Review: Wicked Heart (Starcrossed #3) by Leisa Rayven

*****5 Stars*****

Here we have Elissa and Liam's book, Elissa being Ethan's sister who featured in the previous two books.

This story could almost be mistaken for being a stand alone, but some details are revealed that mean I would strongly advise people read the first two before diving into this beauty.

I absolutely adored Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet and I have to say I enjoyed this book just as much.

After a whirlwind romance and an opportunity for Liam to become a huge movie star six years previously, Elissa is left broken hearted. She always said she would never date another actor, but somehow thought Liam would be different.

Liam wasn't quite as frustrating as Ethan was, but I spent a large portion of this book thinking he was equal parts douche to one hot specimen of a man and if I'm honest, I did sort of guess there was a reason for his douchiness, but that made this book no less awesome.

Once again Leisa Rayven is able to convey characters in such a way that they leap out at you. I was able to imagine myself in Elissa's shoes. As for the sex scenes, they weren't overdone at all, but no less scorching for it.

I'm unsure if this is the final book in the series, but quite frankly I'm really not ready to say goodbye to this series yet.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

Liam Quinn is talented, gorgeous, and one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

He's also the only man Elissa Holt has ever truly loved.

After being out of her life for six years, he and his gorgeous fiancé are set to star in the new Broadway show Elissa is stage managing. The only trouble is, when late night rehearsals bring Elissa and Liam together, the line between what is and what could have been gets blurred, and one moment of weakness will lead to a scandal that echoes around the world.

Elissa knows that falling for Liam again would be a tragedy in the making, but as any good romantic will tell you, love doesn’t always follow the script.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/21qgjVo

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Z3aTO3

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Review: She Laughs in Pink (Sheridan Hall #1) by Jessica Calla

*****4.5 Stars*****

When Juliet Anderson starts NJU after she decides to follow her best friend Ben when he starts a football scholarship there. Juliet wants more with Ben or so she thinks that's until Ben's roommate Chase makes steps forward and he so happens to be the cute guy she saw at the train station earlier on her way to start her new adventure. Juliet is blaming herself for the murder of her twin sister Justine and her parents haven't shown her any support or love since it happened 4 years ago. Ben has been Juliet's rock even though he doesn't actually know what secrets Juliet hides. Chase is everything Ben isn't, where Ben is safe and the ideal choice, Chase is a risk and sporadic especially when it comes to the secrets of his past and his reasons for being at NJU. So a bit of going to and fro bouncing off each guy how can Juliet decide what or who she wants because eventually someone may get sick of waiting in the shadows!

The author did a great job with this book. Even though we have the main characters all the side characters play a good part too. We get to know everyone that stays in the basement of Sheridan Hall at NJU. The friendship support that they all give each other just flows with love, with everything that goes on the characters are all there for each other without question and I really like that they have that bond. The writing flows and the story is well executed with what seems like little effort from the author. The only tiny negative I have is that I would have liked to have saw Ben less laid back and with a bit more fight in him. I hope to see something from Rocco & Pooja next. I definitely recommend this book.

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

Four years after her twin is murdered, Juliet Anderson still struggles with guilt, her parents, and her relationships. Two things keep her from falling into a deep, dark place—dancing and her best friend, Ben. So when Ben decides to play football for New Jersey University, Juliet doesn’t hesitate. She follows. Finally away from her past, there is nothing to stand in the way. Juliet will win Ben's heart.

Then she meets Ben's roommate, Chase.

On probation and hell-bent on adhering to a “new life plan,” aspiring artist Chase leaves his New York City home for New Jersey University and meets Juliet before even stepping foot on campus. For him, their connection is instant. She’s the most vibrant girl he's ever seen. Her colors explode on his canvas, and he's never been more inspired in his life.

Too bad she’s madly in love with his seemingly perfect, good guy roommate.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/250tUrP

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/27n4sf1

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Review: Good Girl (Love Unexpectedly #2) by Lauren Layne

****3.5 Stars****

Noah Maxwell has two very different sides to his life and personality he even goes by another name, Preston Walcott who was ripped from his life as Noah and sent to private school to become his father's replacement when he retired. Sadly his father passed away and Preston inherited a lot of things including property he didn't even know existed, that is until Jenny Dawson emailed him to enquire about renting the... place.

Jenny Dawson is a Country singer who moved to LA to try to get over a song writing block her label thought the change of scenery would do her good and elevate her in the public eye. It did just that but not in the way she had hoped, waking up one morning to the LA rumour mill going wild about an affair that never happened but the other person supposedly involved didn't deny it so of course it spun out of control and she felt like she had to just get away for a while, she wanted to return to a retreat where she first harnessed her passion for writing music so she gets in contact with The owner Preston Walcott.

This book was cute, very much about the good girl turned sexy but not really bad. There were a couple of funny moments throughout the book but mostly it was a cute high school kind of connection, their romance blossoms from a mutual instant dislike / disinterest of each other as they both misread each other when they first met. They both had the same idea and started off being the stereotype of what the other assumed they were. Spoiled country princess and a handyman who's no more than eye candy. It's only upon living in close quarters that they actually get to know a little of what the other is truly like after spending quite a bit of their time avoiding each other. Their 'get it out of your system' sex develops into something more and they both start to feel things. This is where things get complicated, Jenny has to decide if she wants Noah or if she wants to be a superstar. Noah has to decide wether or not to tell Jenny who he really is.
The things that brought them together are just that, their story and this relationship could have happened without the other factors. Noah's friends are hilarious they hate each other but tolerate each other for his sake Finn is the friend he grew up with the one that knows his true self Noah and Vaughn knows him as Preston the guy he became when his father took control of his life and sent him to boarding school.

I could totally take or leave this book. It was good but not great in my opinion it wasn't a book that I was desperate to sit down and continue reading but it wasn't a struggle to read either. For that reason I have to give it 3.5 stars. I would definitely be open to reading more of Lauren's work though.

Reviewed by Paige Rymer

Lauren Layne brings all the unpredictable heat of her USA Today bestseller Blurred Lines to an all-new cast of characters! Country music’s favorite good girl is hiding away from the world—only to find herself bunking with a guy who makes her want to be a little bad.

Jenny Dawson moved to Nashville to write music, not get famous. But when her latest record goes double platinum, Jenny’s suddenly one of the town’s biggest stars—and the center of a tabloid scandal connecting her with a pop star she’s barely even met. With paparazzi tracking her every move, Jenny flees to a remote mansion in Louisiana to write her next album. The only hiccup is the unexpected presence of a brooding young caretaker named Noah, whose foul mouth and snap judgments lead to constant bickering—and serious heat.

Noah really should tell Jenny that he’s Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott, the owner of the estate where the feisty country singer has made her spoiled self at home. But the charade gives Noah a much-needed break from his own troubles, and before long, their verbal sparring is indistinguishable from foreplay. But as sizzling nights give way to quiet pillow talk, Noah begins to realize that Jenny’s almost as complicated as he is. To fit into each other’s lives, they’ll need the courage to face their problems together—before the outside world catches up to them.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TfKXuh

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NiBaY8

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Review: Too Hot to Handle (Romancing the Clarksons #1) by Tessa Bailey

*****4.5 Stars*****

Rita Clarkson's life has imploded before her eyes. Her mother dies, she embarrasses herself on a tv cooking contest show and then she burns down her mom's restaurant. When she discovers her mom's journal and finds out her dying wish is for her children to travel to NY for the annual New Year's Polar Bear jump into the ocean, she takes it upon herself to convince her three siblings they need to do this to honor their mom. Rita's 'good luck' holds and their car breaks down mid road trip in New Mexico. They are rescued by Jasper and before she knows it, Rita is questioning her need to start over in New York City.

I felt for Rita as she grappled with her feelings of inadequacy. She was in her mom's shadow and had an extremely difficult time trying to see her way out from under it. Jasper is struggling to prove he is more than just his town's good time. He wants to prove he has substance and worth. Rita and Jasper have instant sparks, but she is determined to make it to NY and fulfill her mom's last wish. She can't let herself be side tracked by a sexy man like Jasper, can she?

I just loved Rita and Jasper together. People who are not fans of stories with instalove may have a bit of a problem with it, but I was personally all in. I really enjoyed how Jasper wanted to take the physical aspect of their relationship slow because he cared about Rita and felt their connection was special. Once they got there though, my kindle started smoking! Bailey always writes hot sex scenes and she did not skimp on them in Too Hot to Handle! Tessa Bailey is pretty much the queen of dirty talking male leads and Jasper is a wonderful addition to that line up. He could talk dirty to me anytime he wants!

In addition to all of the sexy scenes this book was so much fun to read. I admit I have a huge weakness for road trip books. This is the first time I have read one with a cast of siblings and I ate up the scenes between them. The Clarkson siblings are not especially close and they are all expecting this road trip to end in disaster. Watching them interact and grow closer was tremendously enjoyable and I laughed out loud during many of their conversations. I am so anxious to read all of their respective books.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn't seen in years. When rescue shows up---six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle---Rita's pretty certain she's gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he's about to be sorely tempted. There's something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn't just for tonight---he's forever.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TDMYAV

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TUC3FA

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