Review: A Negotiated Marriage

Title: A Negotiated Marriage
Author: Noelle Adams
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis: Sex wasn’t supposed to be part of the deal.

Three years into a marriage of convenience, Molly’s high-powered CEO husband wants to add a new term to their marriage agreement. Sex—without any messy emotional entanglements. But weekly sex with Luke, despite their carefully negotiated terms, is likely to get messy eventually.

Content in a mutually beneficial arrangement, Molly isn’t going to fall for Luke the way she fell for an old lover, only to be crushed in the end. She vows to stay strong, no matter how much intimacy develops between them in bed. When her old lover returns, finally wanting a real relationship, Molly has the chance to give her heart to a man who will accept it.

It’s too bad she now wants to give it to her husband, who has never admitted her heart is what he wants.

Review: Wallbanger

Title: Wallbanger
Author: Alice Clayton
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | TBD

Synopsis: Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

In her third novel, Alice Clayton returns to dish her trademark mix of silly and steamy. Banter, barbs, and strutting pussycats, plus the sexiest apple pie ever made, are dunked in a hot tub and set against the gorgeous San Francisco skyline in this hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

Review: Against the Wall

Title: Against the Wall (Against the Wall #1)
Author: Julie Prestsater
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Shelly Gelson had it all...a job teaching English at Carver High, her best friend, Mel, working by her side and engaged to her high school sweetheart, Chase Marino. That is until Chase breaks her heart and leaves her for another teacher at the school. Now Shel is left broken hearted and trying to figure out what she wants while watching Chase and the home wrecker make moon eyes at each other. Enter Matt Fuller, Shel's friend for the past 5 years and the perfect rebound. He's gorgeous, smart, funny and fits into Shel's idea of the right guy. Only problem is there may be more there then just a simple rebound. Is it a way to fill a void left by Chase, or is there more smoldering between these two friends? Find out what happens when the bell rings and the teenage drama ends and the adult drama begins. Who says being a teacher is boring? They obviously haven't met the teachers at Carver High.

Review: Falling for her Fiancé

Title: Falling for her Fiancé
Author: Cindi Madsen
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Danielle and Wes have been best friends since college, so when Wes needs a date for his sister’s wedding and Dani needs a partner for her company’s retreat, they devise the perfect plan: a fake engagement to get through both events unscathed. Adrenaline-junkie Wes can prove to both his ex and his family that he’s well and truly moved on, and serious-minded Dani can prove to her boss that she’s worthy of the promotion he seems to only want to give to a family-oriented employee.

But amid the fake swoons, fake kisses, and forced proximity, neither expects the very real feelings that develop. There’s nothing more dangerous than falling for your best friend…but what if the landing is worth the fall?

Review:

"I think that makes it harder to get over. I guess when it comes to love, we're all kind of idiots, seeing the world with blinders."

I am a certified sucker for best-friends-turned-lovers kind of stories and Cindi Madsen didn't disappoint me. This book is one of those that would make you really feel good after reading it and make you want to daydream. Or maybe that was just me..

Wes and Dani's friendship was adorable. Despite living miles apart, they remained sweet and protective to each other. They enjoy their bets and pushes each other to achieve their best. For short, they are definitely good for each other. They've been comfortable with their friendship for so long that they didn't recognized the spark but thank god for awesome situations that led this two into each others arms.

I really enjoyed reading this one. It has moment that would definitely make your toes curl but it was balanced with some pull because of their denial. I swear I had let out some groan when they can't seem to tell that what they have isn't one sided. Wes and Dani is an awesome pair that would amuse you and will make you root for them.

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This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Dirty Red

Title: Dirty Red

Author: Tarryn Fisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Dear Opportunist, 

You thought you could take him from me, but you lost. Now, that he's mine I'll do anything to keep him. Do you doubt me? I have everything that was supposed to be yours. In case you were wondering; he doesn't ever think about you anymore. I won't let him go....ever. 

Dirty Red

Leah Smith finally has everything she has ever wanted. Except she doesn't. Her marriage feels more like a loan than a lifelong commitment, and the image she has worked so hard to build is fraying before her eyes. With a new role and a past full of secrets, Leah must decide how far she is willing to go to keep what she has stolen.

Review:

"Their story will never be over."

Just to clarify, that quote talks about Caleb and Olivia, not Leah.

Warning to those who haven't read The Opportunist yet. I tried to censor this review but there might still be some spoilers here, so proceed at your own risk.

***

To those who hated Leah in the first book, be prepared to have the full-experience where you will seriously consider harming her. I was already wary about reading this because who would want to read the POV of a character you obviously dislike. The first page even manage to piss me and fuel my hate for her.

This started a probably almost a year after Caleb and Olivia's heart-wrenching good bye. With the baby, I seriously expect that maybe Caleb will finally be happy with his family and I am dreading it. A cynical part of me tells me that maybe this will just lead to a closure between Caleb and Olivia but will not bring them back together. After all, Olivia [spoiler]is now married to someone who's actually nice[spoiler]. Luckily, having a baby brings out Leah's true colors.

Since Caleb always wanted a child, he was beyond happy when Estella was born. He got the name from his favorite book, Great Expectations, and guess what? Leah started to think that this is all about Olivia, once again. Actually, she thinks Caleb's every move is because of Olivia and it led her to decide about things based on her. She always gives malice to everything Caleb does and lives behind Olivia's shadow on her own doing.

In this book, we will get to know the real Johanna Leah Smith and her back story. Yes, it was sad and I did sympathize about it but that was not an excuse for what she has done. What I really don't like about her, aside from being a bitch, is how she lived her life in pretense just to have Caleb or her father's approval. She always wanted to be the best but she wasn't even herself.

Here's some awesome stuff Cammie said in Leah's face, by the way:

"They spark. When they're together, it's like putting a hurricane and a tornado in the same room – you can feel the tension. I didn't believe in the cliché of soul mates until I saw them together."

"Now, you've won the guy...and the baby. You won. So, why are you asking about Olivia?" 

"There's a possibility that you feel like you're worth more than being Caleb's marriage of pity, and if that's true then you should jump ship now. It's only a matter of time before the Caleb/Olivia saga starts up again."

Nailed it, right?

As usual, the last chapter brought the bomb and it didn't failed to impress me, although I had some feeling about it. I am so glad Caleb is finally starting to realise how stupid it is to stay in his marriage. Though this book focused on Leah, it also provided some clarifications about Caleb's actions and feelings and I assure you, you will love it.

It might be weird to feel happy about someone's downfall but this just proves that karma is a real bitch and it came back to make Leah's fears come true. Now what I need is the third book and an epic reunion.

PS,
Here's a teaser of Thief, the third and final installment in Caleb's POV. Tweet, comment, email or message me on Goodreads about your thoughts. I want more people to discuss this series with.

Review: The Opportunist

Title: The Opportunist
Author: Tarryn Fisher
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Olivia Kaspen has just discovered that her ex-boyfriend, Caleb Drake, has lost his memory. With an already lousy reputation for taking advantage of situations, Olivia must decide how far she is willing to go to get Caleb back. Wrestling to keep her true identity and their sordid past under wraps, Olivia’s greatest obstacle is Caleb’s wicked, new girlfriend; Leah Smith. It is a race to the finish as these two vipers engage in a vicious tug of war to possess a man who no longer remembers them. But, soon enough Olivia must face the consequences of her lies, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.

Review:

"I think that after the first time you give your heart away, you never get it back. The rest of your life is just you pretending that you still have a heart."

How am I suppose to start this? I have seen this book around my Goodreads dash but haven't paid enough attention to it until I read Rachel's review. She had a positive feedback about this and was able to convince me to give this a try. But I told myself not to dive into the book because from what I've gathered, this one's filled with high emotions and drama. Both were true: Rachel's word about it being good and how this book is filled with emotions. Thank god for my ever-supportive pillow who receives the fall of every tear.

While reading the first few chapters, I noticed that the way the author wrote and described were through emotions. She makes you feel it. At that instant, I already knew that I had to get ready so I won't be caught off guard when things start to get rough. And let me tell you, it's not easy. I felt anxious even at the very first chapter.

"I was a relationship retard. I kicked, shoved and punched people out of my life, so they never had a chance to hurt me."

Olivia was a character you'd hate and love at the same time. I can't say I approve of what she was doing but I kinda understood where it came from. She was an epitome of what people are willing to do in the name of love. But what she did during their college days just to get Caleb was a bit disgusting for her character. I hated how she went through all of it. She shouldn't have pushed him away, only to find herself going through any lengths just to have him back.

"Because I cared more about knowing you than I did about winning another game."

At first, I had a hard time seeing Caleb as someone who sleeps with random (not really) girls from school and the really sweet Caleb who went through all that trouble for Olivia. He's like a combination of good and bad. But I guess that's what love does to him... And he definitely went through a lot of trouble, even after they broke up, just for her.

So far, Leah is still under 'dislike' while I was reading this book. Her character wasn't given much emphasis but it did gave readers a glimpse of her personality. I say she and Olivia are quite similar in some cases.

"Because from approximately twelve hours of knowing you, I have decided that I will never forget you, even if we never speak another word to each other. You leave a very strong impression. I can only imagine how that poor bastard feels after so many years of keeping company with you."

"Fight clean. Be honest. That's the way you'll win him back. But, if you see that he's truly happy, leave him be."

"There is more to loving someone than just making yourself happy. You have to want him to be happier than you are."

One of my favorites was Noah. As what Stacia mentioned, he reminds me of Loring from How to Kill a Rock Star. He was the other guy who can be the reason why our lead character might not end up together. The other guy I should dislike but I cannot. He was sweet and honest. Not to mention that he was able to make Olivia realise something about her feelings for Caleb.

This has been a crazy reading experience. The story was something new to me. And I did enjoy the fun of not knowing what's next or guessing it just to be proven wrong. Know what's funny? It actually made me believe about soul mates, especially in the last chapter.

Review: Niko's Stolen Bride

Title: Niko's Stolen Bride
Author: Lindy Corbin

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis: Faced with the fiasco of her cancelled wedding, Kara wants to hide from the world while her heart heals. A day trip aboard the yacht leased for the honeymoon cruise sounds like the perfect escape. If only the captain hadn’t turned out to be the man she’d practically begged to kiss her after her failed bachelorette party. A rebound relationship with the handsome Greek should be the furthest thing from her mind, shouldn’t it?

Niko Maragos has spent more time in meetings than on the decks of his family’s ships in recent years, but after he dances with Kara, he’s eager to captain the yacht to Key West. To ensure that she can’t return to her ex-fiancé, he steals her away. His plan to get Kara in his bed seems fail-proof, until pirates attack…

Review:

"Life, like the tides, flows in constantly changing directions. A clever person learns to swim with them, not against them."

I don't know what to say. I started reading this book thinking about a hot guy ready to sweep off Kara's feet. I was even ready to get myself swooned, too. Unfortunately, Kara doesn't need anything because she's already smitten with Niko a day after her wedding was cancelled.

I get it. She was supposed to feel an attraction, but everything felt rushed. At the beginning of the book, she was already talking about how she thinks being with her fiance has been a lie and that she thinks her feelings was not what she thought it was.

I also had a problem with the Niko's sudden shift in his decisions towards the end. 'Forcing' Kara to stay with him was already one but when he pushed her to follow his decision was another when it contradicted the previous one. Sure, pushing people away are common in romance stories. Thinking that you might not be good enough for the person and he/she deserves someone better. Sure. But at the first part, he was quite adamant in hinting that Kara belongs to him.

Kara who claimed to be the decision maker in her previous relationship became a damsel in distress. I wish the author retained her personality and made her stronger. All in all, this could be so much better if it was refined and the characters were thoroughly explored.

Review: Emergency: Wife Lost and Found

Title: Emergency: Wife Lost and Found
Author: Carol Marinelli

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Every emergency doctor dreaded recognising someone in Casualty – even cool-headed consultant James Morrell. But he was doubly shocked when the unconscious patient he was asked to treat was instantly familiar. It was his ex-wife! 

Dr Lorna McClelland hated being ill, hated being stuck in a hospital bed, but above all she hated having to rely on James. Then, as she recovered, all the wonderful things about their marriage came flooding back…

Review:

"Ten years on and he'd recognised her in a instant by her pretty feet alone."

This has been a short and light to read, but has some parts that were really emotional. I really appreciated them not jumping into each other the first time they had a chance. It built more character and a better view in their relationship.

Lorna, despite being strong and hard-headed, I see her as a dependent woman. Once to her family and then to James. Although her personality is quite understandable, I just wished she learned how to speak and decide for her self a long time ago.

James on the other hand was a very compassionate guy. I can't help but feel bad for he's been through and what he had to endure during Lorna's accident. While reading the book, it felt like I was cheering more for his happy ending, more than Lorna's.

This is a story of healing, forgiveness and second chances. One of those books I didn't expect to be this good.

Review: City of Dark Magic

Title: City of Dark Magic
Author: Magnus Flyte

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N | TBD

Synopsis: Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.

Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a four-hundred-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful U.S. senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.

Review:

"Prague is a place where the fabric of time is thin."

The title and the synopsis is misleading! I was attracted by its cover and synopsis that I expected magic—real magic, mysteries and secrets that would blow my mind. But at the end, I am still asking myself what did I just read..

The mystery of Prague, or at least the gist of it was revealed at the beginning of the story. It achieved its goal to make it feel mysterious and a bit creepy, but the problem is that it was told by the characters not implied in some events that took place. I might have felt the right emotion if it was slowly unveiled by what will happen in Prague. Keyword: slowly.

As mentioned, everything was revealed immediately making the rest of the book dull. I was expecting some big, mind-blowing thing to happen that would top what Alessandro and Pollina said but it was still the same. The climax didn't have a big bang, unlike what I expected. Even a 'bang' would suffice, but none happened.  What's with that freakin threshold? We need more information about it! There were lots of things that were left as it is without any explanation. It had a promising premise but it turned out to be a disappoinment.

As for the characters, I really tried to like Sarah. Her love for music and her talent was awesome. I was impressed at the part where she recalled her lessons with Professor Sherbatsky, but that's it. She was poorly developed and flat. The only change in her that I noticed was her willingness to believe in things that she thought was absurd.

The villain.. Was that senator the real villain of the story? After reading the story, I can't understand what in the world was her real motive. She gave so much effort and harmed a lot of people for what? Her reasons were so petty. For someone who exerted so much effort, the time she was mentioned was wasted in reminiscing instead of plotting.

Another problem is the length. It was long but there were lots of unnecessary and irrelevant parts. Some were thrown in the plot and then left as it is. One example is the death of Sarah's father when she was in fourth grade. It seems to imply that she was intensely affected by the loss but rather than show some profound proof, maybe with her beliefs and the way she lives her life, we were just told that she took it hard and missed him so much, etc. Another is the sex scenes which was obviously thrown into the plot to, I don't know, maybe show some edge with Sarah's character or imply the age group of this novel? But it didn't achieved that. Sarah didn't turned out to be a badass, I-don't-give-a-shit character with some edge. She turned out to be a woman who have a very active libido that would hump on someone who has a stick.

Another thing that didn't helped me in absorbing the story was the format of the ARC. Was it just my copy of everyone had boxes instead of numbers? I hate reading sentences with dates where I have to think of it as blank. I can't even connect some information because of the lack of date. 

If the synopsis didn't mentioned and promised too much about the non-existent 'dark magic' and maybe made loads of revision, this could be better than what it is. I like the part about the music and history though. Maybe this was a good one to others but City of Dark Magic and I don't mix well.

--

This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: The Navy Seal's Promise

Title: The Navy Seal's Promise
Author: Soraya Lane

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis: With only 48 hours back on home soil for Christmas, United States Army Corporal Saskia Cullen is desperate to spend every minute with her young son. So when heavy snowfall closes JFK airport and she misses her connecting flight, she’s devastated. Until Navy SEAL Luke Gray offers to keep her company… and then personally finds a way to get her home.

Luke is back in the US on leave, waiting to hear the details of his next mission, and Saskia proves to be a pleasant distraction. And when he hears that she needs to get home to see her son, he’s prepared to do anything to help the sexy single mom. Trouble is, he hadn’t planned on falling for anyone, let alone a beautiful soldier about to return overseas.

Review:

"Her saviour. Her knight on a white horse somehow promising to get her where she needed to be."

This book just screams sweetness! I expected a bit more hard ass characters in this since they were in military, but no. Saskia is so feminine and cute, while Luke seems like a man-next-door/knight-in-shining-armor kind of guy. I can easily forget them being in the military and get lost in the story.

A chance meeting that turned into something. I love the fast-paced plot that didn't gave room for drama or conflict. Well other than their schedules, but you know what I mean. The author made such lovable characters that I wish we had the chance to get to know more.

I really wish this was longer. There were parts I'd really want to discover and I wish there was enough space/time to see these nice characters develop. Also, I want to have more scenes with Jack. The lines were just perfect—not cheesy but not boring. I also love how the love scene was written. It wasn't just sex. It was sensual and intimate. And although it was too soon to call their affections for each other, love, it seems like it was present in that scene.

For the second time, Lane did an awesome job in make us fall in love with her story and characters. This is a story about family, promises and finding love when you least expect it.

Review: The Proposal

Title: The Proposal
Author: Katie Ashley

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: In the weeks following Aidan’s betrayal, Emma has tried her best to move on. Ignoring his countless texts, voice mails, and flowers, she isn’t sure she wants to be won back by him. But Aidan isn’t going down without a fight—especially not until Emma lets him reveal the secret of his past that caused him to be so commitment phobic.

But fate intervenes when premature labor forces Emma on strict bed rest for two weeks. Aidan steps forward with a shocking proposal. To prove his love and commitment for her and their unborn son, he will take a leave of absence from work to care for her around the clock. Vowing to guard her heart, Emma reluctantly agrees.

While she is touched by Aidan’s attentiveness and tender loving care, Emma is thrown for a loop by the amorous attentions of ER doctor, Alpesh “Pesh” Nadeen. Pesh is everything Emma could ever want—successful, stable, and ready to settle down and be a husband and father. Pesh wants nothing more than to win Emma’s heart, but she is not sure she’s able to give it.

Her heart may still belong to the very man who broke it—the one who is so desperately trying to win her back.

Review:

"I swear to God and all that's holy I wish I could take it back."

I can't believe I got this book four days since its release but it was all worth it. This is definitely worth the goddamn wait! I've been dying to know what's next with Aidan and Emma after I've read The Proposition, and thank goodness, this started only weeks ago since that last awful scene.

When I started reading it, I was sure Aidan will work hard for Emma's forgiveness but I didn't expected what happened. My chest literally ached at some parts but I can't blame Emma. After what he did, of course he deserved it but I can't help but feel sorry for him. He was obviously miserable and he's beyond regretful.

Despite grovelling and sending loads of sorry notes, Emma won't budge. And to add salt to his wound, Pesh makes an entrance and confuses the heck out of Emma's feelings. Surprisingly, I wasn't annoyed with Pesh despite being in Aidan's side. He was obviously concerned and sincere with whatever he felt for Emma and well, we can't really blame him. Emma is a sweet girl. What I liked about Pesh was he respected Emma as well as Aidan's role in her life. And he really did helped these two, not just with flying but also in making them realise how much they love each other.

"And you know why? Because I love you! Did you hear that? I love you, Emma Harrison! I love you with everything in me. If I was honest with myself, I've probably loved you since that first night at O'Malley's."

"I don't want to fuck you or have sex with you. I want to make love to you, Em."

I'm really glad that although Emma's pregnancy hormones are all over the place, her emotions didn't buried Aidan's. This book actually focused more on him and showed his emotional and vulnerable side. This wasn't just about fixing their relationship and having the baby, but also about Aidan's emotional and character growth. That back story did a great job supporting it despite it's one-time mention.

Ms. Ashley, you definitely met my expectation and satisfied me. I was swooned, hurt and really happy with all the things that happened in here. I love how the secondary characters made an impact to the plot and gave more back story. It made this book not just about Aidan and Emma, but also about those who are close to them.

I can't wait to read the companion novel which is about Pesh. Aside from the two, I really want him to have his own happy ending.

After a roller coaster of emotions (I seriously feel like having Emma's hormones), I'm glad of this book's outcome. Let me just cheer on Aidan and Emma's family, one more time.

Review: Montana Reunion

Author: Soraya Lane

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis: Best friends reunited… into a marriage of convenience?

Jack and Maddison were best friends growing up, but when Maddison moved to the big city to pursue her dreams, they struggled to stay in touch.

When Maddison returns home after years away, Jack is all grown up and ready to make up for lost time. And so is Maddison… the only trouble is, Jack needs more than a friend. So when she suggests that a marriage of convenience could help Jack save his ranch, it seems like everything is falling into place. Until Jack finds out that Maddison wants a baby.

Their friendship is too important to ruin, but after a night of unexpected passion, everything changes. Because Maddison is pregnant and Jack’s made it clear that their marriage will be one of convenience only. And he never wants to be a dad.

Review:

"Didn't we always say we would? That when we hit 30 we'd just get married so we could stay best friends?"

I loved it! I love Jack and Maddie. I'm starting to think that I have a good radar on stories about best friends. It was fast-paced, drama-less, no-bullshit and straight-to-the-point. It didn't have complicated plot twists and too much tears but it was still good. The characters and the plot itself wasn't flat and boring despite of being predictable.

Both characters had their stubborn and independent streak and from the time I started to read, I knew I'd enjoy their interactions. One major brownie point is that it felt like I'm watching them from the sidelines instead of just reading. I can clearly picture out their facial expressions and body language. Even the secondary characters were present even though most parts were focus with the two. They were there.

Underneath the love story, it also tells a story of coming home and being reunited with family. Maddie, who works miles away and Jack who never left home but didn't feel at home at all. It's pretty good that both of them found the place where they belong together.

All in all it was sweet, sensual and heart-warming. This is the first time I've read Lane's work but definitely not the last.

Review: Bargain in Bronze

Author: Natalie Anderson

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: If you can’t take the heat…

Entrepreneur Libby Harris’s specialty is making her famous muesli. So when an Olympic hopeful invites her to his flat to make her delicious cereal, she’s bewildered when his brother Jack walks in, accusing her of trying to ruin his brother’s career. Libby has every intention of staying single, but with Jack around, no way can she suppress the personal pleasure she’s long denied herself.

Investment banker extraordinaire Jack Barnes’s attraction to Libby is instantaneous, but he’s raised his two siblings after their parents died in an accident, and it’s been all work and no play for as long as he can remember. He can’t let down his guard now—not when his brother is so close to the gold. But keeping Libby busy and out of his brother’s life challenges every ounce of his self-control.

Until now…

Neither wants a relationship, and though they can’t deny their incredible chemistry, Libby and Jack agree that what they have is temporary. So when things start to sizzle between them, will they be able to take the heat?

Review:

"You know, you were right about me. That kiss wasn't impulsive. I've been plotting it for hours now."

Please be reminded that 2 stars means "it's okay" so this doesn't suck at all. It's just that I don't like it that much. I understand that this is a novella but I was expecting for more. Instant attraction is okay and expected but jumping into bed that fast was quite off. Both of them weren't looking for a long-term relationship and was quite reluctant, right? Or did I get that wrong?

For both characters, their attraction to each other wasn't built well. The fast-forward/days-after didn't worked for them either. Their relationship started too fast and was also skimmed. It was like their story was leaping from one point to another. Their turning point and realisation seem abrupt as well as the ending.

Libby doesn't want a fling at all, but her inner struggle with her attraction to Jack isn't believable. If I was Jack, I might see all signs saying that she was attracted to me. She keeps on denying it but she doesn't fight it either. Her reason who she was so cynic was also absurd. Was she seriously saying no to family because of what happened to her parents? I might have understood if her dad cheated with her mom, or anything like that.

With Jack, I don't even understand his issue at all. He became his siblings' parent and he's busy, so? He easily noticed how Libby looked so I assumed he actively attracted to women. I don't see the point of not having a girlfriend, even short-term relationships.

Maybe if this was a bit longer, it would be better but everything felt rushed without being able to tell the story effectively. They were cute with their banters but that's it. I really can't find the connection with the characters. Maybe this would work for you, guys but unfortunately not for me.

Review: One Night with her Best Friend

Author: Noelle Adams

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: It just took fourteen years...and one hot night.

After growing up with an unstable father, Kate has always prided herself on her organized and well-planned life. She's secure now with a good job and an impressive boyfriend. And with Aaron, her best friend since high school.

Aaron might be smart, funny, and sexy, but he has never been anything more than a friend. Kate will never risk her stable world and her closest relationship by turning the friendship into romance. It doesn't matter how irresistible she's starting to find him, she still intends to resist.

But then everything changes in only one night...

Review:

"He was Aaron. For fourteen years, she'd loved and trusted him more than anyone except her mother. She'd thought she'd known him in every way. But she'd never known him like this."

I WANT MOREEEEEE~ For someone who's a sucker for best-friends-turned-lovers kind of stories, this is painfully short. But I have a funny feeling that this might make me cry if it was longer.

The upside of its length was, of course, it has lesser drama. Really light to read and we obviously won't see heart-wrenching drama and a broken friendship. The downside was we'd miss getting to know these two, more. Aside from some back stories about how their friendship started, there wasn't much history included in this. But do not worry. You'll enjoy this. It was cute, sweet and sexy. I enjoyed their interaction with each other that shows how comfortable they really are.

If you're looking for something short and light with some sweetness and sexiness, I really think that this is for you.

Review: Teasing Trent

Author: Minx Malone

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: The only thing Trent's best friend has ever asked of him is to keep an eye on his twin sister while he's deployed. Keeping her company on her birthday shouldn't be too hard. He just has to remember the promise he made to himself in college to keep his hands off her. 

Which is getting harder and harder by the day.

Ever since Mara walked into her brother's dorm room freshman year and came face to face with a shirtless Trent, she's known he was The One. He's been right there with her twin brother as her biggest supporter or shoulder to cry on, whichever she needs most. The problem? 

Trent has no idea how she feels. 

Well, it's her first birthday without her twin and Trent's coming over to keep her company. It's the perfect time to tease him a little. A skimpy yoga outfit and a few glasses of wine later, she plans to finally have Trent exactly where she wants him. In her bed, for as long as she can keep him there.

If Mara has her way, she'll get a whole lot more for her birthday than a Hallmark card.

Review:

"I'm going to hell for this."

All good things must come to an end. I know I should not complain because it's a novella after all, but they were just getting into the good part--where the sweetness comes in.

A sister to your best friend is usually off-limits, that's like the rule among men. Yet, Trent can't seem to get his eyes and head away from Mara. He obviously likes his unwavering loyalty to his friend keeps him from making a move. I enjoyed the teasing, which I think worked on both sides because Mara seems to squirm under Trent's stare, too. I love how Trent tried and tried to stay away from Mara, and failed. Little did he know, she was also pinning for him and is subtly making her moves the moment he entered the door.

This is so short but it's still fun and sexy. This just convinced me to read the other books in the series because of having that feeling that the two of them will be there. Maybe we'll see how their relationship will grow. Malone knows how to write a steamy but still light and enjoyable scenes to read. Nothing serious, but definitely hot.

Review: Rock Me

   

Author: Cherrie Lynn

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | TBD

Synopsis: Loving him couldn’t be worse than losing him. Could it?

Candace Andrews has had enough of pleasing others. In an act of birthday rebellion, she sets out to please herself—by walking into the tattoo parlor owned by her cousin’s ex-boyfriend. All she wants is a little ink, and Brian’s just the guy to give it to her.

As soon as she submits to his masterful hands, though, the forbidden attraction she’s always felt for him resurfaces…and she realizes the devilishly sexy artist could give her so much more.

Sweet, innocent Candace is the last person Brian expected to see again. She’s everything he’s not, and her family despises him. He doesn’t need the hassle, but he needs her, and this time no one is taking her away. Not even those who threaten to make his life a living hell.

Backed into a corner, Candace faces the worst kind of choice. Cave in to those who think Brian is a living nightmare…or hold her ground and risk it all for the one man who rocks her world.

Review:

"I hear it all the time. But I'd rather look back and regret something I did when I was young and crazy, than look back and regret something I never had the courage to do, and realize it's too late." - Brian

Am I the only one who can't imagine Brian with long hair? If I do, I seriously see Jacob Black. But despite that, I just love Brian. Despite how he is with his family, I can see how sweet he really is. He's been the one who balanced Candace irritating indecision.

I get how controlling the Andrews were but I really can't see how Candace has some doubts about standing up for her decisions. She's already 22 and I really expect a lot from her other than her little rebellion when she got her tattoo.

Other than Candace's behavior, my only problem was how fast Brian seem to fall for her. I get how Candace had feelings for her even when he was still dating her cousin. But I can't get how he could love her while dating her cousin--or even have feelings for her. If he has feelings for her, he should have dated her instead, not Michelle.

But all in all, this was just HOT. It screams sexy and steamy, and for the love of god, I am insanely curious about Brian's apadravya. I'm pretty sure everyone is. I love how it wasn't dragging despite the drama with the Andrews. I haven't read the first book but this just makes me want to read it. I wanna read more about young Brian but above all, I am curious with Evan and Kelsey. I enjoyed reading both of them and I love Kelsey and how she is with Brian.

I definitely enjoyed reading this. I just wish the cover gave more justice to Brian.