Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Josh and Hazel originally met in college (with a  hilarious backstory), and reconnect as adults.

When he finds out that his longtime girlfriend has been cheating on him, Josh leans on Hazel, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. Josh is more straight-laced and mature. Hazel is zany and eccentric. They are an odd-couple-like pairing that somehow works.

 In each other, they find what they never knew they always needed. 

Throughout her life, Hazel has been hurt because she's always "too much" for people. They enjoy her antics, and then expect her to stop and be "normal" after a while. She is just being herself, and has learned that she is happier alone than tamping down her spirit.

The book has many hilarious moments (the Khia ringtone!!!), and is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance.


I have to say that I found Hazel to be kind of cartoonish and annoying though.

Josh was awesome. So sweet, funny, smart, and accepting of Hazel just as she is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 Stars

Insidious by Aleatha Romig

Holy hell, this book was amazing. I was riveted. Absorbed. Engrossed.

It's not for everyone, though. Definitely not.

The subject matter and main plot points are taboo, and scandalous (to say the least. a more accurate description would be "fucked up shit").

But it was good. So, so good.

Here's the blurb from Amazon:

"Dark desires…Deadly secrets…Devious deceptions…

Nothing is exactly as it seems in INSIDIOUS, the smart, sexy thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author ALEATHA ROMIG! 

When a powerful man is willing to risk everything for his own satisfaction, only one woman can beat him at his own game: his wife. Or so she thinks…

“Let’s start with you calling me Stewart. Formalities seem unnecessary.”

Stewart Harrington is rich, gorgeous, and one of the most powerful men in Miami. He always gets what he wants. Anything is available to him for the right price. 

Even me.

Being the wife of a mogul comes with all the perks, but being Mrs. Stewart Harrington comes with a few special requirements. I’ve learned to keep a part of myself locked away as my husband watches me submit to his needs. But the more he demands of me, the more beguiled he becomes and that’s to my advantage. So I keep fulfilling his fantasies and following his rules because he doesn’t know that what he’s playing is really my game. And winning is everything, right? 

INSIDIOUS is a stand-alone novel and the first Tales from the Dark Side title by ALEATHA ROMIG. 

**Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only.** "

Insidious was published in 2014, and a friend recently brought it to my attention. It's on Kindle Unlimited, and as of a week or two ago was a free download on Amazon. I read it in like a day and a half. 

Could. Not. Put. It. down. 

Romig had me guessing the entire time... no one in this book is totally reliable or without sin. Who is the villain? Who is the hero? Some are both. I was asking myself those questions literally right up until the last punctuation mark. And then after. 

The plot is creative and unique. The mystery is deep and complex. The sex scenes are alternately hot and nauseating (those ones are supposed to be-- hence the fucked up shit part).

The book had the same twisty/dark tone that Black Lies by Alessandra Torre has.

If you're into the dark/erotic/thriller genre, this is a MUST READ. 

5/5 Stars
 

Sacrifice of the Pawn: Spin-Off of The Surrender Trilogy (Surrender Games Book 1) by Lydia Michaels

Isadora Patras had grown before her time.  Her mother died when she was a teenager, and her billionaire/mogul father all but abandoned her and her two younger siblings. He kept them monetarily, but in the absence of a true parent for her brother and sister, Isadora stepped into that role. A role that cost her a normal life of a young lady. 

Instead of college and parties, she cared for her siblings and made sure their needs were met first, without daring to dream of a life for herself. 

"Her wings had been clipped the day her father left and she feared she'd eventually be left all alone in an empty nest, too afraid to fly after her own dreams--whatever they might be."

When her brother leaves for college and her sister starts becoming more independent, things change for Isadora. 

Someone that had been there all along takes on a new role in her life. That someone is her father's work associate/friend, Sawyer. This changes everything for Isadora. 

Here's the blurb from Amazon:

Sacrifice of the Pawn (Surrender Games 1) Surrender Games follows the emotionally charged and highly erotic contemporary romance saga, The Surrender Trilogy. Isadora Patras has sacrificed years raising her younger siblings, Lucian and Antoinette. As her brother and sister grow more independent, she feels her purpose is lost. Aching to do something selfish and hungry for a taste of the forbidden, she takes a lover—her father’s protégé and trusted family friend, Sawyer Bishop. In a secret affair trust is tested, respect is bartered, and reputations are on the line. Sawyer has always been Isadora’s mentor, but now it’s her move. She’s through being a pawn and ready to demand the respect of a Queen.

What I really loved about this book was the growth of the characters. They went through realistic changes over the passing of time, some for the better, some not. There were no over night changes, and the story's span of over a decade spaced it well. 

What I wished were different about this book was that it has a cliffhanger ending... and the prologue is kind of cliff-hanger-y too, as we don't know how it connects. One would have to read the next book to find out what happens. 

But I will. 

Because I really loved this book. It had my attention from start to finish, and I read it practically straight through. 

Thank you to Lydia Michaels! I won this Kindle copy in a contest, and I am so grateful to have been given the chance to read it. This was my first book by this author, and I am off to read my next! 

4/5 Stars

(would have been 5 if not for the unanswered prologue and cliffhanger)

The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely

I've read other books by Lauren Blakely (Big Rock, Mr. O), and found them all to be fun, sexy, and well-written...a trifecta that escapes so many authors in this genre, but that Blakely has mastered.

When I found out that I was approved to receive an an advanced copy from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, I may have yelped in delight. I was so excited to get my hands on Blakely's newest, because I loved her others. 

And I was not disappointed. 

Here's the blurb from Amazon:

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on GigsForHire since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can’t handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the GigsforHire ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He’s no gigolo. Please. He’s something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April’s new beau -- the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents’ inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parent’s home.

They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

This trope (fake boyfriend/girlfriend) is one that is often used in romance novels, so it can get stale and contrived. HOWEVER, the way that Blakely brings her characters to life, makes the story anything but stale.  And it was funny. And steamy. 

I loved April and Theo. They were both well-developed characters that had realistic personalities. Theo was hilarious, sweet, and tough-- just how I like my leading man in a comedy-romance.

Blakely created an idyllic setting... a lakeside B&B, small town, summer-camp vibe. Perfect for summer love. 

How I pictured April's mother's B&B

I also really appreciated that the characters were honest with each other. I can't stand when the characters of a romance hide their feelings and feel like they'll be rejected, so they make a mess of their chances, etc. etc. 

There was none of that here. It was refreshing. 

I devoured this book in less than two days, it was that good. Then I went on vacation, so my review had to wait. Sorry about that. 

The Real Deal is THE perfect summer read. 

5/5 stars. Can't wait for her next one! 

Sugar & Gold by Emma Scott

This is one of those books. 

You know the kind.

The kind that you start reading and can't put down, forsaking all commitments and family members in the process. The kind that keep you up at night, devouring each word, unable to sleep until you find out what happens next.

The kind of story about a love so consuming, so entrancing, that it transcends all explanation and, instead, is transmitted through the magic of beautiful writing.

Yes, this is that kind of book.

"Magic," I said, "There's magic in the world after all."

Nik has special abilities, those that have made his parents abandon him, and have led to a life of solitude. Fiona has a past that she wants to leave behind her, and a concrete plan for the future. 

Neither of them believed that love was something that fate had in store for them. 

But it did, and they found each other. And together, they create a world where they belong.

Emma Scott has an amazing ability to write about love without cheesiness, sex without vulgarity (but plenty of steam), suspense without cheap plot twists. Frankly, if Emma Scott were to write the descriptions on the back of cereal boxes, I would be as engrossed. She has captured magic in her keyboard.

Fiona

"I've loved you before," I said, "I'll love you after."

Sugar & Gold was published in June 2017, but it's my favorite book of 2018 so far. Maybe just my favorite ever.

It's the second book in the Dreamcatcher series (How to Save a Life was the first), and it has some characters that cross over. That said, it can be read as a stand alone. It contains some paranormal elements, but no mystical creatures or anything like that.

I loved this book. LOVED, I say. I am obsessed with Nik and Fiona and Emma Scott.

5 stars, but only because 5 is the most. I'd give it a million if I could. 

When Time Stands Still by Sara Furlong Burr

I love the premise of this book! Reunited with your first love under dramatic circumstances? Second chances? And that beautiful cover? Sign me up!

I first heard of this book on NetGalley (a free copy was supplied to me in exchange for an honest review), and I knew I had to have it. 



Here's the blurb:

"It’s been nearly a decade since Elle Sloan last saw Luke Hutchins. Close to ten years since she broke up with him over a single phone call, providing him with little explanation. Since the end of their relationship, Elle has done everything she could do to move on, marrying, proceeding forward with her life, almost allowing herself to completely forget about Luke.

Almost.

Out of nowhere, Elle receives a phone call from Luke’s mother. Luke has been in a horrific car accident and, a month later, has just awoken from a coma. However, instead of celebrating, his family is stunned to learn that Luke is suffering from amnesia and only remembers his life as it was before his breakup with Elle. Not wanting to tell Luke that he and Elle aren’t together anymore for fear it may compromise his recovery, Elle is asked by Luke’s family to come to the hospital to see him. Their hope is that she will slowly be able to jog his memory and cushion the blow. 

Guilt-ridden over how their relationship ended, Elle readily agrees, finding herself transported back in time with Luke to the life they once shared and the future they could have had together."

Sounds awesome, right?

The book alternated between now and ten years ago, which the author does well. We are with Luke and Elle as they meet, fall in love, and unfortunately, fall apart. We also see where they ended up, and how, if possible, they could find their way back to each other. 

I really feel like this novel has potential, and could be amazing with a strong edit. 






Things I loved: 

The premise, the M/F main characters, the pacing, some of the banter between the characters. Luke (he was pretty swoon-worthy). 

**SPOILERS a comin'! **

Things that (I think) could use a tune up:

The cliches (drunken-trailer trash mama, a virgin, spunky roommate, abusive ex, rape, a heroic intervention, "you're too good for me," -- ALL of the tropes seen in New Adult novels in one book!), and the WAY over the top use of simile/figurative language. Some of the descriptions were just...over the top:   
          

"Her trepidation, so raw and apparent, had inherently transferred itself into me the moment I heard her voice on the end of the line, forcing me to soak up every tear she must have shed over the last few weeks like a sponge."

And, although I love the idea of it, the premise itself needs a little cleaning up too... I didn't feel that Luke's friends and family were in the right, and I doubt very much that any real families would do what they did. I'm willing to suspend belief for a good book, but this was a bit much at times. 

And the surprise from Maggie at the end was kind of out of left field. Seemed like a last ditch attempt at drama. Oh, and there is an attempted rape by a serial rapist/murderer (NOT the rape mentioned above. Another rape!) that was kind of forgotten right after. It was kind of like the book went in a different direction for a minute, then veered back on course.

And the cover doesn't match the plot in any way, other than it features a human. 


Like I said, a strong edit could make this book great.

I'd give it 2.5 stars (rounded to 3 on goodreads).

When Time Stands Still is available on Kindle Unlimited, just FYI.

One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

I came across this book on GoodReads, on a list called something like "romances set in a small town," and I am so glad I did! 

So far, it is my favorite book of the summer! 

Here's the blurb:

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver’s been the good girl all her life, and it’s gotten her nowhere. Now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she’s decided it’s time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she’s headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny’s #1 hellraiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake), and he’s landed in hot water more times than he can count. He’s exactly the kind of guy Jenny’s always kept her distance from … but soon the good girl and the bad boy are caught in a raw heat that’s out of control. Too bad Mick’s got a secret that threatens to tear them apart and ruin Jenny’s perfectly, passionately reckless summer …

Sounds good, right?? 

It was published in 2009, so it's not a new release, but I still feel like I "discovered" something. It includes some of my favorite Romance Novel tropes:

• girl has a douchy ex to get over
• girl returns home after years in the big city
• girl returns to her small town
• small town, apple pie, town picnic, etc. 
• mysterious bad boy with a heart of gold
• reformed bad boy
• hot, steamy, sex scenes 
• reconnection with a person from the past
• summer lovin'
• characters from two different worlds
• and more

I LOVED this book, and I am currently reading book #2 in the series, Sugar Creek. 

My Rating 5/5

*Read a preview here