Adore (Spiral of Bliss #4) by Nina Lane @NinaLaneAuthor

4.5 “My Beauty” Stars Dean… the outrageously alluring and incredibly seductive hero who I affectionately nick named ‘Professor McHottie Pants’ stole my heart yet again in Adore…swoon Dean and Olivia West… So ecstatic to revisited one of my all time favorite lovebirds and this story was a great surprise. Throughout this series, (which I recommend reading in it's entirety before diving into Adore), I’ve weathered all the ups and downs of their relationship ~ the heartaches, the triumphs, and the obstacles that threatened to rip them part. I was curious to see how their story would continue. I was worried and hoped that their ‘happily ever after’ would not become tainted or forced to experience undue angst. Consuming this read in one sitting (because I could not tear myself away from the amazing professor), I found myself touched by another one of Nina Lane’s heartwarming tales.  This time, I was faced with this couple’s realistic struggle to reignite their passion while moving past the doldrums of marriage. Liv, while taking on more responsibilities with the business and an active member within the community of Mirror Lake, is dealing with the challenges of motherhood. She is tired and exasperated, pushing herself to the max as Nicholas is going through the ‘terrible twos’ stage. I loved seeing her character become more resilient with each struggle she faced. She’s vulnerable, yet became stronger as she tried to conquer every obstacle thrown her way. Despite her struggles, she would do everything and anything for her husband. Her love for him is limitless. And as always, it’s Dean who provided the strength she needed to persevere. I cherish their unique and mutually dependent relationship, which feeds their souls. Poor Dean, between his constant travels, Nicholas’ interruptions and the unrelenting pressure to take his career to a new level, he isn’t getting any nookie. Sexually frustrated, he misses the effortless spark of their passion and is annoyed it takes work to get Liv all sexed up. There’s just no spontaneity or free time and something’s got to give. Together, they faced the issue head on, determined to rekindle their sex life and find a way back to one another. And this where my Dean shines through – his resolve to regain control by spicing things up in the bedroom. As expected, he totally wowed me with his smoking hot and dominating ways. The professor certainly knows how to get down and dirty by using all of his charms and raw sexiness to kick the heat level up to scorching. Just when I thought I couldn’t love him more, I’ve fallen deeper for the way he consistently needs to protect and provide for his wife in all ways. Each time he calls Olivia “my beauty”, he melts my heart. Just the perfectly sweet and swoon worthy hero. Nina Lane has a magical way of stringing words together so beautifully sweet, they are seared into my soul. Adore was a compelling realistic and heart warming romance that will forever stay with me. I adored and appreciated the emotional way she scripted Liv and Dean’s everlasting love. This read was a wonderful treat for me, and as always, looking forward to more epic romances from her creative imagination. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Fighting Solitude (On the Ropes #3) by Aly Martinez @AlyMartinezAuth

4.5 Stars After reading the synopsis, I could not wait to get my hands on Quarry’s romance and seriously kicking myself for not reading the first two installments - something I plan on rectifying real soon, because I simply fell in love with all the Page Brothers, as well as the emotional way Martinez pens her tales. Regardless, the story told in Fighting Solitude flowed effortlessly, as I was fully absorbed into the lives of two extremely damaged children, their life long friendship, and the true love that blossomed. This read was heart warming, tearfully heart wrenching, filled with nail biting angst and loads of drama as Quarry fought to claim the heart of his true soul mate, while Liv struggled to move beyond her hang-ups and believed unrequited love. Liv and Quarry have a special bond. I adored seeing their interactions, the funny banter, their innocence, and the way each calmed the storms that raged within. As children, they were both plagued with demons – Quarry battled rejection from his parents’ abandonment, while Liv’s life was riddled with fears. Trust was the foundation of their relationship, as Quarry sensed Liv’s need for protection against her vulnerabilities while Liv was the force that fed him strength and comfort. Best friends until Quarry was shaken by a family trauma that left him defeated. I felt all his anguish as he foolishly decided to push Liv out of his life in a way that left her devastated. Their connection was severed for years until Liv made the effort to reunite, when discovering Quarry was losing his hearing. But things changed while they were apart. Quarry was bigger, stronger, a powerhouse of a boxer who has matured beautifully…and unfortunately in love with a girl named Mia March. Poor Liv, even during the separation, she could not deny that Quarry (aka Q) was her one true love. My heart ached seeing Liv bury her amorous feelings. He was always at arms length, but never more than a friend, even years after Mia’s death.  Reading second chance romances can be very tricky.  The author is faced with the responsibility of convincing me that both the hero and heroine share a genuine love. I had some mixed feelings for a great portion of this read mainly due to Mia’s character. The prologue introduced her death and Q’s despair.  The aftermath left both Q and Liv shattered from her loss and me wondering… would this couple find their way to true love? It was a great hurdle for me to overcome. However, this author created such a beautiful image of Q, I had no choice but to believe his sincerity. He was the quintessential flawed hero that was patient, determined, loving and most importantly sexy.  Liv was eternally imprinted within his heart, but it took years after Mia’s death to realize her true place in his life. He may have loved Mia, but Liv was his soul mate and his future. I swooned when seeing the great lengths he traveled to regain Liv’s trust and finally claim what was his all along.  I adored the sweet little boy who shouldered the responsibility to guard Liv, and the sensual man who proved his undying love. Liv was a witty, spirited sweet girl who was a great friend and beyond loyal…in fact too loyal at times.  She had my sympathies during the aftermath of Q’s reckless actions, and all the years spent masking her feelings. Yet, she frustrated me with the constant guilt over loving ‘Mia’s man’ and the endless inability to move beyond the past. It was maddening. Q has proven his remorse, love and trustworthiness repeatedly. She was just too stubborn to let it go and it worked on my last nerve at times.  But once Q tore down her defenses, tenderly showering her with affection, Liv’s character came to life and I grew to like the woman she became. Although this romance is by no means a love triangle, Mia played a major part of this story, as her presence and memory overshadowed this couples’ relationship in every way. Honestly, I did not like her at all and found her to be cunning and manipulative. Sure, I felt bad when she died, but resented how she controlled their lives. As bitter and cold as it sounds, I was happy when Mia was finally out of the picture, so I could feel the love that Q and Liv shared without any obstruction.  It was exhausting seeing her memory dragged throughout the story and yet another struggle for them to overcome. Phew…glad to get my Mia vexation off my chest… In the end, I loved this story and cherished all of their sorrows and joys. From early beginnings, to their undeniable love, this couple had a tight hold on my affections. Quarry was ridiculously hot, and his sexiness made this read even more pleasurable. Aly Martinez scripted a memorable tale with just the right amount of chemistry, sexual tension and passion. I always savor a read layered with plot twists that have me on edge, and there was certainly no shortage of drama. Fighting Solitude was a well written, emotionally driven friends turned lovers romance that is a must read. Arc received in exchange for an honest review

Pucked Over (Pucked #3) by Helena Hunting @HelenaHunting

5 Balls to the wall stars I’m so ridiculously in love with this series and its cast of loony characters. Since first introduced to Hunting’s unique writing style in Pucked, she has become one of my favorite go-to authors and a master when it comes to penning scorching hot, outrageously humorous romantic comedies. Randy and Lily’s love story in Pucked Over did not disappoint ~ Tons of side-splitting laugher courtesy of these characters’ crazy hijinks and witty banter; Heart throbbing, intense chemistry; A broody hot hockey hunk with an overly salacious sexual appetite and a fondness for bathroom hookups; A sassy yet sweet heroine; and a storyline filled with the feels.  Randy “Balls” Ballistic and Lily LeBlanc’s journey from casual sex-turned-burning lust-turned-true love tale was another riotously funny, passion filled installment in this great sports-themed romance series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, you’ll miss out on all the hilarity from the previous couples’ love stories, as well as a glimpse into Randy and Lily’s beginnings. In Pucked Up, we saw Lily (Sunny’s bff and Alex’s pseudo little sister) bitterly end her seven-year relationship. In the midst of all her break-up drama, Randy (an incredibly hot NHL player and Miller’s buddy) swooped in and heroically saved the day… by giving her an unforgettable night. I was left wondering what would become of their relationship and couldn’t wait to see the fireworks these two would ignite. Holy moly, after reading Pucked Over I have to say, whenever these two got together…it was explosive! In Pucked Up, Lily came across as an assertive and opinionated type of chick. However, there was so much more to her character and it was disheartening to see all of her woes. Lily is strong-willed, yet extremely vulnerable. Her life was filled with struggles as her dreams of being a figure skater were crushed, her self-esteem was shot thanks to her asshole ex, she juggled several jobs in order to make ends meet, and her overbearing mother made her situation worse. Stolen moments with Randy gave Lily a well-deserved escape from reality. She had a taste of something special and desperately wants more, (regardless of the fact that he’s a notorious ladies man who avoids commitment like the plague). A distraction is exactly what she needed to forget her troubles…a little fun with Randy and a whole lot of screwing. And Balls was more than willing to be her no-strings-attached rebound. I loved seeing Lily become stronger and grow more confident through Randy’s guidance. The only issue was, she’s a relationship kind of girl. Her situation intensifies as feelings for Randy turned from casual to deeply serious. She has fallen hard for the commitment-phobic bad boy, and I was holding my breath, fearing how Randy would react to Lily’s change of heart. Nail biting anxiety set in as I anticipated and dreaded more emotional turmoil for Lily. Now, I absolutely adore all the Pucked gents, but there’s just something extraordinary about Randy that intrigued me. His mercurial character had an air of edginess that I was highly attracted to. I loved his smugness, his witty sense of humor and his filthy mouth. I mean, come on – how could I not love a guy whose nickname is Balls and has a warped, perverted mind. Aside from being overly sexy and broody, Randy in his own way was vulnerable and insecure. There were secrets buried underneath his hipster beard…mysteries Lily (and I) wanted to unravel. In particular, why was Balls so adamant to do it only in the dark? Poor Lily, there was no chance for a peen peek…. Discovering the underlining fears behind Randy’s sexual quirks and his aversion towards serious relationships made me fall deeper for his character. I truly felt sorry for all his inhibitions. However, there were times I wanted to club him over the head with his hockey stick and force him to man up. He made some lousy decisions that added major angst to the plot and it ticked me off. I got why Randy was hesitant when it came to facing his true desires, but I was peeved when he acted like a total jerk towards Lily. Needless to say with all the charms he possessed, I was able to forgive Randy for his delirium. He finally grew a pair of big boy balls, won Lily’s affections and trust, when ultimately admitting his true feelings. Sheesh, dude took his sweet ass time getting over and moving on from his hang-ups. In the end, I experienced a major book hangover, missing Randy, his balls, and the entire Pucked crew. I loved seeing how these couples’ lives intermingle and the dynamics of their relationships. Happy to see Miller, Alex and the rest of this whacky cast pop into the story line, as well as a hint of what is to come in the next installment. If you miss Vi, no worries, she’s just as crazy and meddlesome as ever, constantly over-sharing and creating havoc in her wake. Another winning funny and flirty read from Helena Hunting.  ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

The Baller by Vi Keeland @ViKeeland

5 Stars Vi Keeland scored a winning touchdown in her latest and best work yet…The Baller and Brody Easton is the man!  I loved this flirty and fun romance. The smoking hot cover is just a prelude to all the goodness wrapped up inside: Brody ~ A snarky and sexy hero whose dirty mind, one-liners and come-ons had me giggling and swooning; Delilah ~ A heroine who tries to fight the attraction, but happily fails; A hint of drama and an emotional twist that had me all teary-eyed; plenty of laughter as this couple wittily banter back-and-forth in both the bedroom and locker room. Most importantly, moments of scorching hot passion as Brody and Delilah find their way into each other’s hearts, overcoming past sorrows, only to fall blissfully in love. From the very beginning, I was enamored with Brody. I couldn’t help it…I’m such a sucker for a cocky, overly confident bastard with an affectionately sweet heart. Since the moment these two met, flirtatious mind-games began and sexual tensions escalated, as Brody was determined to have Delilah. The only thing is, he’s a self-proclaimed ladies’ man who avoids commitment at all costs. (And boy, does he have his reasons). However, the more time spent with the feisty Delilah, the more Brody was willing to let go of his past heartbreak, take a huge chance, and step out of his comfort zone. I just swoon whenever a hot shot, macho bad-boy changes his ornery ways once smitten with the heroine. Brody goes all out, holds nothing back, as he works his way into Delilah’s (and my) heart. I adored his wit, his sense of humor, his coquettish ways and his sensitive side. Brody was just one of those characters whose charms and bigheartedness struck a chord within me ~ Honest, loving, beyond patient (particularly when Delilah flaked out) and truly committed ~ all the traits I look for in a hero. Yeah he was an arrogant bastard and extremely conceited, but in playful way that was so compelling, he had me gushing. Delilah’s a sportscaster making her way in a field dominated by men. Trying to prove her worth, she faces off against one of football’s most notorious players. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a full view of Brody’s package, and oh it’s a sight to behold. And thus began the chase. From flustered beginnings, Delilah soon learns what she’s up against, but nothing prepared her for the intense attraction. Brody charged into her life, giving all of himself, in hopes of helping Delilah to let go of the painful loss from her past. It was a challenge seeing how hard she resisted and fumbled, taking her sweet-ass time opening her heart to Brody’s affections. However, between his persistence, fortitude and dedication, Delilah was left with no choice but to give in as she fell completely head over heals in love.   Devouring this read in one sitting, The Baller had me hooked from beginning to end. Told in dual points of view, Vi Keeland tells a beautiful, yet comical second chance at romance story filled with lots of sizzle. Brody was so mouthwatering sexy, he made this fun read amazingly spicy hot. I’ll miss some pretty memorable secondary characters that wormed their way into my heart as well, especially Brody’s two older friends, Marlene and Grouper – I love them wholeheartedly. I truly enjoyed this couple’s journey and always looking forward to more from this author.         ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Appealed by Emma Chase @EmmaChse

4.5 Stars Brent Mason is the last lawyer standing in the firm of Becker, Mason, Santos and Shaw to find his way to love. Incredibly handsome, rich, successful and self-focused, Brent is a renowned ladies man with major issues when it comes to relationships and intimacy. (A likely result from a traumatic childhood accident and partial amputation of his leg). Watching his friends/colleagues find their way to ‘happily ever after’ has him subconsciously craving for more than just sex. Well, at least that’s what his therapist believes. As luck would have it, the woman who catches his eye (as well as open a floodgate of emotions) is none other than Kennedy Randolph, once close childhood friend. It’s been over fourteen years since last seeing her, and boy has she changed. At first glance, Kennedy was unrecognizable as she blossomed from an awkward ugly ducking, to a beautifully breathtaking woman, that Brent of course put the moves on. Let’s say their reunion did not go over so well and right off the bat, these litigators were at each other’s throats, exchanging hysterical insults and banter. They share a complicated history, both wonderful memories and heart breaking experiences. There are misunderstandings, hurt feelings and deceit to weed through, especially for Kennedy, as the past is finally brought to light. Brent soon discovers he is directly, as well as indirectly, responsible for most of Kennedy’s insecurities. He soon finds himself anxious to make amends for all past mistakes. Brent was an interesting and highly entertaining hero. I found myself at war with my feelings towards him. Flashbacks to their early childhood had me falling in love with a sweet, adorable little boy. Seeing the events during their teenage years had me wanting to bitch slap the crap out of him, hard. He was obnoxious, insensitive, and so totally oblivious of the fact that Kennedy had a huge crush on him. It was difficult seeing how deeply she was hurt. I understood he was dealing with his own difficulties, and most of what happened to Kennedy was not of his doing. But Brent did turn a blind eye and offered no support or comfort during her time of need. He stood by while others taunted her. It was heartbreaking seeing their relationship during these flashbacks. Nevertheless, I liked the cocky, sexy man he became. It was sweet seeing how hard he worked to restart their relationship, to heal her heart and regain her trust. Buried deep inside, Brent carried a torch for Kennedy all along; he just lost his way when it came to winning her affections in the past. But now he’s determined to make amends while seducing Kennedy with all of his charms. Oh, there were moments I still wanted to smack him over the head for being an ass and botching things up from time to time. But I too fell under Brent’s spell and adored how he finally tended to all of Kennedy’s needs. Despite the hurt and humiliation suffered, Kennedy became a successful federal prosecutor with enough sass and balls to hold her own against Brent, never allowing vulnerabilities to hold her back. Loved how she was the perfect match to rival his intelligence and wit. I enjoyed their back-and-forth banter in the courtroom and the bedroom. A large part me felt terrible seeing the events of the past unfold, and how it affected Kennedy’s character. But, I delighted in how she succeeded despite of it. I always admire a strong heroine, and Kennedy certainly proved her persistent strength. As Brent and Kennedy muddle through all the ugly feelings to make their way as a couple, the sexual chemistry between them was intense and explosive. The passion, mixed with a heavy dose of hilarity, made this friends-turn-lovers romance the best in this series for me, with a heartfelt epilogue tying all story lines together. Brent is, by far, the sexiest dirty talker of the bunch. Emma Chase is a genius when it comes to penning a romantic comedy voiced through the hero’s point of view and I love climbing inside the hysterically warped minds of her men. She strikes the perfect balance between love and humor. Appealed was a great ending to The Legal Briefs Series and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her fans in the future.