ARC Review: Too Close To Call by Tessa Bailey

This is book 3.5 in the Clarkston siblings series. I've read all the other books in the series and it really has been one of my favorite series. This installment doesn't directly feature one of the Clarkston siblings. If you've read the other books though, you'll be familiar with Kyler whose relationship with Bree is featured in this novella.

Kyler left the small town of Bloomington to become a college football star. He thought his one true love, Bree, was coming with him because that was their plan. At the last minute, Bree informed Kyler that she wasn't going anywhere effectively ripping his heart out and leaving it in shreds. Four years later, Kyler graduates and gets drafted by the NFL. He is headed to LA to play pro ball but is determined that he will not be going without Bree. Kyler returns to Bloomington for Bree and nothing has changed. And by that I mean that Kyler and Bree still have off the charts chemistry but Bree is still a spotlight shunner while Kyler's life brings out ALL the lights.There is no obvious way to reconcile Bree's desire for a small town life and the big city glitz that Kyler is headed towards. But it turns out that when Kyler really starts to examine what it is that Bree wants and why she wants it, he might just find the answer to how to make things work. When they were in high school, Kyler was too young and to hurt to look at the "whys" he just knew Bree was bailing on him. Now that he's a "man" (I mean, he's 22, which is like 12 in woman years), he's able to see more of the picture.

I liked Kyler from reading about him in the last book. He is a really sweet guy. He's wholesome but also has a dirty mouth, he's funny and he's serious about the woman he loves. Bree was veering towards getting on my nerves several times. It was clear that she really loved/wanted Kyler. Bree's emotional hang ups which logically originated when her mother bailed on her family, while reasonable issues were also making me scream WHAT ARE YOU DOING WOMAN. Bree and Kyler together is a win. The two are absolutely perfect for one another and Bailey does a great job portraying their feelings towards each other and how much they make sense when together. The only small problem for me is that the characters in this book are just too young. Their flashbacks are about high school and all the freaky things they did as juniors and seniors. If you are a new adult romance fan, you'll love this but for me the characters were just a little too young. This is still a great installation in the Clarkston siblings series so happy reading.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Feature and Giveaway: The Wrong Kind of Compatible by Kadie Scott

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.

For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…

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Feature: Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey

All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.

None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

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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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ARC Review: Torrid by Nikki Sloane

Torrid is the second book in the Sordid series by Nikki Sloane. You can read each as a standalone story though without any problems understanding anything. I really love Nikki Sloane's books and I couldn't wait to read Torrid. Each book of hers I read seems to get better and she is an auto-buy for me. If you like erotic romance novels, Nikki Sloane is an author that you have to read!

Vasilije is the prince of the Serbian mafia and is known for being ruthless. Oksana finds herself pretending to be a pawn in a dangerous game and as she and Vasilije grow closer things get more complicated. But Oksana has a secret that would change everything if revealed. When the truth finally comes out will they survive or will it destroy everything?

I couldn't get enough of these two. While there was a lot of heat between them and the chemistry was off the charts, this book was less steamy than Sordid. I still really enjoyed it, but I did miss a bit of the heat that Nikki is known for. I really loved the dynamic between Oksana and Vasilije though. There was so much going on here and the power play between these two was so interesting to me. It was intense and captivating, and kept me turning the pages from start to finish. 

While I have loved everything I have read from Nikki, this series is one that I find intriguing. I love her sexy and erotic stories, but this series is dark and a bit gritty. The mafia element here makes for a fascinating world that brings not only the heat that you expect from Nikki's books, but characters that are interesting and dirty in the best way. I have never been disappointed with anything I have read from her, but if you like sexy stories and mafia romance books this series is one that I can't recommend enough. Nikki Sloane knocked it out of the park again with Torrid, and I am already looking forward to whatever she writes next!

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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