Review: Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

I really enjoyed this book! It was a great read and kept me interested from the very first page. Everything I've Never Had is definitely an emotional read and there were many ups and downs. At some points my heart was literally breaking for these characters and I felt it so strongly because Lynetta Halat did such a great job drawing the reader in so that we become extremely invested. The characters are amazingly deep and and seemed so real to me. They were fantastic and I found them to be impossible not to fall in love with. I hadn't ever read anything by Halat before, but I can tell you that I will be reading more from her in the future. I loved her writing style and this book was written beautifully.

After losing her husband, Celeste is left to raise her three boys alone. She has always done what her family tells her to, even if she wants something else. Adrian steps in to help Celeste with the boys after his cousin Tripp's death and they settle into a very close relationship. They are best friends, but there has always been an attraction between them. They have always fought to keep it under control, but after a passionate kiss one night things change between them. Despite their strong feelings for each other and off the charts chemistry, there are so many reasons that they shouldn't be together. But when two people have such a strong connection, how can they possibly stay away from each other? Will they let the obstacles that stand in their way ruin their future together or will they fight for the love they feel and come out stronger than ever?

I loved Adrian. I really can't say enough about him. Not only is he a sexy Marine, but he is also a rocker. But he is also sweet and caring while being protective of those he loves. I loved how he was with not only Celeste but also her boys. It was so refreshing to see a guy step in and really man up in order to help someone out. There aren't a lot of guys who would have done what he did for Celeste and her boys. Especially since he was younger than her by eight years. I loved how thoughtful he was. Celese is strong and determined. She is a great mom and was extremely loyal. I loved that she fought for Adrian and refused to let him get away with some of the things he tried. These two were perfect for each other, and it was clear from the start that they were meant to be together. Not only were they sweet together, but they were super hot! These two really generated an enormous amount of steam and I loved that what they had was so special that they took it a little slow before just jumping into bed with each other. You could tell just how much every kiss and touch meant to both of them. It was really great watching them come to terms with their feelings and begin their future together.

Overall this book was pretty fantastic. There were a few things that I didn't love about it, which kept it from being a five star rating for me. But these things were pretty minor. I felt there was a little too much back and forth and feelings of being unworthy before they finally got to a good point and could admit to wanting to be together. I felt like there was already enough going on angst wise that they really didn't need that much indecision about their relationship. I also didn't really like how they kept saying they had to stay apart because of the family and then when it came down to it and they found out about their relationship, there really wasn't much fallout. It just felt a bit anticlimactic for me. But these are extremely small gripes and other than those few things, I really loved this story. This book is beautiful and emotional and is a great romance that I believe is a must read. These characters and the writing really draw you in and you don't want to stop reading until you have turned the last page. I was honestly sad when this book was finished, because I wanted more of Adrian and Celeste. If you haven't read this one yet, you should absolutely check it out!

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A Naughty New Year with Nicolette Day and Giveaway

A Naughty New Year - Nicolette Day

A mom by day and a romance writer by night, Nicolette Day harbors a weakness for black and white mochas and books that steam up her Kindle screen. She grew up in a one stoplight town where she once upon a time she only dreamed of becoming a writer. Now she lives in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights. If you love young adult romance, check out Nicolette’s alter ego, Tara Fuller!

Places to find Nicolette:

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ARC Review: One Night in Santiago by Audra North

I’ve read Audra North before and really enjoyed her writing style and her story. Her story, “Falling for the CEO” was very good. I loved the characters and their chemistry. However, “One Night in Santiago” fell short for me. I thought that the characters did not mesh well. Even though the meet under an unpleasant situation their conversation seems forced and awkward. Lily seems, almost immature. Although I think the conversation where they meet is supposed to be light hearted and funny it was uncomfortable and strained. Some of the scenes seemed overly dramatic. Lily is going through a lot of emotions. She is on a trip that was supposed to be her honeymoon. She gets stranded there because of a terrible storm and misses her sisters’ graduation. Although it’s understandable that she is under emotional stress after she discovers her fiancé was cheating on her with her friend. Lily seems to be all over the place. She goes through a lot of different emotions in a short period of time… she can’t wait to rip Bruno’s clothes off and then she is weeping on his chest after speaking with her sister. She makes the statement to Bruno that she is “the worst sister in the world”. The set up the story was interesting. Both Lily and Bruno are stranded at the Ritz and there is only one room available. They fight over it and eventually Bruno, chivalrously, lets Lily have it. But then they fight again about why she is letting him share the suite… Even though both characters attribute their bickering to their mutual stubbornness, it doesn’t play out well. Instead of chemistry it comes off as petty and trivial.

As Lily and Bruno Komarov spend the night in their shared suite they get to know each other. Bruno despite his last name comes from Chilean heritage. Lily also finds out that Bruno is inheriting a very profitable wine making company. Lily in her own right owns a consultant company that is also successful. Lily decides that she is not going to let the opportunity to be with Bruno pass by. She throws caution to the wind and makes it clear to him that she is interested. After a very hot and steamy night together they have to part ways. Lily gets up the next morning and goes to the airport. When Bruno wakes up he does not find Lily but only the note she left. Realizing that the still has time to reach her he goes to the airport to find her. Novellas are tough because the author has a hard job, make the characters relatable and the reader interested in a small number of pages. I definitely plan to read more by this author in the future. I really like that her characters are very unique and different.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Review: Collide by Riley Hart

I have to admit that I have sort of been on a M/M kick lately and have pretty much devoured any of them I can get my hands on. I am pretty new to this genre, but the more of it I read the more I love it. There is just something hot about two guys together. I never thought that I would enjoy this genre as much as I do. When I first read the blurb about Collide by Riley Hart, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad that I read this story. I really enjoyed this one, and I cannot wait to read more from Riley Hart. This was a great start to her Blackcreek series, and I can't wait to get Wes and Braden's story next.

Noah and Cooper were best friends as soon as they happened to collide while going for the same football at age ten. Noah grew up moving around constantly, but finally felt like he had found a home in Blackcreek. Not only did he feel at home, but he also met Cooper there. Cooper was the only real friend he ever had. But one day while Coop is out of town with his aunt, Noah's parents up and leave taking Noah with them. Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to the other. Seventeen years later though, Noah returns to Blackcreek and literally collides with Coop again. Noah is looking for a place to settle, and Blackcreek was the only place he ever felt at home. Not only is Noah suffering from being cheated on, but then his car breaks down. As he begins the walk into town, he is hit by a truck. Coop just so happens to be driving the truck that hits him. Not having a place to stay, Coop offers to let Noah stay with him for the time being. Coop and Noah pick their friendship back up where they left off, but things are different after all these years. When Coop finds out that Noah is gay, he is very surprised but also curious. As the two spend more time together, their feelings for each other grow. Noah knows that Coop has always been straight, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be with his best friend. Coop has never been attracted to a man before, but this is Noah and they have always had a strong connection to each other. Noah and Coop begin to explore their new relationship and see where things go. But when secrets from the past are revealed and people begin to find out about the two of them, can they have the relationship they both want? Or will they end up being torn apart?

I really loved both Coop and Noah. Coop is a sexy firefighter who has never done commitment. He lost his parents to a fire when he was young and was raised by his aunt and uncle. He grew up being told by his uncle to move on and the only person he was ever really able to open up to about everything was Noah. Coop was vulnerable, but he was able to really connect with Noah even at a young age. I loved that he really cared about Noah and was able to accept Noah for who he was. At first Coop tries to fight his feelings, but I loved that he quickly realized that his feelings were real and that he didn't waste a lot more time by continuing to fight it. Noah was strong and proud. He wasn't afraid to be who he was and was very clear about not caring what others thought. I loved that he didn't push too hard with Coop, and that he really was there to support him through everything. Noah and Coop were really great together, and I loved that their connection to each other went so deep. They both felt like they were the best friends they had ever had and felt a comfort and ease with each other that they never found with anyone else. I think their relationship seemed so real and natural because they had such a great foundation and friendship. I loved how hot these guys were together, and they had such amazing chemistry.

Overall, I really felt like Coop and Noah were absolutely perfect for each other. They were friends first, but truly became partners in every sense of the word. I loved watching as they took their relationship from friendship to lovers as their love grew. I really felt their love and connection to each other. I was immediately invested in these characters and thought that they were extremely likable. They were funny and I loved how they gave each other a hard time and were able to banter. As much as I liked Cooper and Noah, I also really liked Wes and Braden. I am really excited to get their story next, and to get to know them both better. I am definitely a fan of Riley Hart after reading this great story, and I really liked her writing style. I would recommend this story to any fan of romance, but I think that this is a must read for fans of the M/M genre. Regardless of what you might at first think about reading a M/M book though, this book is really just a story about love and friendship which just happens to be between two men.

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A Naughty New Year with Samanthe Beck and Giveaway

A Naughty New Year - Samanthe Beck 

Sam was transfixed from an early age with any tale featuring a handsome prince, a great dress, and, of course, the all-important kiss, and eventually aspired to write her own happily-ever-afters. Naturally, she became a lawyer. The legal world heaved a sigh of relief a few years ago when Samanthe retired from law to take the plunge as a writer.

When not living the glamorous life of a romance author (i.e., chained to her computer), Samanthe keeps busy with the care and feeding of her extremely patient prince-charming of a husband, a not-so-patient ball of energy known as their son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe, the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. Their love, support, and willingness to eat Pizza Hut three or more times a week enables Samanthe to pursue her literary dreams.

Places to find Samanthe: 

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