RELEASE DAY REVIEW – All Your Perfect by Colleen Hoover

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018Leave a comment

Title: All Your Perfects
Author: Colleen Hoover
Release Date: July 17, 2018

Quinn and Graham’s perfect love is threatened by their imperfect marriage. The memories, mistakes, and secrets that they have built up over the years are now tearing them apart. The one thing that could save them might also be the very thing that pushes their marriage beyond the point of repair.

All Your Perfects is a profound novel about a damaged couple whose potential future hinges on promises made in the past. This is a heartbreaking page-turner that asks: Can a resounding love with a perfect beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people?

Colleen Hoover is a master of her craft and I somehow find myself more enamored with her writing with each subsequent release. However, All Your Perfects is unlike anything that I have previously encountered from her. It’s a woman’s heartbreaking journey of the “happily ever after” we’re told that life delivers after marriage. It’s a couple’s fight not to stay in love, but rather to stay in like with each other after devastation hits them. All Your Perfects is a beautifully poignant story that is sure to touch the hearts of all readers, no matter their circumstances in life.

“No marriage is perfect. There were times when she gave up on us. There were even more times when I gave up on us. The secret to our longevity is that we never gave up at the same time.”

I’m not going to give anything away with this review because as with most Colleen Hoover books, it simply needs to be experienced firsthand. I can tell you that Quinn and Graham come together in an unconventional manner, but it made for a pretty unique meet cute in my opinion. Furthermore, the novel alternates chapters between the beginning stages of their relationship, as well as from the trenches after years of marriage. This allows readers to forge such a special connection to both of these characters because your eyes are truly open to the love and desire they have for each other. You see their happiest moments in love as well as the heart-stopping, jarring moments that leave you utterly broken. It brings Quinn and Graham alive in a very authentic way because the emotions and what they have gone through are so devastatingly real. When I got married, someone said to me that a marriage would not always be 50/50 like we are often told. There are times that it will be 20/80 or even 90/10 but it’s about allowing each person in the relationship his/her time to fall while the other holds it together. To me, Graham and Quinn were the very epitome of this piece of advice, so they really resonated with me in a very strong way.

“I probably didn’t notice because sadness is like a spiderweb. You don’t see it until you’re caught up in it, and then you have to claw at yourself to try to break free.”

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know what to expect given that the synopsis of the novel was so vague. I wanted to read it purely because it was Colleen Hoover’s name on the book. She has never disappointed me with her stories and she certainly did not again. All Your Perfects is Women’s Fiction at its finest; it’s real and honest and delivers on all different sorts of emotions. The writing is gripping, shining a light on an issue that is often spoken about in hushed tones, if at all. All Your Perfects is a read that stopped me in my tracks, ripped my heart wide open, while simultaneously forcing it to beat. This author’s words never cease to amaze me, but this book was something else. It is an absolute must-read for any lover of the written word!

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RELEASE DAY REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Play Dirty by JA Huss

June 27, 2018June 26, 20183 Comments

Title – Play Dirty
Author – JA Huss
Publication Date – June 27, 2018
Series – Jordan’s Game #4

From NYT Bestselling Author, JA Huss, comes the final sexy standalone in the Jordan’s Game series. Can a threesome really work? Or does it always crash and burn at the end?

They were never meant to be just two. It was always three. But seven years ago Jordan Wells broke the trust he’d built with Alexander and Augustine and everything changed.

Everyone moved on and got over it. Put the past behind them where it belonged and started new lives.

But now Alexander and Augustine are back—looking for a new game and the final third to complete their threesome.

And they won’t take no for an answer.

Jordan Wells is about to play his final game.

Will he win? Or will he be too afraid to try?

Whew! I’m not quite sure I can put into words just how incredible of a writer that JA Huss is. With each new release, she surprises me and leaves me reeling for days once I’ve finished. The final book of Jordan’s game, the puppeteer’s story, was no exception either. Play Dirty hit a sweet spot that I was craving with its back and forth antics and veiled truths. Jordan left me guessing from the beginning until the end and I never really knew what to expect. He went through an incredible transformation, but that journey from point A to point B was nothing short of trying and totally worth every second as a reader.Furthermore, it was such a treat to see characters from the first books in the series and get a more complete picture and closure on their lives. There isn’t much I can say about Play Dirty without giving away the plot, but I promise that it delivers on so many different levels. If you’re a reader who loves kink, filth, and a flawed character learning the definition of love, this is definitely a MUST read!

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Don’t Miss the Other Standalones in the Series!

Total Exposure (Jordan’s Game #1)

The Pleasure of Panic (Jordan’s Game #2)

The Boyfriend Experience (Jordan’s Game #3)

JA Huss is the New York Times Bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today Bestseller’s list 21 times in the past four years. She writes characters with heart, plots with twists, and perfect endings.

Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie Award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook, Mr. Perfect, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her audiobook, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

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RELEASE DAY REVIEW – The Problem With Him by Rachel Higginson

June 26, 2018June 25, 20182 Comments

Title – The Problem With Him
Author – Rachel Higginson
Publication Date – June 26, 2018
Series – Opposites Attract #3

I’m over men. I’m done with them.

Or at least the ones that work in my kitchen. Fine, one man in particular. Wyatt Shaw is cocky and condescending and so far out of his element that he doesn’t know which way is up. Or how to run his brand new kitchen all by himself.

That’s where I come in. Sous chef extraordinaire. Second in command. Bane of his existence. I am the reason Wyatt’s doing so well as the new executive chef of one of our city’s most prestigious restaurants. He has me to thank for his glowing accolades and five-star write-ups. Only if you were to ask him, he’d say I’m his biggest problem.

Despite his discouragement and bullish behavior, I’ve set two goals for myself.

The first? I’m going to fight my way to the top of this male-dominated industry and claim my own award-winning kitchen.

The second? I’m going to do whatever it takes to ignore Wyatt and his rare smiles and the thickening tension that’s started to simmer between us.

Wyatt Shaw might be Durham’s new shining star. He might be up for a James Beard Award. He might be my new boss and key to my future success, but he’s also in my way.

So he can keep his smoldering looks and secret kisses. And he can be the one that figures out how to make it through service without getting distracted by me.

I’m not the problem. The problem is him.

Mark my words – nobody can write a slow burn romance quite like Rachel Higginson can! I’ve just finished The Problem With Him, and I swear that there wasn’t a moment where I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach fluttering at all the amusing antics. Wyatt and Kaya had palpable tension that could be felt with each carefully chosen word and interaction that occurred between these two. There was a simmering that occurred throughout this interconnected standalone that left me unable to put it down. I craved more the deeper I fell for these two characters. Furthermore, while these two so obviously had something special together, there was something about Kaya and her perseverance that resonated deep in my soul. She was fighting for what she wanted and would stop at nothing to get it, no matter what it would cost her. I admired her tenacity and guts to keep pushing in a man’s world and left me instantly rooting for her. I will say that I wish we could have gotten some chapters from Wyatt’s point of view, but for purely selfish reasons. I would kill to know what was going through his head in particular key moments where he was face to face with Kaya. This series of standalones has got to be one of my favorite that is out there right now. Each book’s writing and plot is flawless in its delivery with characters that have you rooting for them from the very start. The enemies to lovers feel just makes it that much sweeter. I’ll be sad to see this series wrap up, but I just adore getting glimpses into each couple as it progresses. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of Dillon’s book next!

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Don’t Miss the Other Books in the Series!

The Opposite of You (Opposites Attract #1)

Read our Review HERE
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The Difference Between Us (Opposites Attract #2)

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RELEASE DAY REVIEW – Saved by Hazel James

June 21, 2018June 20, 20181 Comment

Title – Saved
Author – Hazel James
Publication Date – June 21, 2018
Series – Battles #2

Leilani Moretti

Life is out to get me.
Humvee accident that took my right hand? Strike one.
Cancer three years later that stole my breasts and hair? Strike two.
An overbearing mother who seems to think I’m twelve, not twenty-seven?
Yeah, I’m out of there.

I thought moving to Oklahoma would give me a fresh start. I hoped life would finally cut me some damn slack. But between the inept people at the VA hospital and a boss who’s hell-bent on fixing me, I just want to be left alone. Haven’t I been through enough already

Clay Prescott

Joining the Army and deploying to Afghanistan? Hard.
Kicking an alcohol addiction and starting a business combining fitness and mental health
Harder.
Worth it? Hell yes.

Battles, my gym, has been so successful that I hired a new employee—a veteran herself—to help me open a second location. And that’s when it all goes to hell. Everything I’ve ever stood for is called into question, and the one person I thought I could count on disappears. I’ve spent the last ten years helping everyone else. What happens when I can’t even save myself?

How can I help others when I can’t even save myself?

Every once in a while, a book comes along that makes you stop and think, taking it deeper than at face value. The words aren’t just words; they are a reflection of thoughts and feelings you’ve buried so far deep down in your heart. They are words of strength that you need to hear on repeat until you believe them. Saved by Hazel James is one of these incredibly well-designed novels. Not only is it a romance that will have you giggling and yearning for more, but it will give you butterflies in your stomach and a whole new outlook on self-perception.

Leilani had anything but a simple life; she wasn’t just a survivor, but the very definition of the term warrior. From the moment we are introduced to her, I wanted to take her in my arms and beg her to be my friend. She was always looking for a way to be more and overcome, and that journey is unforgettable. If you’re a fan of unwavering heroines, I have no doubt that you’ll absolutely adore Leilani and all that she has been through. However, she isn’t the only badass quality to Saved. The hero, Clay, is a force to be reckoned with all on his own. I loved his mentality, his belief in second chances, and the positive outlook he forced on those around him. He went through his own ups and downs in Saved that left me sympathizing for him, while still admiring and rooting for him. Together, these two were complete opposites in a lot of ways, yet perfectly compatible in all the right ones. Their relationship and the trials they went through constantly put a smile on my face, especially the way that they pushed each other to be better human beings.

There is a quality Hazel James has when putting pen to the paper that breathes life into her characters. The personalities and the situations that they go through come across so genuinely that you can not help but become utterly invested. Saved is one of those stories that makes you take a long look at yourself, especially when saying “I can’t”, and re-evaluate your thoughts (or at least it did for me). There were multiple times when reading that I had to stop, breathe the words in, and really appreciate the weight of what James was saying. I certainly can’t recommend this book enough, but really I think that readers will quickly fall for anything that Hazel James produces. I’ve yet to be disappointed in a story that I’ve encountered from her, but Saved captivated me in a whole new way. I can’t wait for the world to fall in love with Leilani and Clay, just like I did!

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Don’t Miss the First Standalone!

Chased (Battles #1)

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Hazel lives in Tampa Bay, Florida. She’s a proud Army veteran, and her greatest loves include her family, lip gloss, Diet Coke, and the beach. For a list of events, go to www.authorhazeljames.com.

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RELEASE DAY BLITZ – Craving Mr. Kinky by A.M. Madden & Joanne Schwehm

June 20, 2018June 19, 20183 Comments

Title: Craving Mr. Kinky
Authors: A.M. Madden & Joanne Schwehm
Series: Mr. Wrong #4
Release Date: June 20, 2018

Here’s a tip: When you least expect it, expect it.

I’d been known to have my share of beautiful women. Usually, I met them in a bar, through a mutual acquaintance, or even when photographing them. Imagine my surprise when a gorgeous blonde drove her car into mine on the way to a party.

No more than a minute after our run-in, a string of colorful words flew from her mouth in rapid fire. Unexplainably, the angrier she became the harder I got. All sorts of scenarios played in my head of how I could get her to shut up. I was all for feisty women, but I preferred leaving that for the bedroom—not on the streets of New York.

When I learned she was a school teacher, that worsened my disposition. What man didn’t have a dirty teacher fantasy at one point in his life? I decided it was my turn to teach her a thing or two… or so I thought. Little did I know, Miss Prim-and-Proper would turn the tables on me.

She called me Mr. Kinky, and that was fine with me.

Lesson learned: Desire always trumps logic.

A.M. Madden and Joanne Schwehm are back with another Mr. Wrong-Turned-Oh-So-Right! Craving Mr. Kinky is Cassie and Dante’s highly anticipated story, and this sibling’s best friend romance was certainly worth the wait. From the moment they met, Dante and Cassie shared an utterly electric chemistry that never once fizzled. This couple knew how to play the game, and I was hooked on their easy banter and undeniable charm. As Cassie and Dante’s delicious tension and sparkling flirtations gave way to scorching interludes and a deeper unspoken connection, I found myself falling hard for another unforgettable couple from this writing duo.

Madden and Schwehm rounded out Cassie and Dante’s story with plenty of familiar faces. I enjoyed seeing more of Jude, Brae, Kyle, Vanessa, Luca, and Sabrina. This hilarious group of characters truly embodies loyalty and love ensuring that Craving Mr. Kinky felt like coming home. Madden and Schwehm’s writing remains seamless. These two authors effortlessly deliver all the makings of a smart, sexy romantic comedy with Cassie and Dante. Overflowing with humor and heart, I laughed, cursed, blushed, and swooned right alongside Cassie as Dante took her on the ride of her life!

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Don’t miss the rest of the series:

Finding Mr. Wrong (Mr. Wrong #1)

Taming Mr. Flirt (Mr. Wrong #2)

Scoring Mr. Romeo (Mr. Wrong #3)

RELEASE DAY REVIEW – Double Down by Alessandra Torre

June 18, 2018June 17, 20181 Comment

Title – Double Down
Author – Alessandra Torre
Publication Date – June 18, 2018
Series – All In #2

The stunning conclusion to the All In Duet…
In Vegas, there was one man who was off limits. One man… and I fell for him.

I knew there were risks. Still, I played the game. When Dario Capece called, I answered. When he beckoned, I came. When he broke all my rules, I looked the other way.

I knew there were risks. I just never realized they included death.

Alessandra Torre has left my head spinning with her newest release! Double Down is packed full with action that will have readers’ jaws dropping and their hearts racing. I will say that Dario and Bell do spend a portion of the novel apart. Ironically, it was in those moments that I actually developed a deeper understanding of the feelings they had for one another. Where I couldn’t see this in the first book of the duet, it became glaringly obvious why these two would gamble with such high stakes on the table. The consequences of their relationship were so far-reaching and I often wondered just how far they would seep. I have to say that I did enjoy Double Down slightly more than Even Money. Though there was still some slight confusion with the switching of perspectives, I was so deeply entrenched in the action of the plot that it didn’t bother me as much as previously. Alessandra Torre somehow continues to surprise me and make me yearn for more with each new book she releases. She’s become an automatic one-click author for me and I definitely don’t see that changing anytime in the near future!

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Start With Book 1 in the Duet!

Even Money (All In #1)

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RELEASE DAY REVIEW – More Than Words by Mia Sheridan

June 12, 2018June 9, 2018Leave a comment

Title: More Than Words
Author: Mia Sheridan
Release Date: June 12, 2018

The moment she met Callen Hayes, eleven-year-old Jessica Creswell knew he was a broken prince. Her prince. They became each other’s refuge, a safe and magical place far from their troubled lives. Until the day Callen kissed her—Jessica’s first real, dreamy kiss—and then disappeared from her life without a word.

Years later, everyone knows who Callen Hayes is. Famous composer. Infamous bad boy. What no one knows is that Callen’s music is now locked deep inside, trapped behind his own inner demons. It’s only when he withdraws to France to drink his way through the darkness that Callen stumbles into the one person who makes the music return. Jessica. His Jessie. And she still tastes of fresh, sweet innocence . . . even as she sets his blood on fire.

But they don’t belong in each other’s worlds anymore. There are too many mistakes. Too many secrets. Too many lies. All they have is that instinctive longing, that need—and something that looks dangerously like love.

Mia Sheridan delivers a captivating exploration of lost love and second chances with her new novel, More Than Words. Jessie and Callen’s story begins as children, and I was immediately hooked by their unlikely friendship and obvious bond. A chance meeting years later sparks a flame that threatens to consume them both as Jessie and Callen discover that the years have not diminished their connection. Brimming with emotion and painted with adventure, this colorful, sweeping romance was pure magic. The story felt effortlessly epic, and Mia Sheridan had me walking Jessie and Callen’s journey right alongside them, anxiously awaiting the happily ever after.

“I wanted to believe that love was the rarest of all flowers: it delighted in the sunshine but did not require it to grow and flourish.”

In true Mia Sheridan fashion, Jessie and Callen blew me away. From their shared history to their chosen careers, this couple was unlike any I’ve met before. While their chemistry was undeniably electric, it was Jessie and Callen’s aching familiarity and inexplicable emotional connection that had me so invested. What this duo shared was genuine in its uncertainty, and I loved the quiet vulnerability that their feelings for one another revealed. Jessie and Callen’s journey wasn’t just one of romance. As secrets were exposed and fears were confronted, both characters underwent breathtaking individual transformations. Ultimately, Jessie’s unwavering dedication and unrelenting imagination proved to be the perfect match for Callen’s constant doubt and brooding nature.

“I questioned once whether the winds of fate are benevolent or merciless. I know now—believe—with every fiber of my being, that they are only good.”

This novel embodied everything I love about this author. From the one-of-a-kind storyline and vibrant characters to the lyrical prose and enchanting imagery, More Than Words had Mia Sheridan’s signature all over it. Leisurely paced, the book progressed in a way that felt entirely natural, perfectly capturing the slow burn of unrequited childhood love. I adored the story within the story and found myself immediately captivated by the rich historical undertones that gave Jessie and Callen’s story an unexpected timelessness. Enthralling, addictive, and emotionally raw, More Than Words is another must-read romance from the brilliant Mia Sheridan!

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NEW RELEASE REVIEW – King’s Reign by Nina Levine

June 11, 2018June 11, 20185 Comments

Title: King’s Reign
Author: Nina Levine
Series: Sydney Storm MC #6
Release Date: May 31, 2018

The epic conclusion to King’s story.

I was chasing pure darkness.
Succumbing to the needs I’d forced to the far edges of my soul.
Running like a madman towards evil.
Then I found her.
She breathed life into me when I hadn’t thought there was any life beyond what I knew.
She gave me hope after I’d forgotten what it was.
She helped quiet the demons raging deep inside me.
Now I will lay myself bare for her.
I will bleed for her.
I will love her madly, deeply, passionately, completely.

King and Lily’s story comes to a heart-pounding conclusion in King’s Reign, the final novel in the Sydney Storm MC series. Delivering plenty of sizzle and brimming with unexpected emotion, King’s Reign had me firmly in its grip from the first page to the last. I loved King and Lily’s connection in this novel. While their chemistry was as electric as ever, their emotional bond seemed more profound and more genuine this time around. Despite the danger surrounding the club, King and Lily were inevitably drawn to one another, and the resultant push and pull was utterly addictive. I enjoyed seeing King so thoroughly unraveled as Lily broke through the darkness and pulled pieces of this enigmatic man into the light. King turned out to be so much more than I ever could have imagined and I loved finally getting to explore this character.

“Sometimes two people just weren’t meant to be together. Sometimes there was more hate than love, more war than peace. Sometimes love wasn’t enough.”

Since this book brings the storyline to a close, there are a lot of players to keep track of. Admittedly, I could have used a few reminders as to what roles certain characters had played throughout the series in order to really appreciate the direction this book took. However, Nina Levine definitely didn’t leave readers disappointed, serving up a satisfying ending to King and Lily’s journey. The reappearance of some familiar faces reminded me exactly what it means to be part of the Storm MC, and my heart felt right at home alongside the couples I’ve gotten to know throughout this series. Nina Levine effortlessly balances the raw, gritty angst of this story with plenty of delicious tension and a few beautifully tender moments. The writing was gripping, emotional, and delightfully feisty, ensuring I was entirely invested in King and Lily. Fans of the Sydney Storm MC series are in for one last wild ride with King’s Reign!

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Don’t miss the rest of the series:

Relent (Sydney Storm MC #1)

Nitro’s Torment (Sydney Storm MC #2)

Read our Review HERE
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Devil’s Vengeance (Sydney Storm MC #3)

Read our Review HERE
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Hyde’s Absolution (Sydney Storm MC #4)

Read our Review HERE
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King’s Wrath (Sydney Storm MC #5)

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Dreamer.
Coffee Lover.
Gypsy at heart.

USA Today Bestselling author who writes about alpha men & the women they love.

When I’m not creating with words you will find me planning my next getaway, visiting somewhere new in the world, having a long conversation over coffee and cake with a friend, creating with paper or curled up with a good book and chocolate.

I love Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Pink, Florida Georgia Line, Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20, Lady Antebellum and pretty much any singer/band that is country or rock.

I’ve been writing since I was twelve. Weaving words together has always been a form of therapy for me especially during my harder times. These days I’m proud that my words help others just as much as they help me.

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BLOG TOUR – The Lies I’ve Told by J.L. Berg

June 8, 2018June 7, 20182 Comments

Title: The Lies I’ve Told
Author: J.L. Berg
Series: By the Bay #3
Release Date: June 4, 2018

Everything was going according to plan…

After years of working my way up the corporate ladder, it was finally my time to shine. I was about to receive the promotion of a lifetime.

But just like that, my life was destroyed with a single career crushing email.

Now, I am headed back home to North Carolina, under the ruse of an extended vacation to help run the family inn while my sister is on maternity leave. After all, what is family for? Plus, a few days at the beach could definitely help uncomplicate this crazy life of mine.

Enter Aiden Fisher.

Aiden is a guest at my sister’s inn. He’s wicked hot, a huge flirt and has one of the sexiest British accents I’ve ever heard. But beyond all that, I see a darkness in his soul, as if he’s carrying a great weight upon his shoulders.

I find myself pushing back my trip home to Florida in hopes that maybe I’ll look into those hazel brown eyes and finally see truth shining back instead of lies. That maybe he’ll stop running and tell me the truth for once.

But you know what they say about liars? It takes one to know one and I’ve been telling the biggest lie of all – I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with Aiden.

And isn’t that the scariest truth of all?

J.L. Berg delivers another fantastic small-town romance with Millie and Aiden’s story in The Lies I’ve Told! This novel felt somehow different from the previous books in the series, and yet Aiden and Millie fit perfectly within the world J.L. Berg has created. Forced to find refuge By the Bay, this couple comes together just as their respective worlds are falling apart. As Aiden and Millie’s mutual attraction sparks into something more, I found myself immediately invested in the unspoken, yet significant, connection between them.

“Sometimes, it helps to know where one’s heart lies. Or where it’s been.”

I’ve been anxious to get my hands on Millie’s story ever since The Choices I’ve Made. She was enchanting, vibrant, and funny and I was wholly intrigued by the seemingly fearless fashionista who had left small-town life behind. J.L. Berg definitely didn’t disappoint, serving up one seriously sassy and incredibly lovable heroine. Over the course of this story, J.L. Berg carefully unraveled Millie, exposing the woman beneath the designer labels and letting readers see every flaw and vulnerability that made Millie so surprisingly relatable.

“This was my home, right here in this woman’s arms. Forever.”

Aiden was unexpected, to say the least. He was charismatic and polished with a mysterious edge that ensured I was completely captivated. As the story progressed and Aiden opened himself up to Millie, I found myself falling hard and fast for the damaged hero with a big secret. J.L. Berg allowed the pieces of Aiden’s past to fall into place with expert precision, thoughtfully revealing the depth of this character with each passing page. Every bit the artist, Aiden experienced things with an intensity that demanded to be felt by the reader.

“Anything is possible, Aiden, with a little prayer and patience.”

Aiden and Millie’s story is a whirlwind romance, and it was paced to be enjoyed as such. Once I started, I couldn’t help but keep reading, lost in the witty banter, electric chemistry, and inexplicable connection that made this book so special. I adored getting to see more of Jake, Molly, Dean, and Cora as they continued living out their happily ever afters. J.L. Berg brilliantly depicts life By the Bay, her effortless prose and colorful imagery instantly transported me right back to Ocracoke. Brimming with sparkling dialogue, sizzling tension, and heartfelt emotion, The Lies I’ve Told is another can’t-miss-romance from J.L. Berg!

My eyes bolted open as sunlight from the windows glared down at me.

Where am I?

I sat up, quietly stretching as if I had all the time in the world.

Because I did, right?

No job. No responsibilities.

Responsibilities…

Shit!

Breakfast for the guests!

I bolted out of bed, frantically searching for my clothes. Where were my clothes? I tried to think back to the night before, but it was blurry.

Hazy.

And then the hammering in my head began.

Shit, how much did I drink last night?

“Where are you running off to so early?”

The deep British accent had me stopping in my tracks.

Last night…

I turned on my heels, tugging on the short shirt I had on, wishing it were suddenly a dress. Or a robe.

Or anything longer than a shirt.

Aiden’s eyes perused my body with a wide grin on his face as he casually tucked his hands behind his head. I tried not to notice the way the muscles in his arms flexed.

Or the fact that, besides a carefully placed sheet, he was basically lying naked before me.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. My fingers raked through my hair as I tried to remember the night before. “We didn’t…did we?”

The question had him immediately sitting up in bed, causing that well-placed sheet to shift.

I gulped as all of him—and I did mean all of him—came into view.

Oh Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

I turned around, my cheeks flushing as heat spread through my body. He wasn’t just naked. He was naked and very much awake.

“You don’t remember?” he asked as I listened to the bed groan as he stood.

“No,” I admitted. “Do you?”

I heard the telltale sign of jeans being zipped, giving me the courage to turn back around. Sure enough, he was decent.

Well, as decent as a shirtless, hot-as-fuck Brit could be. God, I thought his muscles had muscles.

“Um, no,” he answered, but there was a hint of sadness to his eyes as he reached down to grab his shirt off the floor.

I let out a tiny whimper of protest as the black T-shirt slid down his body.

He really was beautiful.

I shook my head, trying to keep focused. “Oh, that’s great. Just fucking great. So, what happened here exactly?”

He pointed to the pile of clothes and the mostly empty alcohol bottle on the nightstand, that sadness drying up as he let out a breath and straightened, his features hardening. “I think that’s pretty clear.”

My arms folded across my chest before I realized that only brought my shirt higher up my waist. Aiden didn’t miss the extra peek of flesh either as I watched his grin widen.

“Nope, I don’t believe you. I don’t do one-night stands. Ever.”

“Ever?” he echoed, surprise written all over his stupid face.

“Yes. Ever. Why is that so hard to believe? Do I look like the one-night-stand kind of girl?”

“Well, right now. Sort of.”

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Don’t miss the rest of the series:

The Choices I’ve Made (By the Bay #1)

The Scars I Bare (By the Bay #2)

I’m a California native, who lives in the South – Virginia to be exact. I still prefer sushi to fried chicken, avocados to okra, and I absolutely loathe humidity. I do love watching the seasons change though. My husband and I have been here for over a decade, and I still get giddy like a school girl every time it snows. It’s magical!

I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters and two rescue pups I like to call my “coworkers”. I’m obsessed with chocolate, minions, anything Harry Potter and I love to watch re-runs of Friends and Gilmore Girls!

RELEASE DAY REVIEW – The Other Side of Tomorrow by Micalea Smeltzer

June 7, 2018June 7, 2018Leave a comment

Title: The Other Side of Tomorrow
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Release Date: June 7, 2018

Life can change in an instant…

For Willa Hansen, this statement couldn’t be truer. One minute she was a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old, and the next her life was turned upside down with only a few words. Three years later, she’s receiving a kidney transplant and can start living again, only now she’s not sure she knows how.

Life can end in a moment…

Jasper Werth knows this all too well, seeing as a drunk driver killed his little brother. He’s always been a carefree guy, never taking life too seriously, but losing his brother is a major blow, and he finds himself lost until Willa walks into his life.

Life can mend the most broken parts of our souls…

Willa and Jasper couldn’t be more opposite, but as fate brings them together they’ll learn maybe they’re not so different after all.

Sometimes what you need comes in a package you least expect.

A powerful journey that explores life, loss, and love, The Other Side of Tomorrow is so much more than a romance novel. Willa and Jasper’s story is raw, gripping, and undeniably heartfelt, a tribute to the healing power of hope and the unexpected adventure that is living. From their awkward first meeting to the very last page, I was utterly enchanted by the inexplicable connection Willa and Jasper shared. This couple felt fated in every single way, and I quickly found myself walking the twists and turns of their journey with baited breath, praying they’d find the happily ever after they both so desperately deserved.

“Your sunrise is here, Willa, don’t let it get away.”

There is no denying the deeply personal nature of this story. Micalea Smeltzer lays bare the hopes and fears of living with kidney failure, unafraid to own the uncertainty and guilt that comes with waiting for a transplant. Willa’s struggles were written with a profound understanding that breathed life into each heartbreakingly earnest moment and gritty emotion. As Willa and Jasper’s love bloomed, the author used Willa’s experiences with kidney failure and organ transplant to unobtrusively raise awareness, ensuring that this couple’s story would leave an indelible mark on the reader.

“A few seconds is more than enough to change everything.”

Willa and Jasper’s journey wouldn’t be complete without the vibrant cast of secondary characters that helped color their world. I especially adored Willa’s sister Harlow who embodied positivity and unconditional love. Despite the serious nature of Willa’s condition and Jasper’s loss, this novel was largely life-affirming. Overflowing with joyous appreciation and unapologetic exploration, Willa and Jasper’s story was uplifting and transformative. I completely devoured this book, lost to the magic that is Micalea Smeltzer’s writing. Breathtakingly poignant and emotionally uninhibited, The Other Side of Tomorrow is an absolute must-read!

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