ARC Review: You or Someone Like You by Winter Renshaw

I absolutely loved You or Someone Like You by Winter Renshaw! I couldn’t put this book down! I was hooked from the very first page until the last, and was completely lost in this story. I didn’t know much about this book going in, but the wrong twin, right guy part of the blurb sold me and I am so glad that I read this book.

Roman is a widower left to raise his young daughters after losing his wife and has struggled to move on since her death. Sloane gets sucked into helping her sister try to get a promotion when her sister’s boss insists on setting her up with her nephew. Agreeing to help her sister out, Sloane is shocked to find out that the date is with Roman, the person that got Sloane fired from her job a few years prior. Both Sloane and Roman are lovers of art, while he collects it, she sells it. They quickly find themselves bonding over art, but with so many secrets and lies between them, what happens when it all eventually comes out?

I could feel the connection and chemistry between these two right away. It was clear on their first “date” that they had more in common that either wanted or expected, and I loved seeing them grow from that. They were so good together and I couldn’t get enough. Honestly I haven’t been this invested in characters or a story for awhile, and Roman and Sloane were everything I love to read about and had been hoping for here! I loved seeing how things unfolded and how art really brought them together. It all felt so natural and believable. 

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I cannot recommend it enough! This one is an absolute must read!

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: The Rebound by Winter Renshaw

I have become a fan of Winter Renshaw's and I love sports romance stories, so I couldn't wait to read The Rebound. While I have really enjoyed the books I have read from Winter Renshaw in the past, The Rebound wasn't my favorite. I had a lot of issues with the story and the reason I am giving this one 2 stars is because I did actually finish the book. 

Yardley and Nevada thought that they were about to have it all. They loved one another and Nevada was headed to college to play basketball and hopefully begin a professional career. They promised that they would wait for one another and make things work. But unfortunately their promises didn't hold up, and now 10 years later Nevada returns home after retiring from basketball for good. Nevada is now a widower and a single father, and the last person he wants to see or talk to is Yardley after everything that has happened. 

My biggest problem here was Nevada. He was an absolute jerk that refused to listen to anything Yardley had to say, yet he had no problem using her when it suited him. I really hate when communication or a simple misunderstanding is blown out of proportion and is pretty much the entire cause for drama, and unfortunately that was the case here. Everything could have been solved so much quicker if Nevada just would have given Yardley a chance to tell him what she had been trying to, yet he never did which just struck me as odd and honestly infuriating considering she was supposedly the love of his life. That along with how he treated her so terribly and never really seemed to be sorry or actually say the words had me unable to forgive him. 

I also felt like for me personally that the circumstances of their time apart were hard to get over. He refused to talk to Yardley, yet he moved on easily with a nice girl that he married and had kids with. The only reason he even went home was because his wife died, or he never would have even heard Yardley out. Meanwhile, Yardley had been living a lonely life where she not only dealt with some very hard things, but she also didn't move on and pined away for Nevada only. I am over it when the heroine pines and doesn't even look at another man during a split, yet the guy fully moves on and comes back in the picture and just expects to pick things back up where they left off as if nothing changed. While that wasn't entirely the case here with him not even hearing Yardley out, he basically just expected her to get over how he treated her and reacted while judging her as if it meant nothing. Besides these issues, I had some issues with the story itself. Some things just didn't add up as far as timeline went, and some of the circumstances for the big misunderstanding didn't make sense as well. This won't be the last thing I read from Winter Renshaw, but unfortunately this was just a complete miss for me.

**ARC Provided by Ardent Prose PR**

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ARC Review: Beast: The Beginning by Mary Catherine Gebhard

Let me just start by saying that this book is neither as dark nor as erotic as it seems to sell itself as being and I found that disappointing. When I started this book I was super excited because I love me a dark/sold myself to a sexy dark man story. It seemed like that's where we were headed in this story. Frankie trades her life to Beast and the mafia in exchange for the life of her Father. Beast carries her back to his castle (well, it was more like a condo in NY but whatevs) and proceeds to possess her...sort of. 

Right away there is some non-consensual sex which may really disturb you given that Frankie is a virgin. This is followed by some other pseudo humiliation you might expect in a dark romance. But it all goes wrong really fast. First of all, beyond the opening scenes which don't give us much, there is almost no sex in the book. WHAT? What happened to all the steam? The thing that irritates me is that Beast, in his inner monologue is continuously discussing how much he wants Frankie and how she turns him on. Then in real life, he refuses to have sex with her and the reason was super annoying. Beast decides very early on that he wants Frankie to admit that wants him. Frankie is stubborn as heck. So even though her body is constantly "betraying" her, she won't admit that she wants Beast. 

Speaking of Frankie, I just honestly don't know what to think about her. Frankie is a strong character who does some really dumb stuff. Every time I thought I really liked her, she would do something that made me want to smack her. I think this may be a function of Frankie being really young. I think she is like 19 or 20. She hadn't really been anywhere in life or done anything and the author may have been too good at depicting her. 

It is obvious that Frankie wants Beast but they spend like 60% of the book locked in this battle of wills and honestly, it's kind of tedious and exhausting. Beast seems to actually fall for Frankie very early on. This is not a good thing in a dark romance. It cast the dark actions of Beast in a particularly unfavorable light. If you're going to be the dark character, be that. You can't be the beast and the good guy at the same dang time because it makes you look mentally unstable. 

Also, I appreciate the author's effort to weave some deep intrigue into Frankie's identity and the whole mafia subplot. However, I really couldn't follow the subplot. There were too many characters and family lines to keep track of. I couldn't remember who was who or who Frankie might have been. I thought the subplot could have been cleaner and clearer so that it wasn't so distracting. 

This is what I can tell you, this definitely is not a great dark romance but it's not a bad book. And even with all of the issues that I've described, I'm still going to read the conclusion to the story in Beauty because I'm intrigued enough to want to see how it all ends.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Dark Promises by Winter Renshaw

Dark Promises is the second book in Winter Renshaw's Dark series, though it can be read as a standalone. I am pretty new to Winter Renshaw's work having just recently discovered her, but I had to read this one after I saw that cover and read the blurb. I really enjoyed this one, and if I wasn't already on my way to becoming a fan of hers, I definitely am one now.

After having her heart broken, Rowan is only looking for a good time. She wants one night with no strings and no chance at any kind of relationship forming. Keir needs to clean up his act if he wants to have a successful senate campaign, and his adviser has handpicked Rowan. But convincing her that he has changed and is no longer a playboy will be harder than he expected, especially since that is all she wants from him. Soon Rowan and Keir find themselves feeling things they never planned on and both begin to wonder if there is something there between them worth changing everything for. 

I really liked these two. At first I was a little unsure about them as both weren't being entirely honest and each had their own motives for seeking the other out. The chemistry was there right away though, and you could see that they were actually really good for one another despite how things might have started. Keir was used to being a playboy and had no interest in relationships, but when he actually needed one the girl chosen wanted nothing to do with him. Rowan wanted to forget and numb the pain, and her carefully chosen fling wanted more. It was so much fun to see them challenge one another and the dynamic between them was so interesting to me. I really enjoyed the little war of wills they had going on and it felt like these two couldn't have been more perfect for one another. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from Winter Renshaw. Keir actually appears in two other books according to Winter Renshaw and for a limited time if you buy Dark Promises it includes the two other stories that he is in with it. I immediately went out and bought it so that I can not only meet Keir's brother, but see the villain himself before he fell. I think that readers will really  enjoy this one like I did, especially if you like them on the sexy side. This one I definitely recommend and I can't wait for more from Winter Renshaw.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: In Too Deep by Jordan Marie

I have never read anything by Jordan Marie before, but the blurb for In Too Deep was one that called to me as soon as I read it. I love a good enemies to lovers story, so this one sounded really good. Unfortunately though, this one just didn't work for me at all and I ended up throwing in the towel at 30%. 

Aden is looking to get away from Hollywood and all that comes with being a star in California. So when his friend sets him up with a hotel in a small town in Idaho, he jumps at the chance to get out. But when Aden shows up and meets his friend's cousin that owns the hotel, things get off on the wrong foot quickly. Hope does everything she can to get rid of him, but reluctantly agrees to let him stay knowing that she needs the money he offers her. But when she saves his life and says she is his wife so that the hospital will inform her on how he is, she never expects that he will believe her too!

I'll be honest here, Aden is the main reason I quit reading. This guy is an absolute jerk and what's worse is that he knows it! He is constantly saying the most horrible things to Hope and even as he does he admits to himself that he is being terrible. Yet he never apologizes and just keeps on saying and doing horrible things! I just couldn't keep going on because I just couldn't see any redeeming qualities for someone who is so burnt out on the way things are in California, yet he continues to be an asshole and act just like them. Talk about a judgmental hypocrite. I also couldn't really relate to Hope. It wasn't that I didn't like her, I just felt indifferent towards her. I wasn't feeling any chemistry between them and at 30% in I just felt like I wasn't going to believe in any kind of connection between them in the future. 

Overall, this one was just a miss for me and I had to give up. I think that there are readers out there that will enjoy this one and if it sounds like one you might like you might give it a shot. For me though it just didn't work and I don't know that I will read more from this author in the future. 

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Protecting Lily by Jenika Snow

Protecting Lily by Jenika Snow is a short suspense set in the Susan Stoker Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle world. While I had never read anything by Susan Stoker or in that world before, I didn't have any problems understanding this story. I think that this story was good and that fans of the series will enjoy it, while new readers will be able to enjoy reading it as well.

Brock and Lily have both wanted each other, but they knew that it was forbidden. Though he has been in love with her, Brock has never told her how he really felt. But when a danger from his past comes back and threatens the one he loves, he will do whatever it takes to protect Lily. Locked away in a cabin for safety, these two find themselves unable to fight what has been growing between them. 

I have a hard time with novellas and short stories because while I like the stories usually, there usually aren't enough pages to really do them justice. Unfortunately that was the case here for me. While I liked both Brock and Lily, it all felt very on the surface for me. I wanted more and missed any kind of depth with them. It was clear that they cared about each other and that there was something there, but I just wanted more. 

I also felt like the epilogue could have been a bit longer or given the reader a look down the line into their HEA. I just felt like this one was missing something, so while I liked it and felt like it could have been great it just didn't fire on all cylinders for me. If you are looking for something quick and sexy with some suspense, you might give this one a shot.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Exes With Benefits by Nicole Williams

I honestly have mixed feelings about this book and it has taken me awhile to put my thoughts together. I usually try to write my reviews right after I finish a book, so that everything is fresh in my mind and my feelings are clear. But with this book I really didn't know how I felt so it took awhile to think on it, which is why I ended up rating this book 3 stars. Exes With Benefits by Nicole Williams had some things I really loved, but then there were things that I didn't and that left me feeling as though this one was just okay. 

Maggie Church and Canaan Ford grew up together as friends and eventually it blossomed into more. When a surprise pregnancy right out of high school had them getting married, they both knew they were young and things quickly got bad as they started fighting. But Canaan was also broken from a tragedy that had occurred years before. Needing to escape, he turned to fighting and alcohol to numb himself and it got to the point that Maggie could no longer watch him self-destruct and left him behind. Now five years later a tragedy finally brings her home and she finds herself face to face with Canaan. She is ready to move on for good and wants a divorce, but Canaan isn't ready to let her go and bargains with a month to prove they belong together. But can he show her that he has changed and that they were always meant to be? 

I absolutely loved Canaan. Of all the issues I had here, he wasn't one of them. He was sexy and sweet, and I loved his unwavering love and devotion to Maggie. No matter what happened, he never stopped loving her or wanted anyone else. It was so refreshing to see a hero that knew he had messed up and worked hard to overcome that and better himself, all while staying faithful to someone he wasn't sure would ever come back. I liked Maggie at times, but did have some issues with her. I understood her leaving and felt for all that she had gone through. I really did. But I didn't like that she started moving on, all while still married to him and never having resolved anything. I also struggled with how she acted at times, constantly throwing Canaan's past mistakes in his face. It was so obvious that he had changed, it wasn't just his words but also his actions. So I really hated that she continued to do it throughout the entire story. The chemistry and connection was clear, but I was ready for her to dump the boyfriend and get back to being with Canaan like she was supposed to be. Especially since she had no problem being physical with Canaan, even when she would try and talk herself out of it.

Overall, I just struggled with Maggie and how things went down a lot. I do understand the initial leaving and being strong for herself, but I didn't get how she handled things in the present. It just felt like she was kind of a hypocrite at times saying one thing and doing the opposite. I didn't like that she continued to punish Canaan for their past when it was obvious there was a reason for his actions, even if she didn't know them. I still liked this book and loved Canaan, but was left with mixed feelings mostly on Maggie. I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one, so if you are on the fence I recommend giving it a go. Canaan is amazing and definitely worth the read.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: In the Crease by Toni Aleo

I will admit that I haven't read all of the Assassins series by Toni Aleo, but after reading the blurb for In the Crease I knew I wanted to read it. I guess technically it is a standalone story, though I don't know that I would recommend reading it out of order as I did. While I was able to understand this book, there were a lot of characters and things referenced that just didn't mean anything to me since I hadn't read the previous books, and that had me feeling a bit left out at times...like I was missing something. 

Wren doesn't do commitment and doesn't believe in love. So when she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and in need of a husband and daddy for her baby, she doesn't know where to turn first. Her brother's best friend Jensen is a great guy though and she knows that he would be perfect. She only needs him to agree to be her husband for a short while until she receives her inheritance and after that he can go his own way with a decent amount of money from Wren. But Jensen has always wanted Wren, even though she was off limits, and he will do whatever it takes to show her that they should be together for real. But can he get Wren to take a chance on a future together when she is scared to have her heart broken by finally letting someone in? 

Jensen was a great guy. I liked him a lot, but he was almost too perfect if that makes any sense. I felt bad for him and really wanted better for him at times. Wren drove me a bit nuts. It was nice to see a heroine that was comfortable with her sexuality and had no problem sleeping with men without having a series relationship. That being said though, she was so insecure and after the first thousand times of Jensen reassuring her it got real old real quick. I was so tired of hearing her worry about being fat or being a whore. Seriously how many more ways could Jensen and her family have said it before she started to actually believe it? For her being a therapist, it just didn't make sense to me. She was really immature at times and it just didn't strike me as being entirely believable. 

Besides my issues with the characters themselves, my biggest problem with this story was that it was just so repetitive. It felt like we were constantly going through the same things over and over and I just got tired of it. Same conversation and self-doubt, followed by reassurance, followed again by Wren once again questioning everything and lacking confidence. I was just over it by the time that it seemed like we got to the end. The story just seemed to move so slowly because of it and at times that drag just really had me wanting to put this one down and move on. Overall, this one just wasn't what I had been hoping for or expecting and sadly was hard for me to get into. I did finish, but there were several times I wanted to give up. If you are a fan of the series, you might enjoy this one more than I did. But if you haven't read the previous books, you might want to read those first before deciding to read this one.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Absinthe by Winter Renshaw

After reading Absinthe by Winter Renshaw, I can't believe that this was the first book I have read of hers. I was originally drawn in by the blurb and the forbidden aspect of the story, but I couldn't put it down once I started. It was well written and captivating, and I will definitely be checking out more by Winter Renshaw.

Halston and Ford met through a dating app called Karma. As the users of the app chat (they can only contact one user at a time) they earn Karma points that unlock different features such as the ability to email or call one another. The app allows its users to find the exact type of relationship they are looking for without putting themselves at risk before they are ready. Ford and Halston weren't looking for anything serious, but the connection between them grew as they got to know each other as Kerouac and Absinthe. But when the summer ends and Halston begins her senior year, they are both shocked when she arrives in Ford's office as principal of her school and they discover that the best phone sex of their lives was each other. 

I loved that this wasn't your standard teacher/student forbidden romance story. This book was emotional and sexy, and Winter Renshaw created characters and a story that was deep and complex. I really enjoyed seeing the layers peeled back here as we got to know Ford and Halston and all that each of them had been through. I felt so connected to the characters and all that they had been through. The chemistry was off the charts, but it was so much more than that. These two connected in a way that neither of them ever could with anyone else, and it was so obvious that they were perfect for one another. 

Overall, I loved this story! I couldn't out this book down and read it in one sitting. Winter Renshaw has gained a new fan in me after Absinthe, and I can't wait to get more from her in the future as well as go back and read some of her previous books. I really love stories that begin through social media or communication were they haven't met in person, and this was unlike any that I have read before. I highly recommend this book and I think readers are going to love Ford and Halston as much as I did.

**ARC Provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: His Temptation by Amber Barden

I'm giving this book 3 stars to be fair to this particular sub-genre and people who might enjoy it. This book is from a subset of erotic romance for readers who enjoy "Daddy-Little Girl" themes. I've discovered something about myself, I don't enjoy this. So if you're like me this book is not going to be 3 stars for you. It's going to be closer to a 2 star or just something that you wouldn't read. I tell you all that to let you know that my perspective is somewhat skewed and may not be reflective of a more accepting outlook on this brand of erotica.

This is a novella, it's only about 90 pages and there isn't all that much of a story. I have to say though, for this to be as short as it is there was actually pretty decent character development. Katie is Clay's dog walker who also has other odd jobs. Katie is the daughter of a mother with 7 children and no Dads who stuck around. Even though Katie claims that she does not have "Daddy" issues, she has spent her whole life caring for other people and has never had anyone to protect her or make her feel special. Clay is a retired baseball player who lost his first career when he got injured. As a result Clay has kind of lost himself. He is trying his best to live his new life but he doesn't own it the way he owned his life as an athlete and he's struggling.  Katie thinks that Clay is cold and disapproving but she soon discovers that he is conflicted. Clay loves the way that Katie calls him Daddy (she does it more as a joke but that's hard to explain) and it makes him realize how much he wants to take care of her. Clay and Katie embark on a super hot exploration of their chemistry that quickly turns into exactly what both of them were looking for in and out of the bedroom.

I really had to take a minute to figure out what about these books I don't like and I got it. I can handle the "Daddy" part of the equation. I have no problem with a bossy man who wants to take care of a woman. I'm totally into that. What is a major turn off for me is the "little girl" part of the story. Katie bouncing around like a 10 year old in pigtails purposely goading "Daddy" and make him chase her....I get that may be hot for some of ya'll and I am not here to judge. But that part skeeves me all the way out. There is nothing sexual, in my mind, about little kid behavior and the more the characters behave in that way or are attracted to that, the more I check out of the book. I get that someone like Katie needed a chance to be a little girl because she never really had that. What I can't go for is Clay wanting to be the Daddy to the little girl...and also bang her. Yeah, this sub-genre is definitely not for me. But if it's your thing, dive right in. There is nothing wrong with the writing and the story is well put together.

**ARC provided by Ardent PRose**

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