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Wicked Ride (The Wicked Horse Series Book #4)
 Sawyer Bennett
 Release Date: June 28, 2016

Synopsis:

I think this woman may be the death of me. A dire prediction, but probably true. Probably true because she’s not mine to have and I’ll probably take her, even at the risk to my own safety. So many men slobbering to get a taste of her and only one, sweet, virginal girl to go around. That’s right. She’s a virgin. Looking like a porcelain china doll that would break if not handled carefully. But I also know she’s stronger than she looks. She’s a contradiction. She’s most likely my downfall. Like I said, she’ll probably be the death of me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

**Warning: this book has sex in it. Lots of sex. Dirty sex. The Wicked Horse Series is a bit different than what Sawyer Bennett normally writes. While you’ll still enjoy fabulous characters, a suspenseful story, some witty banter and an epic romance, there’s just... a lot of sex. You’ve been warned.

Goodreads Link:

About the Author:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions. A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. Sawyer likes her Bloody Mary’s strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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4 of 5 Soul Mate Stars

Wicked Ride

Wicked Horse #4

by

Sawyer Bennett

This series is a little hot potatoe. It has all the elements I expect from my books. Likeable and relateable  characters, a story line that holds my interest and some scorching smexy times with a hero who has a filthy mouth. Who would have thought that a series about a kinky sex club and the people who work there would draw me in. 

This time we meet Logan. Like Rand and Cain he is a Fantasy Maker at The Silo, a job he doesn't work for the money but to numb his feelings and to quiet his demons with sex. He doesn't discriminate and nothing is too kinky for him. One day his gaze falls on a vibrant young woman, Auralie, who is new to The Silo and paraded around by a sleazy guy. They lock eyes and have a whole conversation without speaking a single word.

Auralie feels an instant connection when she first lays eyes on Logan. He communicates his desire with a single look, the same desire she feels for him. She knows that she can never have this beautiful man. Magnus, the creep she owes her obedience to, would never allow it. He is determined to auction off her virginity for big bucks. Auralie's situation is desperate but Logan strikes a deal with Magnus - he gets to enjoy Auralie for a night at The Silo in exchange for information. To make the highest profit the guy wants information about the men frequenting the sex club and their financial capabilities. However, how can Logan save Auralie from the loveless act of having her virginity taken by a complete stranger?

When we meet Logan in the first installments of the Wicked Horse series he is this easygoing guy with a smile on his lips. We get to know him a little bit better in Rand's & Cat's story (who can forget that legendary threesome). As intended it is in his story that he starts to shine. Logan has a darkness inside him that we get to uncover as we dig deeper into his past. He doesn't share his pain, he strongly believes that he doesn't deserve love so why open yourself up to a world of hurt? He can't resist Aurelie's pull and wants to help her to escape the mysery she is in, even if he has to force her hand.

Auralie is a sweet character with a lot of spunk and spirit, despite her demure appearance. I loved how she didn't fall at Logan's feet. Despite their unbreakable tether, she stood up for herself.

We get to see how the connection our two main characters share deepens, yet Logan doesn't let her in, still their silent communcation is all kinds of lovely. As a fantasy maker Logan knows how to play a woman's body to make it sing and damn, those two burn up the sheets. His filthy mouth will have your panties soaking.

Right at the beginning I started to have all these theories how the story will pan out. We see flashbacks of Logan's past and since the story is told in dual POV we get a good look into our main character's mind. I loved the depth of this story, the way Logan dealt with the problems he created and showed his vulnerability when he knew it was all or nothing and if he wanted happiness he would have to let his guard down. It was wonderful to watch him allow himself to be loved.

The story cuts into the timeline of Cat's and Rand's book, so we see a bit of their struggle from Logan's point of view. We also get to see the enigmatic Bridger again. As always his wisdom and kindness is covered up by a mask of indifference. He really is something else and I am so excited that his story will be next.

Again, Sawyer Bennett was the fix I needed after a major book hangover. Big love for Logan and Auralie.

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!

3 STARS ✮ LAUREN LAYNE

To Have and to Hold
The Wedding Belles #1
by
Lauren Layne

When I pick up a Lauren Layne book I expect to love it. It's even sadder when one of your favorite authors doesn't live up to the expectations. This might not even be the author's fault, it might be a case of it's me, not you. Let me explain:

Brooke is new to New York. After a disastrous relationship breakup involving her ex-fiance being a con and being arrested at her wedding she needed a change of scenery. She has been offered a job with the well known wedding planners from The Wedding Belles. The first client she is entrusted with is Maya Tyler, sister of the hotel magnate Seth Tyler.

When Seth Tyler's sister informs him that she wants to marry her boyfriend of three months, Seth is taken aback. Being extremely distrustful of the groom's motives he wants to be involved in the planning process. After meeting Neil his alarm bells ring even louder. When he meets Brooke they start off on the wrong foot. Seth explains his suspicions to the wedding planner but she doesn't understand his distrust.

There is an intense attraction neither of them can explain. They are both set to ignore the pull but they can resist each other only for so long. Their chemistry is just too explosive.

Seth is very straightforward, he doesn't sugarcoat things. It's "What you see is what you get" with him. He is the most unromantic person on the planet, a marriage to him is a merger. He is extremely caring but also controlling and loves his sister dearly.

It is obvious that Brooke is romantic to the core, being a wedding planner and all. She is kind, cares about her friends and as long as it doesn't involve Seth she is very understanding.

I struggled with both characters for half of the book. They lashed out at each other on a really hurtful level that I thought was hard to come back from given the short time they'd known each other. There is also the issue of Brooke's reaction to Seth hiring a PI to find out if Maya's husband-to-be was who he claimed to be. Her blowing up like she did was totally out of proportion, especially given that SHE had been betrayed by a con-man.

This was why you didn't go meddling in other people's business. Finding out things you weren't supposed to know, knowing secrets that weren't yours...It messed everything up.

Why would she say that? Wouldn't she have been glad if somebody had told her BEFORE she went down the aisle to the altar that the man she was going to marry was a fraud? My frustration with Brooke reached its peak when she compared Seth to her ex.

This issue and their repeated lashing out at each other were major points that brought down my rating. However, there were also very sweet moments between those two, however unlikely their pairing was. Despite being such an unromantic guy, Seth really tried to make Brooke happy. Their chemistry was great once they were on the same page. Lauren Layne's signature banter was again delightful and made this story worth reading. There is also a story arc involving Seth's best friend and Maya which I think would have deserved a separate book. The end was cute and Seth's change into a more likeable version of himself was absolutely adorable.

This wasn't a favorite of mine but please don't let my opinion keep you from reading this story. I know some of you will love this as much as Ms. Layne's other books!

4 STARS ✮ SAWYER BENNETT ✮ WICKED RIDE

Wicked Ride

Wicked Horse #4

by

Sawyer Bennett

This series is a little hot potatoe. It has all the elements I expect from my books. Likeable and relateable  characters, a story line that holds my interest and some scorching smexy times with a hero who has a filthy mouth. Who would have thought that a series about a kinky sex club and the people who work there would draw me in. 

This time we meet Logan. Like Rand and Cain he is a Fantasy Maker at The Silo, a job he doesn't work for the money but to numb his feelings and to quiet his demons with sex. He doesn't discriminate and nothing is too kinky for him. One day his gaze falls on a vibrant young woman, Auralie, who is new to The Silo and paraded around by a sleazy guy. They lock eyes and have a whole conversation without speaking a single word.

Auralie feels an instant connection when she first lays eyes on Logan. He communicates his desire with a single look, the same desire she feels for him. She knows that she can never have this beautiful man. Magnus, the creep she owes her obedience to, would never allow it. He is determined to auction off her virginity for big bucks. Auralie's situation is desperate but Logan strikes a deal with Magnus - he gets to enjoy Auralie for a night at The Silo in exchange for information. To make the highest profit the guy wants information about the men frequenting the sex club and their financial capabilities. However, how can Logan save Auralie from the loveless act of having her virginity taken by a complete stranger?

When we meet Logan in the first installments of the Wicked Horse series he is this easygoing guy with a smile on his lips. We get to know him a little bit better in Rand's & Cat's story (who can forget that legendary threesome). As intended it is in his story that he starts to shine. Logan has a darkness inside him that we get to uncover as we dig deeper into his past. He doesn't share his pain, he strongly believes that he doesn't deserve love so why open yourself up to a world of hurt? He can't resist Aurelie's pull and wants to help her to escape the mysery she is in, even if he has to force her hand.

Auralie is a sweet character with a lot of spunk and spirit, despite her demure appearance. I loved how she didn't fall at Logan's feet. Despite their unbreakable tether, she stood up for herself.

We get to see how the connection our two main characters share deepens, yet Logan doesn't let her in, still their silent communcation is all kinds of lovely. As a fantasy maker Logan knows how to play a woman's body to make it sing and damn, those two burn up the sheets. His filthy mouth will have your panties soaking.

Right at the beginning I started to have all these theories how the story will pan out. We see flashbacks of Logan's past and since the story is told in dual POV we get a good look into our main character's mind. I loved the depth of this story, the way Logan dealt with the problems he created and showed his vulnerability when he knew it was all or nothing and if he wanted happiness he would have to let his guard down. It was wonderful to watch him allow himself to be loved.

The story cuts into the timeline of Cat's and Rand's book, so we see a bit of their struggle from Logan's point of view. We also get to see the enigmatic Bridger again. As always his wisdom and kindness is covered up by a mask of indifference. He really is something else and I am so excited that his story will be next.

Again, Sawyer Bennett was the fix I needed after a major book hangover. Big love for Logan and Auralie.

5 STARS ✮ELLA FRANK ✮ FINLEY

Finley

Sunset Cove #1

by

Ella Frank

Ella Frank's Temptation series is hard to top. Logan and Tate will remain my favorite MM couple for the forseeable future (closely followed by Jamie and Wes from Sarina Bowen's and Elle Kennedy's HIM series). Nonetheless Finn and Brantley have captured my heart and I credit this to Ms. Frank's enormous talent for writing delightful, charming and likeable characters.

We met Daniel Finley the first time in the Temptation series as a secondary character. I didn't really have the hots for him then but if you read his story you'll understand why he was that way. 

It's time to come home, Finn.

These words sent to him in a letter will turn his world upside down. When his professor Brantley Hayes sent him away seven years ago, Finn's heart was broken. How could the man who claimed to love him just do this to them, even if he had his best interest at heart. Despite the hurt that is still present and as strong as when he left Daniel Finley feels an irresistable desire to go home and face the man who caused it. 

Their past and present collided spectacularly, and as they collapsed onto the rug in a tangle of arms and legs, he wondered if they would ever be able to disentangle themselves long enough to find a new place to begin.

Seven years ago Brantley Hayes set himself up for a world full of hurt when he sent the love of his life away because he saw so much more in Finn. His talented young student had so much potential so what right did he have to keep him tied up in Sunset Cove when he could study at the most prestigious universities? Ever since he hasn't been the same. After seven years he thinks it's time for Finn to come home and figure out where they stand. When he meets Finn again he realizes that the person standing in front of him is not the same favorite student he used to love. Daniel is a changed man and he won't go easy on Brantley.

After steaming and thinking about Finn's and Brantley's story I upgraded the rating from 4.5 to full 5 stars because, honestly, they are a class of their own. No they aren't Logan and Tate but they aren't required to be. Their story is heartwarming and pushes all my buttons. Their past is told in flashbacks and you get a direct comparision between the easygoing Finn and the career focused lawyer from Chicago who is not willing to give his favorite professor more than two weeks.

"I want you. And I'm selfish enough to keep you for as long as you let me."

The sexual tension Ella Frank is building from the start is sizzling. Despite Finn's resentment you can feel the incredibly deep connection these two have and the farther you reach into their story the deeper their bond becomes. I loved how Ms. Frank manages to unite the hardass lawyer and the easygoing beach boy of Finn's youth and turn him into an utterly adorable person. 

Brantley is mild  mannered and understanding from the start and he has the patience of a saint. There couldn't be a better match for Finn. These two are a match made in heaven. I loved the chemistry of the cheeky Finn and his respectable professor as much as I loved it when he returned to his hometown. 

No matter how much he guarded his heart, he would never be able to stop himself from loving this man again. And the reason for that was simple. He had never stopped in the first place."

Ella Frank delivers top notch writing and brings her characters to life. Not many books have the ability to make me cry these days but our two heros set the waterworks in motion. I loved Finn and Brantley hard.

Now I'm right back where I was before I left."
"And where's that?"
"Tangled up in you," he whispered against his ear, "It's always been you."

Cover Reveal - Brooklyn Bruisers #2

Cover Reveal

Hard Hitter,
Brooklyn Bruisers #2

by

Sarina Bowen

Release Date: January 3rd 2017

Look at this pretty!

From the USA Today bestselling author of Rookie Move comes the second novel in the series that’s hot enough to melt the ice.

He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score...

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O'Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O'Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O'Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good...

Amazon: http://geni.us/hhamz 

iBooks: http://geni.us/hhapple 

Nook: http://geni.us/hhbandn 

Kobo: http://geni.us/hhkobo

5 STARS ✮ ERIN WATT ✮ PAPER PRINCESS

Paper Princess

The Royals #1

by

Erin Watt

I've had this on my Kindle since release day so I finally decided to put on my big girl panties and jump into this thinking I could handle the cliffhanger that I knew to expect. I couldn't have been more wrong. I'm realizing now this would have been incredibly painful if I hadn't know that Broken Prince would be waiting for me. 

Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl...

Ella Harper has lost everything she ever cared about in her young life. Her mother might not have won the "mother-of-the-year" award but for all intents and purposes she kept her fed and clothed and loved her the way only mothers can. After two years of reversed roles of Ella taking care of her mother, her mom passes away and for the first time in her life she is completely alone to fend for herself. To avoid being introduced into the foster care system she forges her mother's signature and works as stripper. One day entrepreneur Callum Royal enters her life claiming to be her late father's best friend and now her guardian. She is thrown into a world of luxury, superficiality and loathing for those who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouth. 

This will never be my home. I don’t belong in splendor, I belong in squalor. That's what I know. It's what I'm comfortable with because squalor doesn't lie to you. It's not wrapped up in a pretty package. It is what it is.

Callum has five sons and they aren't thrilled meeting their new family member. Reed, however, is the worst and he makes sure he knows that he doesn't want her around. On a daily basis they go head to head. He does what he can to rid his family from the perceived leech but he didn't factor in Ella's resilience. 

“You’re poking a tiger.”
I shrug. “He poked me first.”

Ella is everything I could ever ask for in a heroine. She is tough as nails, has a quick wit and bravely takes on the Royals when they make her life hell. Despite her resentment for everything they do to her she is compassionate and tries hard to find her niche in a world where wealth, privilege and entitlement are the only things that count. 

Reed Royal is the leader of the Royal gang and the asshole we all love to hate. He and his brothers antagonize her and don't let her forget that they think she's scum. There were lots of times I wanted to flick Reed's dick for being such an ass. It didn't help that Callum didn't have an ounce of control over his boys out of guilt. Ella, though, doesn't roll over on her back and let them walk over her, she gives as good as she gets. 

And Reed? Despite his despicable behavior towards Ella you feel how he is reluctantly impressed with her and with each day his ability to resist this brave girl shrinks. There is also a deep sense of care for his family, these Royal boys stick together like glue. 

“You want me to say it?” he whispers. “Fine, I’ll say it. I want you. I fucking want you.”

The sexual tension that rolls off of Ella and Reed is tangible and you can't help but think "geez, fuck and get it over with". It's that lust-hate relationship that is so addictive that you just need to continue reading. It's potent and delicious and once they give in it pulls you with them like a current and you start rooting for them. Romantic, however, it is not. 

I'm Reed the Destroyer." He sounds sad. "Didn't you know that?"
"I don't like that name."
"Yeah, and what would you call me instead?" I open my mouth and say, "Mine.

 In the 80s there was a tv show called Beverly Hills 90210. With this book I felt thrown back into that time when I gobbled up every episode and couldn't wait to see how the relationships would pan out. There is so much going on in the span of 300+ pages that I now have a severe case of emotional whiplash. You get the sense that every single character in this series has a story to tell and a purpose to fulfill, they are that well fleshed out. I would really like to know more about ALL of them. The cliffy at the end adds to that emotional whiplash and I can't wait to see how the Royals are going to fare.

“Reed Royal has broken me. I’ve fallen from the sky and I’m not sure I can get up. Not this time.”

This story? Pure genius. 

4 STARS ✮ LAURELIN PAIGE ✮ LAST KISS

Last Kiss

First and Last #2

by

Laurelin Paige

If you haven't read First Touch I urge you to stop here because, even though I will try to keep this review spoiler-free I will refer to events that happened in the first book.

Where to begin...

After finishing First Touch I was left with anxiety for Reeve and Emily, knowing that the return of Amber would be a major disruption of the budding and fragile relationship these two had started to build. And God, she was. This book had my stomach in a knot and carried me through the highest highs and the lowerst lows.

“I can’t control myself when I’m inside you.” His voice was ragged and threadbare. “I want to tear you apart. I want to rip you to shreds.” He moved both of his hands to grasp my thighs, tilting my pelvis so that his thrusts hit even deeper. “I want to destroy you. Want to fuck you to pieces. Want to shatter you. Want to break you.”

Emily's feelings for her best friend were a source of frustration and anger for me. I tried to understand why she felt that way about her but all I could come up with was a false and undeserved sense of loyalty for Amber. She didn't have any qualms laying blame on Reeve for whatever she thought he was capable of doing but never thought that her friend wouldn't be as well-meaning as Emily thought she was. What I did love though was the stark contradiction of her need to submit and her independent spirit as well as her strength.


Reeve on the other hand was the person who kept me reading. He fought for his love, he was probably even more frustrated than I was with Emily and at some point I really thought she didn't deserve it, didn't deserve this intense, strong, dominant man. When he opened up completely to her it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

"My love for you is so ferocious, so dominating that I'm possessed by it. It changes who I am. It makes me someone different and yet I'm more who I've always believed I am than I ever have been."

And then there was Amber. I KNEW what was coming. I knew it in my bones but it was still so well executed that it was a punch to my gut. I hated her throughout the whole book.

Like First Touch this was another captivating story and a worthy conclusion of the First and Last series.. It would have been a 5 star read for me if I hadn't been so frustrated with Emily not owning up to her feelings for Reeve. He did everything he could to make it right for her, to be the man she needed him to be, yet, she betrayed his trust and love everytime she raised her suspicion towards him. The way she held on to her misguided sense of loyalty and friendship for Amber was frustrating, it just went on for too long.

Frustration notwithstanding, Laurelin Paige's ability to write a raw, intense story left me in awe. Some of her dialogues were almost poetic in their essence and have made Reeve's and Emily journey unforgettable.

4 STARS ✮ LAURELIN PAIGE ✮ FIRST TOUCH

First Touch

First and Last #1

by

Laurelin Paige

When you start reading a book everyone on your friends list loved you have high expectations and let me divulge right away, First Touch didn't disappoint. It was the story I didn't expect. My feelings while reading went from "What the..." to "OMG" and "whoa, slow down there". But let me elaborate.

Emily and Amber used to be best friends. Both grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and formed a tight bond taking them through years of care and love but also resentment. For years they go separate ways until Emily hears Amber's voice message insinuating with their safe word that she is in trouble. Emily starts searching for her former best friend and finds strong indication that Amber's ex boyfriend and richer-than-rich hotelier Reeve Sallis may have his fingers in her disappearance. Under the pretense of being a guest she visits one of Reeve's resorts to get closer to the elusive man. As she gets to know him the realization dawns that she is in over her head. 

“I can’t figure you out, Emily.” His words were tight yet even. “I don’t know if I like you or if I just want to fuck you.”

Emily's and Reeve's story is told from a single point of view. I prefer to have a glimpse in both the hero's and heroine's mind. This book, though, works because it is written in Emily's voice only. It makes it extremely hard to love Reeve almost until the end. He is demanding, domineering, controlling, charismatic, magnetic. He keeps Emily at arm's length, seemingly staying entirely detached from a deeper connection with her. He only gives her bits and pieces of him and for a time it's enough for Emily. Until it isn't anymore.

Emily is headstrong, pragmatic and astute. She loves Reeve's intensity but her weakness is falling for strong men whose kink is right down her alley.

“No,” I told him. “You tell me what I want. That’s what I want.”

And this is where I had to detach myself for a bit from the book. I can't relate to and identify myself with the heroine in some ways, it's not my way to live my life, so many of her decisions are a bit hard to comprehend. Having said that, this doesn't make her a weak heroine, just a different one. Emily is strong, she isn't a pushover or doormat and she does what needs to be done and if she has a little kinky fun all the better.

“I was here because this was who I was—a strong, independent woman with distinct wants and needs that were only met when I submitted to a man.”

Remember when I said Reeve is hard to love? He is. He's a grade A asshole and totally unapologetic about it. At the end of the first installment of the series I fell for him, though and I really didn't think it would happen anymore.
Laurelin Paige has created a sensual story of two flawed characters who don't apologize for who they are. They expect people to accept them the way they are and if they can't, screw 'em.
The mystery was extremely well written and while you can guess at what's happening the way it all comes together is well executed. The sexy times were off the charts hot.

There are some triggers though for the safety people (highlight o view) degradation, humiliation, some sadistic and masochistic behaviour and a total lack of condoms because the hero said so.

I realize that this story isn't for everyone but if you are in the mood for dark, kinky and intense this is perfetto! One last thing - this book ends on a cliffhanger so make sure you have #2 ready ;)

4.5 STARS ✮ SAWYER BENNETT ✮ SUGAR RUSH

Sugar Rush

Sugar Bowl #2

by

Sawyer Bennett

...and grovel he did.

Sawyer Bennett must either love us or hate us. I can't figure it out. Again she leaves us with a brutal cliffhanger that made me scream "NOOOO" at my Kindle. The story of Sela and Beck can't be compared to anything else this author usually writes. It sucks you in, makes you swoon and bite your nails in anxiety, fills you with gut wrenching emotions. In my humble opinion this series is Sawyer Bennett's best work so far.

If you haven't read the first book in the series yet please stop reading RIGHT HERE, because everything that follows will spoil the first book for you. I'm going to try and keep my review as vague as possible and will only give you an inkling how the plot will continue. This installment continues right where we left off.

Spoiler: Highlight to view:

Sela is heartbroken over Beck's reaction to her revelation that she was raped by his best friend. Beck just as heartbroken about Sela's betrayal. After a short time of reflection and consideration he starts making sense of it all and anger and hate for his former best friend starts burning in his chest.

I can't say how much loved the growth both Sela and Beck have gone through, how they take their relationship to the next level and how their connection deepens. Sela becomes a lot more serene and I adored her in this part of the series. She is becoming even stronger with Beck having her back and protecting her. One situation comes to my mind where I was raising an eyebrow wondering where Sela's reaction came from, a minute later Sela was asking herself the same question since it was out of character for her. To me it showed how her relationship was becoming more and more important than her plan for revenge, she was growing as a person.

And Beck...I was so angry at him after I left those two a couple of months ago. I was curious how this author would make me fall for him again. He bares his soul and is utterly delicious with all his faults and weaknesses. I loved him even more this time around.

JT is such an evil character, that you will hate him even more, after all the things you will learn on this journey. A new secondary character is introduced and I hope that he will get his own story. He has a lot of potential of being a swoon-worthy main cast.

Again the path of Sela and Beck isn't straight ahead. There are twists and corners you feel coming and dread to go around yet you can't help and continue reading. Things are revealed (hightlight to view) some of them guessed at in my review for the first installment Sugar Daddy  that will raise new questions, some are being resolved.

One more thing I have to mention. There is a temporary location change for these two which takes them to my city, Vienna. I talked to Sawyer Bennett and she told me she visited in the past and that Vienna was her all time favorite city. The way she described some places was extremely acurate and I LOVED seeing them doing all those things in my hometown. Kudos for doing it right, Miss Bennett, and giving my beautiful city a stage!

So now the waiting begins again. I am so looking forward to reading about Sela's and Beck's end of their journey and hopefully their HEA.

3 STARS ✮ AINSLEY BOOTH & SADIE HALLER ✮ PRIME MINISTER

Prime Minister

Frisky Beaver #1

by

Ainsley Booth & Sadie Haller

Who doesn't love a forbidden romance spiced with a little bit of kink? I know I do, so I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, for me it didn't keep its promise. But from the beginning.

Gavin Strong is Canada's new Prime Minister. He is young, gorgeous and popular with the people. What the public doesn't know is that he likes his sex with some BDSM kink. When the new intern enters the scene his mind fill with all kinds of desires, one of them being spanking Ellie's ass pink.

With Bill Clinton's Lewinsky-disaster on his mind he forbids himself to even think about anything sexual involving his subordinate.

Ellie is shy and awkward. She has had a crush on the new PM for a while, needless to say, she is super exited to be able to work with him. Gavin gives her mixed signals and anyway, why would he pursue the shy girl when he can have all of the female population of Canada?

After having read for a while I checked my progress in the book and realized that I had hardly moved from the beginning. It felt like I had read for hours...and this is one of the main problems I had with this story. It trickled along without a lot things happening to move it forward.

I also had some issues with the main characters. While both of them were very likable nothing seemed to fit together. Gavin was supposed to be a Dom. To me he felt more like a regular, nice guy who liked some light BDSM in order to not get bored in the sack. Ellie went from shy and awkward to a super seductress in the blink of an eye. One moment she flushed at everything Gavin said, the next she was this extremely confident woman. The transformation was too seamless. There were other quibbles I had - like why Gavin was so weird after the threesome. He wanted to fulfill Ellie's fantasy, yet, afterwards he needed distance because he couldn't deal with his possessive nature. That didn't work for me.

Despite all my quibbles, Gavin and Ellie both were sweet and caring and had great chemistry. I really wanted to love the story, it became a "like" after all. There was some funny banter between main and secondary cast, which still made the book worth reading.

Talk about seamless, I felt there was a distinct difference in the two authors' writing - at least during the first 30, 40%.  It wasn't as homogeneous as I've seen with other cooperating authors. Maybe this won't be as obvious in the next installment. Otherwise the writing style was quite good.

I know this book worked for other readers really well so don't let me opinion keep you from trying it. It is a sweet story after all. There were some very cute moments between our main cast and the sex was mostly off the charts hot.

Although this wasn't my favorite book of the year I do want to read more of this author duo. The last chapter is from Gavin's best friend Max's POV and introduces us to his story and I definitely want to read this! And finally there is Lachlan who I can't wait to read about!

ARC via Netgally in exchange for an honest review - thank you!

5 STARS ✮ ALY MARTINEZ ✮ THE FALL UP

The Fall Up

 The Fall Up #1

by

Aly Martinez

Wow. Just...wow. 

By all appearances Levee Williams is living the life everybody wants to have. She is the #1 popstar, adored by her fans and rich. What she doesn't have is happiness. Every night she goes up to the Golden Gate Bridge, brooding over her past, always having that last, final step in the back of her mind. One of those nights she meets a stranger who seems to be a kindred spirit, harboring a dark that resembles hers. But he also makes her laugh and calms her restless mind.

“I’m not perfect, and I’d like to pretend you aren’t, either.”

Sam Rivers has his own demons to wrestle. His life isn't awful by all means, it's just...average. Nothing seems to inspire and wow him any longer. One night when he goes up the bridge for a smoke and to reflect on his life he sees this young woman who seems distraught. Sam fears for the young woman's life and reaches out to her.

I slid a hand down the rail to cover hers.
It was a simple gesture, but it was easily the greatest decision I’d ever made.
That one touch destroyed a wall.
I wasn’t even sure whose wall it had been to begin with— hers or mine. But I would have spent my entire life tearing it down if I could have only predicted what was on the other side.

He goes up the bridge every night hoping she would be there and to offer her comfort without expecting anything in return. Every night they become closer until Levee starts to see light in her darkness.

Sam is awesome, that's what he is. He is this tattooed, handsome and thoughtful guy you can laugh with and have a deep conversation, all at the same time. He gives it to Levee straight - that's when his alpha tendencies make an appearance - doesn't sugar-coat things and grounds her, when she starts to loose her footing. He is sensitive and reacts to Levee's mood and is by her side every step of the way when she struggles. The little things he does for her to make her happy are simply amazing. He's endearing, absolutely wonderful and has officially made my favorite heroes list.

“There isn’t a woman in the world who doesn’t have demons of some sort. No matter who I end up with, it’s always going to be a struggle…..Levee, I’d like to struggle with you.” 

Levee is sweet, caring and truly brave. Her kind heart is what makes her most vulnerable. She has a quick wit, lots of snark and is down to earth for being a major celebrity. She's also a bit of a runner but Sam doesn't let her run. He makes her face her demons and gives her the strength to fight them. I loved how she was with Sam.

 Aly Martinez has woven a truly beautiful tale with amazing and complex main characters and endearing secondaries. Henry was absolutely hilarious and I'm looking forward to reading his story. Sam's family and friends were such a hoot. The author handles a very serious topic with a lot of tact and sensitivity. At no time I felt the story drifted off into angst-land, despite the really heart wrenching emotions. Even after closing this book I still have Levee and Sam in my heart.

The writing style is as excellent and has a very pleasant flow, the dialogues are witty and had me laughing out loud throughout the book.

”What single guy keeps a house this neat? I gasped. “Oh, my God, you’re married?”

“Shh! You’ll wake up my wife,” he replied, touching his lips to my temple. “Don’t worry. She’s okay with you being here. You were on the top of my celebrity sexception list.” 

I will leave Sam and Levee with the feeling that they are in a good place. They definitely touched my heart.

I knew, from the depths of my soul, that Sam was the rest of my life. Everything else would fall into place. We'd fall up together.

2.5 STARS ✮ KATE WILLOGHBY ✮ ON THE BRINK

On the Brink

In the Zone #0

by

Kate Willoghby

I love MM. If done right it can be superhot. For me this didn't hit the mark. 

Jeremy is an art student who is gay and out of the closet. He prides himself in not having to hide. He pines for the captain of the hockey team, Hart. One day, after a hockey game where he had the chance to ogle Hart again, he returns to his car and finds it vandalized. Hart pulls up and gives him a ride home. In the car things get a bit out of hand when Jeremy offers to experiment a bit. But Hart isn't gay, is he?

This story would have profited immensely from a full length novel. It felt rushed, there were a lot of things happening in the span of 90 pages. A lot of situations seemed forced and didn't develop naturally.

Jeremy was a little bit going overboard with his adoration for Hart. His inner thoughts were constantly consumed by Hart's dick, Hart's face, Hart's this, Hart's that. It was a little bit overwhelming. Hart wasn't exactly a charmer either. 

I really had a tough time connecting with either of the characters and I do think that a bit more length would have done this story a huge favor. 

4 Stars ✮ AMELIA LEFAY ✮ THE ANATOMY OF JANE

The Anatomy of Jane

WJM #1

by

Amelia LeFay

In my mind three people in a relationship is one too many. That doesn't change the fact that I enjoyed the hell out of this one. This story had sweet parts, emotional parts, and some light-hearted ones too. This was my first menage and it won't be my last. 

Jane has always been on her own. She grew up in a crack house and always had to fend for herself. The only person who comes close to family is Allen - he grew up with her likewise in the foster system. She works as a bartender, manager and jack-of-all-trades at Allen's strip club. When she has to quit this job she asks her friend for a job as a maid. She ends up cleaning a penthouse when she runs into Max and Wes tearing each other's clothes off. Jane is fascinated.

Max is stinkin' rich. He comes from excellent, prestigious, old stock. When he sees the Peepin' Tom in the hall he gets cranky. For several reasons  - society, family, work being only a couple of them - he can't afford being in the public eye and outed as gay, so he resorts to intimidation. Yet, there is something about this beautiful girl that doesn't let him forget her. Wes suggests to open their relationship to Jane, but does Max really want to share his lover?

Wes is a chef at one of Boston's best restaurants. He has found his calling in cooking the best meals. When he sees Jane watching him and Max he notices the mesmerized look in her eyes. For the first time in the four years he has been with his boyfriend he is attracted to somebody else. It doesn't diminish his feelings for Max but he is intrigued and wants to explore where this could go with Jane if only Max was willing. 

Geeeez, Max was a moody mofo. It took me a bit to warm up to him but when I did I was all in. He has this attraction to a woman he just met and can't explain why. He is happy in his relationship and Jane confuses the hell out of him. Max is a brooder, arrogant, often rude to his "minions" at work. The moment he owns to this pull towards Jane he opens up to the reader and you get to see a completely different Max. He is caring, deep and thoughtful.

Wes was a delight to read about. He is the polar opposite of Max. Charming, sweet and funny. He feels this fierce desire for Jane. Jane...she is one of the sweetest heroines. Humorous, straight forward, loyal and she doesn't take the shit Max dishes out. When she decides to try new waters with Max and Wes she goes all in. 

Jane is the missing link between those two, the element that enhances the relationship of the two men. She is not the third wheel, she finds her place between the two of them. Figuratively and literally. The smexy times were hot beyond words. They went at it like rabbits and burned up the sheets. 

The story ends on a cliffy, and those who know me, know that I'm not very fond of those...but hell, I started with them, might as well continue. This one was worth it. It was hot, it was funny and I loved every second of it. One word about the writing style - it was fluent and effortless.