Claire's finally ready to emerge from the sadness she'd been in since her husband passed. Will Luca be just the Dom to instruct her in the life[image]
Claire's finally ready to emerge from the sadness she'd been in since her husband passed. Will Luca be just the Dom to instruct her in the lifestyle? More importantly, will he be the one to capture her heart?
I was surprised while reading Luca's Lessons. Usually BDSM stories are really OTT kinky and erotic, with not a ton of story, but this one is the opposite. Luca for one is not the typical blustering, controlling alphahole. Oh sure, he's most definitely a Dom, but he's patient and kind, rather than hard and bossy. And this is most definitely a love story, for all that both Claire and Luca are determined to never fall in love with each other. I really ended up liking this story. It's far from the BDSM norm and I appreciate that, A LOT!
Claire's finally ready to emerge from the sadness she'd been in since her husband passed. Will Luca be just the Dom to instruct her in the lifestyle? More importantly, will he be the one to capture her heart?
I was surprised while reading Luca's Lessons. Usually BDSM stories are really OTT kinky and erotic, with not a ton of story, but this one is the opposite. Luca for one is not the typical blustering, controlling alphahole. Oh sure, he's most definitely a Dom, but he's patient and kind, rather than hard and bossy. And this is most definitely a love story, for all that both Claire and Luca are determined to never fall in love with each other. I really ended up liking this story. It's far from the BDSM norm and I appreciate that, A LOT!
Riah took time off to raise her sister, and needed help getting back into the career she had left. So she entered into an arrangement with a billionaire of the highest asshole order, Hunter Sebastian. She gets his connections and opened doors due to his name, and he gets to appear more wholesome. Sounds good on paper, but in reality, it's not really because Hunter is, as I said, an asshole of the highest order. Thank God there's Alex, Hunter's brother, even sexier than his brother, with swag and confidence and the same last name. Except he and Riah don't exactly like each other, and she's supposed to be with his brother. Is it possible for the two to sneak around and indulge in their own arrangement, without getting caught?
Alex may be a Sebastian and have all the name entails, but he's also always been in the shadow of his brother Hunter. When his brother starts dating Riah, Alex is drawn to her but knows he can't have her, shouldn't even want her, and tells himself he can't stand her. But what he really feels for her is far from dislike. It's about time for this Sebastian to claim his woman, his brother be damned!
Whew! Damn, I swear Laurelin's writing gets hotter, her alphas get more seductive, and her heroines get more fierce, with every story. Riah is a contradiction - a good girl who yearns to be bad, knowing she can't possibly give into what she feels for Alex, because she has to worry about her career, her life. But really, there's no way Hunter could possibly have been the man for her considering the way he treated her (like shit), and Alex, beneath his initial behavior, was actually an alpha with a heart that beat only for her. This is downright dirty in every single way, but there's a heart there, shown when Alex is vulnerable and when Riah opens herself up to him. I love these two! Alex's brother not so much though, so am very curious how Laurelin is planning on writing his story, if she'll be able to redeem him, even a little.
When Piper's dad is arrested for financial crimes, it doesn't just affect him, it affects his whole family. Now Piper's homeless, penniless and mostly friendless. Walking up to Nathaniel and brokering a deal with him is like making a deal with the devil, because he's got an agenda behind helping her. Piper knows more than just her virginity is on the line - her heart is going to be broken, but protecting her Nana is more important.
Nathan had a clear agenda in mind when he offered to get Piper ready for the auction. He didn't count on actually developing feelings for her though. So now he's got a choice on his hands - push her away and go through with the auction, or admit to his feelings and allow himself some real happiness.
Nate, Nate, Nate...I will be the first to admit that he wasn't my favorite for most of his and Piper's story. He really was quite cruel, even though he knew he had feelings for Piper. Thank God he took his head out of his ass, because Piper really deserved a man who would not just spoil her, but love her unconditionally. Nate finally came around and I was cheering! For me, Piper is the star of this story though - she's strong, sassy, and has a big, tender heart. She put up with a lot, not just from Nate, but what her father put her through, and she came out the other side stronger than before, with the love of her life by her side.
When Chloe's boss overhears her saying she'd give him "whatever he wants", a shift is made in their professional and personal relationship. They're longtime friends who flirt lightly, but also have never crossed that line, will never. But when Jason makes a bet with his brothers, and she hears, she then makes him a proposal. Now they're in an arrangement and finding all that tension has finally come to a combustive head. But can the feelings they've developed make this arrangement something more than the casual one they agreed to?
Jason's the stoic, brooding, but responsible of the Brewer clan. He's always been protective of Chloe, and always had more than friendly feelings for her, but never acted on them. But when they strike up an arrangement, he's having a hard time remembering this isn't supposed to be permanent. He wants it all with her, but convincing her is going to be more difficult than anything he's ever faced before. He's more than up for the task, though, and intends on claiming his new wife, for all to see.
Jason Brewer. Brooding and stoic, yes. But hot and sweet, even more yes. And so freaking swoony! I was not prepared for how much I'd fall in love with this man, and I'm amazed Chloe took so long to come around. Thank God she finally got her head on straight and realized how she felt and what was holding her back from committing to him and to their relationship. Workplace romances are always fun, with the tension of crossing that professional line, all the deliciousness of it. But when added into that a longtime friendship, it's even better. This particular Brewer and the woman he fell in love with is my favorite yet. Can't wait for the next Brewer to fall now.
Gemma's bad breakup with her ex has made her aware that she needs to explore what she wants. So off to Club Red she goes. It's there where she meets Carter, club owner (although she's unaware of this at first), dom extraordinaire, and man who's also been hurt by things (people) in his past. When he asks her if she plans on coming back to the club, it can be the start of an arrangement that's structured by a contract with no emotions. But what if feelings develop outside of that contract?
This is an entertaining BDSM read. It's a bit rushed so I didn't have time to really connect to either character, but their chemistry is hot, and has me interested in reading further installments of Club Red: Chicago now.
Matteo left town years ago, broken up that his best friend and unrequited love was out of reach. In the time since, he's created a successful business and has lived life. But his friend and business partner passing away tragically has broken something further in him. His brother's upcoming wedding just may be his new lease on life, though. He can come back to town, see his family and redeem himself. And perhaps even reconnect with the one that was always out of reach.
Leila has had to give up on her deadbeat husband, her marriage that has gone nowhere good. But what's a woman to do when she's divorcing and still wants to have a baby? Why, drink too much and ask the man she always crushed on as teens, the man who's finally come back to town, even if it's only for the summer. Though Matteo is seemingly only temporarily back, perhaps a baby can bring these two former best friends back together, as more than friends, forever.
I love being back in the True North world again! Matteo and Leila's story is touching, sexy, and gets you right in the heart. Matteo had left town with a broken heart, then had that poor heart broken further when his friend passed. Then back in town he sees the one he never got to have and his poor heart couldn't possibly have been broken anymore. Thank God Leila turned out to be so amazing because her desire for a baby brought them back together where they belonged. I can't wait for more True North love now.
Paige and Grey have spent most of their lives sparring with each other, and actively disliking each other, even when hooking up in high school. Now as adults she's back in their hometown and she's having a hard time not falling back into their cycle of hooking up then avoiding each other. Can they do the casual thing this time, without any feelings popping up?
Grey's feelings for Paige are different than the ones she claims to have for him. If all she'll offer him is a casual summer arrangement, he'll take it. He'll take anything he can get with her, and just maybe he'll get her to admit to the same feelings he has. Perhaps this summer will change everything for them.
Damn but this "arrangement" was a rollercoaster. I wanted to shake Paige more than once. She was so in denial, so deliberately oblivious to what was really going on, that she hurt Grey and herself. Honestly, I don't like her character, but I do love Grey. Not only is he sweet, he's so patient with Paige (and forgiving too), just waiting for her to realize the truth of their feelings. Despite disliking Paige's character, I love everything else about this story. The writing flows, Grey is amazing, and the secondary cast is interesting too.
Brystin's about to get what she's always wanted - the career of a lifetime and the show she gets to host. To get it she has to make a deal with the devil in the form of brutal billionaire Holt Sebastian. She really shouldn't do it, as it's essentially just another man taking advantage of her big heart, and her ambition. But she can't resist the way he makes her feel. But what will she do when she finds out Holt is just another man who's using her?
Holt's used to getting what he wants, who he wants, how he wants. This time, it's Brystin he wants. He wants something else, too, and it's this thing that could be the ultimate obstacle to a real relationship happening between them. This alpha has just met his match, and fallen for someone who may, or may not allow him to redeem himself.
Alphahole alert! Holt is truly the epitome of an alphahole - possessive, bossy, brutal, and ruthless. Honestly, I questioned him and his motives throughout the entire story and I veered between hating him and his ways, and loving him for the same. Brystin probably, should have, done better, both with Holt and her obnoxious husband, but her big heart got in her way. I wanted to shake both of them at times, probably more him than her, but I also really was cheering them both on in the end. Their chemistry was no way going to be denied, they were inevitable, it just took them awhile to get there. I do wish there had been a lot more groveling on Holt's end, but ultimately I'm glad they found their way.
Oaklyn's proposition to her best friend's brother Camden is about to be fulfilled now, a year after she first asked him. All she has to do is not catch feelings during their little arrangement, and things will be fine. But what if it's Camden, the man infamous for his bachelor ways, who catches feelings? They can never let Oaklyn's best friend/Camden's twin sister find out, because it will definitely be game over if that happens.
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Camden never expected Oaklyn's proposition. He can't say he's upset by it, but at the same time he's worried because though he's noticed Oaklyn for awhile, she's completely off limits. His sister told him long ago to stay away from her friends, especially her best friend, and he's kept his promise to her ever since. But now Oaklyn's come to him with her arrangement and he now has to fulfill it. All he has to do is not catch feelings, and keep it a secret from his sister. No problem because this bachelor isn't about to give his heart to someone he's not even supposed to notice. Right?
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These Dalton men are so freaking hot, and when they are brought to their knees by love, it's just so entertaining to read. I think of all the family, Camden just may be my favorite. He's so sweet and such a dirty talker, and when he falls for Oaklyn, he's irresistible. And Oaklyn just might be even more lovable than the man she loves. She has such a big heart, and she isn't afraid to go after what and who she wants, but at the same time worries about everyone else's feelings above her own. As individuals they're lovable, but as a couple, they're unforgettable. I'm going to miss them and all the rest of the Dalton's, but if the series had to end, Marni definitely saved the best for the last.
Rayne's just been dumped by her latest boyfriend, and she's got it in her head (thanks to his excuse) that it's because she's a bad lover. So when the perfect opportunity to change this about herself presents itself, she wants to take it. But she'll have to keep her heart out of it, because that perfect opportunity comes in the form of her brother's best friend, an unrepentant manwhore who doesn't believe in commitment or being with the same woman more than once.
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Cade has been after his best friend to open a restaurant with him for awhile now but so far he's said no. Then one night he lays down a bet - only sleep with one woman for an entire month, then he'll go in with opening up the restaurant with him. Who can he possibly ask to do this with him? Is there one woman he can stick with for an entire month? Well yes, there is...if only she weren't his best friend's off-limits sister. But when they arrange to help each other out, he'll need to remember that Rayne is only his for a month, no longer.
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I love brother's best friend romances, especially when they're written like this - with lovable characters who have serious chemistry, and an obvious existing emotional connection. I knew from the first page that this couple wouldn't take much to fall hard for each other, and the journey was fun, sizzling hot, and entertaining.
Vera's never really done the fling thing, but given how horrible her last relationship was, she knows she needs some lessons on how to seduce a guy. Who better than a playboy hockey star. One who looks like a fashion model and knows his way around a woman's body. And what better locale than Italy, where Ian and some mates are heading on vacation? She just has to keep her heart intact, has to make sure she doesn't fall for the commitment-phobe that Ian is.
Ian is the last person to want a makeover, but if he doesn't want to possibly be traded, then he needs to change his ways and his appearance, which as of late, has been a bit rough looking. So when he and his neighbor Vera are the two singles on a vacation in Italy, he knows he has to take her up on her proposal of a swap - lessons for a makeover. It's not exactly a hardship to teach her how to let go in the bedroom, but knows at the end of the vacation they'll be going their separate ways. Will he be able to keep to the rules of no feelings allowed?
This was just what I needed to read right now - fun, witty, sexy, and light-hearted with a great couple and an equally great surrounding cast. Ian is swoony, funny & straightforward and Vera is so relatable with her insecurities but with a big heart and a sassy mouth. I love the Brooklyn hockey world Sarina has created. Now I can't wait for the next hockey player to get hit by love and brought to his knees.
Danica needs a job. Heath wants a baby. So it seems when he approaches her with a proposition that gets them both what they want, it should be smooth sailing. They'll have avoid developing feelings, avoid getting too close. Of course, we all know that rarely do things like this work the way they're planned, and things are soon looking decidedly different than either of them had ever imagined. But Heath has host of issues thanks to the women in his life who were supposed to love him most, and he'll have to put his heart on the line with the woman he's fallen for, even if it wasn't something he ever planned.
Heath and Danica have so much chemistry, it was obvious where this was heading from their first meeting. About the only reason I knocked a star off is because the timeline was a bit off during the epilogues, jumping from past to present in a very confusing way. I had to read more than once to figure out exactly what was going on. Aside from that, though, I liked everything else. It's sweet, it's a little steamy, and Danica and Heath are both sweethearts - definitely a worthy addition to the Cocky Hero Club.