ARC Review: The Plan by Ella James

The Plan is the fourth standalone story in the Off-Limits Romance series by Ella James. This series has had its ups and downs for me, but I have mostly loved it so I couldn't wait to read this one. Unfortunately, I had a lot of issues with this one and it was my least favorite of the series, in fact I almost didn't make it through the entire story. 

Marley wants a baby, so when she finds out that her fiance had a vasectomy and her mother's health takes a turn for the worse, she knows it is time to do something. She leaves Chicago behind and moves back home to the small town of Fate, Alabama. What she didn't expect is that the house she has rented also has another tenant, her ex-husband. Gabe is now a successful author, but he has his own set of problems. Though things get off to a rough start, the attraction between them never went away and soon it is more than they can fight. So when Marley comes up with a plan, she never expects for him to take her up on it as easily as he does. But can they possibly have a second chance and future together after everything that has happened? 

I struggled with Marley and Gabe. I wanted to like them, and they were okay. But I honestly didn't feel the connection between them at all. Don't get me wrong, some of the sex scenes between them were super hot, but I wanted more. I honestly didn't believe that there was really anything there between them besides some steam. There was so much focus here on personal issues and drama, that it just didn't feel as though these two had any kind of connection or a possible future together. 

I really felt like the blurb of this story didn't match with the actual content of the book. This book was definitely more drama and personal issues than it was a romance. I did finish this book because I had hope for the story and characters, but it didn't ever get there for me. Unfortunately I didn't believe that these two really loved each other or had any kind of connection besides a past of mistakes and possibly even future ones. As much as I wanted to believe that there was something between them, I just didn't. Problems were glossed over and their responses to actual issues felt immature and and unrealistic. I didn't think that these two should be even close to having a relationship and child together until they dealt with some things first. While the drama was too much for me in The Plan, I have really enjoyed books from Ella James before so this won't be the last I read from her. This one just fell flat and was a miss for me.

**ARC Provided by Dirty Laundry Review**

Purchase: | Amazon |

ARC Review: Fractured Love by Ella James

I have really enjoyed everything I have read from Ella James, but I was beyond excited for Fractured Love. Not only was this one a second chance romance, but it sounded like it was angsty and emotional and those are some of my guilty pleasures! This book was so good and I couldn't put it down. I loved it and I think readers will too! 

Evie was 16 years old when Landon Jones came to live with her family. They immediately realized that there was a connection between them, and while they tried to fight it, it was more than either of them were capable of. But when her parents found out, they threw Landon out of the house. Now 10 years later, they haven't seen or heard from one another since. But with Evie about to become a surgeon just like her parents, she is shocked to see that one of her new coworkers is none other than Landon, only now he is Dr. Jones. 

These two were impossible not to like and I felt connected to them right from the start. My heart when out to Landon and all that he had been through. But it was that much worse after he lost Evie. I was heartbroken for these two and I couldn't believe that they had been forced to face such heartache at such a young age. These two had such an intense and special relationship, and their connection was so genuine and rare. I just felt so much for both of them and they felt so real to me. Their chemistry was off the charts hot, but it was so much more than that, these two were made for one another. 

Overall, this book was so good and I can't stop thinking about it. I loved the characters and the story, even when it broke my heart. Not only did it have steam, but it was emotional and gave me all the feels. Ella James is an author that I have come to love and she is definitely an auto-buy for me at this point. Fractured Love just might be my favorite from her to date though, and I can't recommend it enough.

**ARC Provided by The Next Step PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | 

ARC Review: The Boy Next Door by Ella James

I am really torn with how I feel about The Boy Next Door by Ella James. On the one hand, I couldn't put this book down. I read it in pretty much one sitting, only stopping because I had to go to bed so I could go to work the next day. I had to know how everything would play out for these two and I didn't want to stop reading. On the other hand though, there were some things that just didn't work for me and that is what kept me from being able to really love this one. 

Dash was Amelia's hero from the moment they met, when he saved her on one of the worst days of her life. She quickly became best friends with his sister and the three of them grew almost inseparable. One night everything changed between them though, and Amelia's world was once again turned upside down when he left and broke her heart. Now years later Amelia has landed an internship that could turn into her dream job at a film studio, but the lead animator on the project is none other than Dash. He is no longer the boy next door though, and his secrets could ruin them both.  

I felt the connection between Dash and Amelia right off. These two had a lot of chemistry and it was clear that they had very strong feelings for one another. The problem for me though was how weak both of them were. Amelia let Dash walk all over her, forgiving him with little to no remorse or consequences for the way he treated her. Dash was a bit depressing if I am honest, and spent the whole book being propped up by a character who was almost as weak as he was. Amelia let him get away with so much and was beyond understanding and gave him so many chances, yet he continued to be unable to let her in or even be honest with her. While they had chemistry and things were hot between them, I really felt like the chemistry and connection wasn't enough here. I just wanted more substance. I also really wanted to see more light hearted and sweet moments between these two. Things were so serious and depressing at times that the mood on this one was kind of a drag. I wanted to see some scenes that would have shown them growing close again in a sweet or fun way to sort of break up the super emotional stuff. 

The other big thing that kept me from loving this book was this huge secret that had been kept all book long. It didn't come out until the very end of the book, which felt far too little too late for my taste. Not only did I not really feel sorry for Dash like I feel I was supposed to (he was old enough to grasp what he was doing and his excuses were just that...excuses) but I also felt like because it came out so late it was basically just brushed aside as though all that had happened was no big deal. Of course Amelia just got over it super quick and everything was tied up in a neat little bow. It just didn't feel genuine and I found the entire thing to be a let down after so much build up. Like I said though, this book was one I didn't want to put down and Ella James is a great writer. She knows how to draw you in and keep you turning pages until you have devoured the entire book. That being said though, this wasn't my favorite book of hers.

**ARC Provided by The Next Step PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | 

ARC Review: Crown Jewels by Ella James

Crown Jewels is the newest standalone novel from Ella James. I couldn't wait to read this one after seeing the cover and reading the blurb. I liked this one a lot and enjoyed reading it from start to finish. If you like stories about royalty that are a bit different, this is definitely one worth checking out.

Ever since TMZ got a close up of his bulge, the world has referred to Prince Liam as Crown Jewels. While all her friends are obsessed with stalking his profiles, Lucy Rhodes acts like she is indifferent when it comes to him. While being a reality tv star has kept Lucy from living a normal life, for the past two years she has been out of the scene but keeps up with Liam's Instagram, even if no one knows she does it. But when she returns to the Hamptons for the summer to spend with her friends, one night at a party changes everything. Lucy and Liam spend one hot night together, and while they both think that is it, two pink lines change everything once again.

I really liked these two. I loved their connection, while it was instant it was so real and genuine. Liam and Lucy got each other in ways that others didn't and despite their differences, they had a lot in common as well. I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another. While the chemistry was off the charts hot right away, they spent time getting to know one another. It was so cute to see them learning who the other really was, and not just what the world thought that they knew based on their public personas. 

Overall, this book was cute and I enjoyed it. It wasn't your typical royalty type of story and I liked that Liam wasn't your standard prince. This book was fun to read and I liked the characters a lot. Besides just Lucy and Liam, I really loved Lucy's friends and would love to see them each get stories as well as their friend Dec! While this book felt a bit different than what I have previously read by Ella James, I had a great time reading it and it is one that I would recommend.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | iTunes | 

Review: Sloth by Ella James

Sloth by Ella James is one of those books that I have been wanting to read for quite awhile, yet for one reason or another I just hadn't got around to it. I had it sitting on my kindle for months, but it wasn't until my friend told me I had to read it so she could talk to someone that I did. While I read this book, I experienced so many different emotions and I bugged my friend for answers constantly. She wouldn't give me anything though and just told me to keep reading, and I am really glad she did that. This book was an experience, and I really believe that it is best to go in blind. 

Normally in my reviews I give a brief synopsis and go into a bit of detail on the story itself. I really feel as though I cannot do that here though, because the smallest thing could spoil everything. So if you want to know more about this book, read the blurb and go from there. I do think that this book is best when read blind though, so it is my recommendation that you go into this one avoiding any and all spoilers. This book won't be for everyone and there are a few times that I will admit I wanted to give up. But it was definitely worth the read and once I got to the end pretty much everything made sense. The one thing that I will say is that I spent the majority of this book confused. There were times that I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and I really thought that it might not be worth continuing. But I was wrong and I am glad that I stuck with it. 

I had times where each of these characters frustrated me and I didn't understand them or their motivation. That being said I really loved them! Their connection was so strong and captivating and I could not put this book down. I couldn't get enough of them, and I had to get answers. With each new piece of the puzzle revealed, there were several more questions as well. But I just had to know what would happen and how everything would all come together in the end. My emotions were all over the place here, and I felt invested in the outcome. Ella James did a great job of sucking me in and making me feel here. I didn't always enjoy it as I was frustrated and upset, and yet I can't deny that I loved every bit of that. It was so raw and real and was truly an experience unlike I have ever had with a book before. 

The biggest criticism I have here is that I believe that with some changes, this book could have been truly epic. The story and all the elements were there, and yet there were a few things that just didn't work for me. While I was confused most of the time and figured most of it out at the end, there were a few things that were left unresolved or simply not dealt with. Ella James does have a group on facebook that you can join with a post containing FAQs and answers for those that were like me and still wondering about some things, and while that provided the answers I was seeking I felt like that was a bit of bs. I think that so many more readers would love this book had all of that information been included in the story itself. I understand that this book is very long as it is, but by cutting out some of that pertinent information, the story ended up suffering. This very easily could have been a longer book or even two books as I really feel like the extra information was needed and the pages warranted. I am sad to see that what could have been a fantastic book was only good because of that. 

This story jumps around between past and present, as well as different POVs and I think at times it was overly confusing. I understand wanting to keep readers on the edge of their seat and not reveal everything right away, but I think that there had to have been a better way here. Not only did we switch between POVs and past/present, but this book was also broken down into three separate parts. It was very hard to keep track of the timeline here, and I found it impossible at times to figure out where and when we were or what was happening. I still really liked the story though, and even with the negatives, I would still recommend this book. I think it is one of those books that almost needs to be read a few times to fully pick up on everything though, especially after going back and seeing how every little detail adds up to what is all really going on. This book is definitely hot though, and the steam between these two is off the charts! If you are looking for a truly original story that will keep you guessing, all while delivering a deep connection and ton of steam, this is the book for you! I honestly can't wait to read more from Ella James and I am definitely looking forward to reading Murder, which is about a character that was introduced here. I am so excited to get his story, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | 

Interview with Author Ella James and Giveaway

Meet Ella James, author of Taming Cross.

I'm a Denver, Colorado author who writes teen and adult romance. I am happily married to a man who knows how to wield a red pen, and together we are raising a feisty two-year-old who will probably grow up believing everyone's parents go to war over the placement of a comma. My books have been listed on numerous Amazon bestseller lists, including the Amazon Top 100 and the Amazon Movers & Shakers List; two were listed among Amazon's Top 100 Young Adult Ebooks of 2012. To find out more about my projects and win prizes and swag, find me on Facebook at facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage. Questions or comments? Tweet me at author_ellaj or e-mail me at ella_f_james@ymail.com.

Places to find Ella:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |