ARC Review: Mr. Wicked by Marni Mann

I couldn’t wait to read Mr. Wicked by Marni Mann after reading Mr. Hook-Up! Mr. Hook-Up was one of my favorite reads from 2023, so I will admit my expectations were high here. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this book like I did the first in the Hooked series. Each book is a standalone, and honestly the feel of this book was completely different to the first. While there were things I liked here, I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as Mr. Hook-Up. 

I struggled to get into this story and that continued for the entire first half of the book. I felt like Grayson was just too much of an asshole. Usually I am able to find some redeeming qualities when a hero starts off this way, but honestly Grayson was just that bad. I didn’t understand why Jovanna felt the way she did. Her insta-love feelings didn’t make sense to me. She gave him so much leeway and he frankly didn’t deserve it. When he finally did make the switch, that didn’t make sense to me either. His reasoning for it didn’t seem believable to me. 

Once things changed for these two, it was like a switch had flipped and all of a sudden things went into overdrive. The whole second half of the book things felt rushed. I just really couldn’t get on board with the flip to their relationship and things didn’t feel genuine. While these two had chemistry and it was clear the attraction was there from the start, I just really felt like the relationship didn’t feel authentic to me. The big secret fell a bit flat for me, with things exploding when the truth was learned to quickly be swept under the rug because of circumstances that felt a bit manufactured just to clear things up and put them into perspective. Usually Marni’s stories are some of my favorites, but this one just felt forced and as though each thing that happened was manufactured to drive something else. There wasn’t the natural flow I am used to from Marni and I had to keep picking this one back up. I wasn’t anxious to keep reading, but it was more of a mission to finish. I still love Marni’s books and am looking forward to the next one. Unfortunately Grayson and Jovanna’s story was a miss for me.

**ARC Provided by Netgalley**

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ARC Review: The Playboy by Marni Mann

The Playboy is the first book in the Spade Hotel series by Marni Mann, and this one is a standalone despite being connected to other books she has written. Fans of the Dalton Brothers series will recognize familiar faces here, but you don’t need to have read those books to understand anything in The Playboy. I highly recommend reading those books if you haven’t though as they are some of my absolute favorite books!

Marni always brings the heat and spice, and the chemistry here between Macon and Brooklyn was off the charts! These two meet when Macon spots her across a club and decides that he has to meet her. I loved how instant his attraction and need to know her was, but seeing his pursuit for her was honestly so refreshing! I love when a hero is so gone for the heroine that he has to make it happen and thinks of little else, and that was absolutely the case here. Brooklyn was super smart and hard working and honestly just a great heroine that I felt like I could relate to. Both characters were likable and it felt like you were falling along with them throughout the whole book!

I loved every bit of this book and I think that fans of Marni’s will love this one too! If you are new to Marni Mann, you can’t go wrong with anything she writes, but this one was one of her best! Romance and spice lovers will love Marni’s unique way of captivating her audience with stories full of heart, emotion, and enough heat to keep you turning pages from start to finish. I love all her books I’ve read, but there is just something about Macon in The Playboy that makes him one of her best heroes yet! The Playboy is not to be missed!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Mr. Hook-Up by Marni Mann

 

I couldn’t wait to read Mr. Hook-Up after reading The Bachelor by Marni Mann, and it was everything I hoped for and more! This book is a standalone story, and the start of Marni’s new Hooked series. Readers first meet some of the characters from Mr. Hook-Up in Marni’s book The Bachelor as Camden Dalton helps Declan Shaw take on a case that becomes a large part of this series. Not only do I highly recommend the whole Dalton series (they are interconnected stand-alones) as they are all fantastic reads, but I definitely recommend reading The Bachelor first if possible as it was so good and gives you a little glimpse into this book!

This book has one of my favorite tropes ever, texting/secret identity, and I couldn’t get enough. It is split into two parts, and I was honestly so in love with this story as I read it. I won’t give anything away, but I had to know how things would go after part one and didn’t want to put this one down for anything! These characters are sexy and witty, and I just loved every second of this one!

Fans of Marni will love this book as it has everything i’ve come to expect and appreciate about her stories! Her writing is so good and you can’t help but fall in love with her characters and want to be right there with them. She also always brings the spice, and this one was no exception! I can’t wait to read this one again and to also get more in this series! I love Marni’s books, but this one could possibly be my new favorite! Mr. Hook-Up will have you Hooked from the very first page, an absolute must-read!

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Bachelor by Marni Mann

 

The Bachelor is the 5th book in the Dalton Family series by Marni Mann and I absolutely loved it! Each book in this series features a different member of the Dalton family, so they can be read as standalones. I definitely recommend reading all of them though as this series is so good and has easily become one of my all-time favorites!

Camden and Oaklyn’s story drew me in from the first page and I was immediately hooked! I didn’t want to put this one down and wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for real life getting in the way! Camden and Oakly were sexy and I loved the heat and chemistry between them. It was also their undeniable connection that I loved getting more of. These two had always been drawn to one another, but due to Camden’s sister/Oaklyn’s best friend Hannah, there was always the element of it being forbidden. Seeing how things grew and evolved was what kept me flipping pages and wanting to make this one last but also see how everything turned out. 

I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book, and while I’ve loved the whole series, this book might just overtake Jenner & Jo’s story as being my favorite! Camden was just so amazing, and I loved how his character changed and how all in he was! If you are only going to pick up one book in this series, this one should be it! Again, I highly recommend all of them, but The Bachelor was fantastic! I can’t wait for the Hooked series coming up from Marni Mann, you get a small peek here at some of the characters and I am so excited to get more!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Before You by Marni Mann

I really loved this book! Marni Mann is an excellent writer and she kept me on the edge of my seat with this one! Before You had me experiencing all the emotions and I was never sure what would happen next. I haven’t read a book like this before and I enjoyed reading it so much. Every book I’ve read from Marni has been great and this one was no exception. 

Marni does a great job writing unique characters that you can’t help but feel invested in. Billie and Jared were so real and I couldn’t help but feel everything as they experienced it. They didn’t have it easy, and honestly my heart broke for them over and over. I really believed that they were meant for one another though, and had faith that Marni would take their story where it was meant to go. 

I will say that while this ending was mostly satisfying, it felt like things weren’t entirely finished. I am hoping that Marni will give us more of the story as I would love to read more about these characters. Rest assured though that if this is all we get, it is definitely worth the read and does not leave the reader hanging. This was a great book and I think readers are going to love it!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Endorsed by Marni Mann

Endorsed by Marni Mann is a standalone story, but if you have read Signed you will recognize some familiar faces. You don’t need to worry if you haven’t read Signed yet, though I would recommend checking it out because it is so good! Marni Mann is an author that I always enjoy though, and Endorsed was one of my favorites by her. 

Jack and Samantha met just as Jack’s career was taking off, with him being her brother’s agent and helping him land her brother an NFL contract. Knowing that if her brother ever found out it could ruin his career, Jack ended things with Samantha though he knew she was the one thing he wanted more than anything else. Now eight years later, the feelings between them have never gone away though they haven’t spoken or seen each other. As soon as Jack sees her again though, he is determined to do whatever it takes to win her over once and for all. But while Samantha might have been the one left with a broken heart years before, she holds a secret that could destroy any chance of a future for her and Jack. 

I loved Samantha and Jack. They were sweet and sexy, and you could tell that what they shared was special, despite the years apart. They really had a connection, and it was one that hadn’t dimmed despite everything. The attraction and chemistry was there right from the start, and these two were super hot! I couldn’t get enough of their sexy times together, something that Marni Mann really excels at! But what made it that much better was the fact that Samantha and Jack had so much more than just heat between them, and I loved seeing them build on the connection they previously had while getting to know who they had become in the years apart. 

Overall, this was a great book and I loved the characters. The story was sweet and hot, with a little bit of something for everyone. The one thing I will say that kept this one from being a five star read for me was the little bit of conflict there was in this book was predictable for me and it was solved very easily it felt like. While I enjoyed the story and the characters, it just felt like things were a bit on the easy side when it came to the secret/reveal. I loved the characters though, so it wasn’t hard for me to get over that and just enjoy the story. I think readers will enjoy this one as much as I did, and I can’t wait for more from Marni Mann.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Signed by Marni Mann

I have enjoyed everything I have read from Marni Mann, and Signed was no exception. I was addicted once I started reading it and didn't want to put it down. This one was sexy and captivating and I think readers will like it as much as I did. 

James is used to everything that fame brings, but after a bad breakup she is trying to focus on her career. So when she has a one night stand with the sexy and older Brett, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. When she finds herself in need of help with a scandal, Brett just might be the only one that can save her. 

I'll be honest and say that the only reason this one wasn't a five star read for me was the characters got on my nerves a few times here. That being said though, I still loved them for one another despite all their flaws. That is what made them easier to relate to for me, even when they were frustrating. James was young and at times her immaturity definitely showed. Brett was quick to react at times and I felt like they both needed to learn how to communicate better though. I still really liked them and the chemistry between them was undeniable. They were super hot together but there was so much more than just the attraction and physical for these two. I really couldn't get enough of them and even with the drama and angst, I didn't want to stop reading. 

Overall, another great read from Marni Mann. I enjoyed the story and really felt like these two were meant for one another. I haven't been disappointed by Marni Mann with anything I have read from her, and I can't wait to see what she writes next! I would love to see more in this world as I am not ready to leave it behind!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Lover by Marni Mann and Gia Riley

I absolutely loved this book! The minute this one downloaded to my Kindle I started reading and was immediately hooked. There are a lot of books that once I start reading I don't want to put down, but with Lover it was impossible for me to put it down. I read it in one sitting and absolutely devoured every single word of this story both anxious and dreading getting to the end. Gia Riley and Marni Mann had me completely captivated with West and Piper and I never wanted this book to end. 

Piper's marriage hasn't been the same for awhile, and she is lost trying to figure out what to do to get her and Cannon back on the same page. When she stumbles on a forum that introduces the idea of swinging, she begins to think that might be what could save them. As Piper and Cannon meet a couple and venture into new territory, they begin to realize that they had drifted apart more than they thought and the people 7:they are now is no longer who they had married. Soon they are each finding their desires fulfilled by another in a way they never had with each other, but what happens when Piper starts to feel more for West? 

First let me tell you that this book was HOT! West was super sexy and I couldn't get enough of him! West and Tilly's marriage had been more about sex than anything else, and it was clear they clicked on that level. However with Piper, West had a connection and these two were clearly more right from the start. They felt perfect for each other in every way, and that just grew stronger as the story continued. Piper loved Cannon, but no matter what she tried she knew there was a lot he wasn't telling her. I felt so bad for her and how she struggled because of that doubt and the insecurities that seemed to be reinforced as Cannon continued to not let her in. West was the exact opposite, and was what she truly needed! He built up her confidence and showed her that she was desirable and worth so much more. I loved these two for one another and they clicked on absolutely every level! 

I will say that while I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it, that it won't be for everyone. This is one book that needs to be gone into with an open mind. Both West and Piper are married to other people and while the swinging is agreed upon by all parties, you do see sex between West and Tilly as well as West and Piper, and the same happens with Cannon and Tilly as well as Cannon and Piper. It continues throughout the story, and I know that some will have some problems with that. For me, I knew what this book was going in and I was able to appreciate it for the story being told. As steamy and hot as this story is, it is about so much more and is one that to me is an absolute must read. This is a love story at it's core and I think it is definitely worth taking the chance on even if it is a bit out of your comfort zone. I honestly can't wait to go back and read this again, and I really can't wait to see what these two write in the future. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books from them!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: The Unblocked Collection by Marni Mann

Let me just start by saying that I don't know if I would recommend purchasing any of these books by themselves. Let me amend that, I'm sure that I would not recommend that. I absolutely LOVED each episode but they are not books or novellas, they are PIECES of a book. You get zero satisfaction from reading just one episode by itself and because each is so good, all you're going to do is run out and get the next one so do yourself a favor and just get the entire set.

Episode 1

This is really the opening of the series which lays all the background for the story.In Episode 1, we meet Frankie and Derek and damn! Your Kindle might actually combust from the chemistry between the couple. It's hard to even discuss the details of the story line because the the chemistry is so well done and detailed, it automatically stands out in your mind. In terms of the background we get, Frankie is preparing to take over her Father's business doing something related to commercial real estate and Derek is a developer who hires Frankie as the agent for his new development.

What I love is Frankie, she is strong, driven and the best at what she does. Derek is also my favorite flavor of brooding alpha male with a chip on his shoulder and a really dirty mouth. Oh how I looooove a dirty mouth. The other thing I like about this book is that Derek hires Frankie to work for him and it genuinely appears that his decision is based on her qualifications despite the fact that he wants to crush her cookies. Finally, this book introduces what will be a continuing theme throughout the series of the push and pull between Derek and Frankie wanting to keep things professional and blurring every line. This episode rockets you into the series and gives you a sense of just how good things are going to get.

Minor criticism- Frankie has these dreams, I don’t like em. Enough said.

Episode 2

Episode 2 picks up right where we left off in the last episode and I think this one is even better than the first one. We learn that Derek uses his talents in and out of the bedroom to get what he wants. That was kinda awkward but it did help us to understand that Derek just wasn’t the commitment guy. He was the sex as a physical outlet guy. In a strange twist, that actually made me appreciate his feelings for Frankie more because you knew right away it was something special. Frankie and Derek keep running into each other (mostly because Frankie now works for Derek and he can’t stay away from her) and their chemistry builds with each interaction. There is a party scene in which things get extremely steamy. You get extra twists and turns in this episode because Frankie’s d bag of an ex asserts himself. It always fun to see our alpha Hero deal with other men and you get that in this episode. This episode also gives us more information about Derek’s revenge plot he has cooked up with his sister. That whole thing is a bit convoluted and both Derek and his sister are going to some truly strange lengths to make it work but whatevs, it added to the story line so I’ll allow it.

I have to say the steamy scenes are STEAMY, Marni Mann is an expert of steam and you will not be disappointed in this episode.

Episode 3

Okay this episode was not my favorite in the series. On the positive side of things, the sex scenes are just RIDICULOSULY HAWT and just, whew! So whatever I might be feeling about the story line in this book, my overall impression was that I enjoyed this installment. Derek’s sister Hayden plays more of a central role in this installment and her place in the story line is…shocking. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll let you just read it but I really liked what the author did with Hayden. In episode 3 you really start to see how Derek’s feelings for Frankie are moving from purely physical to something much more. My problem with this episode was the very thing I previously loved about the series- Frankie. Frankie just comes off as being a little immature in this episode in the way she reacts to certain things. I got it in terms of what we learn about Frankie’s background but I just didn’t love what we saw of Frankie in Episode 3.

Episode 4

I had been waiting through the series to find out what was going on with Derek’s past and how it led him on the path to revenge. In Ep 4, we finally get a more in depth perspective on Derek’s past. With that perspective and the telling of that story come issues that both Derek and Hayden are facing in the present. Of course the present issues impact Derek’s relationship with Frankie and things get really good as we watch all these things play out. Frankie is STILL trying to balance her personal and professional life in this instalment. Frankie still feels like she is wrong for crossing the line with Derek and continues to wonder if she is doing the right thing. I gotta say, I kinda wanted to hit Frankie in the head. Like either bang the guy and be happy or don’t bang the guy and be alone with those weird dreams. Whatever you do, please stop with the “I am but I shouldn’t” because it was driving me crazy.

Of course, it goes without saying at this point, but the author continues to deliver the hot hot stuff. And by “hot” I mean “hot tub.” OMG, it was just…I was just….I mean, this is some next level erotic ish people. The connection between Frankie and Derek is so electric it just jumps off the pages. Episode 4 was really everything I loved about the series in one book, it’s probably my favorite episode.

Episode 5

The thing about this episode is that it had a surprising amount of emotional content. Throughout the series a true love is forming between Frankie and Derek but in this episode, we see it clearly in a really sweet way. Not only that but this episode continues the theme of a really well depicted supporting cast of characters that don’t overshadow the whole book. Enter Will and welcome back Brea and Hayden. The supporting cast are a loyal group who only work to emphasize the connection between Derek and Frankie by giving them context. Honestly, I hope the author does a Will series because I will definitely be reading it. The series ends on the best possible note. The ghosts of the pasts are finally laid to rest, Frankie finally gets that she can and does have it all and our favorite couple get their HEA.

Overall 

I think you will love this whole series because the author builds tension in to the story from the beginning. I like the forbidden lust/love stuff, it keeps things moving forward. What begins between Derek and Frankie as lust rapidly turns into something much stronger and even more addictive. Both parties try to end things for the sake of common sense but it just doesn't work.

If I had one criticism of the series it would be that when you read this series together (as you should), the number of sex scenes can get a little overwhelming. I can never believe it when I say that but it's true. These are not light sex scenes that are written as fillers, they are the real deal heavy stuff and to read as many as there are in the series can be a lot.

This series is like way up on my recommended list for erotic romance fans. I've been waiting for something like this for a long time and I was not disappointed. The story has twists and turns that will leave you satisfied that you read a good book. The character development is thorough and present throughout the whole series. The angst regarding the choices Frankie and Derek have to make gives the entire series emotional credibility. You won't be able to guess what's going to happen in the story and I think you'll love nearly every minute of this series. Well done to the author!

**ARC provided by Author**

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