Cas' life as she knows it is changed irrevocably when a thief carjacks the vehicle she and her date are in, then forces her to come with him. She's terrified and even more upsetting, is horrified to find her body reacting to his positively sinful swagger. A relationship cannot possibly be sustained when it began under such chaotic circumstances, can it?
There is something about Charmaine's heroes - they're usually on the fringes, or even completely on the wrong side of morality. But somehow, there is a tiny spark of something that redeems them, usually the love of an amazing woman. It's the same trope here in Stolen Lust, but I don't know, there's something even more extra than usual about Ian. He's delicious, he's sinful and his morals lie squarely in the black, but like Cas, I can't help but be drawn to him. His chemistry with Cas is smokin' hot, peppered with her very understandable fear of him and anger toward him. She's sassy and feisty, though, not one to simply wilt because she's being held against her will. Even though she's in lust with Ian, she doesn't just submit meekly to that attraction or to him. No, she's got a mouth on her and isn't afraid to use it against him. And he loves it...
Damn, I loved these two and their story. It's steamy af, it's lush and delicious, and it's suspenseful and intriguing. And now I'm in the undesired position of having to wait until next month to find out what will become of my girl Cas. Then I have to wait until June for the conclusion, which will inevitably be just as crazy as this one is.
Cas' life as she knows it is changed irrevocably when a thief carjacks the vehicle she and her date are in, then forces her to come with him. She's terrified and even more upsetting, is horrified to find her body reacting to his positively sinful swagger. A relationship cannot possibly be sustained when it began under such chaotic circumstances, can it?
There is something about Charmaine's heroes - they're usually on the fringes, or even completely on the wrong side of morality. But somehow, there is a tiny spark of something that redeems them, usually the love of an amazing woman. It's the same trope here in Stolen Lust, but I don't know, there's something even more extra than usual about Ian. He's delicious, he's sinful and his morals lie squarely in the black, but like Cas, I can't help but be drawn to him. His chemistry with Cas is smokin' hot, peppered with her very understandable fear of him and anger toward him. She's sassy and feisty, though, not one to simply wilt because she's being held against her will. Even though she's in lust with Ian, she doesn't just submit meekly to that attraction or to him. No, she's got a mouth on her and isn't afraid to use it against him. And he loves it...
Damn, I loved these two and their story. It's steamy af, it's lush and delicious, and it's suspenseful and intriguing. And now I'm in the undesired position of having to wait until next month to find out what will become of my girl Cas. Then I have to wait until June for the conclusion, which will inevitably be just as crazy as this one is.
22 years ago, Jojo met an annoying guy who she figured would just end up being her sister's newest flavor. Little did Jojo know, Kane was much more than that, and would have a far reaching impact on not just her sister, but on herself too. Now she's back to beg the man she can't stand (or so she tries to convince herself) for help. She needs the best lawyer and Kane holds that title. The question is, will the cocky jerk help her? Or will the fact that he's divorcing her obnoxious sister make Jojo a bad bet in his eyes?
Being that this is a Grahame Claire story, I knew there'd be a cliffhanger, and boy was there one! It's a doozy, so be forewarned. But really all it did was make me even more anxious for the next installment of this excellent story. Kane and Jojo had serious chemistry even when she was trying to persuade herself she couldn't stand him, and it was obvious the man was more than a little attracted to her. Now I guess I just have to sit here, very impatiently, and wait for my Kindle to tell me the next installment is here. I hope that happens soon!
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ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
22 years ago, Jojo met an annoying guy who she figured would just end up being her sister's newest flavor. Little did Jojo know, Kane was much more than that, and would have a far reaching impact on not just her sister, but on herself too. Now she's back to beg the man she can't stand (or so she tries to convince herself) for help. She needs the best lawyer and Kane holds that title. The question is, will the cocky jerk help her? Or will the fact that he's divorcing her obnoxious sister make Jojo a bad bet in his eyes?
Being that this is a Grahame Claire story, I knew there'd be a cliffhanger, and boy was there one! It's a doozy, so be forewarned. But really all it did was make me even more anxious for the next installment of this excellent story. Kane and Jojo had serious chemistry even when she was trying to persuade herself she couldn't stand him, and it was obvious the man was more than a little attracted to her. Now I guess I just have to sit here, very impatiently, and wait for my Kindle to tell me the next installment is here. I hope that happens soon!
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ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
Lincoln's had to be a bit closed off and controlling to get where he is today - at the top of the heap, a titan. But now someone's trying to take him down. So it's really the worst time for him to get...distracted. By a feisty, gorgeous woman and her scene-stealing brother, Eric. But he can't help himself because she's on his mind day and night. What's a billionaire to do when the one woman he can't get out of his head takes delight in driving him crazy? He just might have to give her his heart or something...
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Oh boy I was not prepared for Lincoln. Oh sure, I've met him in previous stories in this world, but I didn't take much notice before, as he was a secondary character who just seemed, well, cold. Here, though, with his thoughts detailed, and more info on why he's the way he is, wow, he's pretty amazing. Lexie is the perfect foil for him, just the woman to get him out of his head a bit. And she's a package deal with the very best character in this story - Eric, her sunshine emitting brother, who stole every scene he was in, and even some scenes he wasn't in. I love this trio and can't wait for more of them now. There's a doozy of a cliffhanger, though, and it's got me all freaked out. Hopefully that conclusion is coming soon.
Lincoln's had to be a bit closed off and controlling to get where he is today - at the top of the heap, a titan. But now someone's trying to take him down. So it's really the worst time for him to get...distracted. By a feisty, gorgeous woman and her scene-stealing brother, Eric. But he can't help himself because she's on his mind day and night. What's a billionaire to do when the one woman he can't get out of his head takes delight in driving him crazy? He just might have to give her his heart or something...
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Oh boy I was not prepared for Lincoln. Oh sure, I've met him in previous stories in this world, but I didn't take much notice before, as he was a secondary character who just seemed, well, cold. Here, though, with his thoughts detailed, and more info on why he's the way he is, wow, he's pretty amazing. Lexie is the perfect foil for him, just the woman to get him out of his head a bit. And she's a package deal with the very best character in this story - Eric, her sunshine emitting brother, who stole every scene he was in, and even some scenes he wasn't in. I love this trio and can't wait for more of them now. There's a doozy of a cliffhanger, though, and it's got me all freaked out. Hopefully that conclusion is coming soon.
Leon is obsessed with Violet. He wants her, and now he has the means to have her. She, on the other hand, wants the opposite of being tied to yet another man ruthless man - she wants freedom. Freedom for herself, but mostly, freedom for her mother. And so, she has to make choices that will definitely make a difference in how this "relationship" of hers with Leon will proceed. How will Leon react to what he finds? Does he still want Violet? Or will his obsession now turn into something much worse...
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All her life, Violet has been a pawn in men's schemes. First her horrible stepfather, and now her douchey stepbrother. But it's not just herself that has suffered, her mother has suffered and is still suffering because of her stepfather. So, though Violet's life hasn't been easy thanks to the men in her life, and her physical condition, she has the means to help her mother get out from her stepfather's thumb. She only has to hurt the man who has claimed her to do it. Will Leon ever forgive her?
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I have been wanting Leon's story since his first mention in his brothers' and sister's stories. It did not disappoint, he did not disappoint. He's determined, possessive, and dominant, signature Charmaine. He lives in that grey area Charmaine's heroes tend to thrive in, but I'm not sure yet if he's as bad as his brothers. Time will tell, which of course means I'm dying with impatience for Imperfect Affections to see what he does next. I really liked him and Violet together - their chemistry is smokin' hot, she's defiant and he's smoothly commanding, and I really, really cannot wait for their conclusion now.
Leon is obsessed with Violet. He wants her, and now he has the means to have her. She, on the other hand, wants the opposite of being tied to yet another man ruthless man - she wants freedom. Freedom for herself, but mostly, freedom for her mother. And so, she has to make choices that will definitely make a difference in how this "relationship" of hers with Leon will proceed. How will Leon react to what he finds? Does he still want Violet? Or will his obsession now turn into something much worse...
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All her life, Violet has been a pawn in men's schemes. First her horrible stepfather, and now her douchey stepbrother. But it's not just herself that has suffered, her mother has suffered and is still suffering because of her stepfather. So, though Violet's life hasn't been easy thanks to the men in her life, and her physical condition, she has the means to help her mother get out from her stepfather's thumb. She only has to hurt the man who has claimed her to do it. Will Leon ever forgive her?
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I have been wanting Leon's story since his first mention in his brothers' and sister's stories. It did not disappoint, he did not disappoint. He's determined, possessive, and dominant, signature Charmaine. He lives in that grey area Charmaine's heroes tend to thrive in, but I'm not sure yet if he's as bad as his brothers. Time will tell, which of course means I'm dying with impatience for Imperfect Affections to see what he does next. I really liked him and Violet together - their chemistry is smokin' hot, she's defiant and he's smoothly commanding, and I really, really cannot wait for their conclusion now.
Jamie aka Romeo leads a double life. One part is his work as a male escort. One part is a personal trainer. He has no problems with
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Jamie aka Romeo leads a double life. One part is his work as a male escort. One part is a personal trainer. He has no problems with the work he does, he likes sex and he makes money doing what he likes. Plus once he makes enough money, he can give his daughter a better life and hire an attorney to fight for full custody of her. And then he meets an adorable woman at the gym and suddenly he starts wondering if perhaps his job is something he should be doing, if perhaps there's a different future for him.
I read the first 3 installments and I really like where the story is heading. There is potential for Jamie and Chloe to have something great. I can see the glimmers of something there, and I hope they are given the time to develop it into something strong and real.
ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
Jamie aka Romeo leads a double life. One part is his work as a male escort. One part is a personal trainer. He has no problems with the work he does, he likes sex and he makes money doing what he likes. Plus once he makes enough money, he can give his daughter a better life and hire an attorney to fight for full custody of her. And then he meets an adorable woman at the gym and suddenly he starts wondering if perhaps his job is something he should be doing, if perhaps there's a different future for him.
I read the first 3 installments and I really like where the story is heading. There is potential for Jamie and Chloe to have something great. I can see the glimmers of something there, and I hope they are given the time to develop it into something strong and real.
ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
Emily (Justine) saved the guy, nursed him back to health, and now things are moving forward. Except for the pesky little thing that she's convicted and sent to prison for something she didn't do. Now she's fighting for her life, trying to figure out how her life has come to this, who's telling the truth, WHAT the truth actually is.
I love thrillers, especially when the lead is as likable as Emily is. She's strong, smart, and relatable. This is definitely a thriller, but with romantic elements in the man (men) she encounters. I'm not sure who, if any, she'll be with at the end, but that's honestly not important. She's the most important part of this twisty, surprising world. Be forewarned, there is a cliffhanger, but it's bearable, and has me really, really impatient to find out what's going to happen next with her.
Tamsyn and Lucien are finally together and things are looking up, until someone from his past storms in and upsets everything. Tamsyn has to decide if she'll stand up for herself, or let herself be drawn back into his web.
Oh the cliffhanger again!! You're killing me with these awful endings, Ava! I wanted to smack Lucien at the end, cuz the man reverted back to form and now poor Tamsyn world is off its kilter again, thanks to Lucien once again unilaterally making decisions for them. I am very impatiently waiting for the final part of this trilogy now - because I have to know how Tamsyn and Lucien get out of this mess Lucien got them into.
Lucy is a young woman working an unpaid internship at a local museum when she experiences something she can't explain while examining a newly arrived Lucy is a young woman working an unpaid internship at a local museum when she experiences something she can't explain while examining a newly arrived Byzantine cross. When she touches it, a bunch of images flash before her eyes, and extreme sorrow brings her to her knees. The bizarre incident isn't explained, and she starts to have strange dreams afterward.
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Early the next morning, after a restless night filled with weird dreams, she goes for a run on the beach and a chance encounter with a gorgeous guy whose eyes are weirdly similar to hers, takes her aback. But it's later that night when her friend drags her to a concert for the band Indigo, that her life will irrevocably change because the lead singer of Indigo is the man with the similar eyes, and he can't get her out of his mind, and decides to pursue her.
As their lives slowly intertwine, they both experience strange dreams, and their electric connection only gets stronger, they can't help but fall in love. But her sleazy boss and cold, matchmaking mother, and his sleazy ex all have different plans in store for Justin and Lucy. Will they make it through? And what connection, if any, does that Byzantine cross have to Lucy and Justin?
I enjoyed Discovering You. Justin and Lucy make a great couple with an electric, if somewhat bizarre, connection. I did feel as if there was a bit too much going on, and some somewhat manufactured drama, what with her mom, his ex AND their mystical connection to the cross; but I still enjoyed reading about them falling in love. The ending was really abrupt, though, and that's the main reason for the 4, instead of 5, stars. Aside from somewhat too much drama and the abrupt ending, though, I found Discovering You interesting, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of Justin and Lucy's story.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Merged review:
Lucy is a young woman working an unpaid internship at a local museum when she experiences something she can't explain while examining a newly arrived Byzantine cross. When she touches it, a bunch of images flash before her eyes, and extreme sorrow brings her to her knees. The bizarre incident isn't explained, and she starts to have strange dreams afterward.
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Early the next morning, after a restless night filled with weird dreams, she goes for a run on the beach and a chance encounter with a gorgeous guy whose eyes are weirdly similar to hers, takes her aback. But it's later that night when her friend drags her to a concert for the band Indigo, that her life will irrevocably change because the lead singer of Indigo is the man with the similar eyes, and he can't get her out of his mind, and decides to pursue her.
As their lives slowly intertwine, they both experience strange dreams, and their electric connection only gets stronger, they can't help but fall in love. But her sleazy boss and cold, matchmaking mother, and his sleazy ex all have different plans in store for Justin and Lucy. Will they make it through? And what connection, if any, does that Byzantine cross have to Lucy and Justin?
I enjoyed Discovering You. Justin and Lucy make a great couple with an electric, if somewhat bizarre, connection. I did feel as if there was a bit too much going on, and some somewhat manufactured drama, what with her mom, his ex AND their mystical connection to the cross; but I still enjoyed reading about them falling in love. The ending was really abrupt, though, and that's the main reason for the 4, instead of 5, stars. Aside from somewhat too much drama and the abrupt ending, though, I found Discovering You interesting, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of Justin and Lucy's story.
Alex has left the Royal Marines and about to take a train ride to see his friend. Civilian life isn't looking great to him, he's still constantly surveilling his surroundings, ever alert for danger, for suspicious things, so he isn't expecting to see a gorgeous younger woman and feel an instant connection with her. Too bad he lets her walk away. But then he goes to find her after their train is delayed, and boy does he find her! After a short time, he's starting to think maybe civilian life won't be so bad, perhaps he and Ciara can have something wonderful together. If only the biggest revelation hadn't just revealed itself...
Ciara and Alex's backstory did exactly what a prequel is supposed to - gave a glimpse into their backstory, and hooked me so well that now I'm looking forward to the beginning of the present story. This is a short prequel, so I wasn't expecting it to be so well drawn and well fleshed out. I was riveted from the first word and swooned as they met and formed such a strong connection. But, as I said it's a prequel, so there's a huge cliffhanger. I'm more than a little impatient now to find out how they'll manage to get past this big bump in their journey.
Anne's back at Tanglewood and things are dire. She needs money, fast, for textbooks, so she plans on getting it in that age old way. But William intervenes and now they're back in each other's orbits. But though they know anything physical, emotional, or more is forbidden, they simply cannot resist. If it weren't for that pesky secret society that Anne's investigating, they might have a chance at...something?
William never intended on falling for his student, let alone one who's his son's ex. But here he is. What's he going to do about it? What CAN he do? He knows the rules, he knows his true agenda, and all these things aren't necessarily in sync with each other. All he can do is see everything through to its end and hope for the best...
What Anne finds out about the Shakespeare society just brings up more questions rather than answering any, and now she's drawn even deeper into their darkness. But while she's investigating, she finds herself even more involved with her professor. And oh the deliciousness that is Professor Stratford and his forbidden student, Anne. Their chemistry is so hot in The Student that it practically melted my Kindle. But though they have all that chemistry, things aren't exactly going smoothly for them, and the cliffhanger is a crazy one. I'm hoping against hope they can achieve even something resembling happiness in the next installment, but I have to admit I'm really nervous for them. I'm not sure when the next one will be out, but it can't be soon enough for me!
Tamsyn was warned by her boss Mrs. Hooper that the broody billionaire, Lucien, is trouble, and far, far out of Tamsyn's league. But Tamsyn is drawn in by the man, how could she not? He's older, seductive, and instantly obsessed with her. But it's not just that, she sees something beyond his broody facade, something she wants to explore with him, even though she knows she's going to end up with her heart broken once her time with him is up.
Tamsyn may think her time will end with Lucien, but he thinks differently. Oh, he doesn't plan on giving her his heart or anything, but he's flat out obsessed with her and won't let her go, even though she thinks once her job is done with Mrs. Hooper, that she'll be leaving. But she sees something in him, sees beyond his walls, and is making him feel. They could have something he's never had, if only a huge obstacle didn't present itself.
Damaged, broody billionaire - ✔️ Age gap - ✔️ Hot af chemistry - ✔️✔️!! But also a huge cliffhanger that has me super anxious for the next installment. As I said in a previous review, age gap isn't normally my favorite thing, but it's great here. Tried and true, maybe even cliché, but I don't even care because these two instantly made me love them.
Atticus thought he was doing the right thing by pushing Gwen away, but months of being apart from her has him realizing it was the stupidest move he could have made. Now he has to figure out a way to grovel and convince her that she's his. He also has to actually LISTEN to her when she tells him he can't unilaterally make decisions for her, for them, and not involve her in the outcome of her own life.
Gwen didn't exactly want her soon to be arranged marriage, but Atticus' dominant nature pulled her in and she fell for him. Then he broke her and now she's finally starting to recover, when who comes along and tries to once again control her life, but the man who dumped her. She shouldn't give him the time of day but her feelings are still there, weakening her resistance to his pleas for a second chance. If Atticus wants a second chance with her, he needs to prove that he's her true partner, not just someone who wants to control her and their life together.
WTF is with these cliffhanger endings, Nana?!? This one is even worse than the one in Takeover, and I'm hyperventilating thinking of how Nana is going to get Gwen and Atticus out of this mess. Rant over now, but I still stand by my upset. That being said, I love this series so far. Gwen is amazing - smart, strong, and knows her own worth. Oh but Atticus...such an alphahole, so pigheaded that I wanted to smack him a good one for the way he treated Gwen, refusing to treat her as his equal. Sigh...but their chemistry is undeniable as are their feelings, so I have high hopes for their future happiness. Merger needs to be on my Kindle, now!
Jess has started over with new everything - life, love, and friends. Things are going along swimmingly except for the fact that Troy knows she still doesn't trust him, that there's something big she's keeping from him. And yet, it's obvious she's confided in his brother, but not Troy. Is she ever going to completely trust him? If not, can Troy stay knowing he doesn't have all of her?
I feel for Jess, and Troy too. Jess has so much she's dealing with, PTSD, shame and embarrassment for her past, and the secret she's hiding from Troy, and it's affecting both her and Troy. I'm not going to lie - it was hard reading, knowing that when this couple imploded, it was going to be painful, and it was, very. But there's also hope weaved in, even though there's a big cliffhanger at the end. I think this couple has staying power and I'm very anxious to find out how they navigate everything when the next installment releases.
When Harley Wright and Chase Sinclair have an unforgettable night together, it should have been the start of something beautiful. But once he found out how much younger she was (10 years younger), he backed way away. Not only is she not even of legal drinking age, but she's got her whole future ahead of her. There's no way Chase can in good conscience start something with her, even though he desperately wants to. Will she wait for him?
Harley may be ten years younger than the man she just had the most amazing night with, but she knows who and what she wants. If Chase Sinclair thinks she'll wait around for another 10 years for him, he's crazy... she deserves someone who will love her for her, not her age. And the fact that their families despise each other, even though neither she nor Chase have personal beef with each other, well, that's just another problem, but only if he lets it be.
Harley and Chase are meant to be, I could tell from their first meeting. This first part of their story takes place over several years, building up the tension and the feelings to the point that something has to give. I knew going into it that this was just the first part of a duet, but it didn't lessen my anxiety when the end of this one came and nothing was resolved, in fact everything was in tatters. So be forewarned that there's a brutal cliffhanger, but it's definitely worth reading as the two fall in love even though Chase fights it. By the time April rolls around, I'll be so impatient that I'll probably get through Wright Kind of Love in a few minutes ...more
Blair and Beau were practically enemies in college when he was dating her roommate. Secretly, though, there were unacknowledged feelings there that they never acted on. Now years later he stumbles back into her life when he's looking around the adult shop where she works. Now is their chance - one night to do everything they wanted to do back then. BUT it's only for one night, no repeats, no feelings, no more. They can do every shamelessly kinky, dirty thing their minds come come up with, but won't ever do it again. Right?
OK seriously everyone, Kelly Finley is the queen of spice, seriously!!! It's a testament to her dirty mind that two people can be as naughty as her stories about three (and more) people. But what really, really got to me about Blair and Beau is the longing that is so obvious between them. From their very first words to each other clear to the last page and that cliffie, I could feel how much they long for each other. Now I'm very, very anxiously awaiting Shameless Game:: A Why Choose Pro Football Romance so I can find out if they get to be together, because if two people ever deserve to be together because of sheer longing, it's Beau and Blair.
Gwen's manipulated into an arranged marriage that she has her own reasons for agreeing to. Atticus, the man she's to marry also has his own reasons for agreeing. She to protect her team at her family's company and her mom's memory, and he to gain control of his family's company. Thankfully they have intense chemistry, so a marriage, even an arranged one, won't exactly be a hardship, but can they turn their arranged marriage into a real one? Maybe, if a last obstacle can be overcome.
Atticus is fascinated by the woman who just accidentally glitter bombed him, too bad she gets away from him before he can have more than a few words with her. But thankfully the arranged marriage he's roped into is with the same beautiful woman. He knows their marriage isn't real but his feelings are quickly becoming real, intense, and he's already possessive of his intelligent, kind-hearted wife. He's determined to keep her, but at the last minute, someone drops a revelation on him that throws a huge obstacle in their way. Is there any possible way they can overcome this latest twist?
Why?!?! Just to get it out of the way - there is a brutal cliffhanger at the end of Takeover, and it had me screaming at my Kindle. OK, rant done, now onto my actual review. Nana does alpha so well. Atticus is a hot, possessive alphahole, matched only by his fierce and soft-hearted Gwen. The sparks fly from their first meeting, and I wanted them to be together as soon as they started snarking at each other. I have to admit I'm really not sure how Nana can possibly get them out of the mess they're in, so if Acquisition could possibly land on my Kindle like yesterday, I'll be a verrrrry happy woman.