Ramblings From This Chick

Sunday, November 15, 2015

ARC Review: Blurring The Lines by Marisa Cleveland

I have to start by saying that if you've read any boss/secretary contemporary romance, you have read this book. I don't at all mean that as a criticism. I tend to revisit a formula when the plots work for me and I actually really enjoy the office romance formula. The only issue that you might have with this book is that it follows the formula so closely with so little variation that you might lose interest from time to time.

So, for a brief synopsis, we have Blake rich CEO and Kira who becomes Blake's secretary. One slight twist in the story is how Kira comes to be Blake's CEO. As it turns out Kira has dual business and law degrees so she is a bit overqualified for the position but she has her reasons for taking it. Kira strikes a deal with Blake and part of the deal is that she will become Blake's secretary. Blake needs a secretary for two separate reasons, 1. he overworks every assistant until she quits and 2. every other assistant wants to ride him like a Ferris wheel so he has to fire them. As it turns out, Kria seems immune to both the effects of working like a slave and Blake's charm- or so it seems.

There is a very slow build up to the actual relationship between Blake and Kira but from page one there is instant chemistry. I liked a lot of the things that happened pre-hookup. I felt a genuine connection between the characters and I never found myself wondering why they wanted each other.

There were moments in the book where I felt like the author tried to distinguish this plot from others in this genre and it came off seeming like she was trying. For example, the thing about Kira having the multiple degrees and still taking the job with Blake, I just found it hard to believe and it didn't fit with her whole anti-corporate moral standards. I don't care if stuff is unbelievable but if it borders on the ridiculous, it can detract from the overall book and that might have been the case a few times here. I felt the same way about Kira's foster animal program that Blake let her run out of the office. I mean, I guess it could happen but for Kira to be the one in need of the favor, she seemed to really be pushing her luck. The sex in the book is minimal and very meh in the descriptions but the book moves quickly and overall is an entertaining fun read.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Rock Me Two Times by Dawn Ryder

Rock Me Two Times is the first book in Dawn Ryder's new Rock Band series. I love rockstar romance stories, so I couldn't wait to read this book. There were some really enjoyable moments here and Syon and Kate were super hot together. Unfortunately though I had a lot of issues with the story itself, and Rock Me Two Times ended up not living up to what I had hoped for.

Talked into taking a job repairing a pair of leather pants for the lead guitarist of the band Toxsin, Kate somehow finds herself not only fixing them but agreeing to go on tour with the band in order to provide for all their costume needs. She knows that this opportunity is exactly what her small custom leather business needs, but she also has a set of rules that she lives by with one of them being no rockstars. The attraction between her and Syon is instant, but neither one of them wants to feel the way they do. But when it becomes clear that neither one of them can stop thinking about each other, they have to decide if it is worth taking the risk to figure out what is going on between them.

Syon and Kate were beyond hot together, and that is the one part of this book that I never struggled with. The chemistry and steam between them was clear and the sparks were flying right from the start. I did however have problems with the whiplash and constant hot and cold reactions going on here, which were mostly Kate's fault. I got so tired of seeing her tell Syon that she wanted him if he could be more than just casual with her and them get hot and heavy, just for her to push him away saying she didn't want him and she couldn't be with a rockstar. Kate could not make up her mind and after the first several times it got super annoying as well as confusing. At times I was so unsure of whether she actually wanted Syon or not. Then there was the weird connection with Ramsey and the fact that it seemed like Syon was almost pushing for him to be a part of their relationship. While I have no problems with menage stories, I just wanted to know what was going on. I mean either go there or don't, but it was just so wishy-washy on whether or not that was going to happen here that I got frustrated with that as well. There was also an issue with a client/friend of Kate's that seemed to just be included for added drama since he never reappeared in the book again. It was just really confusing trying to figure out what was going on here, and everything felt so indecisive as though the author didn't really know where she was going with the story or characters.

While I did think that the second half of this book got better, the first half was enough to seal the deal here as far as my opinion went. I liked the heat and chemistry, but I just felt like the rest of the story was a bit of a mess. I also thought that a lot of the dialogue was repetitive and there were several phrases that were used a lot here. While it might not bother some, I just kept asking myself if I hadn't just read almost the exact same sentence. If you are looking for super hot sex scenes and like rockstar romance stories, this one is worth giving a shot. But if you are looking for a clear and well written story, this one might be a bit too all over the place for you as it was for me.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

Guest Post with Author Dawn Ryder and Giveaway

Meet Dawn Ryder author of Rock Me Two Times.

Dawn Ryder is the erotic romance pen name of a bestselling author of historical romances. She has been publishing her stories for over 8 years to a growing and appreciative audience. She is commercially published in mass market and trade paper, and digi-first published with trade paper releases. She is hugely committed to her career as an author, as well as to other authors and to her readership. She resides in Southern California.

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Feature: Until We Break by Jamie Howard

When Sloane Avery stops to help a stranded driver, she finds more than a broken down car on the side of the road. Twenty-year-old Luke Evans is faster and sexier than her Maserati, but she's not interested in taking him for a test drive. Despite their differences and Sloane's dislike for his Jack and Coke fueled lifestyle, feelings grown between the two. But, when the loss of his little brother sends Luke spiraling, he seeks comfort in Sloane's arms and ends up between her sheets. The morning after, Sloane's ready to confess she loves Luke, until she walks in on him getting serviced-by her sister.

That was five years ago, practically a different lifetime and definitely a different Sloane. Before she's been hardened by booze, sex, and as much distance as she could get from the past. Now, called home by a family emergency, she's determined to hold onto her heart the next time she sees Luke.

But Sloane's not the only one who's changed. With a successful business and a near-perfect girlfriend, Luke's turned his life around. Only the reappearance of Sloane and the reminder of his biggest mistake can put a dent in his plans. Luke is set on fixing what he's broken, even if it might cost him more than the comfortable life he's built himself, but Sloane is having none of it. She'll do anything to be sure he doesn't get close enough to find out the truth-she's still in love with him.

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