ARC Review: Crazy Sexy Notion by Sarah Darllington

I have read and enjoyed books by Sarah Darlington before, but I was really intrigued with Crazy Sexy Notion after reading the blurb. I enjoyed this one quite a bit and I think a lot of readers will as well. While the circumstances weren't the most realistic here, I was able to enjoy the story for what it was and luckily the subject matter didn't drag the story down for me. 

After a series of bad relationships and one terrible break up and the feeling that he can never commit to one woman, Mick gets the idea to look his childhood friend Raven up. They were inseparable and he always looked out for her when they were kids, until his dad showed up and took him away from the trailer park he lived in with his mother. But Raven was left behind, and they went years without speaking. When Mick finds Raven years later though, she is a single mother and works as a prostitute to make ends meet. 

I will admit that both of these characters took a bit for me to warm up to. While I was interested in each of them as individuals and what could possibly be between them, they each had parts to them that weren't easy to relate to at first. Mick was a cheater and had no problem admitting that, and while that isn't excusable, it was clear that he didn't have a connection with any of the girls he had been with and that was because of what was always between him and Raven. Raven was hardened and a bit cold at first, blaming Mick for leaving her and her reluctance to forgive him was somewhat understandable. But he was only 10 and had no choice and it was hard for me to be okay with how she acted at times considering that Mick hadn't ever wanted to leave her even though he did go with his dad. He never forgot about her and there was nothing he could have done differently besides stay in a bad situation, though it ultimately wouldn't have even been his choice because of his age. I was glad that their connection was still there though and that Mick went back and found her. 

Overall, this was a good story and despite the fact that this could have been a heavy story, it wasn't. I was able to enjoy it and grow to like the characters as they progressed throughout this story. Sarah Darlington has yet to disappoint me and I look forward to more from her in the future. I recommend giving Crazy Sexy Notion a try if you are a contemporary fan and looking for something a bit different.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Pulled Under by Sarah Darlington

Pulled Under is the third book in the Kill Devil Hills series by Sarah Darlington. This book can be read as a standalone as the characters are interconnected, but each book features a different couple. I would recommend reading these in order as there are some things that will be huge spoilers if you start here rather than at the beginning, but it isn't necessary. 

Rhett Morgan is known as the town manwhore. There were few women left in Kill Devil Hills that he hadn't slept with. He was also Sydney's first kiss. Sydney had always wanted Ben Turner, but he never saw her as more than a friend. Then two years later just when Sydney had finally thought something was developing between her and Ben, he died. Heartbroken and unable to get over losing Ben, Sydney sought out Rhett looking for something to distract her. But Rhett is tired of being known as the go-to guy for one-night stands, and he is determined to prove to Sydney that he is ready for more. 

I liked Sydney and Rhett. I felt like these two had a ton of chemistry and could have had a great connection. However I don't feel as though it was ever actually developed. There were huge chunks of time missing throughout this story, and for the most part, these were all chunks were Sydney and Rhett didn't see each other or speak. I never saw them get to know one another, and most of them time that they spent together was physical. I just wasn't able to buy into their insta-love and connection when we never really got to see them together. I thought that they were hot together, but that was all I really got between them as much as I would have loved to have seen more. Very few interactions took place between them before Rhett was suddenly in love with her and wanting more than just sex. I just didn't see it, even when I wanted to.

Besides the lack of development when it came to their relationship, I also felt as though the ending was extremely abrupt. In the epilogue, Rhett is still feeling insecure in their relationship and he is questioning whether they will still be together and they still hadn't told their friends they were dating. That told me that they clearly hadn't actually developed much of a connection or a strong commitment, or he wouldn't have been second guessing. Why Sarah Darlington decided to still be using the epilogue to try and develop their connection, rather than solidifying that earlier in the story, is something that I couldn't understand. Then it is just over, with little to no warning. It was very unsatisfying, and I couldn't believe that it was as abrupt as it was. So while I loved both Sydney and Rhett and wanted them together so badly, it never felt as though they were actually building anything or had a legit relationship. I felt like they had no real foundation moving forward, other than when it came to sex, and unfortunately it made this entire book seem as though nothing really changed or happened. It was unrealistic, and sadly disappointing. I did give this one 3 stars despite the issues I had because the characters were likable and the times they were together, I really loved them together. I desperately wanted more, as I think that these two could have had such a better story.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Changing Tides by Sarah Darlington

I honestly don't even know where to start with this review. When I first read the blurb for Changing Tides, I have to say that I was intrigued. While I do read male/male books, I have never really read anything about a lesbian before and especially not one where she changes throughout that book and finds herself falling for a guy. But I was curious about this one and decided to give it a go. While I did enjoy parts of this book, I also have some issues with the story itself. 

Ellie Turner has always known that she was attracted to women. She has never been attracted to men, and though she isn't a virgin she has never had sex with a man before. But when she meets the handsome and famous Nate West, she is instantly drawn to him. She is a huge fan of his show, but she finds herself attracted to him as a person rather than the famous actor she has admired on TV. Ellie and Nate decide to see where things lead them and agree to spend some time together. Nate wasn't looking for a relationship after being cheated on by his ex-girlfriend and Ellie certainly wasn't expecting to find herself falling in love with a man. But Ellie and Nate quickly realize that they have no control over the connection they share, and soon they are hoping that the risk they are taking on each other won't leave them both heartbroken. 

I liked both Ellie and Nate. They were great together and I enjoyed seeing them start a relationship and explore the attraction that they felt for one another. Nate was sweet and I loved that he was so upfront with Ellie. He told her the truth and wasn't afraid to show how he felt about her. Ellie was likable, and I loved that she was so comfortable with herself. She knew she was different, and it didn't bother her at all. But I have to say that my biggest issue with this book was plausibility, and a huge part of that was with Ellie. I will admit that I hadn't read the previous book in this series, but this book is a standalone. Because of that I am not sure how much the reader gets to know Ellie in the first book. But judging off this book alone, you never actually see Ellie with another woman. She says that she is a lesbian and mentions thinking women are attractive. She even says that she has never been with a man or seen a penis in real life before Nate. But I just didn't really ever see her as a lesbian. Even when she was trying to figure things out and was going on blind dates, we hear about her dates with men rather than her dates with the women. I'm not saying she wasn't a lesbian, but I just never saw it or felt it. Her and Nate had such strong chemistry right off that it was just difficult for me to see anything else when it came to her, and so that was a pretty big deal to me. 

I also felt like besides her sexuality, that there were several things that happened in this story that just weren't realistic at all. One huge thing stood out to me over the rest, but I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read this book or the first book. Suffice it to say, you will know what I am talking about when you read it for yourself. I just felt like it was completely weird that someone would do what this person did and never really explain their actions, especially after they took some steps in sharing the truth after trying to hide it. I also felt like this story was super rushed. Not only did Ellie suddenly find herself attracted to a man and exploring a relationship, but that relationship developed rather rapidly. I just felt like if she was as confused as she said that it wouldn't have happened as quickly as it did. That and the ending was really abrupt and pretty much just stopped. I understand that we will see more of the characters as the next story unfolds, but with it focusing on another couple it really felt like there was some unfinished business here. While I did have quite a few criticisms, I did have a lot that I liked as well. Ellie and Nate were good together, and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another. They were sweet and fit together well, and I thought that they were really hot together as well. I just wish that I hadn't found this story so implausible. I really liked the secondary characters though, and I will read more from Sarah Darlington in the future. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully getting some more information on what really happened for one of the big things in this book and the first book.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: He Belongs With Me by Sarah Darlington

He Belongs With Me by Sarah Darlington was a really good book. I was originally drawn in by the cover and blurb, and I will admit the idea of twins both wanting the same guy was what really intrigued me. I loved the sound of them growing up with Leo and I am such a sucker for friends to lovers and even enemies to lovers. I will tell you that this book is a lot different than what I had gone in expecting, and even though I had a few criticisms with the story I really liked what happened. These characters wer all really interesting and I had to keep reading to figure out what would happen next. This was one that I didn't want to put down.

Maggie and Clara Ryder are twins. They grew up the daughters of a golfer who opened his own country club and golf course with a friend who owned a world famous hotel empire. They were basically raised with the heir to the hotel empire, Leo Maddox. The three of them might have grown up together but had very different relationships. Maggie and Clara are not close at all. In fact they barely speak to each other and can hardly tolerate the other. They are polar opposites in pretty much every way. Maggie and Leo are best friends. Maggie is the sweet one and her friendship with Leo has always just been platonic. Clara and Leo are constantly arguing and have always had issues being around each other. Clara is the wild child and will do just about anything to get a reaction. When Clara and Leo start getting closer and begin to think about dating, Maggie starts feeling more for Leo than friendship. Soon she believes that she is in love with Leo and is willing to fight for him. But with Leo and Clara's new relationship and growing feelings what does the future hold for the three of them? Is Clara meant to be with Leo or is it Maggie? And what happens when someone from their past reappears and changes everything?

I really liked Leo. He was so much deeper than you get at first glance. I loved getting to see not only how he was in the present, but things that had happened in the past. I liked his friendship with Maggie, but I felt like he had always had a stronger connection with Clara. They had some really great moments from when they were younger, and I really liked seeing the progression of their relationship. I liked Clara. She was strong and independent, and I liked that she as a bit of a rebel. She wasn't afraid to be who she was and yet she tended to show the world a facade while only letting in a few people. I really enjoyed seeing her drop her guard with Leo, and how he always saw the real her. Most people didn't see below the tough exterior with her, and I loved that Leo always did and she was never able to hide anything from him. Maggie was harder for me to connect with, and I felt like she was a bit too indecisive. She thought she was in love with Andrew and she thought she was in love with Leo, and then there was Dean. I felt like her feelings toward Leo were never anything more than friends. She was upset that Leo was interested in more with her sister Clara, and she didn't want to not be the important one in his life anymore. I didn't like that she was intent on getting in between them when they were first starting to have feelings for each other, but I liked how she backed off when she realized just how strongly Leo felt for Clara. I liked Clara and Leo together a lot and felt like they had a really great bond, and a ton of chemistry. They just seemed perfect for each other and like they were meant to be. I wish that we had seen a bit more of Maggie and Dean, or that they had been given their own separate book. I feel like we didn't really get a chance to get much of their story and they had a lot of history that I felt could have been explored more.

My main problem with this story was that there was a lot going on and at times (especially the beginning of the story) things got really confusing. It was interesting and I wanted to know what was going on, but it was a bit hard to get into initially. I almost wish that this would have been two books rather than one. I feel like a lot happened and a lot was going on. Because of that it seemed a little rushed to me, and I think we missed out on some things. By the time we got to the end it was like Leo and Clara were almost pushed to the side so that the focus was on Maggie instead, and I felt like Leo and Clara didn't really get the ending they deserved. It fell a bit flat because all of a sudden we were being given more of Maggie's story when the focus had pretty much been on Clara and Leo for the entire book. That was why I felt like this should have been two books. I think that if it would have been split we as readers wouldn't feel as though anything was missing and we would have been able to get the whole story for each of them and the characters would have been done justice. There wasn't a cliffhanger and things were wrapped up, but I just was looking for more. Maybe even an epilogue would have left things a bit more satisfying. I did like this book though, and I really enjoyed the characters. I thought that we really got to know Clara and Leo, while Maggie and Dean were still somewhat unknown. Dean was pretty much a mystery and didn't really have much of a presence throughout the story, and I would have liked to have known him better. I would recommend this book to New Adult fans, and I think that a lot of people will enjoy this story as I did. It was refreshing and different, and will appeal to readers looking for a standalone read with no cliffhanger. I look forward to reading more from Sarah Darlington in the future as I really enjoyed her writing style.

**ARC provided by Author**

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