ARC Review: Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

I have become a huge Tessa Bailey fan after reading a few of her books now. I was excited when I found out that she was writing a New Adult book about Willa. Willa is Ginger's sister from Protecting What's His. You do not have to have read Protecting What's His though to understand Unfixable as it is about Willa and can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this story, and I liked Willa and Shane a lot. This story brings the heat that one expects with a Tessa Bailey book, but it is a bit toned down compared to her Line of Duty Series.

After a bad breakup that leaves her feeling hurt and against love, Willa Peet enters and wins a photography contest that sends her to Ireland for a month. She isn't looking for friendship, and plans to spend her time taking pictures and moving on. She instantly gets off on the wrong foot with Shane Claymore, the guy sent to pick her up at the airport. Shane's family owns the inn where she is staying and is also a Formula One driver. Both Shane and Willa are struggling with issues, and even though they are both attracted to one another they bicker and argue. But the chemistry between them is strong and the fighting becomes more and more like foreplay. Soon they are starting to get to know each other, and they find out that there is much more to each other than they first expected. When things heat up, both are determined to enjoy each other while they can. As their time together approaches an end though, will they be able to give each other up?

I really liked Shane and the fact that he had an Irish accent didn't hurt! He was sexy and protective, and also a lot deeper than you first think. I liked that he wasn't afraid to say what he was thinking and call Willa out when she needed it. I think he was the perfect match for her willful personality. He brought her out of her comfort zone and really forced her to take a look at her life and things that she would rather try to avoid and run away from. I wasn't sure what his immediate bad reaction to her was though at the airport, and it kind of puzzled me a bit. I didn't understand why they pretty much hated each other at first sight. I also don't remember ever seeing how old Shane was. For some reason I kept wondering about that while I was reading. It was clear that he was older than Willa, but I'm not sure if it was ever said or if I just missed it. Willa was strong and surprisingly sweet. She wasn't overly sweet by nature, but she would do all of these really kind things for others as though she didn't even have to think about it. She wasn't at all like you would expect her character to be at first glance, and I really enjoyed how she was with both Faith and Kitty. I also really loved how fierce she was about defending Shane and trying to make him realize that everything he had been struggling with wasn't his fault. She showed him that he was worth it and that he deserved everything he had worked so hard for. Shane and Willa had a lot of chemistry, but they also developed a great relationship. There is a part where Shane is teaching Willa how to drive a stick shift, and it is hands down my favorite part of the book. They are so cute together, and you could tell just how much these two were starting to feel for one another.

I will admit that while I really enjoyed this book, there were a few things that kept it from being my favorite of Tessa Bailey's books. I felt like Shane and Willa's instant fighting was confusing. I couldn't really figure out why they got off on the wrong foot right away. It just didn't really make sense to me other than that they were both pretty judgmental right off and were making a lot of assumptions they shouldn't have been. I also thought that because it was a NA book, the level of heat was less than normal. There was still a lot of chemistry and there was a good amount of steam, but not what you would normally think of with a Tessa Bailey book. That is entirely a personal opinion though, as I really enjoy Tessa's dirty talking heroes and explicit scenes. But it was still really good even with the more tame scenes and writing. I love her writing style, and she has a really great way of drawing you instantly into her stories and keeping you invested the entire way through. Unfixable was no exception, and Shane and Willa were easy to like and root for. I highly recommend any of Tessa Bailey's books, especially if you haven't ever read anything by her before. But I would definitely recommend Unfixable to fans of the NA genre and those that are looking for a good hate to love story. This one was a quick and easy read, and was a lot of fun to experience.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding by Stacy Reid

Lady Jocelyn Rathbourne is pointing a derringer at Sebastian, the Duke of Calydon. She is in search of his brother, Anthony, who promised marriage. She has his gift of a locket to prove it. Sebastian points out Anthony has married Miss Phillipa Peppiwell. Jocelyn’s decides she’ll marry Sebastian instead. She is desperate to provide money for her family. Sebastian has avoided society since he received a scar in a duel. The lady in question lied to both men and then killed herself. He agrees to accept Jocelyn’s offer and they will be married in the morning. He needs an heir and the attraction is mutual. He’s delighted with her courage and determination in confronting him. He’s falling in love with her, but keeps her at a distance. Women have hurt him in the past. Some have cheated, but his mother was the worst. She flaunted her lover and had two children with him. He banished her and cut off financial support. Anthony returns in time to hear Jocelyn’s declaration of love for Sebastian. Anthony encourages his half-brother to read their mother’s diaries and give Jocelyn a chance. She decides to invite both sides of the family over for Christmas. Sebastian says no until he reads the diaries. He was wrong about his mother and welcomes her back. Jocelyn is thrilled to give her younger siblings a wonderful holiday and her husband a blessed surprise.

Jocelyn makes a dramatic and memorable entrance. Sebastian is amused and intrigued. They make an excellent couple. She helps him heal his relationship with his mother. He provides for her family. Jocelyn is not a docile woman. She searches for ways to make life better for others and stands up for herself. She’s chipping away at the status quo and paving the way for her sisters. Sebastian appreciates her powers of persuasion. He sees beyond convention and falls in love.

This is a classic tale of ‘How I met your mother’ to tell their children. I enjoy reading a story and imaging the couple in the future. Jocelyn and Sebastian have little in common, but enough to keep the other interested for years to come.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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My Favorite Book Couple with Virna DePaul

Virna DePaul is a USAToday and New York Times bestselling author of steamy, suspenseful fiction. Whether its vampires, a Para-Ops team, hot cops or swoon-worthy identical twin brothers, her stories center around complex individuals willing to overcome incredible odds for love. Bedding The Wrong Brother is a #1 Bestselling Contemporary Romance, and is followed by Bedding The Bad Boy. Her PNR series with Random House launches on April 1, 2014 with Turned.

Places to find Virna:

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Review: Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige

I really loved this book! Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige is so good, I can't believe I waited so long to read this one. I literally could not put this one down, and I loved every single second of this story. Alayna and Hudson are fantastic characters, and what makes them so great is how real they are. Trust me this book is definitely a must read, and I cannot wait to get more of these two. The writing is engaging and I love Laurelin Paige's ability to draw you in from the very start. Her books are well paced and they keep you interested throughout.

Alayna has just finished school with her MBA is determined to move her way up through the ranks at the nightclub she works at. She is on the fast track to management and her business ideas have all been well received. But the sale of the nightclub could change everything for her. She is willing to work hard to convince the new owner that she has what it takes to bring the nightclub more success in the future. With a past full of stalking and restraining orders, she is determined to through herself into work and avoid any guys that she can't be casual with. All that changes when a sexy stranger comes into the bar one night. Alayna is instantly drawn to him and the attraction between them is intense. When Alayna meets Hudson Pierce the new owner of the club, he is none other than the sexy stranger she had previously met. Hudson also feels the chemistry between them and he needs some help of his own. Hudson proposes that she work for him in addition to the nightclub as his fake girlfriend. He needs help getting out of a relationship and engagement that his family is pushing and in exchange he will pay off all of her student loans. Hudson also lets her know that he wants her in his bed, but that it will be separate from their business relationship. Alayna knows that she should run away from Hudson, but she can't seem to stay away. With both of them having issues things get complicated quick. When both of them start having real feelings for each other, they find themselves out of their depth. But they also begin to wonder if maybe their less than perfect pasts make them the perfect ones to understand one another.

I really loved Hudson. He is so complex and there are so many different sides to his character. He isn't just your typical dominating alpha billionaire. He has issues and has done things in the past that he isn't proud of, but he never tried to hide them or avoid talking about them. I thought it was great that while he didn't come right out and admit it to Alayna, when she asked he told her the truth and didn't try to lie or hide it. He was open and honest about who and what he was, and he was always able to tell her what he expected and could or couldn't handle. I loved that he had his dominating and possessive side, but he also had a fun and playful sweet side as well. It was clear that he was starting to see her differently that he had originally intended and it was great to see him start to develop real feelings for her. Alayna was smart and I really liked that she was so easy to relate to. She was upfront about who she was and about everything in her past. She struggled with obsessive love and relationship issues and had problems with trust. I really liked how understanding Hudson was and that he didn't freak out, but instead encouraged her to come to him when she was feeling things or thinking about acting on some of her impulses. She was extremely confident sometimes and yet at other times she was vulnerable and a bit insecure. I just found her character to be one that seemed to be so normal, despite her issues. I loved that she couldn't help but be an open book with her feelings when it came to Hudson, and I loved watching as she tried to fight her feelings for him. She really tried to protect herself and avoid having something with him, but it was great to see her give in and go after what she wanted. Hudson and Alayna had a ton of chemistry and they were really steamy together. But they also had a great connection forming between them too, and I loved when they played their get to know you game. It was really cute, and really strengthened the relationship they started to form.

Overall, this was a great first installment to this series. I really loved the entire book, and I loved the characters. This one was a quick read for me because I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't stop reading, and I had to know what would happen next for Alayna and Hudson. I am really looking forward to reading more about these two and seeing what Paige has in store for them next. I know these two still have a lot to deal with from their pasts as well as their future, but I can't wait to see the rest of their journey. I highly recommend this one. It is well written, captivating, and filled with deep and interesting characters. Every book I read by Laurelin Paige makes me more of a fan, and this one was no exception. If you haven't read anything by her yet, I would definitely suggest checking her work out. I look forward to reading more from her in the future, especially the rest of this series.

**Copy provided by InkSlinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart

Robyn DeHart delivers a fantastic romance/suspense story packed with tension and romance. I read a novella by her, “No Ordinary Mistress” which was also fantastic. DeHart is a great writer and very engaging. Her heroines are ahead of their time and women that make their own rules. The heroin in this story is no exception. Anna is a lady who is attending medical school. She is determined to become a physician even against her mother’s wishes. Anna is not interested in following the rules of society, finding a husband and marrying. She wants to follow her passion for medicine.

Our hero, Andrew Foster, is also very interesting. He begins the story in a jail, imprisoned because he is suspected of being Jack the Ripper. Drew has a lot of ghost in his closet. He is an illegitimate son, and has spent much of his life drinking to forget about his problems. Simon, Anna’s brother is a Scotland Yard detective. He offers Drew an opportunity to assist in the Jack the Ripper investigation. This becomes a redeeming opportunity for him, he realizes that he is a good detective and feels useful in helping in such an important investigation. Anna and Drew are brought together in the middle of this investigation. Drew needs Anna’s medical expertise with his investigation. I liked them as a couple and thought that they were a great match.

I have to say that this was such a fantastic story! The secondary characters were so fantastic! The theme of Jack the Ripper was a great addition. The author gives him a voice in the story so we get an insight into his thoughts and the reasons for his murders. Because the story is based on the true killings of The Ripper there are some scenes that are difficult to read and very graphic. Aside from this I could not stop reading anything that took me away from this romance/ suspense was unwelcome. I highly recommend this story and plan to read the previous one in the series, The Secrets of Mia Danvers, so I can have a better understanding of Anna and Drew! Great story!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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