One Short Summer

Another ARC I was lucky to receive.

One Short Summer
by Jasmin Miller

A sweet, flirty, and heartfelt romance with two roommates that spend one enthralling summer together.

After her car accident, Monica believes her dance career is over, despite the positive outlook everyone else has. Instead of trying to get back on her feet, she works on perfecting the art of couch surfing.

Famous author, Gabe Mitchell, doesn’t fare much better. On top of watching his roommate letting her life pass by, he also suffers from a major bout of writer’s block.

Hoping a change of scenery will get them both out of their rut, Gabe takes matters into his own hands and whisks Monica away to his own personal haven.

What neither one of them expects is the attraction to each other to bloom even though Monica will leave Brooksville in a matter of weeks.

Their time together is filled with skimpy bathing suits, sexy fantasy book inspirations, hot tub make-out sessions, and new job prospects.

It’s plenty to reignite their creative flames, but will it be enough to turn their one short summer into something more?

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My Review:

4 Stars!

Oh my – this book was adorable! It was such a quick read that sucked me in from the very beginning!

This friends to lovers story just felt so absolutely genuine. All of the emotions and actions felt real which made the story so much fun to read. Gabe and Monica’s love story is sweet and spectacular. Everything I need in a good romance novel.

This was my first Jasmin Miller book but I loved her writing style. Now I can’t wait to read the first book in this series, Baking with a Rockstar! That just sounds wonderful!

Cowboy Up

Another book that I received through the other blog that I review for.

Cowboy Up
by Stacy Finz

Former FBI agent Cash Dalton has come to Dry Creek Ranch to work through a botched case that still gives him nightmares. The rundown 500-acre spread, left to him and his two cousins, is a good place to lose himself while he figures out his next move. Then he gets a call that changes everything. Thirteen years ago, he unknowingly fathered a child. The girl’s mother is dying and Cash must step up to raise a daughter he never knew, finding help from an unusual ally—the local pariah.

Aubrey McAlister is the talk of the town when she dumps Dry Creek’s favorite son just weeks before their wedding. She has her reason but to protect a vulnerable friend swears never to tell. Keeping her secret doesn’t prove easy, though, when a nasty rumor threatens everything—and everyone—she cares about, including Cash’s family. As the two grow closer Aubrey realizes the only way to stop the gossip is to give Dry Creek something real to talk about . . . a romance to rival the rumors.

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My Review:

4 Stars!

I am a total sucker for a Cowboy Romance and this definitely did not disappoint.

This is my first Stacy Finz book but I am hoping to read some others (especially if this series is continued).

From the first chapter, the banter between Cash and Aubrey sucked me in. And my love for them continued to grow as the story progressed. This is a great book with complex characters – I found that I was quickly turning pages and couldn’t put this down!

Making Up

Another book that I was lucky enough to read an ARC through another blog.

Making Up
by Helena Hunting

A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.

Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.

As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.

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My Review:

4 Stars!

Oh my goodness – this book was SO good!

This is my first Helena Hunting novel and it will not be my last. I fell in love with the story from the very first page! Cosy and Griffin are a perfect match and I could not get enough of them! Cosy is witty, strong-willed, funny and perfectly puts Griffin in his place. Griffin is swoon-worthy, sweet, and caring. I love how they balanced each other.

I didn’t realize this novel was part of a series, but I am quickly buying up the others. I need more of the Mills boys in my life! Though I am not sure if any of the others will ever top Griffin for me.

This is a must-read – get your hands on it now!

Breathe

The BBB Girls Blog does a monthly book chat.  Their book this month was Breathe by Amber Lacie.  I was told this book is emotional and would make me cry.  I read it anyway.

Breathe
by Amber Lacie

Sometimes love is fated in the stars. You know you are destined for each other. Your souls entwine and you can’t imagine your life without them.

Sometimes it’s found when you’re not looking for it. It peeks around the corner when you least expect it, sweeping you off your feet, carrying you off into the sunset.

Sometimes, there are a lucky few who get to experience both. I was one of the lucky ones.

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My Review:

5 Stars!

This was such an amazing story!  I was warned before reading that this book is an emotional read and that most people cry when reading it.  I did not cry, but I usually don’t.

Even though I didn’t cry, I loved this book!  Carsten is an amazing and complex character.  She has been through so much but is still so very strong throughout this book.

Holden is everything!  I loved him from the moment that he was introduced.  But Owen is just as amazing.  Carsten is one lucky lady to have found both of these men in her lifetime.

I will always recommend this book to friends!

Infinite

The final book in my very favorite Romance Series is finally here.  I was so excited for this that I immediately stopped what I was reading to devour this book.

Infinite
by Corinne Michaels

New York Times Bestseller Corinne Michaels brings you the conclusion in this emotional second chance love story.
Book 2 of 2 in the Indefinite Duet

I was right. I never should’ve fallen back in love with Quinn. I always knew we wouldn’t make it. And to make matters worse, not only did I lose my soulmate—I lost myself as well.

Everything was stripped away, leaving me bare and unable to breathe. No one told me it could hurt this much. I was unprepared for this level of agony from the horrible weight of grief.

I planned to love him infinitely. But what is infinity, when love always ends?

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My Review:

5 Stars!

I had to take a couple of days between finishing this book and writing the review. I needed that time to gather my thoughts (in the most amazing way).

This book was EPIC. I think it may be the best book that Ms. Michaels’ has written so far. When I finished Indefinite, I couldn’t wait for this book to release. However, I knew that the emotions in this book were going to be raw and gut-wrenching. I was not disappointed. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more!

I must add that I am a little sad that The Salvation Series is now complete. These are the books that introduced me to Ms. Michaels and the Romance Genre. They hold a very special place in my heart. Thank you, Ms. Michaels for sharing these amazing characters with us! They are remarkable and so very memorable!

Letters to Molly

The Birthday List by Devney Perry was one of my favorite reads this year.  I was super excited for the release of the sequel.

Letters to Molly
by Devney Perry

Molly and Finn Alcott had the picture-perfect marriage. With two gorgeous children, a lovely home and their own business, they were the couple others aspired to be. But when news of their divorce spreads through town like wildfire, it sends their beautiful image up in flames.

Molly spends years mending her broken heart. She finds joy in a life centered around her kids and career. Her happiness has a different picture now.

Then one day, she finds a letter in her mailbox. Written in Finn’s handwriting, dated over fifteen years ago, it’s a letter he wrote Molly after their first date.

Week after week, Finn’s letters appear. Each marks a date in their history. Each holds the confession of the man who still owns Molly’s heart. Each heals a wound from their past.

It’s just too bad Finn isn’t the one sending them.

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My Review:

4 Stars!

I absolutely LOVED The Birthday List. It was my first Devney Perry book and it was so original and amazing. I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book.

I will say that I did not find this book to be as good as The Birthday List but it is rare to find a sequel that is as good as the first book. I still really liked this book and I thought it was super cute!

I can’t wait to read more of Ms. Perry’s words!

Violent Ends

After reading Violent Delights,  I was a little nervous about reading the next book in the series.  But I was pleasantly surprised.

Violent Ends
by Jessica Hawkins

I had a life, love, and future to give.
Until my enemy took a wife.

The devil has a name, and it’s Cristiano de la Rosa. On my wedding day, he was the last man I expected to see standing at the altar. He wants to make me his queen. His brother wants to rescue his princess.

Getting Cristiano to lose control becomes the name of the game, and the stakes are life and death. But as truth and lies blur, loyalty is tested, and our chemistry threatens to reach the melting point, the prize grows less clear. Either freedom no longer means what I think it does, or Cristiano is as devious as everyone says, and he’s mastered the art of playing my mind.

All I know for certain is that nothing is certain. And all you need to know? This is a love story.

But even love stories have to end.

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My Review:

4 Stars!

I was a little hesitant to read this book because the first in the series didn’t knock my socks off. However, I am so glad that I decided to read this book! Ms. Hawkins writing captivated me from the prologue. There were times that Natalia really annoyed me but overall, I enjoyed her story. I also love that there were chapters from Cristiano’s point of view sporadically throughout this book. They were not overpowering but placed strategically to enhance the plot. In the end, this book left me excited for the third book in the series!