**spoiler alert** This book has been on my radar for years, but I don’t always love the author, so I’ve put it off.
The blurb sets this up, Riley gets**spoiler alert** This book has been on my radar for years, but I don’t always love the author, so I’ve put it off.
The blurb sets this up, Riley gets out of an abusive relationship and runs into Zander, a fellow college student/aspiring musician. She’s hesitant because of her bad experience, but they eventually make a go of it. Enter Beth, the “platonic” BFF that’s always showing up and acting bitchy.
I actually like this trope and have read several with a similar plot. (Molly by Krystal Veitch, Flower by Jaclyn Combe, Kade by Chantal Fernando, Heartfelt Lies by Alexandra Christopher) All featured a clueless H with a female BFF wanting more and trying to eliminate the competition. This is most similar to the last two (Kade & HL) in that the main characters are young, and the book has a YA/NA feel rather than adulting.
I had a few issues. ⚫ The tone of the book was immature. There’re TONS of drama, but it’s all teenage-y drama… OTT and unrelatable. ⚫ The H and BFF relationship felt codependent and icky. Molly had the same issue, you can’t say you think of her as a sibling, then cuddle her like a gf. I’m very close with my brother, and you are NEVER going to catch us napping together with my head on his chest. That’s inappropriate not innocent. ⚫ The ending was brushed away with lazy writing. The entire conflict is Riley feeling uncomfortable with Zander and Beth’s relationship while Beth acts inappropriately. Then Beth makes her move opening Zander’s eyes, but suddenly Riley is totally ok and wants them all to be friends. What? You hate her when she’s flirting, but are fine after she accosts him in his sleep? And Beth, after lusting and secretly LOVING him all of her life just shuts those feelings off? That makes ZERO sense.
Bottom Line- This was a miss for me. I love drama and especially OW drama, but I don’t enjoy overdramatic teen drama. I still would’ve rounded up had the ending not felt so manipulated to get a quick HFN. The reason why all the above-mentioned books work (for me) is because the H sees the light and cuts the overstepping BFF off. The h shouldn’t have to put up with her forever. It was illogical how everyone just POOF did a 180 in there way of thinking/feelings....more
This was ok. I don’t mind a sister-sloppy seconds plot (especially if it’s soapy), but this was a smidge bland for me. The blurb sets it up, Jake was This was ok. I don’t mind a sister-sloppy seconds plot (especially if it’s soapy), but this was a smidge bland for me. The blurb sets it up, Jake was Charlotte’s best bud that she secretly loved but was too timid and shy to make her move, so her sister did. A drunken hookup led to a surprise baby, and the book opens with a miserable Charlotte helping the two (Jake and Dakota) raise their son in college.
I had a few issues that kept me from loving this. ⚫ The book starts after all the good stuff. ⚫ The chemistry felt a bit flat. She clearly was the better choice, I just felt like if they were compatible, then he should’ve reciprocated her feelings (or at least felt some attraction) before the sister snafu. ⚫ Charlotte’s low self-esteem/virgin status made this feel VERY young adult for much of the book. She grows a tiny spine by the end, but I prefer a mature/confident h. ⚫ There’s not enough drama. There’s a large chunk of the book where nothing is happening besides them hanging out and friend filler. Things pick up when the sis returns, but it almost at the end.
Bottom Line- It had potential, it was just executed with very little drama and a fair amount of friend/life filler making it a bit of a snoozefest. The sis is gone by chapter 1 and doesn’t return until 82%, IMHO, she needed to return way earlier, or another conflict needed to be introduced.
Safety- (view spoiler)[ Jake was unaware Dakota (Kota) was Charlotte’s sister. He was drunk at a party, and she pursued him on purpose to hurt her sis. I don’t think he ever would’ve gone there had he known or stayed if she didn’t get knocked up. So, I don’t really feel like the sis was the first choice. Their sex life isn’t really discussed except that they’re not doing it when the book starts, and the sis lies about it. His thoughts were NEVER positive towards the sis, she’s very unlikable. (hide spoiler)]
Random- I know I read a book with the same ending and it’s driving me crazy. (view spoiler)[ Evil sis shows up after sister is raising the kid and demands the h leave or she’ll go for custody. (hide spoiler)] It was a loveless marriage, like they decided to get married because they were both professionals. I think the sis might’ve been a lawyer. If anyone knows this book, please let me know. ...more
This was a fun, OTT, crazy read about a girl named Scout and the unstable boy that is OBSESSED with her.
Scout has a stalker. He sends threatening emaiThis was a fun, OTT, crazy read about a girl named Scout and the unstable boy that is OBSESSED with her.
Scout has a stalker. He sends threatening emails, sneaks into her dorm room, follows her around, tracks her, etc. She’s scared but secretly thrilled… She also has a HUGE crush on her brother’s best bud Cash. Cash is the baseball star stud of campus and has girls throwing themselves at him… but he only wants Scout.
The book starts with the bro asking Cash to look out for Scout while he leaves town… let the games begin.
Bottom Line- These two were nuts but perfect for each other. Their love was totally unhealthy but super entertaining. ...more
I went into this blind (I saw it on someone’s crazy OW shelf) and I almost stopped when I realized that they were in college, but I tried to push tDNF
I went into this blind (I saw it on someone’s crazy OW shelf) and I almost stopped when I realized that they were in college, but I tried to push through… cuz I’m such a ...more
2-2.5 ⭐⭐’s This is a tough one to rate. I’ll round up because I got this years ago as a freebie, but before spending $4, you should know that it’s not 2-2.5 ⭐⭐’s This is a tough one to rate. I’ll round up because I got this years ago as a freebie, but before spending $4, you should know that it’s not a serious read. The characters are very immature, the OW are OTT, the drama is young person drama. (secrets, running, yelling, ect.)
Layla meets Chase at a bar and decides to go home with him. She wakes up the next day and while leaving his room realizes she’s in her apartment. Chase is the mysterious roommate she hasn’t met and heard rudely kicking a chick out a week prior.
Chase is the stereotypical manwhore rich playboy that drives an Aston Martin and has banged pretty much every woman they encounter. Layla is the typical super-hot cool chick that lives with dudes and attracts males like a magnet. She’s not like other girls in that she hates all women except her obligatory outspoken BFF that’s equally cool.
The next 200-ish pages are filled with Chase constantly chasing/kissing Layla’s ass because he’s a newbie with relationships and constantly fucking up… or some former hookup is popping up.
Bottom Line- This was ok for me, but only because I enjoy OW drama… and there’s a ton of it... and can get behind a crazy OTT silly Jerry Springer/wine read after a stressful week. I would not recommend it for anyone looking for adulting, romance, or realistic feels… Or anyone that values safety. (no cheating) I won’t continue with the series. ...more
The Ritual is a dark, secret society college romance between Ryat and Blakely with LOADS of sex/kink and violence. Ryat is a superstar recruit of the The Ritual is a dark, secret society college romance between Ryat and Blakely with LOADS of sex/kink and violence. Ryat is a superstar recruit of the Lords when he’s “gifted” Blakely as his chosen. There’re layers of things going on- twists, betrayals, etc.
The beginning sucked me in but then it started to fizzle because it takes a while to get going, then we're overloaded by nonstop crazy sex. It does pick up once the action/intrigue parts start, but the ending went sideways for me. (OTT stupid)
I liked the main characters, but they were lacking the maturity and depth needed to pull off the dark themes. For me, I can suspend disbelief, but if the characters can’t balance/connect/anchor the crazy/out of this world shenanigans… things start to feel silly.
Bottom Line- It was good… just not great. I feel like the author might’ve just tried a bit too hard to make this dark, gritty, smutty, etc. Everything was done in excess (view spoiler)[ (knives, sex, kink, Blake’s constant WAP, forehead kissing, twins, mom-boss, names, whimpers, !!!, etc.) (hide spoiler)] that it lost its punch and started to all blend together. I needed some variation/substance or 200 less pages. There’s an epilogue 18 years later that could set up spinoff books.
If you like this genre… This reminded me a bit of Celia Aaron’s Acquisition series. Or this list Secret society romance has others....more
2.5-3 “not for me” Stars I picked this up as a freebie a couple years back. I used to grab freebies like hotcakes, now I’m much more selective, but hav2.5-3 “not for me” Stars I picked this up as a freebie a couple years back. I used to grab freebies like hotcakes, now I’m much more selective, but have a ton to get through. Going in I knew this wasn’t a genre I really read anymore. I’ve pretty much outgrown the NA/YA genre…unless they’re criminal or unsupervised and oddly act like grownups. (that I can get down with) I was stuck because my OCD won’t let me just delete it, and I don’t want to be an asshole, and read something I know I probably won’t like, then ding it…so, I’m leaving a 3⭐with a caveat. If we like the same kind of books…proceed with caution. Mild Spoilers ahead.
Push the Envelope is the kind of book I would’ve loved years ago when I was still a starry-eyed young person that preferred fluffy romances with swoony males. (I do still like fluffy on occasion, but prefer older/more adulting less-perfect characters) Drake Bennett is the complete package. He’s HOT, rich, a talented colligate athlete with a rocking body, and he’s not a manwhore/player. He also worships the ground Alexa walks on (after a small misunderstanding when they first meet) and never ever gives flirty skanks his attention. Alexa is no slouch either, she’s also HOT, but she doesn’t know it, so that makes her cool. She’s also an experienced pilot at like 20, and basically runs ½ of her dad’s charter business. Which comes in handy because they need to fly back and forth places a lot.
The “feel” of the book IMO borders between YA and NA. The two take their sexual relationship slowly, visiting and spending time at each base before proceeding to home. Also, they sort of flip flop between acting like college students and middle aged adults. For instance… One of their first arguments is because Drake tells her to watch her language after she says dumb-ass. They also say stuff like, geesh, drat, shut the front door, and giggle a lot, but have detailed sex and talk about fucking, which you don't see a lot in YA.
The main drama comes from sneaky wannabe OW Sasha that's had the hots for Drake for YEARS. She that delusional type of OW that is like a dog after a bone even though he pays her no attention, and hasn’t slept with her in the many years she’s been throwing herself at him.
Bottom Line- Fluffy, totally safe, insta-love read with little drama. This is the first book of the series. I believe the rest follow her BFF and her brother....more
I’m cleaning out several of these that have been on my Kindle forever, and came across this one. I can’t even remember buying it… I’m actually hoping I’m cleaning out several of these that have been on my Kindle forever, and came across this one. I can’t even remember buying it… I’m actually hoping it was a freebie, because it was so not my cup of tea. Lee and Rose are being set up into a MOC, that she’s not to pleased about. He’s a TOTAL manwhore, and she’s a good girl. My issues? It’s super immature. (view spoiler)[
“Pervert,” I snap and grab the underwear back, careful not to touch his hand or look any lower than his neck.
Doesn’t have to work for it like you or me. Not surprised he joined the water-ballerinas. He looks like the fruity type.”
“Sup, pretty boy? How was gay morning sex with your buddies?”
“Not gonna call me a dirty dyke like the rest of your jock buddies? Consider me impressed”
And the “romantic” parts… cough… are like this…
“Why should I? Why did I ever think that kiss was something genuine? God, I’m an idiot.”“It was genuine –” He scowls. “How genuine is it when you turn around and sleep with my roommate?”
“I said I’d leave you alone and I am. I’m trying to forget you, Rose.”
“Since the first time we ran into each other, every girl’s bed I’ve slept in, I’ve wished with all my heart it was yours instead,” He murmurs.
“Every girl,” Lee leans up, planting kisses on my jugular. “Every touch, every moan, every sensation, I imagined was coming from you. Because of you. Do you know what that does to a person’s mind? I’m insane now. Insane because of you.” His fingers reach my bra clasp and he undoes it easily and caresses the expanse of skin now freed. His hand inches around my ribcage and up just a little, where the swell of my breasts begin. I instinctively drop my head into the crook of his neck, too weak to hold it up. My face is on fire. This is wrong. So wrong. Lee’s mouth is right next to my ear as he speaks, low and soft.(hide spoiler)]
Bottom Line- Not for me, but it ends in a cliffy, and I have the 2nd book, so I’ll try to see it through. I couldn’t connect at all, and it didn’t have a smooth flow. Maybe I’m just too old for it. ...more
This has been on my kindle for many years, (like 6) so I figured it was time to bang it out. I’m not a huge fan of NA romance; I really don’t have a lThis has been on my kindle for many years, (like 6) so I figured it was time to bang it out. I’m not a huge fan of NA romance; I really don’t have a lot of tolerance for immaturity, and am not the most patient person when it comes to overly dramatic characters. (soapy-smut/HP is my only exception) and it’s not too bad, but there’s definitely some immature stuff (like going off/borderline hysterical when she finds out he had sex with their waitress… BEFORE they met) and overly dramatics (like her having PTSD from being stuck in a dark elevator with her classmates for 15 minutes). This isn’t part of a series, but is connected to Gemini (Jake’s sister) and My Skylar ( Nina’s “sissy”). If you want to read them in order (timeline) it would go… Gemini, Jake Undone, My Skylar, Jake Understood.
The book opens with a foreshadow/plot voucher as a younger Jake meets “Ivy” as he’s rushing to class. Then, it FF’s 6 years later with Nina moving in with her childhood friend Ryan where Jake is one of her new roommates, and the blurb lays the bones for the story. I don't want to spend a ton of time on the plot, because there are so many spoiler/reviews out there, but I want this review to be helpful. So, without giving spoilers; I'd say that the book isn't bad, but it's probably going to be appealing to a certain group of readers in the mood for NA romance. The characters are young; it shows in their actions/behaviors; there's an insta-attraction-lust-love w/ buckets of cheese thing going on. Their relationship is a slow burn (she's head over heels for him from the gate but playing it cool) until about 50%. The first half is narrated solely from Nina’s POV, and the second ½ from Jake’s.
The timeline is a smidge jumpy that disrupted the flow some. Most of them are shorter: days, weeks, a month or two, but at 90% it jumps one year, and it was jarring, confusing, and frustrating. Jarring, because things sort of just dropped off … Confusing, because things are being discussed that we skipped over… Frustrating, because I was ready for the drama/story to level off, but it opened a new conflict that lasted until almost the end.
** There is a second book from Jake's POV, (Jake Understood) which is kinda weird since we already get his POV in this one. I will leave a separate review for it, but just a heads up… the first 70% is mostly just a re-telling of the first 50% of this book from his POV.**
Bottom Line- This is a pretty good story about young love, and I would recommend to anyone who has patience for younger acting characters. It’s pretty angsty, but again it’s young angst, (jealousy, longing, etc.) and might not be satisfying to readers looking for more grown-up angst. Most readers should be ok with content, but I wouldn’t recommend it to super-strict safety folks, because I have a feeling a couple of scenes, and Jake’s “secret” will put them off which is confusing, because the author went to such great lengths to make Jake this martyr/ great awesome dude then wrote a pretty useless scene … that will piss some reviewers off and lead them to shut down and 1*… and IMO the scene added zero to the plot/angst because it’s never even discussed again. ...more
100 pages of mindless fun. Sometimes I’m in the mood for light and sweet, but I have a tendency to get bored when everything is all sunshine and rainb100 pages of mindless fun. Sometimes I’m in the mood for light and sweet, but I have a tendency to get bored when everything is all sunshine and rainbows for too long. Ella Goode is my go-to when I’m in the mood for fluff. Her novellas are short enough that I don’t get bored, have little to no obstacles for the couples, the H’s fall hard and are totally devoted, and a smidge of humor. Her MC’s are usually not typical “normal” people. In this one we have Daman Patrick a 25-yr-old reformed assassin trying out college, and Quinn a sweet, sheltered fellow student.
There’s no real drama, total insta-love, and totally safe. They’re both virgins, but somehow know how to get it on. There’s a sweet epilogue six years later.
Bottom Line This is short and sweet… and silly. It’s not a serious read, I recommend it to those just wanting to escape reality for a couple hours. ...more
IOU is a sweet, funny-ish, low-angst, college romance with a mysterious hero (Maverick) and a spunky heroine (Ainsley). Ainsley finds herself homelessIOU is a sweet, funny-ish, low-angst, college romance with a mysterious hero (Maverick) and a spunky heroine (Ainsley). Ainsley finds herself homeless after catching her long-term BF and roommate bumping uglies… there’s a small fire involved.
This is definitely a slow burn, but heats up and there’s some smokin’ sexytime. I enjoyed both MC’s, and there will be at least one spin-off of a secondary character. Ains has just the right balance of quirky/spunk and sensitivity; she’s tough, but also vulnerable. Mav had that broody, mysterious alpha thing going with a gooey sweet center.
Bottom Line- This isn’t my go-to genre; I typically stay away from sweet and rom coms, but I was pleasantly surprised, and recommend it to anyone looking for something lighter to snack on. It would be a really good break after something dark or heavy. It’s free to read with KU.
Ok-wow… I'm still spinning!! I don’t know how to review this without being spoiler-ish, since the book blurb gives away nothing. So if you’re looking Ok-wow… I'm still spinning!! I don’t know how to review this without being spoiler-ish, since the book blurb gives away nothing. So if you’re looking to go in completely blind….Skip this review I went in with a guess of how this book would go; I actually thought it would be the college version of an I Dare You-ish with violent, rich thug/criminals behaving badly, and I was way wrong.
Simply put Ecstasy is a twisted love triangle dark romance with: an unbalanced party-girl w/ addict issues; a jock w/ anger issues; and an introvert w/ mommy issues. They are each flawed, suffering from their own demons; it’s an emotional gritty, in-your-face honest, thought provoking tale. I personally struggled more with the emotional heaviness of it, but there are triggers. So, heads up if you are a sensitive reader.
As a reader, you may find none of the MC’s very likeable; the lines are all blurred of who is good or bad, or right or wrong, and that’s the beauty of the book. I think we’ll all relate or favor one, (Team Alex)...more
Meh! Book starts with the five brothers of the Wylde family they split up when their parents are killed. It makes it seem like they are all young likeMeh! Book starts with the five brothers of the Wylde family they split up when their parents are killed. It makes it seem like they are all young like teens, but we find out quickly they are like 500 years old.
There wasn’t much of a plot... basically River the youngest brother imprints on human Quinn. He tries to keep his distance watching over her for seven years until she’s put in danger. The book is quite short so the story lacks much backstory or character development. It also ends very abruptly with tons of loose ends. I see this is a series, but the next book is with another brother in a separate state so I’m not sure we’ll get more. Either way I don’t really care enough to continue with it. ...more
**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars With the exception of the first chapter, the first 75% of the book is a flashback of college. My biggest gripe is that I d**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars With the exception of the first chapter, the first 75% of the book is a flashback of college. My biggest gripe is that I didn’t understand why their relationship had to end. There is a situation where she acts like a wimp and allows her parents to bully her, and I didn’t understand why she just couldn’t tell him the truth and keep things on the DL OR at least be truthful rather then ripping him apart. She purposely picked at what she knew would hurt him (his past) and that’s not love. They do get there second chance, it just was squeezed in the remaining 20% of the book and was quite rushed. The book is free in KU and audio is part of audible escapes ...more
So I wanted to read this book for a really long time. Although I enjoyed it, I don't think I'll continue the series. Based on the reviews of books 3 &So I wanted to read this book for a really long time. Although I enjoyed it, I don't think I'll continue the series. Based on the reviews of books 3 & 4 I don't think I'll invest the $$ :) It also appears the series really wasn't finished, many complained of it ending with no answers. Goodreads had a book 5 planned, but it was never completed, so I'm going to stop before I become more invested....more
Not bad, but FYI there is really not much new here. It’s almost like she started with the other book and tweeked it a little. There are literally the Not bad, but FYI there is really not much new here. It’s almost like she started with the other book and tweeked it a little. There are literally the same exact conversations. ...more
Parker and Willow. Most of the book is the typical format of bully romance. The main thing that seems to be a concern for readers is the trigger stuffParker and Willow. Most of the book is the typical format of bully romance. The main thing that seems to be a concern for readers is the trigger stuff. There is a part or 2 that some readers view as assault, mainly because the heroine’s arms are being held. The hero does think that she will object, which she doesn’t. He feels that’s a green light, also she does not say no, and her dialogue after does not claim assault , but if you as a reader would find this offensive then I would suggest you don’t read it. These bully romance books definitely follow a formula and this one is no different. Read with caution if you find such things a hard limit. That said, I rated the book average, because I felt the characters were ok, the story was just ok. ...more
Declan and Harper met freshman year, there's a "misunderstanding" that leaves Harper a pariah. I liked Declan, he was likeable and seemed like a cool Declan and Harper met freshman year, there's a "misunderstanding" that leaves Harper a pariah. I liked Declan, he was likeable and seemed like a cool dude. I wanted to like Harper, she has had a crummy teen-life, but I found her constant running...literally fleeing difficult situations, her Debbie downer attitude quite annoying....more
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