Monday 14 August 2017

Review: Love In The Friend Zone by Molly E Lee



****3.5 STARS****




I'm a big fan of Molly E. Lee and this is completely different than what she normally writes but I quite enjoyed Love in the Friend Zone. I'm a complete sucker for the whole best friends to lover trope so I jumped at the chance to read this! It was a short and sweet read that I completely devoured it.

I really liked Braylen and Fynn. They are both smart and driven and I loved the cute banter between them which comes from knowing each other for so long. I loved all their friends, including, Zoey, Gordon, Lennon, and Randy. Plot wise, this book was about what I expected after reading the blurb. I liked how the book was over a span of maybe 8-9 hours. The downside to that span of time is that everything felt slightly rushed and I never really saw the chemistry form between these two. Yes they were best friends but there wasn't a whole lot of background information or depth to the characters. I felt like the characters were too oblivious to each other's feelings whilst everyone else seemed to be in on it. While the grand gesture was sweet and perfect, I would have liked a bit more depth to this book.

Overall this book was a short and sweet read and I'm definitely intrigued to see what she'll bring us next with Zoey and Gordon's book.




Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler





The only thing worse than not being able to tell your best friend you’re head over heels in love with him? Having to smile and nod when he enlists your help to ensnare the girl of his dreams. 

Braylen didn’t even want to go to Lennon Pryor’s epic graduation-night party, but when Fynn begs her to be his “wingwoman,” she can’t deny him. Talking up her BFF—how he’s magic behind a camera, with a killer sense of humor and eyelashes that frame the most gorgeous blue eyes in the history of forever—is easy. Supporting his efforts to woo someone so completely wrong for him? Not so much. 

Fynn knows that grad night is his last shot before leaving for college to find true love. And thanks to Bray, he gets his chance with the beautiful Katy Evans. But over the course of the coolest party of their high school careers, he starts to see that perhaps what he really wants has been in front of him all along. Bray’s been his best friend since kindergarten, though, and he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not at all. 

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one epic party, complete with every high-schoolers-gone-bad shenanigan, and two best friends whose sexual chemistry is off the charts…if only they’d succumb to it.












Review: Blind Date by Bella Jewel



***3 STARS***



4 years after the death of her husband Hartley Watsons friend Taylor convinces her it's time to move on and get back into the dating game. Hartley is not keen but agrees to let Taylor find 3 dates for her. The first 2 guys aren't up to par but the third seems a bit more successful And it brightens Hartley's mood.

Hartley lives next door to a hot but very moody and ignorant cop called Ace and more than once Hartley has gave him a piece of her mind. When things start happening in Hartley's apartment it's Mr Moody Cop that intervenes and helps although his sarcasm and mood swings haven't gone un noticed even if Hartley is grateful for the help.

The question is will Hartley find love in her life or will whoever is tormenting her break her in the process?

First of all let me say I have absolutely loved Bella Jewels last 2 romantic suspense books, however even though I did enjoy this one somewhat, it still fell a little flat for me. I just found it to predictable from quite early on in the story. The characters each played their part well although I found Hartley a little weak at times but she matured towards the end of the story. Maybe it's just me but I didn't really get the usual enjoyment that we get from Bella Jewels writing but there's probably at least one book from our favourite authors that we didn't click with and I think this one is it for me. I am however definitely looking forward to see what Bella writes next.




Reviewed by Claire Lamb 




A KILLER IS ON THE LOOSE— AND HE’S DYING TO MEET YOU...

After the death of her husband four years ago, Hartley Watson is finally ready to meet someone—and maybe even have a second chance at love. But then, just as her dating life seems to be getting started, Hartley is struck with a horrifying realization: Someone is watching her. Entering her own home. Even knows the intimate details of her life. How else to explain the strange deliveries, or the sudden appearance of mementos from her dead spouse—ones that she had kept for so long in storage?

If only Hartley could know for sure whether what is happening to her is real or if her grief is making her lose touch with reality. Those around her aren’t convinced that she’s being stalked, nor is the wonderful, supportive man Hartley’s started dating. The exciting new life she has created for herself is slowly becoming a nightmare. . .How can Hartley seek protection when nobody believes that she’s at risk—and the only one in the world she can trust is herself?











Review: The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas



*****5 STARS*****



I know I keep banging on about how This Man is my all time favourite, but when it seems nothing can even get close to it, along comes Jodi with this absolute gem of a book. 

She starts out by telling us readers that this book is controversial and that she expects it’ll cause debate, and tells us she's cool with that.......Well so you should be Jodi Ellen Malpas, so you should be, because I for one have no issue whatsoever with the subject this book tackles. I mean in real life that's a different matter, but when it comes to works of fiction, I feel that pretty much anything goes if it's essential to the story and what a story this was. Yes there is a moral dilemma to be had, but to be honest by the end, I don't think the main characters had any choice in the matter. 

In this Standalone book we meet Annie Ryan and Jack Joseph and if two people were ever destined to be together, it's these two. Both were perfect in their own right, but together it was simply, pure perfection with a whole lot of angst.

The sex scenes were typical Jodi. Hot with a capital H.O.T. There was humour, there was sizzling chemistry, the secondary characters were memorable in their own right and it is probably this book where I have read the most heartbreaking scenes imaginable. 

Quite honestly I wasn't sure what this book would bring so the fact that it was as good as it was really surprised me, just like This Man did a few years ago.




A new story of dangerous temptations from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man trilogy.

Annie has never experienced the 'spark' with a guy-that instant chemistry that renders you weak in the knees. That is, until a night out brings her face to face with the dangerously sexy and mysterious Jack. It's not just a spark that ignites between them. It's an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who's had such a powerful impact on her must be dangerous. She has no idea that he belongs to another. That he's forbidden.











Thursday 27 July 2017

Review: The Brightest Sunset (The Darkest Sunrise #2) by Aly Martinez



*****5 STARS*****



Anyone that has read and loved The Darkest Sunrise, will understand the need for this book. Seriously, the wait was torture for me, but once again Aly has produced an absolute smasher of a read. 

This book picks up right where book one ended and almost immediately I sympathised with Charlotte once again, but it was Porter who really got to me. I've loved his charcter from the moment he appeared in the first book and the situation he found himself in in this final instalment gave his character so much more depth.

Like the first book this was one huge rollercoaster of a read with many twists and turns along the way. 

This book for me was equally as good as the first, if not better and if you haven't yet read a book by Aly Martinez, I highly recommend that you do.




Reviewed by Louise Dale 




Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Bullshit.
Words destroyed me. 
“I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.”
“Daddy, he can’t breathe!” 
“There’s nothing more we can do for your son.”
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Lies.
Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me.
Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness.
“He’s gone.” 
In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise. 
“Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.”











Wednesday 26 July 2017

Review: Devil by Ker Dukey



*****5 STARS*****



Wow this book was a trip and a half down deep dark lane! It has to be one of my favourite Ker Dukey books yet. I'm not going to rehash the story on this one. All you need to know is that it's extremely dark, disturbing in some places and extremely psychological. If you're not careful you will get lost so pay attention and concentrate when reading because the story goes back and forth in Evi's mind from past to present. There are quite a few twists to the story that you won't see coming and they will definitely leave you asking what just happened.

Evi is like a rubix cube that's being twisted one way then the other, you can't help but feel sorry for her and want to wrap her in cotton wool! Max is extremely lovable, he is kind and compassionate and he definitely proves the love he has always had for Evi and that he would do anything for her.

I loved this book! It's been a while since I have ventured into something really dark that has a mind boggling, screwed up psychological twist to it and boy have I missed it. I need more more more, I just couldn't get enough and I inhaled it all in one go. If you love a no holding back dark read with huge psychological twists then grab this as I promise you won't be disappointed.




Reviewed by Claire Lamb 



Evi Devil. 
Yes, that’s really my name.
The irony is not lost on me.
I was created from two evil souls and have the name to prove it. 
Devil worshipers, perverts, murderer. Is all terms used to describe the parents I refuse to remember. My mind won’t allow me to. 
And why would I want to? 
One born of dirty blood running through her veins can never truly be clean from its murky hue. 
No matter what they try to tell me happened in my past, my mind denies me access, therefore how can I know it’s true? 
How can I believe that’s what I’m born from?
Glimpses of my past haunt me, the screams of terror echo in the silent darkness of my memories, trying to remind me that my Mother went from room to room butchering our family. 
I’ve learned from scars that I suffered abuse and that my Father and siblings weren’t my Mother’s only victims. 
Hearing what they tell me.
Reading the words printed in the papers. None of it can prepare me for what’s to come. 
My biggest lesson is learning that some memories we suppress for a reason.












Tuesday 25 July 2017

Review: Tied (Voyeur #2) by N. Isabelle Blanco & Elena M Reyes



****4 STARS****



Tied is the second book in The Voyeur series and should not be read as a standalone. Noah and Ivy are still being held captive by an unknown sick and depraved individual forcing them to play her game or face their death and the deaths of their loved ones. I commented on my Taken review about how dark that book was and Tied is just as dark and twisted if not more so. I have no idea how I never ran across anything by these authors before, but I need to check out their back catalog stat. Again, this is not at all for the faint of heart. We are treated to some seriously f-ed events and situations. If you like your dark uncomfortable and have no problems reading with one eye closed this series is perfect for you. We get a peek into Noah and Ivy's friendship shortly before their abduction, but if that glimpse made it seem like questions would be answered, we're still in for more of a ride. I believe this will be a trilogy so am hopefully we will get answers in book three, but I literally have no idea what we can expect. Noah is determined to save Ivy and himself and make their captor pay, but how he'll do that even he can't quite figure out. I'm loving this insane ride and will be anxiously awaiting more. 





Reviewed by Rosemary Feil 




That bloody bitch thinks she’s the biggest villain here . . .

And I’m going to let her keep thinking that. 

She thinks she knows how far I’ll go to save Ivy. 

In reality, she has no fucking clue. I’d kill for her.

My humanity recedes while a demon is born.

I want their blood on my hands. The stakes are beyond high, trapped in this sex dungeon with no way out. Our loved ones are being threatened while we’re being forced to endure.

But none of that matters to me as much as the endgame. I’ll be leaving here once I take the two things that matter most:

I’ll be claiming my woman. And once I find our way out, I’ll be taking our captor’s life too.

She thought she could threaten my girl. 

I’m about to show her just how wrong she is.








N. Isabelle Blanco 








Elena M Reyes 





Review: Taken (Voyeur #1) by N. Isabelle Blanco & Elena M Reyes



****4 STARS****




Every fan of dark erotic/dark romance reads has read a story where the main character(s) is kidnapped. In Taken, that storyline is given a new and disturbing twist. Noah and Ivy are best friends who get drugged and kidnapped. They wake up to find themselves in a lush room filled with speakers. From the speakers they hear a distorted female voice that tells them they need to have sex with each other. Thus begins a twisted and dark game as Noah and Ivy are forced to entertain their captors.

Taken gets pretty dark and twisted and is definitely not for the faint of heart or anyone with a screamish stomach. This gets very gory and at times I wasn't sure if some scenes were just for shock value or helped the plot along. Regardless, this was an interesting and disturbing read and you're left anxious for book two.




Reviewed by Rosemary Feil 




I was drugged. 
Now, I’ve woken up in a dark, luscious room. 
A deviant playground. 
I’m not alone. 
The person that was drugged and taken with me is here, too. 
My confident. 
Someone that I had come to see as a brother. 
My best friend. 
Suddenly, there’s a voice coming through the speakers, telling us we’ve both been chosen to die. 
The only way out? Do everything we’re told to do. 
This person wants to watch us. They want to be entertained. As she says, “I want to see you come.” 
It’s simple: either we sleep together, or die.








N. Isabelle Blanco 




Elena M Reyes