ARC Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

I have read a couple of other Lorelei James books with somewhat mixed results. I usually like her storytelling but sometimes the characters work my nerves. So I went into this book not completely sure what to expect. This is the second installment in the series but I just joined the party. I did not read the first book about the other Lund brother. I must say, I enjoyed this book. No character issues, I just wish this one had been a little bit steamier. 

I actually read this book a while ago and forgot that I read it. The minute I pulled it up again on my Kindle and read the first couple of pages, I was like OH YES. I love the intro of this book. It draws you in and gets you interested in turning the pages right away. Trinity seemed so downtrodden at the bar that first night. When things seem like they can't get any worse, her ex walks in with his new girl and it goes from crap fest to shit show. But then Trinity gets it in her head to jump on Walker (literally) so she doesn't look like the president of the lonely hearts club. I knew I was going to like Trinity for her guts and I knew I was going to like Walker for his reaction. Trinity and Walker have one of the most memorable introductions I've ever read and I found myself liking them and rooting for them from the beginning.

Even though I didn't get as much of the freaky stuff as I like to see, I really appreciated the writing of this book. The plot was layered and the couple's relationship develops through the sphere of other events. There is the fact that both Walker and Trinity are a little unforthcoming when it comes to their true identities. The thing that I really liked and really found interesting was that both Walker and Trinity are concerned about their families. I also liked reading about Walker's insecurities that stemmed from being the working man of the family instead of the corporate executive type like his brothers. I like a side of vulnerability with my strong bossy alpha men and Lorelei gives us that in this book. 

Walker and Trinity together were compelling, interesting and little bit crazy but I was here for it. Walker was perfect for Trinity's offbeat personality. Walker was extremely attuned to Trinity's needs in a way that she kind of wasn't and the people around her certainly were not. If you want me to latch on to a book, give me a man who is looking for opportunities to make his woman's life easier. I was like YES Walker, YES. For Walker's part, he just needed some affirmation. Walker's family is wonderful but it's hard to be one star in a constellation. For Trinity though, Walker became her galaxy and it just made me feel all oohey gooey inside (that's a thing). It took way too long for these two to make it official (in bed) and they have to overcome some relationship bumps along the way. All in all though, I walked away feeling really satisfied with this book and happy I read it.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Summer Games: Out of Bounds by R.S. Grey

I am a huge fan of all things sports, but especially the Olympics! So when I saw that R.S. Grey had a series about the games, I couldn't wait to combine my love of sports and love of reading. I really enjoyed this book, and it was everything I was hoping for and more. A great story with plenty of heat and tension to keep me flipping the pages, I didn't want to put this one down. This was a great way to get ready for the Olympics and I think readers are going to really enjoy this story as much as I did! 

Brie Watson can't stand Erik Winter, but unfortunately for her he is her new gymnastics coach. Brie wants to win at the Olympics more than anything, so while she doesn't like it she is determined to get there with his help. Though things get off to a rocky start, Brie and Erik can't deny the attraction between them. Soon they find themselves unable to fight the tension between them, blurring the line between coach and gymnast and more. 

I loved the tension and chemistry between Brie and Erik. If you are looking for an enemies to lovers story, this one is definitely for you. Erik was a jerk at times, especially in the beginning. While at first he came off as cruel and cold, he warmed up over the course of this story and I was really glad to see that he had moments where he could be thoughtful and not the jerk he first came off as. He was possessive and alpha, and super sexy. Brie came off as immature at times, and I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up during some moments. But I did like her, and even when there were things that she would do that annoyed me, there were also things that I really found funny as well. 

Overall, this was a great story and R.S. Grey's writing was fantastic. I didn't want to put this book down! It was sexy and well written, and I think that readers will enjoy the enemies to lovers story as much as I did. This was such a great book to get me in the mood for the Olympics, and if you enjoy sports and romance this is definitely one you will want to pick up! Even with the few criticisms I had, this was a great book and I look forward to reading more from R.S. Grey in the future.

**ARC Provided by Southern Belle Promotions**

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Interview with Author Megan Frampton and Giveaway

Meet Megan Frampton author of Why Do Dukes Fall in Love.

Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women’s fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and son.

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Feature and Giveaway: The Aftermath by R.J. Prescott

Cormac "The Hurricane" O'Connell's star is on the rise. Billed as the most promising young boxer of his generation, his new career is taking him to places he never dreamed. But O'Connell only needs one thing in life: his wife.

In her final year of college, Em cannot follow him around the world but together they make it work. Just when everything they ever wanted is on the horizon, the past resurfaces to haunt them, and O'Connell realizes that justice might not be a part of his happy ever after. He couldn't protect Em once before, but in the aftermath of the hurricane, he will make sure that never happens again.

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ARC Review: Burn by Elisabeth Grace

RANT (feel free to skip this): This is the third book in a row I've read that was mostly depressing. Some of this stuff is epic, unforgettable and outstanding writing but DAMN. What happened to the good ol days where conflict was just a misunderstanding about an ex or a brooding alpha male who lacks communication skills? I'm just sayin, all this angst is making me feel partially suicidal and partially homicidal. END RANT.

Burn is the sequel to Hook and is the end of the two part series. You absolutely cannot read Burn without reading Hook first, you won't be able to follow the story and it will spoil part one. Neither part of the series is a standalone. So, if you have not read Hook, stop reading this review now because there will be Hook spoilers.

Burn picks up with Emily in a state of complete emotional devastation over the murder of her son. Marco tries to be there for Emily but she hates him in a palpable way because she believes he could have saved her son. The only thing Emily believes she has left is revenge. She hatches a plan to kill the mafia boss responsible for her son's death. The plan involves returning to being a prostitute and things get truly ugly. While rebufing every one of Marco's attempts to get her back, Emily is screwing her way to revenge. She is obsessed and will do just about anything with her body to get what she wants.

I mean, Emily's profession was prostitution but I have to be honest, it's a lot and it's difficult to read it. If you are expecting this book to be about Marco and Emily together, you are going to suffer some disappointment. The majority of the book is Emily letting other guys use her body. I have children so I can understand how Emily lost her mind but it was very unromantic. This goes on for a good 65% of the book before Emily finally starts to find her way back from the bad place. For Marco's part, he just comes across has very tortured and helpless while Emily is doing whatever.

There are some twists and turns in this book and I gotta say, the reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is because of the way they played out. We all know that Marco has been keeping some secrets from Emily. One secret in particular though it takes just stupid long for Marco to come out with. I was screaming at my Kindle "just tell her, what are you waiting for? When Kindle screaming commences, it is never a good thing.

If I had to sum up my feelings about this book, I would say, it was good but no fun. Great writing, great storytelling, interesting characters, fast moving plot but NO joy. If you read Hook, you need to read this conclusion. Just try to sandwich this book between some upbeat contemporary romance reads.

**ARC provided by TRSoR Promotions**

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