I'm a huge fan of friends to lovers tropes and Hart nailed this one! As far as book boyfriend's go, West was perfection and everything I look for in aI'm a huge fan of friends to lovers tropes and Hart nailed this one! As far as book boyfriend's go, West was perfection and everything I look for in a hero. If you're looking for a bad boy, he won't be your pick. But if you're looking for a truly good man with morals, respect for women, and has a good heart...West is your guy.
As for Lily, I liked her. I could relate to her ambitious nature and her kind heart. What made Lily the most likable to me though was Lily and West together. The complemented each other well and had great chemistry.
If you're looking for a book that when you finish you sigh and have a smile on your face...this is the book for you. I laughed, got a bit teary, and wasn't ready for it to end. Also, the secondary cast of characters felt like my friends. I absolutely can't wait for the rest of the series!
Favorite quotes: ~"We're just the same as we were this afternoon or a year ago, except now we're more than we were before."
~"I want to kiss you until I know the feeling by heart."
~I leaned into him, breathing the scent of spiced oranges, and met his lips. They moved against mine, telling me things I knew to be true without the complication of words or thought. Just a simple action that said he needed me just like I needed him....more
I swear this series just keeps getting better. Every time I meet one of the guys I fall in love. I knew Zack's story would be moving and there were soI swear this series just keeps getting better. Every time I meet one of the guys I fall in love. I knew Zack's story would be moving and there were some tears shed, but man did he make me swoon too! This opposites attract love story made me melt and shouldn't be missed. I can't wait to read Ryker's book next!!! Bring on the heat!...more
Some of you know that I've been a fan of Murphy's for a long time now. I fell in love with Drew and Fable and became an instant fan. This book, while Some of you know that I've been a fan of Murphy's for a long time now. I fell in love with Drew and Fable and became an instant fan. This book, while very different, gave me the same kind of feeling. I'm excited about this series!
I'm going to dig into the characters. In my opinion, character development and likability is Murphy's strength. In this book, I liked the characters. While Violet is very different than me, I was still able to connect with her and even relate to her. What I liked the most about Violet is the dynamic she has with her sisters. The closeness they have, even when they don't get along, was really great. They have great dialogue and it made me think of my own sister.
As for Ryder, he's your bad boy dressed up in a pretty package. So naturally...I loved him. He grew up on the streets and was given a chance to turn his life around. Not only did he take it, he became a successful business man. And of course the ladies love him. He's a bit rough and sometimes not so nice, but oh so smooth and sexy. He's pretty much the opposite of what Violet wants in a man. But yet, he's appealing and he won't be deterred by Violet's protests.
Violet and Ryder had good chemistry. I felt that they worked well together at the office, but outside the office, Ryder helped Violet let her guard down. She seemed much more relaxed around him. In the bedroom (or the office)...they were HOT! And they share many sexytimes.
There were a few things that I had questions about, but I'm going to assume that my questions will be answered later on in the series. I absolutely hated Pilar, but I know I'm supposed to. I think she's a snake and I hope that she gets nailed to the wall in the end. She's manipulative, sneaky, and generally...not a nice person. Which leads me to...I had trouble with Violet's relationship with her father and the way they communicate. My last point: I felt that the ending came to a close a bit too fast.
Overall, I did really enjoy this one. As I said above, I'm really excited about this series. I see myself in each sister in different ways. It'll be interesting to see how the story plays out as a whole too. There are some lingering questions that have left me feeling...intrigued. Check it out!
Favorite quote: "Thank you," he whispers, his gaze dark as it sweeps over my chest. My nipples harden almost painfully and I desperately want his mouth on them. "For what?" I ask, confused. "For letting me touch you. For letting me have you tonight." He kisses me, another sweet, sexy kiss. His tongue dances with mine and I push my hands into his hair, clutching him close. "You don't have to thank me," I murmur when he breaks away from my lips to rain kisses along my neck. "You didn't have to ask for permission, either. You already own me."-pg 229...more
More Mateo? Yes, please. In LIE, I fell for this couple despite the hurt they caused. And more importantly, I fell for Mateo. Even though LIE was toldMore Mateo? Yes, please. In LIE, I fell for this couple despite the hurt they caused. And more importantly, I fell for Mateo. Even though LIE was told from Vera's POV, Mateo's voice was just as loud to me. I connected with him, fell in love with him, and felt empathy towards him and his situation. So learning that LIS was going to be told from Mateo's perspective, AND that it was a continuation of the story had me pretty psyched.
Instead of me recapping the story or going on and on about how achingly beautiful Halle's writing is, I'd rather talk about what I learned from this story. What I learned was that these two people fell in love. The circumstances surrounding their new found love, was a bit...difficult. But, they continued on. Sacrifices were made, hearts were broken, and they still loved. In this continuation of their story, Mateo and Vera are dealing with the after math of their decisions. It wasn't pretty, but it was the truth of their situation. When they should be basking in the haze of love, they have to deal with life.
Relationships aren't easy. Combining lives can be difficult. Love can sometimes hurt. Jealousy and resentment can tear a couple apart. Doubt...doubt is one of the most difficult to overcome. Trusting in your love, trusting in the person you love, is critical. That is what this story was about for me. Mateo and Vera had to decide how much their love was worth. They had to trust each other, have faith in each other, and most importantly, have faith in their love. They had to make it through the hard, to get to the peace.
I know that some readers will pass over books dealing with infidelity and admittedly, it's a sticky point for me. But, the thing about this couple is that you understand why they did what they did and you see how deeply they fell in love. It was hard not to fall in love with them and root for them. If you haven't read Love, In English yet, please go read it. It's one of my favorite books of this year and shouldn't be missed. Love, In Spanish was an extra special treat. I promise you, you will fall in love with Mateo and Vera!
Quotes: "The only thing easy is in all of this is my love for her. It is pure, it is simple, and it is true."-pg 1
"I follow every part of you, everywhere. You go before me, Vera. You always will."-pg 41
"I've said it before and I will say it again and I'll go down in my grave saying it. You are my star, my light, my love. And it doesn't matter if you believe in it or not because it is the truth and the truth always finds a way to shine."-pg 213
"...I don't care which country or where or under what stars but without you, I'm only me."-pg 247...more
Oh my goodness this book! My heart was ripped apart from the first page. I went into the book not really knowing what it was about. Honestly, I didn'tOh my goodness this book! My heart was ripped apart from the first page. I went into the book not really knowing what it was about. Honestly, I didn't read the synopsis, but I enjoy McLaughlin's writing, so I accepted the review. What I found was a story that not only captivated me from the first page, but I simply couldn't put it down until I finished.
You can see what the book is about by reading the synopsis, but I'll tell you what I read. I read about a woman, Ryley, who lost the love of her life, the father of her child, Evan. She did her best to move on. She ends up finding comfort in her fiance's brother, Nate, and they end up making a life together. Then everything is shattered when her fiance returns home. He was never dead. So, now we have a woman torn between love and obligation. I'm not saying that I don't think Ryley doesn't have feelings for Nate, because I think she does love him in a way, but I see a different love, a deeper love with Evan.
In the beginning, the story is presented in a therapy session. Both Ryley and Evan are in separate sessions telling the story of how they fell in love. I fell in love with them and felt that it really gave the story more depth. The reality of their situation is brutal. So many questions need to be answered and feelings need to be sorted out. Adding more complication to the situation is that no one seems to have a clear answer about why Ryley and Evan's family were told he was dead. Evan was receiving care packages from his family the entire time. It's definitely complicated.
So, how do I feel about these characters? I'm in love with Evan right now because I simply think he's fantastic and is likely the guy I would go for in real life. Nothing has changed for Evan. His feelings for Ryley are just as strong as they were when he left and he's determined to be a father to their son, EJ. I also understand his heart break over finding his love set to marry someone else. Not just someone else, but his twin brother. Can you say mind f*ck?
As for Ryley, my heart hurt for her. Truly. It's clear that she never stopped loving Evan, but how does she walk away from a life she created with Nate? Not only does she have to take her feelings into consideration, but she has to consider her son. Nate is the only father EJ has known. It's complicated and someone will be hurt along the way.
The only issue I had with the story, and I can't seem to get it out of my mind, is that EJ has known Nate to be his father, yet his bedroom walls are covered with pictures of Evan. I felt there was some discrepancy there about how Ryley was going to explain Evan to EJ. Shouldn't EJ already know that Evan was his father or at least known as a family member? It just didn't make sense why Ryley was so torn about having the conversation with her son about who Evan was, because in my opinion, he would have some idea that Evan was at least family. I have a 5 year old son and I can tell you that he would have been asking questions at a very young age. And I also wondered why Ryley never talked about Evan to EJ. It just seemed odd to me. It's as though Evan was a complete stranger.
Overall, I am all in with this series. I can't wait to see what happens next. There is still so much to discover too. At the end of the book, Nate returns, so the next book is sure to be full of turmoil too. Plus, the plot thickens with the questions surrounding Evan's "death". I'm excited to dig in to the next Archer Brother's book! If you like stories that burrow into your heart, check this one out!
Quotes: "I was the firework. I was the butterfly. I was every analogy you could think of. I didn't see stars. I became the star. My first kiss was everything it was meant to be and more."-Ch 5
"I'm going to fight for my family and I'll do it dirty if I have to. I'll be the one standing up at your wedding stopping it, and I'm going to prove that you're still madly in love with me even though we haven't seen each other or been with each other in six years. Your body sings for me, I felt it when I sat down next to you."-Ch 17...more
This book, like it's cover is bold. Teacher/student romances can be hit or miss with me. One thing's for sure with this one...I was glued to the storyThis book, like it's cover is bold. Teacher/student romances can be hit or miss with me. One thing's for sure with this one...I was glued to the story. I kept reading because I had to know how it was going to end.
What worked for me: ~The sexual tension and passion these characters had was incredible and sometimes felt nearly tangible. ~I felt that I was meant to feel conflicted by how I felt about them as a couple, and that was achieved. I wanted to see them happy, but I also felt that some big boundaries were being crossed. Yes, there are consequences, but not in the way I had anticipated. Many blurred lines for sure. ~I appreciated the darker edge to the story. Understanding what drew these two people together was interesting to discover. ~The characters came alive to me as if I was watching a movie, which is fitting to the story, but it's more than that. It was colorful, vivid, and...captivating. ~Maise's character growth was the most significant to me. At first, I was concerned she was the kind of character that was 'stuck', but her will to change and have a better life won. As you can see, her decision making skills are sometimes skewed, but in the end, Maise does what's best for her. I admired her strength and tenacity.
What didn't work for me: ~I kept hoping to really fall in love with Evan, but I just didn't quite get there. I think my biggest struggle with him was his age. He's not much younger than me, and look...I know it happens, but I just have a tough time believing a man close to my age would pursue a real relationship with an 18 year old. Granted, Maise is not your typically teen, so I bought that. It still messed with my mind at the end a bit. ~Again with Evan, he's got a pretty big secret that I wished was dug into a bit more. I think it should have caused more alarm or concern with Maise. Despite her seemingly careless behavior, she is rather intuitive and I would think she would have been more concerned about that particular situation. ~There were consequences for everyone involved, but I felt like it was all resolved a bit too quickly and easily. I think I just kept expecting something a bit more.
Overall, Unteachable was really rather enjoyable. I didn't and couldn't put it down. Raeder seems to tackle topics that are provocative and I can't wait to see what she has up next!
Quotes: ~"I see the lights every night. It seems like the whole world has figured out how to be happy, but no one's letting me in on the secret."
~"I can't hold on to you. You're like a shooting star. Just a trail of fire in my hands."
~I thought about the man with the guitar. A nobody on a street corner, but better than a million somebodies on TV. He didn't care---he did it for love. Love was what made it good and beautiful and ephemeral. And I thought about the man I was waiting for, the way my eyes had been gradually opening, sincerity replacing sarcasm, the way I felt I was constantly waking up and yet slipping deeper into a beautiful dream. ...more
I remember reading ALEX thinking that I would pick Garrett. This book made that statement a fact. That said, Playboy Garrett wasn't someone I expectedI remember reading ALEX thinking that I would pick Garrett. This book made that statement a fact. That said, Playboy Garrett wasn't someone I expected to go the distance, but he surprised me. Big time. Under the funny and easy going exterior is a heart of gold.
Garrett was a much more emotional read than I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, there are light hearted moments and definitely moments that made me swoon, but I saw a man truly step up to be a man. He was there for the woman he was falling in love with in. Starting off a relationship under circumstances that can't be prevented is difficult. Most men would likely walk away, but not Garrett.
Garrett's stability, loyalty, and determination all won me over. The push/pull that he and Olivia played was fun to watch and also pulled at my heart, because I could relate to Olivia. She's trying hard not to fall for Garrett because of what she's going through, but he makes it hard not to fall. Watching them come together and work through the immediate challenges that they faced was truly spectacular.
While I loved watching their relationship unfold, one of my favorite parts of the book was the ending. I was so happy to see a brief glimpse into the future and I felt like I got to experience it all. It made me feel like I was a part of their lives.
I've always been a fan of Bennett's books, but this series reminds me of the reasons why I became a fan in the first place. It's the relationships, the character chemistry, and that overall swoon-factor that I love and is a strength of Bennett's. Plus, she writes about athletes, which is an automatic love for me. ...more
Heather Wardell is an author I found long before I started blogging. And with Plan Overboard, I remembered why I enjoy reading her books so much. TherHeather Wardell is an author I found long before I started blogging. And with Plan Overboard, I remembered why I enjoy reading her books so much. There isn't a lot of fancy flair to her stories, but they're real, relatable and she creates characters that you truly enjoy and often fall in love with.
What worked for me: ~The characters. Plain and simple. I wasn't all that sure I would like Corinne, but what I found was a woman who knew what she wanted, what she needed, and in the end...did what made her happy. Then there's Austin. I've always liked Austin, but I fell for him pretty hard in this book. He's been the kind of guy that would be fun to hang out with, flirt with, and have a steamy fling with, but never the guy I would have expected to go the distance. With Corinne, he was different. He found something he wanted for more than just a good time. ~There's a baby. That gets me every time. Add in Austin falling in love with the baby...goner. ~Corinne and Austin had great chemistry. ~The story had a great flow. ~I loved seeing past characters, like Melissa and Nicholas. It always makes me smile to see where characters have gone.
Overall, Plan Overboard was truly and enjoyable read. This book is part of a series, but you don't need to read them in order to enjoy or understand the characters. I've read several books in the series out of order and have never had a problem. If you like romantic chick lit, check out Wardell's books. They're solid and always enjoyable. ...more
Unforgiven was everything I had hoped it would be. I have been really excited about Lindsay and Matt's story. I've liked both of these characters fromUnforgiven was everything I had hoped it would be. I have been really excited about Lindsay and Matt's story. I've liked both of these characters from the beginning and once I found out that they were having a fling, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on their book.
Lindsay has a chance to make her dreams come true. She has a great boyfriend and a career she's worked hard for. Now the opportunity to advance her career has come and she needs to make a choice. She needs to decide if leaving Matt behind is worth it. Lindsay decides she's worked to hard for this chance and says goodbye to broken hearted Matt. But leaving everything behind for this chance, isn't all that she hoped it would be. Lindsay crumbles and old demons resurface.
As I said above, I've always liked Lindsay, but I wondered when her past would come back to haunt her. Lindsay and her brother Landon had a difficult life and while Landon tried to give Lindsay everything he could, she still suffered in her own way. In college, Lindsay had an eating disorder. It was something she could control. It gave her a sense of peace and stability. I get it. I totally get it. There are other issues that she deals with in addition to her eating disorder coming back into play, but I related to her more on this end. The thing about Lindsay is that she's aware that she's self destructing, but she couldn't stop it. It took a major scare to get her back on her feet and truly gave her some perspective on where she wanted to be. As much as I loved seeing her with Matt, Lindsay's character development made the book for me. There's nothing I love more than cheering on a character who really wants to change/grow for herself.
A surprise that made me smile was seeing Gabe and Jess again. I didn't expect it, but I just adore them and it was so good to "see" them. And even though I had mixed feelings about Landon in Undone, it was nice to see where he was and how he's grown too.
Overall, I'm really glad I read Unforgiven. I like a series to wrap up nicely and in a pretty way and I felt the ending of this book did just that. It was perfect. I think Shea did a nice job of finishing out the series and I have to say that each book is unique and truly represents each character well. Gabe and Jess are still my favorite couple in the series, but Matt and Lindsay are definitely close to my heart too. If you've followed this series, don't miss this book.
Quotes: ~"I don't know what our futures hold, but every time I try to envision mine, you're a part of it. In my dreams, you're the one I wake up next to every morning, and go to sleep with every night. You're the one rocking my babies to sleep, and holding my hand when I'm an old man. It's always been you. It will always be you."
~"I've always been yours," I say softly. "Always." "I know, but every day that I wake up and have you next to me is the best day of my life."...more
The Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so IThe Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so I didn't have to wait between each release. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have continued on if I hadn't had all the books in the series. I did read the first two right away and made the decision to see it through and in the end, I'm glad that I did. Volume Three was my favorite in the series, but each one held a piece of the puzzle that kept me interested.
What worked for me: ~The chemistry between Max and Chloe was great. They were sexy and fun. I also just enjoyed their easy banter. It was clear to me from the beginning that this couple had the potential to be something really good. ~I liked seeing them fall in love despite having certain challenges in their way. They're both in real estate development and essentially became rivals. I liked that there was a background story about why their "bosses" were at odds with each other. It was more than just a business transaction, it was personal. ~The sex was pretty great. I read a lot of erotic romance and some authors have what it takes to make me melt and others...just write sex. Grace can write some really great sex. There were quite a few times that I felt a bit flushed. That said, I would venture that she could even push her limits a bit further. Especially since this was an erotic series. But still, I was pleased.
What didn't work for me: (may contain slight spoilers) ~I was really digging the suspense aspect of the story and as it played out, I was really disappointed. It was wrapped up quickly and easily. I was left feeling like "Why even add that into the story?" ~In Volume Four, Max is dealt a pretty rough hand. Now, I liked it, but I was also taken by surprise with the direction the series went in. I was happy with the result of this "issue", but I would have liked to have seen more regarding Max's surprising news. ~The last thing I wanted to mention was that I didn't really feel like Max's history about his brother needed to be added into the story. I understood that there needed to be a reason for the discord in his family, but again...it seemed abrupt. ~I think with all these issues combined, you may see a pattern. Overall, I felt that there were parts of the story that were a bit all over the place. I would have been happy with the work conflict and expanding Max's critical issue at the end. Those two issues would have presented enough conflict for me as a reader to keep my interest.
Overall, I did enjoy it as a whole. Volume Three was my favorite. It had the best flow and I loved the character development. It was also the sexiest volume, in my opinion. Am I glad I read it? Yes, I am. I really am glad that I stuck with it. I enjoyed the characters and I was in need of a sexy, so this certainly fit the bill! If you are a fan of serials and are in need of a sexy...check this one out!
Favorite Quote: ~"Every time I look at you, it's like the first time I saw you, and I thank my lucky stars all the time that we met. I can't imagine being apart from you again. I want you beside me every day-forever. Hell, forever won't be long enough."...more
The Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so IThe Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so I didn't have to wait between each release. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have continued on if I hadn't had all the books in the series. I did read the first two right away and made the decision to see it through and in the end, I'm glad that I did. Volume Three was my favorite in the series, but each one held a piece of the puzzle that kept me interested.
What worked for me: ~The chemistry between Max and Chloe was great. They were sexy and fun. I also just enjoyed their easy banter. It was clear to me from the beginning that this couple had the potential to be something really good. ~I liked seeing them fall in love despite having certain challenges in their way. They're both in real estate development and essentially became rivals. I liked that there was a background story about why their "bosses" were at odds with each other. It was more than just a business transaction, it was personal. ~The sex was pretty great. I read a lot of erotic romance and some authors have what it takes to make me melt and others...just write sex. Grace can write some really great sex. There were quite a few times that I felt a bit flushed. That said, I would venture that she could even push her limits a bit further. Especially since this was an erotic series. But still, I was pleased.
What didn't work for me: (may contain slight spoilers) ~I was really digging the suspense aspect of the story and as it played out, I was really disappointed. It was wrapped up quickly and easily. I was left feeling like "Why even add that into the story?" ~In Volume Four, Max is dealt a pretty rough hand. Now, I liked it, but I was also taken by surprise with the direction the series went in. I was happy with the result of this "issue", but I would have liked to have seen more regarding Max's surprising news. ~The last thing I wanted to mention was that I didn't really feel like Max's history about his brother needed to be added into the story. I understood that there needed to be a reason for the discord in his family, but again...it seemed abrupt. ~I think with all these issues combined, you may see a pattern. Overall, I felt that there were parts of the story that were a bit all over the place. I would have been happy with the work conflict and expanding Max's critical issue at the end. Those two issues would have presented enough conflict for me as a reader to keep my interest.
Overall, I did enjoy it as a whole. Volume Three was my favorite. It had the best flow and I loved the character development. It was also the sexiest volume, in my opinion. Am I glad I read it? Yes, I am. I really am glad that I stuck with it. I enjoyed the characters and I was in need of a sexy, so this certainly fit the bill! If you are a fan of serials and are in need of a sexy...check this one out!
Favorite Quote: ~"Every time I look at you, it's like the first time I saw you, and I thank my lucky stars all the time that we met. I can't imagine being apart from you again. I want you beside me every day-forever. Hell, forever won't be long enough."...more
The Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so IThe Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so I didn't have to wait between each release. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have continued on if I hadn't had all the books in the series. I did read the first two right away and made the decision to see it through and in the end, I'm glad that I did. Volume Three was my favorite in the series, but each one held a piece of the puzzle that kept me interested.
What worked for me: ~The chemistry between Max and Chloe was great. They were sexy and fun. I also just enjoyed their easy banter. It was clear to me from the beginning that this couple had the potential to be something really good. ~I liked seeing them fall in love despite having certain challenges in their way. They're both in real estate development and essentially became rivals. I liked that there was a background story about why their "bosses" were at odds with each other. It was more than just a business transaction, it was personal. ~The sex was pretty great. I read a lot of erotic romance and some authors have what it takes to make me melt and others...just write sex. Grace can write some really great sex. There were quite a few times that I felt a bit flushed. That said, I would venture that she could even push her limits a bit further. Especially since this was an erotic series. But still, I was pleased.
What didn't work for me: (may contain slight spoilers) ~I was really digging the suspense aspect of the story and as it played out, I was really disappointed. It was wrapped up quickly and easily. I was left feeling like "Why even add that into the story?" ~In Volume Four, Max is dealt a pretty rough hand. Now, I liked it, but I was also taken by surprise with the direction the series went in. I was happy with the result of this "issue", but I would have liked to have seen more regarding Max's surprising news. ~The last thing I wanted to mention was that I didn't really feel like Max's history about his brother needed to be added into the story. I understood that there needed to be a reason for the discord in his family, but again...it seemed abrupt. ~I think with all these issues combined, you may see a pattern. Overall, I felt that there were parts of the story that were a bit all over the place. I would have been happy with the work conflict and expanding Max's critical issue at the end. Those two issues would have presented enough conflict for me as a reader to keep my interest.
Overall, I did enjoy it as a whole. Volume Three was my favorite. It had the best flow and I loved the character development. It was also the sexiest volume, in my opinion. Am I glad I read it? Yes, I am. I really am glad that I stuck with it. I enjoyed the characters and I was in need of a sexy, so this certainly fit the bill! If you are a fan of serials and are in need of a sexy...check this one out!
Favorite Quote: ~"Every time I look at you, it's like the first time I saw you, and I thank my lucky stars all the time that we met. I can't imagine being apart from you again. I want you beside me every day-forever. Hell, forever won't be long enough."...more
The Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so IThe Indiscretion Series was my introduction to Elisabeth Grace's books and as a whole I enjoyed it. I was lucky to have all four volumes on hand, so I didn't have to wait between each release. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have continued on if I hadn't had all the books in the series. I did read the first two right away and made the decision to see it through and in the end, I'm glad that I did. Volume Three was my favorite in the series, but each one held a piece of the puzzle that kept me interested.
What worked for me: ~The chemistry between Max and Chloe was great. They were sexy and fun. I also just enjoyed their easy banter. It was clear to me from the beginning that this couple had the potential to be something really good. ~I liked seeing them fall in love despite having certain challenges in their way. They're both in real estate development and essentially became rivals. I liked that there was a background story about why their "bosses" were at odds with each other. It was more than just a business transaction, it was personal. ~The sex was pretty great. I read a lot of erotic romance and some authors have what it takes to make me melt and others...just write sex. Grace can write some really great sex. There were quite a few times that I felt a bit flushed. That said, I would venture that she could even push her limits a bit further. Especially since this was an erotic series. But still, I was pleased.
What didn't work for me: (may contain slight spoilers) ~I was really digging the suspense aspect of the story and as it played out, I was really disappointed. It was wrapped up quickly and easily. I was left feeling like "Why even add that into the story?" ~In Volume Four, Max is dealt a pretty rough hand. Now, I liked it, but I was also taken by surprise with the direction the series went in. I was happy with the result of this "issue", but I would have liked to have seen more regarding Max's surprising news. ~The last thing I wanted to mention was that I didn't really feel like Max's history about his brother needed to be added into the story. I understood that there needed to be a reason for the discord in his family, but again...it seemed abrupt. ~I think with all these issues combined, you may see a pattern. Overall, I felt that there were parts of the story that were a bit all over the place. I would have been happy with the work conflict and expanding Max's critical issue at the end. Those two issues would have presented enough conflict for me as a reader to keep my interest.
Overall, I did enjoy it as a whole. Volume Three was my favorite. It had the best flow and I loved the character development. It was also the sexiest volume, in my opinion. Am I glad I read it? Yes, I am. I really am glad that I stuck with it. I enjoyed the characters and I was in need of a sexy, so this certainly fit the bill! If you are a fan of serials and are in need of a sexy...check this one out!
Favorite Quote: ~"Every time I look at you, it's like the first time I saw you, and I thank my lucky stars all the time that we met. I can't imagine being apart from you again. I want you beside me every day-forever. Hell, forever won't be long enough."...more
It's been while since I've read a Williams book and Hard Knox and Damaged Goods reminded me why I became a fan. In Damaged Goods, we have two characteIt's been while since I've read a Williams book and Hard Knox and Damaged Goods reminded me why I became a fan. In Damaged Goods, we have two characters who come from a similar background, or at least from the same kind of home...who both wanted something more, something better. But, as life goes, both are forced to return home to pick up some shattered pieces of their pasts.
What worked for me: ~I admired Liv's drive. She's focused on making her life better and she's worked hard to move forward. ~Liv is dedicated to her family. Despite her own goals, she still takes responsibility for her two younger sisters. She supports them both emotionally and financially. She even leaves her life behind for a while to return home in order to take care of them, since their own mother abandon them. ~I loved...loved...Will. I'm really into good guy character's making me all swoony lately and Will is all that and more. Will has his own story and his own reasons for being home. I loved discovering Will's character. Just when I thought I had him figured out, he surprised me. ~Liv's character was stronger with Will by her side. He is a true support for her and I felt they made each other stronger. ~The steamy scenes really worked for me. Williams can bring on the heat and these two were definitely hot!
What didn't work for me: ~There really wasn't a whole lot that didn't truly work for me. I suppose if I were to get nit picky, I would have liked some loose ends tied up a bit more cleanly. Like, what exactly happened to their mother? Did Liv have to get anything in place legally before she took them out of the state? Perhaps I missed some of those details and it really didn't affect the likability of the story for me, but they are little things that I thought about after.
Overall, I really enjoyed Damaged Goods. It made me feel...well...good. I had a smile on my face when it ended and really, that's the goal, right?
*Damaged Goods can be read as a stand alone. I hear that a lot when books are part of a series, but this one truly can be a stand alone.
Quotes: ~"Segues are for people who aren't trying to chase a real-life Cinderella. Segues are for people who get more than fleeting moments with the person they need to discuss something of importance with." .... "Oh, well. That's okay. I know when to cut my losses and be happy with an abandon glass slipper. Maybe next time I'll have time to make one of those segues you seem to think I'm incapable of.
~"I'm a man of commitment and resolve. I don't let anything, five or six or seven-or I think I actually counted eight-climaxes included, detour me for too long or far."...more
Tex and Mo are by far my favorite couple in this series. I've adored Tex from the start and this book solidified my adoration! The series is unfoldingTex and Mo are by far my favorite couple in this series. I've adored Tex from the start and this book solidified my adoration! The series is unfolding even more and roles are most strongly established in this book. Not only did I love getting to know Tex and Mo better, but I did love seeing everyone work together in this book. The way this group works together, the passion between the couples, and the "what's going to happen next" is what keeps me hooked into this series. Check it out! Favorite quote: Beat me, slaughter me, make me bleed, but break my heart? And you've just destroyed my reason for living. Take away Mo? And you've just wrecked my entire existence. ...more
I'm not quite sure what I want to say. In all honesty, I was a bit confused in the beginning of the book. Their whole meeting just seemed a bit odd toI'm not quite sure what I want to say. In all honesty, I was a bit confused in the beginning of the book. Their whole meeting just seemed a bit odd to me. I mean, I'm all for chance encounters and stranger lovin', but still... So, I suppose I'll get to what did work for me and go from there.
John and Kay had a lot of potential. I liked their chemistry from the start and was really interested to see where the story would take them. John is a criminal defense attorney and he's haunted by some of the cases he's won. So, to help him with his "issues" he uses sex. Specifically BDSM. He has the need to dominate and control. Kay, on the other hand, is a special ed teacher and is not familiar with the lifestyle, but she's so drawn to John that she's not opposed to trying it out. She essentially becomes the perfect sub.
The best part about the novella is the sex. Their first encounter was really nice, but the gold medal moment for me was when John took her to get fitted for her "contraptions". Erik, the artist, was fantastic and really added a nice element to the story. Adding Erik into the mix showed that John was getting more serious about Kay, despite his reluctance to get into a relationship. But yeah, the "fitting" was ridiculously hot!
Overall, I did end up liking it despite a bit of an awkward start. In fact, I feel a bit sad that things seemed to end unfinished. I wanted to know more about how their relationship was going to develop. I think I thought this was going to read more like a serial, but it's really a short story. BUT, if you're looking for something short and definitely sexy, check it out. ...more
4.5 stars Unpredictable and I liked it. A lot. It was emotional and a bit heartbreaking. Definitely recommend this one if you're in the mood for someth4.5 stars Unpredictable and I liked it. A lot. It was emotional and a bit heartbreaking. Definitely recommend this one if you're in the mood for something different. ...more
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