virginal to taking two guys with little to no adjustment and somehow it all just worked fine. It was a bit unrealistic to me, and I felt like that part could have been done differently. I did think that there was a lot of chemistry between the three of them, and I didn't feel as though Zoe had a stronger connection with either Jax or Hunter. They seemed to work well as a threesome with no problems or jealousy.

I did have a problem with some of the way the story was written. The sentence structure was odd at times and I felt like a lot of them tended to be run-ons. I also thought that there were times that they would stop abruptly and would switch from one POV to another without any kind of warning or noticeable transition. I think that these are all things that could be easily fixed and would help the story immensely. There was also something that happened with Hunter that I didn't care for at all, and I felt like it really cheapened the relationship that was forming and the feelings that were developing between the three of them. I really hated that Zoe was never made aware of it either, and I felt like it should have come out at some point. At the time they didn't have a solid commitment or anything, but I still felt like it was wrong the way it was done and the timing of it was after these three had clearly begun something. I really do think that this story was good and enjoyable even with the things I had issues with. I just also felt like it needed a little work and it could have been even better. I will definitely consider more from Alexx Andria in the future, especially if she continues with more stories about The Kings. I would love to see Zoe's friend get a story, and I think that Andria did a great job of opening up that possibility in this book.

**ARC Provided by Literati Author Services**

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Review: Just You by Riley J. Ford

Just You is the second book in Riley J. Ford's Just series. This book can be read as a standalone, but it does continue Avery's story from the first book Just Us. I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive when starting this book after finishing Just Us. After the events of the first book I knew the direction that this was headed, and I honestly wasn't sure that I was going to be okay with it. But after reading Just You, I have to say that Riley J. Ford did an excellent job with this one and it was done in a tasteful and respectful manor. I was hoping that I would see the healing and growth that the characters deserved after the tragedy they experienced in Just Us, and I thought that they got all of that and more.

Bryce Humphrey has been living with the guilt from his actions that resulted in a tragedy five years ago. He has never been able to forgive himself for ruining the lives of his best friend Hayden and the girl that they both loved Avery. Hayden and Avery never knew that Bryce loved Avery, and he has had to live with the pain that he caused her all those years ago. Even though he has tried to live his life the best he can, he was never able to forget her or move past the love he felt for her or the pain he caused her. When he runs into Avery after not having seen her for five years, she is nothing like the girl that he remembered. They have both been punishing themselves, and he is determined to help her move forward. At first Avery wants nothing to do with Bryce, but soon she sees the person he is beneath the tough facade he wears. Now that she knows the real Bryce, she can't help but want to help him move forward as well. As they struggle with moving forward and getting past their guilt and pain, they realize that the connection between them is unlike anything that either of them have ever had before. But can they heal and let go of the past with the hope of a future together? Or will too much have happened between them to ever get past together?

Even though we met Bryce in Just Us, we didn't really get to know his character that well. At first he comes off as a tough guy that sleeps around and is kind of a jerk. But Hayden always said there was more to him, and you really get to see that in Just You. He is actually really sweet and caring, and was much deeper than he first lets on. He had admired Avery from afar and had never done anything about his feelings for her. But you could really see just how deep they ran, and that time and distance hadn't lessened them at all. I really liked Bryce, and I felt like he was really good for Avery. Avery had so much pain to deal with after the first book. But despite everything that had happened, she picked herself up and did what she could to fulfil her promises to Hayden. Even though she had worked hard and been successful, she was still struggling and had never moved past what had happened. Bryce helped her to see that she wasn't really living and that she needed to let go of the past once and for all. They were exactly what each other needed, and no one else understood what the two of them had been through. Their connection was so much stronger because of the pain that they had shared, and they just worked well together. They had great chemistry, and I really felt like their relationship was so real.

Overall, I really liked how things ended up for Avery and Bryce. They were able to not forget about the past but begin to move towards their future and stop punishing themselves for things that were out of their control. I liked both of their characters a lot, and I felt like you could really see the evolution of each one as an individual but also them as they transitioned to being a couple. I will say that I was glad to see Hayden's parents and their changed attitude towards Avery, but then they ruined all the progress they had made for me with their attitude towards Bryce. I understand what they were dealing with and I partially get what they were saying, but honestly it really saddened me that they continued to respond like they did. I really liked this book though, and I am glad that Avery and Bryce were finally moving towards happiness and acceptance. While Avery and Hayden had a love that was real and true, it was a childish love. You never forget your first love, but it was good to see Avery realize that it was different from what she was experiencing with Bryce. With Bryce she found an adult love. It was real and raw, and so much more than the innocent and sweet first love she had with Hayden. I would definitely recommend this series, especially if you have never read anything by Riley J. Ford before. After reading this series, I can't wait to get more from her in the future.

**Review Copy Provided by Literati Author Services**

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Review: Just Us by Riley J. Ford

Just Us is the first book in Riley J. Ford's Just Series, but can be read as a standalone. While Avery's story does continue in the second book Just You, the reader is not left with a huge cliffhanger at the end of this book and can easily be read separately. I had never read anything by Riley J. Ford before this book, but I really liked this story a lot! I thought that Ford's writing style was engaging and I didn't want to put this one down. It was well written, and the characters were great. I can't wait to read more from Ford in the future, starting with Just You.

Avery Hill and Hayden Stuart work together and go to the same school. They have been best friends for a long time but when there is a dance at school they find their relationship changing. Soon they are dating one another, and falling in love for the first time. Hayden and Avery might be their first loves and high school sweethearts, but they begin to make plans for their future. When Hayden gets accepted to college in Los Angeles, they agree that Avery will follow as soon as she can and begin their life together. They plan to finish school, get married and start a family together. But when tragedy strikes them, their plans are forever ruined. Now Avery must figure out how to move forward with her life knowing that things will never be the same.

I loved Avery and Hayden. They were both so sweet and loving. They truly cared about one another, and you could tell that their feelings for each other were so real. They saw the best in one another and were truly committed to each other. Hayden was smart and loyal, and I loved that he was such a good friend and boyfriend. Avery was easy to like and relate to, and I thought that she was great. She always wanted what was best for Hayden, and was really supportive of him. I loved how patient they were with each other. They took things slow and let their relationship evolve naturally. I liked that they didn't rush to sleep together, and that what they shared meant something to them. Their relationship was exactly what a true first love should be, and I couldn't help but fall in love right along with them.

This book definitely brought out all the feels though, and I would definitely recommend having some tissues on hand when reading this one. While this story did have me crying, it was heart breaking but beautiful. My heart aches for the characters in this book, and I hope that they find some happiness and peace in the next book. I won't spoil what happens, but after reading this book trust me you will want to pick up the next one immediately. This one was short and easy to get into and I couldn't put it down. I really liked this story, and it is one that will stick with me. I can't wait to read the next one and see what the future has in store for these characters. I will absolutely be looking for more from Riley J. Ford in the future and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about a first love and the kind of love that lasts forever.

**Review Copy Provided by Literati Author Services**

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Review: Make Me Crazy by Codi Gary

I really enjoyed Make Me Crazy by Codi Gary. It was cute and sweet, and I love the friends to lovers trope. The characters were all likable and I really enjoyed Gary's writing style. I felt invested in these characters and their HEA right from the start, and I was able to just lose myself in their story.

Miranda "Rand" Coleman grew up seeing that love can destroy a person, and since then she has been against love, marriage and kids. When her grandpa dies and leaves her the Double C Ranch, she is glad to be able to continue living the life she loves. But when she finds out that in order to keep the ranch she must get married in three months she begins to panic. She turns to her two best friends Red and Jake to help her find eligible men in town that she could marry. When she decides to after the town veterinarian, Jake agrees to help her make him jealous and give him a bit of competition. But soon the feelings between Jake and Rand start to become more about them and less about helping her secure a husband. As Jake and Rand grow closer, they begin to think about the possibility of them getting married instead. But Jake has never done commitment and Rand isn't willing to settle. Can Jake and Rand work things out before it's too late, or will they end up destroying their friendship in the process?

I really liked Jake and Rand. These characters were so real and normal, and I thought that they were extremely easy to relate to. Rand was strong and capable, and I loved that she was so comfortable running her ranch. She wasn't intimidated easily, and I also liked that she wasn't afraid to be herself. It was great to see her start to loosen up a bit with Jake though. I liked that she wasn't a girly girl, but it was great that she started to try something new and that she would think about Jake and what he would like. He really brought out more of her feminine qualities, and it was nice to see her show that side more. Jake was sweet and easy-going, and I loved the friendship between him and Rand. Jake knew her so well, and yet he started to see so much more to her than he ever had before. I liked seeing him start to develop real feelings for her and see that he was capable of more than just casual with someone. Jake and Rand were a great match because of their foundation as best friends, but beyond that they had great chemistry together and worked really well as a couple. These two were really hot together, and I loved seeing them take their friendship to the next step. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet and fun, and I had a really good time reading it. This book had it all, and I loved how it was sweet and playful but also sexy and intense. Rand and Jake were great to read about, and I loved watching their growth as a couple but also as individuals. I highly recommend this book to contemporary romance fans. I think this is a book that has something for everyone, and a lot of people will really enjoy this story just like I did. I can't wait to read more from Codi Gary, and I look forward to the next book in this series.

**Copy Provided by Literati Author Services**

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ARC Review: Bad Girlfriend by Kirsten DeMuzio

Bad Girlfriend is the fourth book in the First and Last series by Kirsten DeMuzio, but can be read as a standalone. I really liked this story and thought that it was really easy to get into. It was well written and flowed really well. I thought that the pacing was great, and it was a quick read for me that I didn't want to put down. I am really excited to read more in this series and I can't wait to see what else Kirsten DeMuzio comes up with next.

Brooke was raised by her grandma since her mother was incapable of taking care of her at the age of sixteen and her father wasn't in the picture. She went to cosmetology school and now does hair while living with her grandma and helping her take care of her house. Brooke has had one bad relationship after another and tends to fall for all the wrong guys. With abandonment issues because of her childhood, Brooke tends to let guys use her. When her new neighbor Adam and her end up in bed following a night that neither of them remember, she is determined to change her ways. With the help of her friends they come up with a list of rules to be followed when dating. Adam has wanted her since the first time he saw her and had no problem playing by the rules. He is determined to show Brooke that she deserves to be treated right and he is just the guy for the job. But hen outside drama threatens their relationship, will they be able to make it through together?

I really liked Adam. He was sweet and kind, and he treated Brooke really well. I liked that he was already looking out for her and taking care of her before he really even knew her. He was always thinking about her, and it was sweet to see how fiercely protective of her he was. He wouldn't let anyone say anything bad about her, including herself. He was just an all around good guy, and he was absolutely the perfect match for Brooke. Brooke was a little damaged and insecure because of her childhood. It was great to see her start to really value herself with Adam's help. I also liked that she wasn't afraid to open up to Adam and lay everything on the table. She was honest and not afraid to be herself. I liked that they were able to be so forthcoming with each other, even when it came to the hard things. Adam and Brooke were really great together, and I liked that they took things slow and followed the rules for dating despite the chemistry between them. It made their relationship that much more real, and you could tell that they were developing a really strong connection. The sexual tension between Adam and Brooke was clear from the start, and I enjoyed their scenes together.

Overall, this book was really enjoyable. It was a really great way to spend a few hours, and I was able to lose myself in their story. There was drama and some issues in this book, but for the most part it was all on the outside of their relationship and I was really happy about that. It was refreshing to see the main couple committed to each other and dealing with things as a team while not letting it tear them apart or really get in their way. I also really liked all the characters in this book besides just Adam and Brooke. I really liked Adam's friend despite his man-whore ways, and I can't wait to see where Kirsten DeMuzio takes his character! This book was really good, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance with a lot of sexual tension and some steamy scenes.

**ARC provided by Literati Author Services**

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Feature and Giveaway: Bad Girlfriend by Kristen DeMuzio

Brooke Mills has only ever wanted to be loved. The product of a teenage pregnancy and raised by her grandmother, Brooke went looking for love in all the wrong places. She has been the other woman or someone’s dirty little secret more times than she cares to admit. When Brooke’s questionable judgment lands her in the bed of her new neighbor, it’s the wakeup call she needs to change her ways. With the help of her friends, Brooke is determined to find a nice guy.

Adam Branigan is new in town, and despite the way he and Brooke met, Adam knows there’s more to the beautiful redhead than meets the eye. He wants to be the guy to show Brooke that she deserves more than late night booty calls. But will outside pressures and past relationships conspire to keep them apart?

**This book is intended for a mature audience, age 18 and older, due to language and explicit content.

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Feature and Giveaway: The Home Court Advantage by N. M. Silber

Gabrielle and Braden have fallen in love and face a bright future together if they can just survive all of the crazy people they encounter, like anonymous napkin droppers, UFO enthusiasts, crooked businessmen, nude drunk drivers, and a woman who tries to break into jail. When the gavel falls will the verdict be happily ever after?

Come join the fun as the sexiest couple in the Philadelphia Criminal Court System shares more witty banter and red hot lovin’ with a dash of mystery thrown in. The story that began with The Law of Attraction concludes with lots of love and laughter in The Home Court Advantage.

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Review: The Home Court Advantage by N.M. Silber

The Home Court Advantage is the second book in N.M. Silber's Lawyer's In Love series and is the continuing story of Gabrielle and Braden. This book picks up right where the Law of Attraction left off, and should only be read if you have already read the first book. I have been looking forward to reading this book since the minute that I finished the first story, and I really enjoyed getting more of Gabrielle, Braden, and their friends. These books are really funny, fast-paced, and are so entertaining that you do not want to put them down. I can't wait to read more in this series. I highly recommend that you check these books out if you haven't already.

Gabrielle and Braden are together and in love. They have their dog Bruno, and are looking forward to a future together. They still haven't figured out who sent the mysterious notes to Gabrielle though or why someone wants them to split up. Having kept secrets from Braden before, Gabrielle and Braden have come to the understanding that they will tell each other everything. As they begin to search for the person who sent the notes, Gabrielle feels as though she is being watched. With the help of their friends, Gabrielle and Braden set out to figure get to the bottom of who is behind everything. In between their crazy adventures in trying to figure everything out, they continue to prosecute and defend the crazy and hilarious criminals of Philadelphia.

I loved Gabrielle and Braden in the first book and I love them even more after reading this one. I love how committed to each other they are and that they never had drama or angst as far as their feelings went. They were in love and it was clear to everyone. I liked that when they had issues they talked about them and handled them together. I also think its great how they love each other for who they are, flaws and all. They are pretty much just the most perfect couple ever. They are hilarious and witty, and hot as hell together. I love their banter so much and I was really glad to see that continue in this book. I was worried that it might fall a bit flat, but it was everything that I had loved originally only new and more of it. These two are impossible not to love, and I think I would read anything written about them ever.

Overall, I thought that this was a really great follow up to the Law of Attraction. I think this one was a little less steamy than the first one, and although there was a bit of heat I had wished for some more. I also thought that while this one was entertaining and funny, that it wasn't quite as good as the first book. I still really loved this book don't get me wrong, but the first book was just so fantastic that it was extremely hard to top. I really loved getting more of the gang though, and I think that they have the perfect chemistry as a group. I love the camaraderie between them and I can't wait to get more of all of them. I am so excited to read Lily and Adam's story next. I love a good enemies to lovers story and you can just tell that all that arguing is going to lead to some crazy good passion. I can't wait to watch things explode between the two of them! If you aren't reading these books, you are seriously missing out. N.M. Silber is definitely one of the best authors I have read, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

**Review copy provided by Literati Author Services**

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Review: My Beautiful by Alicia Rae

My Beautiful is the second book in the Beautiful series by Alicia Rae. Kyle and Lily's story continues in this book, and should only be read if you have already read Beautiful Chances. This series is one that I have really enjoyed, and I find myself becoming lost in Kyle and Lily's beautiful story. There is so much to overcome and yet their love makes that possible. If you haven't read this series yet, you should definitely check it out. This series will make you experience so many different emotions, and yet you just can't help but fall in love right along with the characters of the story.

With Kyle's help, Lily has begun the difficult path of moving forward with her life. At the end of Beautiful Chances Kyle asked Lily to move in with him at his Lake Tahoe house and leave Florida behind. Luckily, Alicia Rae didn't make readers wait long to find out what Lily's answer is. As Lily and Kyle begin to move toward a future together, there are many things that first need to be dealt with. Lily has begun to see a professional and share her feelings and thoughts. Lily also must deal with everything that her family left behind, including the house in Colorado. As Lily begins to heal with Kyle's help, she realizes just how much she needed him in her life. Even though letting someone in and loving someone again scares her, she knows that her and Kyle feel right together. Lily also begins to reconnect with her family and those that she left behind. With Lily's stalker still out there though, things begin to escalate and soon Lily is being threatened more than ever. Will Lily and Kyle be able to have the future together that they envision, or will the opportunity of forever be taken away from them?

I loved Lily and Kyle in the first book, but I loved them even more after reading My Beautiful. Lily and Kyle really are perfect for each other, and it shows in everything they do. Their love and connection is so strong and solid. They are always there for each other and push the other to be better. I love how intense their feelings are and their amazing chemistry, but I also really love their playfulness as well. These two can go from being serious to playful, to absolutely steamy and it all works so seamlessly. They have a natural fit together and the ease of their relationship is something really rare. I absolutely love the fact that when it comes to their relationship there is never a ton of drama. The drama in these books is saved for things outside the relationship, and their bond is unshakable in the face of anything. Lily and Kyle seem so real and believable and their relationship has always felt the same to me. I know that Lily and Kyle will always be a favorite book couple of mine and that I will reread their story in the future.These two grab a hold of your heart and refuse to let go.

Overall, this series just keeps getting better. I really enjoyed this story and thought that it was beautifully written. I think the characters are ones that most readers can identify with and and very easy to relate to. The connection between Lily and Kyle continues to grow as they face their troubles together and I love watching them heal and move on together. I think that these two have off the charts chemistry and their steamy scenes never disappoint. I do feel like sometimes there is a bit much of them and that it sometimes takes over the story a bit though. I wish that we would be given more insight into Kyle's background. I feel like these stories have focused mainly on Lily, and that is understandable considering everything that she has gone through. But I find myself curious about Kyle and wanting more. I hope that we get more of his life in the next book. I really love Lily's cousins. They are entertaining and fun, and I love their banter. Their relationship with Lily is really special, and I love how close they all are. I also really like the developing bromance between Kyle and Jason. I think that this series is a must read for fans of the New Adult genre. There is absolutely everything you could hope for in a great book with this series. I can't wait to read more in this series and see where the future takes these wonderful characters. I also can't wait to see what Alicia Rae comes up with in the future, as I am quickly becoming a huge fan.

**Review copy provided by Literati Author Services**

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Review: Beautiful Chances by Alicia Rae

Beautiful Chances is the debut novel of Alicia Rae, and is also the first book in her Beautiful series. With this being her first book, I had no idea what to expect with this story. I am so glad that I took a chance based on the blurb and beautiful cover though. I really enjoyed this story and thought that it was a wonderful start to this series. I really liked the characters and the author's writing style flowed well and was easy to get into. I found myself becoming invested in these characters rather quickly and didn't want to put this one down until I was completely finished.

Lily lost her entire family in a horrible accident in which she was driving. She felt like she needed to leave town and be away from her aunt, uncle, and cousins in order to heal and move forward. So she got in her car and left Colorado without stopping until she settled in Florida. Three years later, she is a writer working on her second novel and enjoys photography as a hobby. She has made a few friends in her editor Brooke and a guy named Luke who is also dealing with some family issues. One day while writing on the beach, she meets a hot guy who she instantly feels a connection to. Lily finds Kyle to be hard to stay away from even though she knows that she isn't in the best place to be thinking about a relationship. Kyle is determined to get to know Lily better and refuses to let her push him away. Soon, Lily and Kyle are exploring their connection and Kyle is taking Lily on a series of dates that leaves them wanting more. Lily knows that she should get to know Kyle better and that things are moving quickly, but she finds herself beginning to move forward with Kyle's help. Kyle and Lily have developed a strong bond, but there are still the obstacles of their pasts to move past as well as a stalker that is determined to get to Lily. Can the possibly move forward together and take a chance on love, or will there be too much standing in their way?

I really liked Kyle. He was sexy and sweet, charming and funny. I loved what a great guy he was, always encouraging and supporting Lily. He really seemed to be patient with her and understood that she had to deal with things in her own time. I also thought that it was great how upfront and honest he was. It was so refreshing to read about a guy that was exactly who he said he was. There was no angst and drama when it came to these two being together, and I really enjoyed reading about a couple who dealt with things together. I also really liked the fact that Kyle was protective of Lily and would at times be alpha with her, but yet he was also so sweet and gentle with her. Lily was vulnerable and a bit broken, but she was honest and open to possibilities. Even though she would think that things were moving too fast and that she shouldn't be feeling as much for Kyle as she did, she was also willing to see where things took her. I loved that she didn't try to run from him or push him too far away. She would have moments where she needed to deal with things, but she didn't react as most heroines would by turning it into a push and pull situation. I liked that she was passionate about writing and photography, and I thought that it was great the way that the author showed exactly how much each meant to her by explaining her process and thoughts along the way. Kyle and Lily were such a great couple right from the start, and I thought they were exactly what the other needed. Kyle really brought Lily out of her misery and seemed to be so genuine in helping her heal. These two not only had a strong emotional bond and undeniable connection, but they had a ton of chemistry. Their steamy scenes were extremely hot and very well written.

Overall, I really liked this book and can't wait to get more Kyle and Lily. I can't wait to see what happens from here and how they continue to move forward. I am also really looking forward to not only getting more of Lily's growth, but also Kyle's. There is so much more beneath the surface of his character and I can't wait to see what else makes him who he is. I also really loved the introduction of Lily's cousins and I found them all really interesting. I love the connection that she has with them, and I can tell that they are going to be fun to get to know better also. The few things that I had criticism for was Luke's character for one. Besides being her friend and offering a bit of drama, he really seemed to not have much impact on this story at all. In fact, there are only a few times that he is really around and as soon as he is gone, his character is easily forgotten. I thought he acted way to ridiculously when it came to Kyle and Lily's relationship considering that he had only ever been Lily's friend and had never even told her he had feelings for her. My other criticism was that even though the sex scenes were extremely hot and well written, there were quite a few of them. At times it just seemed as though that was the majority of the story with little else going on. Because of the length of time that they had been seeing each other was so short, it just seemed to be kind of rushed and a bit much. This story is one that will stick with me though, and I thought that it was a great start to this series. This story is about love and finding your way, but also about dealing with grief and pain and moving on after tragedy. I look forward to reading more about Lily and Kyle and seeing where Alicia Rae takes them in the future.

**Review copy provided by Literati Author Services**

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ARC Review: Beautiful Dreams by Alicia Rae

Beautiful Dreams is the third book in Alicia Rae's Beautiful series, and it is the continuing story of Kyle and Lily. This book should be read after reading Beautiful Chances and My Beautiful. This is the third and final book centering around Kyle and Lily, but there will be more to this series. I am already anxiously awaiting the next book Beautiful Ties which with be Abbey and Jason's story. I have really fallen in love with this series! The characters are all deep and well written, and they all seem so real to me. They all have things in their life that they are dealing with and it is great to watch as they grow and change from book to book. I really recommend that any fan of romance give this series a shot as I think that pretty much everyone can find something to relate to with these stories.

As Lily and Kyle begin their future together, both must adjust to the reality of living together. Lily is in the process of unpacking and settling in. She is also working on finishing her book as well as adjusting to life without her family and friends around her. She grows closer to Kyle's sister Abbey and the two begin to develop a friendship. Kyle is also returning to work as well as beginning a new business venture with Lily's cousins Jason and Damon. The future is looking up for Lily and Kyle as it appears that they will have it all. However there is still much of Kyle's past that is a secret to Lily, and the more time that goes on the more she begins to question if he will ever let her in. She is also still afraid to face her final fear of marriage and what that will mean for her heart and the walls she had put up around herself. Will learning about Kyle's past strengthen their bond or tear them apart? Will they be able to move forward into their future and have forever together or will there still be things able to possibly tear them apart?

At this point Kyle and Lily have worked through so many tough times together that they are pretty much capable of handling anything. Even though Kyle and Lily have only been together for a short amount of time, it seems like it has actually been much longer because of everything as well as their strong connection. To me, their relationship has always just seemed to work and I have never questioned the amount of time in which everything has happened. This book is really about Lily and Kyle settling into life together as they move in and prepare for their future. I loved seeing them get into a routine with each other and it was fun to see how easy they transitioned to domestic life together. I also love how comfortable they are with each other. They are so fun and playful and have great banter. I also really enjoyed seeing that they haven't lost any of their attraction and chemistry and they continues to keep things steamy and hot.

Overall, I thought that this was a nice conclusion to Kyle and Lily's story while setting up the rest of the series. It leaves things on a happy note for Kyle and Lily and gives us more to look forward to with them as well as sets us up for Abbey and Jason's story next. I really liked seeing the growing relationships between the various family members as they begin to merge Kyle and Lily's families. I really love the friendship that Lily and Abbey are developing as well as Kyle with Lily's cousins, especially Jason. As much as I have loved Kyle and Lily, I think that Jason is definitely going to be a favorite of mine. I have loved him from the very start, and I can't wait to get to know him better and watch as he falls hard. I had a few minor criticisms with this book that kept me from rating it higher, but they weren't enough for me to not find this one enjoyable. I thought that with the events of this book that it was done really well with the exception of the noticeable absence of Luke. For being one of Lily's best friends and her commitment to their friendship, it really didn't make sense to me that not only was he not around for any of the events in this book but that he also was never mentioned. He just seemed to up and disappear, and I thought that it was very strange after everything that had happened before. I also felt that although it was nice to see Lily and Kyle moving forward that this book didn't have very much going on besides the fact that she was moving in and they were learning how to live together. It was nice to see Kyle begin to open up and let Lily in though, and I am glad that we got more of his story. It was really great to see some of what had happened to him and made him the man he is. I really love Lily and Kyle and how they were able to fit so perfectly together while helping each other to heal and get over their pasts. Their love is definitely one that will stick with me and that I will continue to enjoy. I am so excited to get more of Jason and Abbey next and can't wait to see where Alicia Rae takes them. I am looking forward to getting to know all of these characters better, and hope that there are many more stories in this series.

**ARC provided by Literati Author Services**