Treasure Your Love by J.C. Reed

 4 out of 5 Stars

***ARC REVIEW***

It’s finally here! “Treasure Your Love" is the third installment of the Surrender Your Love series.  In the first two books, we witness Jett and Brooke’s relationship begin, under false pretenses, but evolve into a true love.  Jett, a multi-millionaire real estate agent and his assistant Brooke begin a hot, world wind romance.  As their bond strengthens, they realize that there are forces surrounding them that are masked in secrets, deceptions and betrayals.   There are mysteries to be solved in order to set a path towards their safety and a future together.

 

"...I'd never know how to treasure my blessings.  You're my blessings, Brooke.  I don't want to keep dreaming or take risks because, for the first time, reality is better than anything I could ever envision."

The story line takes several twists and unimaginable turns, which, where totally unexpected.  This book is action packed with plenty of angst, suspense and thrill rides.  Several nefarious characters appear from both Jett’s shady past, as well as Brooke’s.   These characters add an extra layer of mystery to the story, holding our couple hostage, and playing them as if they where puppets on strings. Things are not always what they seem, and when it comes down to the wire, Brooke and Jett must question everyone’s loyalty.  But be that as it may, their love will always be treasured and the sex will always be HOT.

"You know the feeling you get when you think you hear music, and it makes you stop in your tracks, completely absorbed?  Well, that's how I felt when I kissed you for the very first time. I knew then that I could love you."

Although the story had a sweet and quite romantic HEA (thank goodness no cliffhanger), I can definitely see room for a spinoff from other characters and sub-plots. J.C. Reed’s story was an enjoyable good read.

Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds

4.5 out of 5 stars

OK, there is a new alpha in town.  He is a good ol’ southern boy and his name is Asher (oh yeah, even his name is hot).  He is tall, broad, built, sexy and this package comes complete with adorable dimples and light blue, gold fleck eyes.  To top off all this hotness... he’s an ass.  Asher James Mason, security guard slash construction worker can be a major jerk and a love ‘em and leave ‘em player…until he met November.

November is a girl on the run, escaping her messed up life in New York.   Fleeing her abusive mother and barely surviving a vicious attack, November and her dog Beast, head south to Tennessee to start life over – build a relationship with her dad, get to know her family, work for their business and make new friends.  It’s also where she meets Asher and all of his “asshole-ness”.

Ugh, he is rude, crass and crude.  But November is no shrinking violet.  She has a backbone, has sass and puts Asher in his place.   I love it when they spar and go toe-to-toe. It made watching their love story grow so much more enjoyable.  And when they get to business…Asher and November put on quite a show. 

When trouble follows November to her new home, Asher kicks into super possessive alpha mode.  SWOON! I adore his badass macho protective ways.  November is his woman, he is her shield, and would sacrifice his own life for her.  That’s true love! 

November is the catalyst that changes Asher. We come to see his gentle, sweet, and loving side.  She's the force, the "BOOM” that causes Asher to walk away from his “playa” ways to one of commitment and devotion.  There is nothing that can tear his heart away from November.  She is his everything; her existence gives his life meaning.

“It’s amazing…to know that my purpose in life is sitting in front of me.”

“…You’re it for me.  I knew from the moment I met you that I was done for.  I like having you here and I don’t see that changing…”

I really enjoyed this book.  It was funny, sexy, angsty, and beautifully romantic.  I loved watching Asher and November’s relationship evolve and I adored the way Asher loves her.  He is a dreamy lead character and became one of my favorites.  I can’t wait UNTIL the next installment in this series.

Unforgiven by Elizabeth Finn

Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review

5 of of 5 Tearful Stars

Unforgiven is one of the most emotionally driven, gut wrenching stories that I have ever read.    It is a tale of pure anger, raw hatred, sheer guilt and unconditional love. 

One night of fun changed the entire course Bailey Trent’s life. In a single moment, she has lost friendships, severed relationships, suffered unimaginable losses, destroyed families and broken hearts.  Her life, which once held a bright and promising future, is now consumed by grief, sorrow and hopelessness.  One mistake cost Bailey Darren Cory, a boy she adored for years.  And in that one moment, Darren’s feelings of love for Bailey turned to utter hatred.  I can’t go into details as to what destroyed their lives. I won’t spoil how the plot unfolds. The beauty in reading Elizabeth Finn’s masterful tale of two broken hearts lies in the journey from the revelation of Bailey’s transgressions, to placing the broken pieces of their lives back together.

Unforgiven has an interesting story line.  Following the point of views of both Darren and Bailey from their pasts to there present day life.  Each flash back explains the events in their current lives. 

Their Past - Dare and Bay’s relationship is filled with true love and friendship.  Having difficulty expressing their feelings, they play a WORDS game to voice what's in their hearts.  Bay loved Dare for as long as she can remember.  Dare does have feelings for Bay, but is so afraid of ruining their friendship. They are cute together, happy and fun loving …yet, can these two be destined to share a life together?

Present Day 

We are first introduced to Bailey as she tries to rebuild her life.  She lives a lonely and miserable existence in a small town with only her mom and her best friend by her side. All others loathe her.  At one point I wanted to scream…GET OUT, LEAVE, and MOVE ON.  But, I believe Bailey needed to stay in order for her to heal…. to atone for her sins and to deal with her guilt.  With out closure, there is no future for Bailey.  My heart goes out to her, Bailey’s actions were purely accidental and were not done out of malicious intent.  Her story made me teary. 

"I hate you, I really and truly hate you....
But...I still...Stay.
Convince me not to hate you because...
because hating you is the end of me."

Darren is a cruel, hateful person, but has a legitimate reason.  From where he stands, Bailey’s heinous actions were responsible for all his bitterness and changing the entire landscape of his life.  Darren's character reminds me of “two-face”.  On one side, he abhors Bailey and takes every opportunity to make his feelings clear.  On the other, he can’t let go of his love for her, begs her to stay just when she found enough courage to pick put and move on to start her life some where else.  Bailey is the key to freeing his pain.  But he just can’t figure out how to let her in.  Darren’s conflicts nearly tear him apart, taking Bailey with him.  Her presence is a reminder that he is capable of love and not solely driven by venom.  

But, UGH!  I wanted to smack him with my kindle for most of the book!  He was the most infuriating character. 

In between all the angst and conflicts are some of the most erotic loves scenes I’ve ever read.  Darren, you are so masterful and very talented with your fingers, dude.  And oh…I’ll never, never, ever look at my electric toothbrush the same way again ;)

"Incredible...Stunning...Intelligent. Sweet. Loving...Arousing. Consuming. Exceptional...Forgiving"

"Can I tell you a story? About a little girl who had a crush on a boy once - a very, very special boy.
 ...But that little girl made a mistake - the most unforgivable mistake and she destroyed the
only man she'd ever loved and had ever wanted to love."

"You will always be my world"

I truly enjoyed this story and seeing how these two broken souls try to find their way back to each, other as friends and as lovers.  Darren and Bailey move on from the past and learn to forgive one another in hopes of finding a future together.  Reading their story touched my soul.  This book is a definite MUST READ!