Blog Tour | Review: Inked by Sarah Darlington

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Title: INKED

Author: Sarah Darlington

Release Date: July 13th

✓Secret Pregnancy

✓Slow-Burn

✓All the feels

GOODREADS | AMAZON

AMANDA

Men like Nick should come with a warning label... don’t touch. He walked into the shop, smelling like heaven, wanting his first tattoo, and I should have refused his business. Because I knew the moment I set eyes on him, I didn’t stand a chance. Still, I fell down the rabbit-hole with him.

Now, he’s gone, moved on, and the result of our one-night stand is left growing inside me. I’ll probably never see this man again.

NICK

It was only supposed to be a little ink. A parting gift to myself from myself. Because when your girlfriend dumps you for a famous rockstar, you leave. You move on. You get the hell out of town and forget all about her. But I never counted on meeting Amanda before I left. Or the night we shared. Or the mark she left when she put her ink on my skin.

I have to go back. For her.

*INKED is a full-length standalone with a HEA.

______________________________________________________________________

Once upon a time, I read a book called Kill Devil Hills that made a big impression on me. I fell hard for the two main characters and their story has stayed with me over the years. So I was excited to return to North Carolina’s Outer Banks with Sarah Darlington’s latest release, Inked.

Nick and Amanda had an unforgettable encounter when he came to her for a tattoo. When their one night together resulted in a pregnancy, Amanda panicked, certain that Nick was out of her league and would leave her high and dry, and told him the baby wasn’t his. What came next was the story of two people slowly opening up, learning to trust, and figuring out they are better together than apart.

What was endearing to me about Nick and Amanda is that they both felt that the other was out of their league. Amanda viewed Nick as wealthy and privileged and Nick thought Amanda was carefree and creative and wouldn’t be interested in him (especially after his ex told him he was boring). Nick had been diagnosed with Panic Disorder and it was heartbreaking to see the toll the panic attacks took on him. His outward persona was one of charming confidence but in reality he was self-conscious about the panic attacks and very much an introvert.

Nick was very all-in and committed from early on which seemed rather unlikely, but I rolled with it. It was easy to do because he was just such a sweetheart. They both leaned on one another and needed each other for comfort and support even before they could recognize or admit that to each other. Their path wasn’t conventional, but I enjoyed watching them figure out their way together. Inked was a sexy-sweet story of two gentle souls who accepted each just as they were.

Get your copy now!
Available on Amazon or *FREE* to read in Kindle Unlimited.

Sarah Darlington
Sarah Darlington was born in Colorado and grew up all over the United States. These days, she calls Virginia home, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and large dog. The best word to describe Sarah is 'creative.' She's passionate about designing, crafting, and photography. But most of all... she loves creating stories through her writing. Her romance books are sexy and heart-gripping at their core, guaranteed to make you swoon. Any of them can be read as a stand-alone, but all are connected within the same world.
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Blog / Promo Tour: Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan

I never miss a chance to sing the praises of Kennedy Ryan. I've read six of her books so far and I continue to work my way through both her backlist and her new releases. She is one of those rare breed of authors for me - one who is capable of creating characters who are so multi-dimensional that they feel completely real, and testing them in ways that is utterly realistic. She writes in a way that engages all my emotions and has me fully invested every time. So it's no surprise that I am plenty excited for her latest release, Queen Move. Are you ready for Kimba and Ezra's story? Because I sure am.

“This thoroughly modern soulmate story blew me away!” -- Talia Hibbert, USA Today bestselling author

Queen Move, an all-new passionate and unforgettable friends-to-lovers romance from RITA® Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

The boy who always felt like mine is now the man I can't have…

Dig a little and you'll find photos of me in the bathtub with Ezra Stern. Get your mind out of the gutter. We were six months old. Pry and one of us might confess we saved our first kiss for each other. The most clumsy, wet, sloppy . . . spectacular thirty seconds of my adolescence. Get into our business and you'll see two families, closer than blood, torn apart in an instant. Twenty years later, my "awkward duckling" best friend from childhood, the boy no one noticed, is a man no one can ignore.

Finer. Fiercer. Smarter. Taken.

Tell me it's wrong. Tell me the boy who always felt like mine is now the man I can’t have. When we find each other again, everything stands in our way--secrets, lies, promises. But we didn't come this far to give up now. And I know just the move to make if I want to make him mine.

**QUEEN MOVE will have the special release week price of $3.99. After that, the price will increase.**

Download your copy today! 

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Excerpt:

“You’re fucking brilliant.”

“Huh?” Ezra asks absentmindedly, paying more attention to the flame under his pan than to my compliment. “What’d you say?”

“I said you’re brilliant.” I hold up the iPad I’m using to read his manuscript. “Your book, the YLA story, is incredible, Ez.”

“Oh. Thanks.” He flashes me a smile and then goes back to his French toast. “The key to getting this right is the milk-to-bread ratio.”

I hop off the counter and walk over to stand beside him at the stove. “Would you forget about your French toast for a minute and listen to me?”

“But it’s stuffed French toast.” He takes the pan off the burner and pulls me into his arms. “And I could listen to you all day. What were you saying? Something about me being a handsome, sexy genius?”

“Um…those weren’t my exact words.” I laugh up at him.

“I could have sworn that’s what you said, and I’m never wrong.” He slides his hands over my ass in a pair of his boxer shorts. “Some even say I’m fucking brilliant.”

“They probably just like your big dick,” I whisper and blink up at him as innocently as I can manage.

“I get that a lot.” He drops a kiss on my head and turns back to his French toast. I lean down to rest an elbow on the counter and watch him work.

“A lot?” I ask teasingly. “Have there been a lot?”

He pauses mid-toast-flip and slants me a glance. “Are you asking how many people I’ve had sex with?”

“I mean, it’s none of my business. If you don’t want to—”

“Eight.”

Eight?

Lord above, only eight?!

“Oh.” I straighten and rest my hip against the counter. “What a, um, single-digit number that is.”

“What about you?”

What about me? I’m tabulating years of hook-ups, one-night stands, fuck bois and carrying the one.

“If you don’t want to,” he says, cracking an egg into a bowl, “it’s fine. I don’t care how many people—”

“I don’t know.”

He glances up from whisking eggs, a small frown puckering his dark brows. “You don’t know what?”

“My number. I don’t know how many people I’ve been with.”

He resumes whisking, his frown clearing. “Oh.”

The whisking eggs and whirring refrigerator are the only sounds in the kitchen. I’ve never been embarrassed by my choices. I enjoy sex. I’ve had it with a lot of people. People I really liked…or tolerated…but didn’t want to commit to. I’ve always been safe and never mean about it. I was upfront, and when someone wanted more, I let them know “more” wasn’t an option.

“I just never…” I cross my arms over my stomach, fold one bare foot over the other. “I haven’t been interested in committed relationships. There hasn’t been anyone I wanted that with.”

“Tru.” He stops whisking and gives me the full impact of his undivided attention. His eyes are placid blue. No shadows or undercurrents. “I don’t care.” Ezra pushes the bowl aside and faces me. “But there is something I feel like we should be clear on regarding how you’ve handled sex in the past.”

Here we go.

“You’ve never wanted to commit before,” he says.

“Right. I’ve never wanted any strings attached.”

“I know I said we could be just sex, no emotional attachments.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “But I feel like I have to be honest with you. Having you back in my life has been…it’s been exactly what I need, and what I felt last night… I’ve never felt that way before.”

I’m not even sure my heart is beating, but it also feels like there’s a tumult in my chest. “What are you saying, Ez?”

His mouth flattens into a hard line and his jaw hardens to stone. “I want strings.”

“Y-you do?”

“I want strings.” He links our fingers, strokes his thumb across my palm. “Ropes, if necessary. I want anything that keeps you with me and me with you and tells everyone else don’t even think about it.”

I’m stunned and incredibly turned on, but that doesn’t take much where Ezra’s concerned.

“You…you do?” I ask faintly…again.

“I wouldn’t do well sharing you.”

About Kennedy Ryan

RITA® Award Winner, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

Kennedy and her writings have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour and many others. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but has a special passion for raising Autism awareness.The co-founder of LIFT 4 Autism, an annual charitable book auction, she has appeared on Headline News, The Montel Williams Show, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for ASD families. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son.

Connect with Kennedy

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Review: Anticipating Spring by Lora Richardson (#YA #NewRelease)

ANTICIPATING SPRING
Lora Richardson
Publication date: March 23, 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Author
4 Stars

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

Note: At the time of this post, Anticipating Spring is free on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase for just $0.99! Grab your copy now and experience this heartwarming story for yourself!

S Y N O P S I S

Joe Hudson broke my heart. The last thing I want is to be trapped with him at basketball camp.

Coaching a skills camp for little kids was supposed to be a fun way to say goodbye to my high school basketball career. A bridge between my old life and new beginnings. But coaching with the guy who broke my heart last summer?

That was not the plan.

But there he is, across the gym. He hasn't even said anything yet, and already I’m remembering the way my name sounds on his lips. As he comes closer, old feelings are stirred up and all I can think of is the way he used to hold me.

No.

Joe is my past—a very painful and heart-wrenching past. He will never be allowed to hold my heart again. But we’ll be stuck together day after day, so we have to figure out a way to play nice. And I have to figure out a way to keep him from getting under my skin. 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Anticipating Spring is the fourth and final book in Richardson’s Unexpected Love series and it was bittersweet to say goodbye to all the characters I’ve come to know and love. Here, the focus is on Maggie and Joe. Readers already familiar with the series know Joe as Greta’s older brother, and Maggie was mentioned several times in the first book, particularly after their break-up. Their relationship was sometimes hinted at so I was excited to finally get their story.

"I've missed you, Maggie. You were good for me, even if I wasn't good for you."
I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to contain the ache. "You were good for me, Joe. I mean it. We were good for each other, even if things didn't work out."

Maggie and Joe met at a time when he was vulnerable and struggling. Over the years they connected here and there, slowly forming a friendship of sorts, before finally starting a relationship. When the story begins it’s been about a year since their break-up and now Maggie finds that she and Joe will be coaching a summer basketball camp together. She’s determined to make the most of it but the truth is she still has feelings for Joe and so much about their relationship and break-up feels unresolved. At the same time, Maggie is also dealing with feelings of uncertainty about leaving for college at the end of summer as well as the declining health of her beloved grandmother who lives with her family.

Maggie was such a truly likable character. She was family-focused, a good daughter and a good friend. I loved her openness and her willingness to share what was on her mind and really give of herself. Unfortunately, it was her total openness and Joe’s emotional distance that eventually drove a wedge between them. I loved watching as they tiptoed around each other and finally talked about their break-up. It opened the door to a renewed friendship… and maybe more.

"Maggie? I hope you don't have any regrets about us."
"Joe, I have a million regrets about us."
He blinked, taken aback. "But it's me who messed up. You were perfect."

Anticipating Spring was told almost completely from Maggie’s point of view but there were short chapters from Joe’s perspective. I adored those. Being in Joe’s head, understanding his thought process, and realizing how he really felt about Maggie was priceless. Lora Richardson has created another sweet, heartwarming, small town romance that gave me all the good feelings (the road trip was the best!) and left me with a smile on my face. I may be saying goodbye to these characters and this series, but I’m already looking forward to what Richardson delivers next.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

____________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT LORA RICHARDSON:

As a child, Lora lived on a pig farm. She spent time swimming in the creek with snakes, playing in the hayloft, and tapping out stories on her mother's typewriter. These days she lives in a small city in Indiana with her high-school-sweetheart-husband and their two children. She spends her time reading, writing, and hanging out with her people. She still has pigs, though now they are of the guinea variety.

You can find Lora here: * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * GOODREADS * INSTAGRAM *

Review: Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

MRS. EVERYTHING
Jennifer Weiner
Publication date: Jun 11, 2019
Genres: Adult Fiction, Women's Fiction
Format: eARC
Source: Atria Books and NetGalley



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

From Jennifer Weiner, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who Do You Love and In Her Shoes, comes a smart, thoughtful, and timely exploration of two sisters’ lives from the 1950s to the present as they struggle to find their places—and be true to themselves—in a rapidly evolving world. Mrs. Everything is an ambitious, richly textured journey through history—and herstory—as these two sisters navigate a changing America over the course of their lives.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Mrs. Everything is a tale of two sisters, how circumstances fray their bond, and how they come together again. While Jennifer Weiner calls this her most ambitious work, I call it her best.

Sisters Bethie and Jo could not be more different. Bethie is pretty and popular. Jo doesn’t care about clothes or fashion, loves sports, and never seems to earn her mother’s approval. A childhood spent in 1950’s suburban Detroit leads to college in the 60’s and a time of civil rights, protests and experimentation. Their lives take dramatically different paths and their choices shape their lives in unexpected ways.

I was completely captivated by this story. Weiner breathed life into these characters and I felt as if I were experiencing every heartache, every joy, and every turn in the road with Bethie and Jo. From complicated family dynamics, to disordered eating, drug use, sex and marriage, these women struggled to find their way, both separately and apart. I sympathized with Jo who struggled for her mother’s approval and acceptance and who spent years hiding her true self. And my heart ached for Bethie who spent years running from her past.   

They lived through times of tremendous upheaval – the Viet Nam war, civil rights, women’s rights – and the roles of women changed over the years. They were redefining what it meant to be a woman in a changing world, while still being constrained by societal expectations, and with the knowledge that change comes slowly and there were still barriers to overcome. Their choices were so often colored by, and limited to, the options available at that time. They were alternately each other’s strongest supporter and harshest critic, proving that the author understands the complicated relationship shared by sisters.

Spanning more than six decades, Weiner has delivered a powerful story of sisterhood – both familial and that of all women. She strikes the perfect balance of telling Jo and Bethie’s stories while shining a light on the limitations, expectations, tragedies and triumphs of women over the past 60-70 years. Never preachy or political, but instead intensely readable, Mrs. Everything has skyrocketed to one of my favorite reads of 2019.

5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Short-Take Reviews: Unbroken (Jay Crownover) & Tangled (Emma Chase)

UNBROKEN
Jay Crownover
Publication date: May 14, 2019
Series: Loveless, Texas #0.5
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Forever Yours & Netgalley



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

When rodeo star Crew Lawton loses everything in a bad bet, he has no choice but to take a new job to pay off his debts – even if it means becoming the face of an expensive male skincare line. Crew is used to getting sweaty and rustling in the dirt, not posing for photo shoots. And he’s certainly not used to being bossed around by a woman who doesn’t even know the difference between bulls and broncs. But Crew owes money to dangerous criminals, and he’ll do anything Della says in order to pay them back and keep them far away from his family in Loveless, Texas…

The launch of her new men’s line for her family’s company means everything to Della Deveaux, and she’s not willing to let some rugged, arrogant cowboy ruin her campaign. Crew Lawton is the last man she would have chosen to represent her chic, sophisticated brand. Unfortunately, her father already invested millions in Crew’s stupidly handsome face. Yet the more time they spend together, Della and Crew realize that opposites doattract. But when the time comes for Crew to face his past mistakes, will he be able to protect his family…and the woman he’s come to love? 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Jay Crownover has kicked off her new Loveless, Texas series with an opposites attract tale that checks all the right boxes. A gambling problem has sent rodeo star Crew Lawton toppling from the top of his field. He reluctantly accepts a modeling gig, the face of a new high-end men’s line, as a means to an end. He’ll do anything to pay off his debts and be free of the bookie who is now threatening his family. Della didn’t want Crew for her ad campaign but once he’s dropped in her lap she can’t deny his good looks and charisma. It was great fun to watch as these two lowered their walls, dropped their prejudices, and found a connection they’d never experienced before. These total opposites brought out the best in one another. While I found the plot line with Della’s father a bit much to be believed, I was willing to roll with it because everything else was so on-point. With a sexy cowboy, a good girl ready to get a little bad, some sexytimes and a little danger thrown in, Unbroken is a great start to a new series and has me ready for more.

4/5 STARS

TANGLED

Emma Chase

Publication date: December 31, 2013 

Series: Tangled #1

Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Format: Audibook

Source: OverDrive

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Drew Evans makes multimillion-dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? He’ll tell you he has the flu, but we all know that’s not really true.

When Katherine Brooks is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

How can one woman turn a smooth-talking player into a broken, desperate man? By making the one thing he never wanted in life the only thing he can’t live without.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

I adored Emma Chase’s Royally series and was excited to read more. Tangled looked like the kind of rom-com that that would deliver all the feels. And while it was overall enjoyable there was also an aspect that left me wanting more. Drew is a total workaholic/manwhore and kind of a jerk, too. But he’s also pretty self-aware and didn’t try to pretend that he was Mr. Nice Guy. He meets his match in Kate – a new colleague who, according to his rules, is off-limits since they work together. A forced collaboration on a project has them spending time together and Drew discovers that he actually (gasp!) respects Kate. After that it’s the usual guy realizes he actually has feelings for the girl, guy screws up big time, girl books it, and guy tries to win girl back. My main issue is that I wasn’t totally convinced of Drew’s feelings and it sometimes felt he was just focused on winning. On the plus side, I liked that the story was totally from Drew’s POV (refreshing!), loved his relationship with his niece (and the swear jar he constantly donated to), and the humor than ran throughout the book. 

3.5/5 STARS


HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS? 

Review: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW
Tracey Garvis Graves
Publication date: April 2, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: St. Martin's Press

GOODREADS  |  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.

Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game--and his heart--to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.

Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins. 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Do you ever come across those rare stories that are so perfectly “you?” This is one of those stories for me. I fell in love with these characters and their story. This is what my kind of five star read looks like.

“Did you ever fall in love with a girl who was different? Not just from any girl you’d ever dated before, but from most people in general?” - Jonathan

Annika knows she’s not like everyone else. Awkward and unsure in social situations, overwhelmed by noise and crowds, and never able to intuit what others are thinking, she counts on her roommate’s guidance to navigate through her daily life.

“I try so hard to fit in. I spend hours studying appropriate behaviors.” She makes little air quotes around the last two words. “I will never get it right! Do you know what that’s like? It’s the most frustrating thing in the world.” - Annika

Annika and Jonathan meet over a chess board in college. Annika – focused on winning, Jonathan – focused on the beautiful but shy girl across from him. A tentative friendship leads to a romance that is life-changing for them both. They weather tragedy together and when Jonathan graduates and moves to New York City he wants Annika to go with him. But Annika retreats into herself and pulls away, leaving Jonathan no choice but to move on. A chance meeting ten years later brings them face to face with their past and a second chance seems possible – if they can face what went wrong the first time.

“I can hardly remember the names of the girls who came before her, and after her there was only Liz. But I can recall with unbelievable clarity almost everything that happened during the time I spent with Annika.” - Jonathan

Graves wrote Annika with such a deft hand and made her a fully realized character, not just a label, or a generic “quirky girl with issues.” Annika was complex, disarmingly self-aware, and equal parts timid and incredibly brave. I connected with Annika from the very start. I understood her, I was frustrated with her, I cheered for her. Her daily life was a struggle, most personal interactions were confounding, but she found ways to cope. I loved this woman who took things at face value, who didn’t understand sarcasm or nuances, and who was completely with artifice.

“I tried to fill my days with more social interaction, but that only left me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. A personal connection with someone was what I craved most. Someone who understood my needs and was willing to speak my language.
 Someone Like Jonathan.”  Annika

Neither Annika nor Jonathan were perfect, but they were perfect for each other. Jonathan took the time to see beyond Annika’s unique challenges and saw her for the special person she was. He was kind and patient, observant and attentive. He wanted to protect her from those who would see Annika’s differences and consider her somehow less than, but he also encouraged her to try new things and push her limits.

“How can you want to be with someone like me? How were you able to fall in love with someone who acts the way I do?” “It was easier than you think.”

Told in alternating timelines – the college years in 1991 and their present set in 2001 – this was a story that captured my heart and my emotions. The dramatic events near the end, which in less skilled hands could have felt gimmicky, were instead used beautifully to show real character growth and the lengths one will go to overcome fears for the one they love.

The Girl He Used to Know is a one of a kind story that became an instant favorite. I loved these flawed characters who felt utterly authentic. Annika and Jonathan’s story was sweet and compelling and emotional and I loved every minute I spent with them. This is truly a story of my heart and will stay with me for a long time to come.

5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) 
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: October 30, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Paranormal, Romance
Source: Tor Teen and NetGalley

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...

Me: when I heard that Jennifer L. Armentrout was returning to the Lux world.

Me: after reading The Darkest Star

YES!!! The Darkest Star was just what I wanted and just what I needed.

The Darkest Star takes place 4 years after an alien invasion and subsequent war that wiped out cities and left many dead. Evie’s own father was killed in the fighting and she has few memories of what life was like before the invasion. There’s now an uneasy peace between humans and the Luxen but even so, 17-year-old Evie is nervous to accompany her friend to a club known to be a Luxen hangout. There she meets Luc: gorgeous, cocky, mysterious and decidedly other-worldly. Spending time with Luc has an odd sense of déjà vu and leaves her with questions – especially since she’s positive there’s plenty that Luc’s not telling her. When classmates go missing, when everyone around her has secrets, Evie is thrust into danger and those closest to her are not always who (or what) they seem.

The Darkest Star came complete with all the lovable characters, great banter, action, friendships and romance in Armentrout's signature style. Readers who have not read the original Lux series have nothing to fear since the exposition provides all the background necessary to understand the who, what and why. And those who are already Lux fans will love the cameos (and mentions) of favorite characters.

Me: at each scene with Daemon Black

Main character Evie was a down to earth girl, dealing with bizarre circumstances as best she could, with an internal dialogue that was both relatable and hilarious. And then there was Luc, that oh so intriguing secondary character from the Lux series who I was dying to know more about. He was here in all his enigmatic glory, with his snappy comebacks, less than humble demeanor, and non sequiturs that always made me laugh. But another side of Luc was revealed in The Darkest Star - one that showed a vulnerability and a sense of humanity that was as surprising as it was endearing.

This was a total page-turner and Armentrout kept the story moving with plenty of action, plenty of twists, and plenty of delicious tension between Evie and Luc. Yes, there were a few cringey bits of dialogue, and I really, really would have loved to also had Luc's POV, but overall The Darkest Star delivered big time. All I could think after turning the last page was: I want more!  

As one of my most anticipated books of the year, The Darkest Star totally delivered and was everything I was hoping for. Whether you’re a longtime Lux fan or new to this world, you’ll love this epic start to the Origin trilogy!

Favorite quotes

"You're- you're trying to kidnap me."

"I wouldn't say I'm trying to kidnap you. I would say that I'm actively offering you a place to stay for an undetermined amount of time."

That made me feel a little better, knowing I hadn't been kissed by a killer alien from outer space. It was the small things that made one's crappy life choices easier to deal with.

"I don't think we've formally met. You're Evie. I'm Kent. I like long walks in dark cemeteries and I want to have a pet llama before I die."

4.5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino

     

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Renee Carlino's BLIND KISS! I get excited for every new release from Renee, but when I read the synopsis of this one I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Once again, she has delivered a truly emotional tale of two characters come to life and pull me right into their story. Check out my review and grab your own copy of Blind Kiss using the links below. Happy reading!

BLIND KISS

by RENEE CARLINO

Available August 14, 2018

From the national bestselling author of Before We Were Strangers, Swear on this Life, and Wish You Were Here comes a powerful story of two people who spend years denying their scientifically-proven chemistry. 

Penny spends her afternoons sitting outside a sandwich shop, surrounded by ghosts. Fourteen years ago, this shop was her childhood dance studio—and she was a dancer on the rise. Now she’s a suburban housewife, dreading the moment her son departs for MIT, leaving her with an impeccably-decorated McMansion and a failing marriage. She had her chance at wild, stars-in-her-eyes happiness, but that was a lifetime ago. After The Kiss. Before The Decision.

The Kiss was soulful. Magical. Earth-shattering, And it was all for a free gift card. Asked to participate in a psych study that posed the question, “Can you have sexual chemistry without knowing what the other person looks like?” Penny agreed to be blindfolded, make polite conversation with a total stranger, and kiss him. She never expected The Kiss to change her life forever and introduce her to Gavin: tattooed, gorgeous, and spontaneous enough to ask her out seconds after the blindfolds came off.

For a year, they danced between friendship and romance—until Penny made The Decision that forced them to settle for friendship. Now, fourteen years later, both of their lives are about to radically change—and it’s his turn to decide what will become of their once-in-a-lifetime connection. 

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Renée Carlino is one of my favorite authors. With her ability to write realistic characters immersed in emotional situations, I never fail to fall into her stories knowing my tender heart is about to be battered and bruised. But when I picked up Blind Kiss – oh, my friends, I had no idea of the angst I was about to encounter. Some might find it overkill, some might revel in it, and I must be a glutton for emotional punishment because I dove right in and wallowed all in it.

Fourteen years ago Penny met Gavin while participating in a college psychology study. The purpose? To determine whether physical attraction can be felt without sight. That blindfolded kiss changed everything and set into motion a relationship that ebbed and flowed for years to come. Penny and Gavin were both multi-layered characters that I (almost always) loved. Their chemistry is off the charts and it seems obvious that they’re destined to embark on the love affair to end all affairs. But, not so fast. Because Penny puts on the brakes faster than you can say friend-zone. Convinced that getting romantic will ruin the friendship she cherishes, Penny tries (often unsuccessfully) to set aside her feelings for Gavin. So Penny starts to date Lance, the earnest microbiology student, and Gavin starts to date… many others. And so it goes.

The ensuing years bring changes to both their lives but their intense friendship is always a constant. And that off the charts chemistry I mentioned? Yeah, that’s still there – aplenty. Gavin is more upfront with his feelings for Penny but even so there’s always something – some obstacle that prevents these two from taking that next step. Whether it’s bad timing, or other relationships, or misunderstandings, they just… can’t… get… there. And therein lies the angst. This constant, low simmer of longing and wishing and pining that goes unfulfilled.

Penny and I still had a spark that couldn't be snuffed out. All the plans I'd drawn for the life I thought we'd have together were playing out in some parallel universe. Even if I was stuck in this stupid version of us, where she was encouraging me to go out with other women, I knew there was a Penny and Gavin living as a couple out there, right along beside us.

I’ll readily admit there were times I wanted to shake Penny. She was stubborn, she could be unreasonable, and more than once I was annoyed with the expectations she had of Gavin and the way she lashed out at him when he disappointed her. (Not cool, Penny!) But despite that, I always, always pulled for Gavin and Penny – both separately and together. I hurt when they hurt, I laughed at their jokes, and my heart melted when they were at their most vulnerable with each other.

Blind Kiss is told from both Penny and Gavin’s points of view and from both the past and the present. It’s a story of soulmates, a story of timing (usually bad timing), and a story of two people so meant to be that they were determined to stay in one another’s lives even when it hurt to do so. Their connection was amazing and their friendship was so true and enduring. Penny and Gavin’s journey isn’t an easy one but I loved it. And if you love a story than can equally enthrall you, frustrate you and make you fall in love even while your feelings are being trampled, then I think you’ll love this one, too.

4/5 STARS

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women's novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she's not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com   FACEBOOK WEBSITE

New Release|Review: It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time by Kylie Scott

 
A new Kylie Scott release is cause for celebration! You know you're going to get a relatable main character, a swoony love interest, smokin' hot scenes, and plenty of laughs. How can you go wrong? It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time delivered all that and more and I loved getting to know Adele as she put her heart on the line - again - for the man she'd loved for years.

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME

by Kylie Scott

Releases August 7, 2018

Returning home for her father’s wedding was never going to be easy for Adele. If being sent away at eighteen hadn’t been bad enough, the mess she left behind when she made a pass at her dad’s business partner sure was. Fifteen years older than her, Pete had been her crush for as long as she could remember. But she’d misread the situation—confusing friendliness for undying love. Awkward. Add her father to the misunderstanding, and Pete was left with a broken nose and a business on the edge of ruin. The man had to be just as glad as everyone else when she left town. Seven years later, things are different. Adele is no longer a kid, but a fully grown adult more than capable of getting through the wedding and being polite. But all it takes is seeing him again to bring back those old feelings. Sometimes first loves are the truest.

"Addictive like all Kylie Scott books, you'll swoon, laugh, ache, put your life on hold, and compulsively read until the wee hours of the night—only to reread the whole thing the next morning. Perfection!" - Katy Evans, New York Times bestselling author      

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When I read the synopsis for Kylie Scott’s latest I was immediately all in. Forbidden romance? Check. Age gap? Check. Two elements that I love, so color me excited. I’m happy to report that It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time totally delivered.

Spending summers with her dad as a teenager, Adele grew close to his business partner, Pete. Their easy friendship flourished and on her 18^th birthday Adele took things a step further. Unfortunately professing her love and going topless did not have the desired effect. Pete was shocked, her father was outraged, and Adele returned home, embarrassed and dejected.

“There should be wrong-man rehab. Counseling, hand holding, and maybe a little waterboarding for the extreme cases like me.”

Now, seven years later, Adele is returning for her father’s wedding. At 25, she’s had her share of short-lived relationships but she’s never felt for anyone what she has always felt for Pete. Her connection with Pete is still there, and now the feelings don’t seem so one-sided, but Pete has his own issues to work through and there are plenty of obstacles to overcome.

“How many times could you get your heart broken by the same person before you finally wised up? 

That was the question.”

Adele was the feistiest of feisty heroines. I loved her quick wit, her lightning fast comebacks, and the fact that she had no problem speaking her mind. (We should all channel our inner Adele!) Pete was plenty broody and their back and forth banter was so snarky and so clever that it often had me laughing out loud. These two just got each other – and it didn’t hurt that their chemistry was smokin’ hot!

“Even with no alcohol to speak of, I had definitely been debauched. 

Frankly, last night I’d been so debauched I’d be surprised if I had a single bauch left to speak of.”

The last several chapters took a turn I didn’t see coming and, while I’m not sure I loved the direction it took, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time was still a totally enjoyable read filled with Scott’s signature humor. If you love sassy heroines, forbidden romance, age gaps, Australian settings, steamy sexytimes, and plenty of laugh out loud lines, you’ll love this one. 

ABOUT KYLIE SCOTT

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/   FACEBOOK | TWITTER | FACEBOOK FAN GROUP | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS