ARC Review: Dear Heart, I Miss You by Eliah Greenwood

Dear Heart, I Miss You is the continuation of Finn and Dia’s story, so if you haven’t already read Dear Heart, I Hate You, you’ll need to start there. I also highly recommend reading Dear Love, I Hate You, the first book in the series. Xavier and Aveena are great and I think it really sets up this series, plus it’s just a fantastic book!

This series has become one of my favorites, as has Eliah Greenwood. Her talent for writing just seems to get better with each new book I read from her, and this one was no exception. After the cliffhanger we were left with in the previous book, I was anxious for more. While reading this book, I understood exactly why things played out the way they did, because it was meant to be that way. 

Finn and Dia had so much more to learn and both had to grow up. Seeing their journeys is something I’ll never forget. Each of them had their strengths and their vulnerabilities and they both felt so real and genuine. It was as if I was right there experiencing everything with them. My heart both broke and soared for each of them at times, and I felt so connected to them. 

This book was intense at times, and definitely had me feeling all the emotions. That said, it was absolutely perfect and I truly feel this one went exactly the way it should have. It was well worth the wait, and I’ll never get over Finn and Dia! I highly recommend this one, and already can’t wait to see what Eliah Greenwood writes next!

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

I don’t typically read a lot of F/F stories, but knowing it was Penelope Douglas and seeing this gorgeous cover I knew I had to give it a shot! I absolutely loved Clay and Liv’s story and I think this book will be one that a lot of readers enjoy. 

Liv and Clay on the surface have little in common except the school they attend. I really enjoyed getting to know each of them as individuals and as they circled one another. There was so much tension and attraction between them. I also really loved that this wasn’t your typical bully NA read. This one was unique and original in a way that only Penelope Douglas can deliver. Clay and Liv had their own insecurities and vulnerabilities, and seeing them grow and change over the course of this book kept me turning pages and unable to put this one down. 

I also fell in love with Liv’s brothers while reading! I loved how fierce and protective they were. The loyalty their family had to one another is something I couldn’t get enough of and I honestly hope that Penelope will give us their stories someday as well. 

If you are on the fence about this one, I highly recommend giving it a shot. It was good, fresh and original. While I know F/F isn’t everyone’s jam (typically not mine either!), the story here is worth the read and I think readers will love it like I did.

**ARC Provided by The Next Step PR**

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ARC Review: I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I Bet You is the second book in the Hook Up series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, but each book is easily read as a standalone story. I really enjoyed this book and honestly it was just one of those refreshingly fun reads that I liked from start to finish. It was exactly the right book to break up the more serious books I’ve read recently and had so much fun reading it! 

Penelope has been crushing on the perfect guy for her, and football star Ryker knows just how to help her get him. All he needs is a little help from her to win him a bet. Of course he doesn’t tell her his true intentions for helping her, but as they start to spend more time together things begin to change between them. Penelope doesn’t date football players, but Ryker is determined to get her to see that while he might not look like the perfect guy for her, they belong together. 

I loved Ryker and Penelope. They were so much fun to read about and I really enjoyed seeing the cat and mouse play between them. Ryker was sexy and sweet, and I loved that he didn’t let Penelope to get away with anything. He kept her on her toes and forced her to face things she tried to avoid. Penelope was great. She was easy to like and relate to, and I felt for her. These two were perfect for one another and their banter was something I couldn’t get enough of. 

Overall, this was a great story. I loved the characters and their friends. There was just so much to love here, and I felt like it was genuine and original. It didn’t fall into the typical traps that NA books do, with the characters being mature and relatable. I think readers will love Ryker and Penelope and I honestly can’t wait for more from Ilsa Madden-Mills. I’m really hoping for a Blaze and Charisma book next!

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Envy by Rachel Van Dyken

Envy is the latest book in the Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken. This novella is technically a standalone story, but I definitely recommend reading these in order if possible. You don’t need to in order to understand this novella, but for full enjoyment I think they are best read in order. This series is one of my all time favorites, so to me they are definitely worth the read from book 1 to this release.

This is Vic and Renee’s story. Renee is the nanny for our favorite mafia families and Vic is Nixon’s cousin. Both come from different worlds, yet the attraction between them is there from the start. Renee’s life is planned out, but Vic wants her and isn’t used to taking no for an answer. I loved them both and the intensity between them. Their chemistry was off the charts and I felt like they were perfect for one another. Renee was really interesting to me, and I liked seeing her change over the course of this book. 

This novella definitely adds more to the series than I had originally expected, and Rachel Van Dyken once again threw in a twist I wasn’t expecting! I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I am already anxious for a lot that we found out here. This series is one that I have loved every single book in, and I have never been disappointed. Envy fit in perfectly, and the only complaint I had was that it was a novella and I always want more when it comes to Eagle Elite. This one is worth the read and I honestly can’t recommend the series enough!

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Upside of Falling by Meghan Quinn

The Upside of Falling is the first book in the Blue Line Duet by Meghan Quinn. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for more. Since this is the first book in the duet, it does end with a cliffhanger and readers should be prepared to be on pins and needles waiting for the next book just like I am. Meghan drew me in right away with these characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 

Colby has always had one dream, to become a fighter pilot. His childhood was rough, but planes and his dream were what got him through. Now that his dream is finally in sight, he knows that he must avoid all distractions in order to achieve his goal. But when he meets Rory, he knows that she is exactly the kind of distraction he should avoid, and yet he finds himself unable to fight the pull he feels to her.

I loved these characters! I will admit that at first I was worried about how I would ultimately feel about Rory. Her persistence with Colby at first despite the many times he pushed her away was something that kind of bothered me. Luckily though it paid off, and I was glad that she hadn’t given up when Colby started to come around. These two fit together really well, and I could see the not only the attraction between them, but also the connection that was there from the start and just continued to grow. I felt invested in each of them as individuals and as a couple. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and I wasn’t ready for it to be over! I can’t wait for the next installment after how things ended here, and I need to know if these two will get their HEA. I am still pretty new to Meghan Quinn’s books, yet she has never let me down. Both Colby and Rory were likable and relatable characters, and I think readers are going to love them like I did. The next book in the duet, The Downside of Love, comes out soon so don’t be afraid to jump in with this one as you won’t have long to wait!

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: Friend Zone by Nicole Blanchard

Friend Zone is my first book by Nicole Blanchard, but I am such a sucker for friends to lovers stories that I had to give this one a shot. While there were things I enjoyed about the story, this one ended up being just okay for me. I did like some of the secondary characters though, so I might read those as they are released. 

Charlie and Liam have only ever been friends. But when Charlie breaks up with her latest boyfriend and finds herself in need of help, things with Liam begin to change. Suddenly needing a place to live, Liam offers to let her stay with him and both of them find themselves drawn to the other in a way they never have been before. Each of them knows they should fight it though, as they don’t want to ruin their friendship and both have plans as soon as school is done for them. But soon they are unable to avoid what is happening between them. 

I struggled with the character here a bit. While I liked Charlie and Liam, I thought that they both acted a bit on the immature side sometimes, especially Charlie. I didn’t really feel a connection to them, and I didn’t feel a strong connection between them. I think part of that was that I felt they weren’t entirely developed characters, so everything was very on the surface for me and I was left wanting more. I didn’t get much of a romantic relationship between them, and it seemed like not a lot changed from friendship for them. I also wasn’t entirely sold on the chemistry and attraction between them. I just felt like there was something missing here and that had me feeling as though their transition from friends to more wasn’t 100% believable for me. 

While I did think that there were some good moments here and that the characters had some good qualities, this one was just okay for me in the end. I found my attention wandering and I wasn’t invested in the HEA. I liked the characters and the secondary characters well enough, but this isn’t one that I will remember in the long run and I probably wouldn’t re-read it again in the future. I am interested in possibly reading more about Charlie’s friends, but I’m not sure that I will rush out to get them. I think that this story is one that a lot of readers will probably enjoy, especially if you are a fan of short and sweet NA books. If you are looking for something with more depth though, this one might not be for you.

**ARC Provided by IndieSage PR**

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ARC Review: I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I Dare You is the first book in the Hook Up Series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, and I loved it! This was a great start to the series and honestly just might be my favorite book from Ilsa yet. I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed it from start to finish. This book was sweet and sexy and I couldn’t get enough of how funny and cute it was. 

At first glance Delaney and Maverick have nothing in common. She is a nerdy good girl and he is a popular football player that all the girls want. But the two share a kiss their freshman year before going their separate ways. Now a few years later, Delaney has sworn off athletes after her boyfriend cheated on her, but when a late night text on a lonely Valentine’s Day comes in, she finds herself drawn in. Though she doesn’t know who “badass athlete” is, he knows her, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to win her over. When the truth comes out and secrets are revealed, will it destroy any chance they have of something together? 

I loved both Delaney and Maverick. I loved that they were unique and weren’t your cookie cutter NA characters. They were likable and fun and easy to relate to and root for. You couldn’t help be drawn in by them, and I was hooked from the very first page. Delaney was nerdy and fun, sweet and perfect for Mav. He was sexy and sweet, and I loved his determination and loyalty. He was so caring and would do anything for those he loved, there was so much to him and I was glad that we got to see his different layers. I really thought that these two were perfect for one another and they just worked, even if you wouldn’t imagine it at first glance. 

This book was a lot of fun to read and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I loved the secondary characters as much as Delaney and Mav, and I am really looking forward to reading more in this series. It has been a long time since I have read and loved a New Adult story as much as this one, but it was such a great story and I think it will be one many readers love like I did. Sweet, Sexy, funny and heartfelt, this book had it all! A must read for fans of Ilsa Madden-Mills and fans of sports romance/NA stories.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Holding Onto Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

I feel like I have been waiting for this book since I first read the Beaumont Series by Heidi McLaughlin. I was always curious about the kids and wanted their stories, but Noah and Peyton were always my favorites. You could just tell there was something there, and I couldn't have been more excited when I found out they were getting their story written. 

Peyton Powell-James and Noah Westbury both had clear paths for their futures since they were kids. They both knew that football would be a part of their lives, and they each worked hard to make that a reality. Noah is now the starting quarterback for the Portland Pioneers and has a beautiful girlfriend, while Peyton has just been given an important assignment to cover a professional game from the sidelines. But when an accident changes everything, both Peyton and Noah are forced to rethink where their lives are headed and both know it might finally be time to discuss what has always been between them. 

I loved these two. It was so clear that they belonged together and that they just needed to let each other know how they really felt. Their feelings were never their problem, it really was just a matter of talking to one another and communicating things. I do feel like they were absolutely meant to be though, and I loved the strong connection that they always had. Peyton and Noah both meant so much to one another, and even if they weren't together you could tell just what the other one was to them. They had great chemistry and an undeniable bond. 

Overall, it was a great story and I really loved seeing this next generation grow up and come into their own. If you have read the Beaumont series, you will love getting to see favorite characters again and how things have progressed for each of them. This book can be read as a complete standalone though, so if you haven't read those books you don't need to in order to understand this one. I will say though that for full enjoyment I would recommend reading the Beaumont series. Not only is it great, but you really get to see how everyone got to where they are and just how deep the connections between them are. I can't wait for more from Heidi McLaughlin and this is one I definitely recommend.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey

I do not read NA books. I'm just not into millennial romance. My 20s was confusing, I'm still getting over the trauma and I try not to revisit it in my romance. However, I love Tessa Bailey so I'm willing to give anything by her a try and she did not disappoint. 

This book is the first in the new Academy series by Bailey and I already know I'll be reading the other two books. This is Charlie and Ever's story. Charlie is in the police academy. He is convinced that he is destined to give his every waking hour to his job and that there will never be room in his life for a relationship. Therefore, Charlie has perfected the art of the spontaneous hook up. Charlie meets his match in Ever. Ever was taught to believe that there is nothing a woman can gain from a relationship with a man but heartbreak. Ever lives by a set of rules passed down by the women in her family that dictate that no hook up can go past 30 days. Ever purposely picks men who she thinks are somehow unavailable to insure that they won't try to stick around past the 30 days. Ever thinks Charlie is perfect because she knows how committed he is to his job. So together Charlie and Ever embark on a super hot month of hook ups. They agree to never talk about the past or the future and no cuddling. What could go wrong?

Well, Ever changes her mind and decides to give dating a serious try. Charlie doesn't think he can be the "dating" guy for Ever but he absolutely can't stay away from her. The idea of her being with another guy causes him to quite literally lose his mind and all sorts of hilarious hijinks ensues. This book is actually really funny and a lot of fun to read. There is a hilarious speed dating scene, a mishap with a fire alarm and a part y with a bunch of middle aged women that gets totally out of hand. Meanwhile Charlie and Ever are supposed to be just friends but there chemistry is just impossible to ignore.

Charlie and Ever have like super hot dirty chemistry that is just wild. They hold out for as long as they can but they keep "slipping up" and muddling the friendship. Charlie is hoping that he can convince Ever to go back to their hook up arrangement by showing her that there is nothing better for her. Ever is holding out hope that Charlie will change his mind about not being the dating type. Unfortunately, Charlie's strategy requires some deception. As amusing as it is for the reader to watch Charlie's maneuvers, Ever was less than amused when she found out what he had been up to.

It all works out in the end. This is a book with fantastic dialogue, great writing, a super entertaining plot and a compelling supporting cast of characters. If you like NA you will love this book . If you don't like NA, I still think you will really enjoy this book so give it a try.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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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.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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