Review: Maliciously Obedient (Obedient #1) by Julia Kent

Maliciously Obedient (Obedient #1) by Julia Kent

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Office Romance

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Getting caught reading Fifty Shades of Grey in the parking lot at work wasn't the best way for 25-year-old Lydia Charles to meet her boss. A boss she didn't know she had. Matt Jones now had the job she had been waiting to apply for (and win) for the past year, and to add insult to injury, he's the kind of guy her parents would adore.

Damn it.

The only kid of six to choose to run off to Boston and leave behind her idyllic family in Maine, Lydia's determined to prove herself in the big city, but she has to keep Matt at arm's length. After a steamy elevator encounter that leaves her missing her panties – and most of her resolve – she decides that maybe it's time to let him get inside her.

In more ways than one.

But when Matt suddenly closes off she's upset and confused. When he also acts like he owns the place, she decides that malicious obedience – following his every command to the letter – will prove how much the department needs her creativity after he insists he knows best.

What Lydia doesn't know is that “Matt” is really Michael Bournham, the CEO of the company, part of an undercover reality television stunt. Keeping his hands off Lydia's luscious curves was becoming an exercise in restraint, but what was harder? Keeping his heart from her.

For Michael, Lydia's malicious obedience ignited a night of unbridled passion in the office that made him forget everything – including the rolling cameras – until it was too late. When unscrupulous producers make their lovemaking viral, Michael pulls out all the stops and calls in every favor as Lydia...maliciously obeys.

Review:

Maliciously Obedient started with a memorable occurrence that got me hooked. It was almost nearly impossible for me to put the book down and to even notice the chapter headings going by. The story of a soon-to-be billionaire going "undercover" as a middle manager in his own company for a reality show, just about sparked my interest even more. That show idea was brilliant! But odd enough, it was hard for me to imagine a happy ending for our protagonists.

The characters of the book were actually really well constructed. It wasn't a book that was quickly written for the sake of easy money. It was written with  a lot of work and thought put in. Lydia is a hardworking admin who is trying so hard to go up the ladder but is always shut down by her egotistical, sexist boss, Dave. Mike/Matt was first an eccentric man who only thought of making money and becoming a billionaire by neglecting his employee's working environment, bonus', etc. But slowly you can actually read how he realizes the situation he put his employees in and how he forced them to hate him, the CEO. He begins to grow a conscience, thanks to Lydia.

I really liked how the romance wasn't too rushed. There were business talk and dialogue added in and that included in a lot of depth and a little bit more realism to the entire book. However, it seemed like it dragged on way too much on purpose. Like the author was just adding in fillers so she can end with the cliffhanger she already wrote ages ago. I wasn't too happy with the cliffhanger though!

Then there is the title. I spent almost the entire book wondering what has the story got to with the title. I had to stop and think about it when I was mid way through with the book, and it wasn't clicking. That is because the author didn't put in the 'Maliciously Obedient' bit until near the end. Go figure!

Overall, I loved the plot, I adored the characters and how the romance was sprinkled about. Though I wasn't too happy with how dragged out the book was, I still really enjoyed the book and it was definitely unputdownable.

3.5 out of 5 date trees

Review: Reasonable Doubt (Volume #1) by Whitney G.

Reasonable Doubt (Volume #1) by Whitney G. 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

B&N / Amazon 

Synopsis:

My cock has an appetite.

A huge and very particular appetite: Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a fucking liar...(Although, that's a story for another day.)

As a high profile lawyer, I don't have time to waste on relationships, so I fulfill my needs by anonymously chatting and sleeping with women I meet online.

My rules are simple: One dinner. One night. No repeats.

This is only casual sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.

At least it was , until "Alyssa"...

She was supposed to be a 27 year old lawyer, a book hoarder, and completely unattractive. She was supposed to be someone I shared law advice with late at night, someone I could trust with details of my weekly escapades.

But then she came into my firm for an interview--a college-interninterview, and everything fucking changed...

Review:

I can NOT believe I finished this novella in less than 2 hours. I can NOT believe I would love this so much after just the first episode. Whitney G. where have you been my whole reading life? And why aren't you being spammed all over the internet like you deserve to be!

Okay! Enough with my nonsense. The moment Whitney came to me with a summary of the book. I knew, I just knew, I would love every bit of the book. And Reasonable Doubt is undoubtedly my favorite read of the year! I love it so much, I hate myself for finishing it so quickly. Now, I have to wait weeks for the next episode to come out.

In short simple words, everything about the book shouted PERFECTION to female bookworm brain. The writing style is beautiful, the transitions between scenes and characters was flawless. And finally, the characters are a blend of dark and light that makes them all the more intriguing in my eyes. Yea... I'm definitely not going to be able to wait for Episode Two! Whitney what have you done to me????

5 out of 5 dates tree.

Review: Rekindled Moments (Moments in Time #2) by Dori Lavelle

Rekindled Moments (Moments in Time #2) by Dori Lavelle

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Amazon

Synopsis:

The truth will always find a way out.

Carlene Adams' new life has been an illusion, her newfound joy just for rent. The life she craves can't really belong to a girl who is responsible for someone's death.

Her greatest fear has been realized. Nick Johnson, her second chance at love, has discovered her true identity and disappeared from her life.

She will need to find a way to move on without Nick. But the memories of their time together haunt her relentlessly. As Serendipity's Businessman of the Year, his face is everywhere—in magazines, on the television screen, and behind her eyelids. Soon, rumors about her past cause her life to spin out of control, and she finds herself even further from her dreams.

But Carlene is good at hiding from the past. She's done it once before. She can do it again. She can leave her hometown and begin again somewhere new. But she can't move on without telling Nick the truth about the life he thinks she took, and everything that came before.

Review:

I was reluctant to read Entangled Moments (the first book) because was it a little bit out of my usual genres. But when I did, I enjoyed it a lot and then I read Rekindled Moments and the author simply blew me away.

This second installment had been written so beautifully and sometimes poetically. I could feel the heartbreak and emotion of the characters with each word and sentence. I could feel how painful life was for them and how much strength they had to pick themselves up after going through so much loss, and torment. The storyline was unique and held so much depth, that I couldn't put the novella down.

I'm terribly surprised with myself. I never thought I would enjoy the genre, but Dori Lavelle has gotten me hooked. Hats off to her and her wonderful writing style and for being the first author to write something in a genre I'm starting to love more and more with each read. I can't wait to read more from her.

5 out 5 date trees

Review: Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository

Synopsis:

A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series.

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

Review:

Beautiful Stranger is by far one of the best books I’ve read in 2013. I can’t help but emphasis on the fact that it is AMAZING. Well, mostly for the ladies or the overall hopeless romantics out there.

The book is written in two perspectives, Max Stella and Sara Dillons. Max Stella is filthy rich, he is also a popular womanizer with a killer British accent. Sara Dillon, on the other hand, is short, beautiful in her own way, and has only recently gotten out of a very long relationship with her fiance who cheated on her. Sara has pledged that she’ll focus on herself, she’ll have fun and do things she would never do when years ago and definitely not take men seriously ever again.

But then a one night stand changes everything. As much as I loved the passion in the book, the depth and the story behind both characters was what kept me reading.

To conclude, the women behind this book are brilliant writers and with brilliant writers come a huge hoard of fans who I have to thank so much for forcing them to write this sequel to the Beautiful Bastard book.

I can’t wait to read more from Christina and Lauren.

Review: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Book Club, Literarture

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository

Synopsis:

English professor Emma Grant has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should -- a respectable marriage, a teaching job at a good college, and plans for the requisite two children. Life was prodigiously good, as her favorite author Jane Austen might say, until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions a la Austen are exposed for the foolish dreams they are.

Denied tenure in the wake of the scandal and left penniless by the ensuing divorce, Emma packs up what few worldly possessions she has left and heads to England on a quest to find the missing letters of Jane Austen. Locating the elusive letters, however, isn't as straightforward as Emma hoped. The owner of the letters proves coy about her prize possessions, sending Emma on a series of Austen-related tasks that bring her closer and closer to the truth, but the sudden reappearance of Emma's first love makes everything more complicated.

In the end, Emma learns that doing the right thing has very little to do with other people's expectations and everything to do with her own beliefs. Laced with fictional excerpts from the missing letters, Jane Austen Ruined My Life is the story of a woman betrayed who uncovers the deeper meaning of loyalty.

Review:

Emma Grant believes that Jane Austen ruined her life. She believes that the brilliant author gave women all over the world the hope that happy endings and true love exist when in fact, they don’t. And Emma spent almost her entire life foolishly believing that a Mr.Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice or a Captain Wentworth, from Persuasion was waiting for her out in the world and all she needs to do is find him.

She thought she found herself, a Mr. Knightley (from Austen’s novel, Sense & Sensibility) and 10 years into the marriage and she finds her “Mr. Knightley” with another woman. And with that woman, her marriage was over and so was her professional life.

Financially unstable, Emma Grant flies to England in pursuit to find evidence that Jane Austen is a fraud, so she can write her way up the ladders once again. She speaks to a senior member of a secret Jane Austen group (who keeps Jane Austen’s letters a secret) called The Formidables and is sent all around places like, Lyme, Bath and other places Jane Austen used to love and hate for tasks to prove she’s not one of those people who want to sabotage Jane Austen’s work and in exchange, this senior member will show her original copies of Jane Austen’s letters.

In the fray of these tasks, Emma Grant struggles with love and herself. And instead of grasping her second chance at a happy ending, she chooses to focus on herself, because in fact, Jane Austen didn’t ruin her life. Emma did that all on her own.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life was a heartfelt book that I enjoyed, it was dusted with facts about Jane Austen, fanatics like myself would love to read about. This was an absolute wonderful read with slight romance and a woman trying to find herself.

4 out of 5 date trees

Review: Agent I1: Tristan (The D.I.R.E Agency #1) by Joni Hahn

Agent I1: Tristan (The D.I.R.E. Agency #1) by Joni Hahn

Genre: Military, Romance, Science Fiction

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Credentials:

• Second generation Former Navy SEAL

• DIRE’s top agent

Enhancements:

• Teleportation

• Invisibility

Raised in the art of warfare, Former Navy SEAL, Tristan Jacobs, has always been a force to reckon with. Now that D.I.R.E. has successfully implemented his scientific enhancements, he’s a walking weapon. Unstoppable, as long as he stays focused. No relationships.

When ex-BUD/S teammate, Aidan Monroe, interrupts his long-awaited sabbatical to call in a favor, Tristan reluctantly fills the simple request: take out his sister’s fiancé.

One problem: Rachel Monroe - smokin’ hot, kind-hearted, and in desperate need of a protector. After the best sex of his life, Tristan’s afraid unstoppable is just a memory. Knowing Aidan’s temper, Tristan could be, too.

Rachel Monroe had a plan to help her mother. Her brother ruined everything when his gorgeous, super-agent friend teleported her to some forsaken island - and his bed. She’s drawn to him despite the fact he’s a professional agent, much like the people suspected of killing her father.

Now, his enemies have come to her small town, looking for vengeance.

Have they found more than they bargained for? Or, does the past have its own retribution in mind?

Review:

I’ve worked on the book covers of the D.I.R.E trilogy for a good month and I had all kinds of images in my head about the books. First, I thought of it as pure romance, then I thought of it with tons of secret agents, and missions and flat out action. Then there were other instances where I thought the characters of the books could fly like superman, when I know 100% none of the three Main Characters have that ability. So, basically, I read the first book of the trilogy somewhat blind not knowing what to expect.

The way the book started out, not only got me into finishing 5 more chapters, but it immediately made me love the characters. Tristan is considered a super soldier/superhero who can turn invisible and teleport, all thanks to the technology provided by the D.I.R.E agency.  While Rachel is the sister of Tristan best friend, Aidan, who served with him in the Navy.

One day, Aidan (Tristans best friend) asked Tristan to babysit his sister, Rachel when she left a man at the altar. One thing led to another, the loner Tristan fell in love, and Rachel realized that she didn’t have any feelings for her fiance. Pretty obvious stuff. Then came the criminals who wanted to take Tristan down, and then Rachel gets caught in the crossfire. The plot is simple and realistic and I’m so glad it’s not another one of those paranormal books.

Overall, I loved the story, the characters, the sweet romance but I felt that the story needed more.There were these blanks in between that needed to be filled with more action! Other than that, the story was a real page-turner and I absolutely loved the writing style. I’m looking forward to reading part two in the D.I.R.E Trilogy by Joni Hahn.

4 out of 5 date trees

Review: Holding On Forever (Truly, Madly #2) by Cecilia Robert

Holding On Forever (Truly Madly #2) by Cecilia Robert

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella

Buy Links: Amazon

Synopsis:

Liese is finally moving on with Frey by her side. But sometimes letting go is the hardest part, and trusting is a risk one has to take. In between her practicum and spending time with Frey whenever he is town, she fights her insecurities, and wins. Then something happens and Frey's priorities momentarily shift, making her second guess their relationship. Suddenly, going back to their former best friends status has never looked so appealing.

Frey's life has never shined so bright now that Liese is his. But there is a part of him that is shrouded by memories he'd rather have them buried where no one can touch them. Not even him. But even buried memories and people can't stay hidden for forever. What Liese doesn't know is that Frey isn't about to let go so easily, and he will throw in everything he's got to stop her from leaving him. He has waited an eternity for her. Giving her up is not an option.

Review:

I read the first novella of this and loved it so much that I asked the author if she was planning to write a sequel. And I was so relieved when she said yes.

The first book had so much angst, fluff and young love while Holding On Forever gives you passion, depth and a whole lot more. And I am freaking happy at how much “loving” Frey and Liese are getting and so much more when I figured out that these books may end up having a spin off, if the author isn’t thinking about it, I think she should! (hint hint).

Anyways, I loved seeing a deeper and more realistic side to Frey and Liese’s relationship. I loved how the books were paced and how the author managed to put in some twists here and there but for some reason, I felt that the dialogue was a little too formal? Or it just might be the writing style. I can’t remember if it was the same in the first book.

Overall, I definitely loved this book. It’s romantic, passionate and perfect for all those hopeless romantic readers out there. It was a beautiful conclusion to the Truly Madly Series. Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 date trees

Review: Entangled Moments (Moments in Time #1) by Dori Lavelle

Entangled Moments (Moments in Time #1) by Dori Lavelle

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Book Club, Novella

Buy Links : Amazon

Synopsis:

A deadly accident can take a life in more than one way.

Four years ago, Carlene Adams made a deadly mistake. A tragic accident derailed the future she'd hoped for, taking the life of the man she'd planned to spend forever with. 

As a self-imposed penance for her solitary sin, Carlene has given up on every dream she ever had. She has committed to spend every remaining moment trying to make up for that one instance when everything changed. 

Then she gets a second chance.

When Carlene meets Nick Johnson, the single kiss they share awakens the desires she shoved aside for so long. Suddenly she wants more than what she believe she deserves. Will she ever see him again?

A thing of fate.

Leaving the life she built on regret, Carlene waits for fate to intervene. But just as she begins to believe in a fresh start, she's forced to realize a horrible truth—one with the power to send her second chance crashing before it even takes off. 

Nick isn't who she thought he was. She isn't the girl he believed her to be, either. Their lives were intertwined even before they met, and if Carlene tells him the truth, she’ll risk tearing them apart—for good.

Review:

Novella’s are one of my favorite type of books to read. They’re short, sweet and leaves you wanting more. If the wanting more element doesn’t lead you to the sequel, I would be very unhappy but I’m glad Entangled Moments has a sequel and maybe a third short one in the works after the sequel? Perhaps.

Carlene’s life is in the dumps and she’s afraid to jump start her life. But when push comes to shove, she manages to put herself out there again and even got herself a job and a good start to a new life.

Reading through the book, the author lays a thin sheer curtain to mask why Charlene’s life is where it is in the beginning of the book. All we know is that there was a very very bad accident that Charlene blames herself for. And we are left to assume what really happened. Did she kill someone? Did someone threaten her life? so on and so forth.

This sense of mystery and the touch of romance in the novella keeps you reading. And when the author ended the book with this HUGE cliffhanger I wanted to scream! I loved this first installment in the Moments of Time Novellas from Dori Lavelle. I can’t wait to read more from her.

Review: Declan's Wicked Temptation by Tiffany Stevens

Declan's Wicked Temptation

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Declan’s Wicked Temptation by Tiffany Stevens

Buy Link: Amazon

Caught between love and honor, Declan has a decision to make. Sent from the Heavens to prevent a war from happening, Declan’s mission is to find the prophecy child and ensure he/she doesn’t fulfill their destiny.

Working on a farm in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Declan works his way not only through the land but finds his way into the heart of a small town girl. Not just any small town girl, but what could only be described as the land owner’s niece. No matter how hard he tried to avoid her and deny what he felt as they touch, Declan finally allowed himself to feel what he never knew…Love.

Still hunting for the prophecy child, Declan finds that he is not the only supernatural creature there with the same agenda. The Darkness has sent their own minions to look as well. Time is of the essence and Declan can no longer put off the most important decision of his existence. Does he choose love and take the fall or does choose his honor instead?

This is the prequel of Wicked Destiny, and Stevens’ second book. And I’m glad I picked this up. It was written so much better than the first book and I absolutely loved how it was paced. It was a big improvement from the first book. I’m so glad I gave this a chance.

This novella is an easy one sitting read and is focused on Declan’s side of the story. It’s story was a lot lighter with descriptions and details flowing a lot more breezer than the first book. This only keeps the reader reading and is an awesome installment to the series.

Looking forward to more from the author!

4 out of 5 date trees

Review: On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

Genre: Coming of Age, Young Adult

Buy Links: Amazon / Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping. Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination. As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever. Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.

Many readers categorize this book as Paranormal but though it did have ghosts and the paranormal element. I found it more about a book with a moral about friendship and how it’s one of the greatest things in this world.

Claire is part of a group of four, her older brother, his best friend Daniel and Daniel's little sister. The four are childhood best friends and were inseparable. Until the day Daniel is murdered and their troupe of four shatters as Claire’s older brother drowns himself in College work, and Daniel’s sister finds it hard to look at Claire without crying about Daniel.

One day, Claire finds herself drowning and dies for a few minutes before Daniels ghost saves her. This lets Claire into a place they call “the Fringe” where she can see things that weren’t there before. In her struggle to fight the loneliness and the loss of her secret crush and best friend, Daniel. She is haunted by his killer.

The book itself, isn’t the in depth paranormal type with a back story about how ghosts came to be or anything like that. This is the mildest form of paranormal and comes with a beautiful story about overcoming a best friends death and the hardship of going back to the way it once was.

4 out of 5 date trees

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Genre: Coming of Age, New Adult, Romance

Book Depository / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

What can I say about Beautiful Disaster (aside from it being a beautiful disaster)? First off, I’d like to point out how much EVERYONE in love with this new formed genre (New Adult), absolutely loved this book. And I should be ashamed that I’m one of them. But I’m not.

Beautiful Disaster began with the main character watching her leading man fighting fist to fist with another man within a ring. I must admit that’s the first time I’ve read a book that opened with two guys beating each other to a pulp on purpose. So, kudos to McGuire for being unique (well to me). Then came the following cliche:

Girl: I’m a tough and smart girl and I don’t fall for players like you.

Boy: I’m so intrigued by your disinterest that I must win you over somehow.

Did I enjoy this cliche? Yes, I did. But then again, I loved about a quarter of the book before I began disliking it. The more I got to know the main characters, the more I hated the book. The story dragged on too long when nothing was really happening. But when something did happen. It gets too overwhelming and rushed that I just wanted to put down the book and not read anymore.

To sum it all up, if I ended the book in between. I would have given the book 5 stars. But then, I had to keep going and ended up disliking the characters so much. But because of how page-turning and beautifully written the book is. I’ll give it a fair 3 stars for being such a beautiful disaster.

3 out of 5 Date Trees