Review: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

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

I think, if you are a book lover, you'd have had to have been living under a rock the last few months to have not heard talk of Brynn Greenwood's All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. It has been everywhere I look and I'll admit the buzz certainly caught my attention. When I heard words like 'controversial' whispered, I knew I needed to read this book.

This is the story of Wavy, an 8 year old girl who has been dealt a rough and difficult hand by fate. Her life changes the moment Kellen enters it and she in turn changes his. Over the course of 15 years we experience her curiosity, longing for family, pain, heartache, love and amazing ability to live despite the truly ugly and awful things the world can throw at a person. Through it all, she remarkably keeps a hold of her belief in the wonderful things that she can have and the special people that are hers to cherish, protect, cling to and love.

This book is an emotional read. It will tear your heart out at times - it certainly did mine. Interestingly, though, the author does not manipulate our emotions as we read. We are shown Wavy's life and we are taken along on her journey and are given the ability to feel how we will based on the story we see unfold. It is told through multiple points of view and with the amount of characters, it shouldn't work as well as it does. Somehow, the way it is told works perfectly and truly gives us a full picture of Wavy's life and the lives of those around her.

The controversy comes into play because of the love story that develops during this book between Wavy and Kellen. When they first meet he is an adult and she is 8. I know for some people, that fact right there will make them never pick this book up. It is important to note that nothing happens early on and he is very much a friend and protector to her (he is throughout the book though in the latter portion there is a role reversal of sorts). Feelings do begin developing though and despite the fact it may be 'wrong' given the age difference and the fact Wavy is not a legal adult, as you read, I think you will find that you can understand how both Wavy and Kellen find themselves in the position they do and trust me when I say it is heartbreaking. I cried many a chapter and I was rooting for them so hard!

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is not an easy book to read. It is an emotionally draining, at times uncomfortable story that wrecked me and then began to put me back together again. This is hands down one of the best books I have read this year and I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

As the daughter of a meth dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. Struggling to raise her little brother, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible "adult" around. She finds peace in the starry Midwestern night sky above the fields behind her house. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bmoflN

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2blMHsk (Hardback edition - not available in ebook format on UK site at this time)

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: Sunset in Central Park (From Manhattan with Love #2) by Sarah Morgan

***3 Stars***

This is book 2 in a series about a group of friends who all own their own business in NYC. Each book is about a different friend on their journey through friendships, the business, and searching for love. This is a new to me author and I have to say that I wasn't a huge fan. This is your typical friends to lovers romance and it didn't really stand out to me. It was sweet and cute but rather boring in my opinion.

A few chapters in and we already know that Matt has feelings for Frankie and she has a secret crush on him. She has more issues than Cosmo and she doesn't date or do the whole love thing ever since her parents nasty divorce because she doesn't want to end up like her mom. Frankie is an emotionally baggage ridden mess while Matt is as perfect as they come so I didn't really see the whole connection between these two. Her issues are brought up every other page and Matt spends the whole book trying to get her to admit that she has feelings for him. It got pretty old after awhile and I really struggled with this book, not to say that it wasn't enjoyable at times. This just wasn't the right book for me.

Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler

In the chaos of New York, true love can be hard to find, even when it's been right under your nose all along…

Love has never been a priority for garden designer Frankie Cole. After witnessing the fallout of her parents' divorce, she's seen the devastation an overload of emotion can cause. The only man she feels comfortable with is her friend Matt—but that's strictly platonic. If only she found it easier to ignore the way he makes her heart race…

Matt Walker has loved Frankie for years but, sensing how fragile she is beneath her feisty exterior, has always played it cool. But then he uncovers new depths to the girl he's known forever and doesn't want to wait a moment longer. He knows Frankie has secrets and has buried them deep, but can Matt persuade her to trust him with her heart and kiss him under the Manhattan sunset?

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2c9DjJm

Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2bI4zgb

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: King of Wall Street by Louise Bay

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

I always enjoy books by this author and this one is once again a hot steamy read with great characters and not heavy on the angst, just a great read.

Max is quite a character that had me chuckling with the way his mind works, at work he is the boss, at home is life is dominated by women so he likes to exercise control in the bedroom. Until Harper blows more than his mind. Harper is headstrong to a fault and sassy with major daddy issues that are controlling her life but I loved her.

I loved the interaction between Max and Harper, the push and pull as they fight the obvious attraction was a joy to read. And the sex was off the charts hot between them. I enjoyed the side characters in this story and loved that Max was a single parent to a sweet teenager that keeps her Dad on his toes.

Overall a most enjoyable read once again from Louise Bay and I look forward to her next book.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

THE KING OF WALL STREET IS BROUGHT TO HIS KNEES BY AN AMBITIOUS BOMBSHELL.

I keep my two worlds separate.

At work, I’m King of Wall Street. The heaviest hitters in Manhattan come to me to make money. They do whatever I say because I’m always right. I’m shrewd. Exacting. Some say ruthless.

At home, I’m a single dad trying to keep his fourteen year old daughter a kid for as long as possible. If my daughter does what I say, somewhere there’s a snowball surviving in hell. And nothing I say is ever right.

When Harper Jayne starts as a junior researcher at my firm, the barriers between my worlds begin to dissolve. She’s the most infuriating woman I’ve ever worked with.

I don’t like the way she bends over the photocopier—it makes my mouth water.

I hate the way she’s so eager to do a good job—it makes my dick twitch.

And I can’t stand the way she wears her hair up exposing her long neck. It makes me want to strip her naked, bend her over my desk and trail my tongue all over her body.

If my two worlds are going to collide, Harper Jayne will have to learn that I don't just rule the boardroom. I’m in charge of the bedroom, too.

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2bxOqXy
Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2bLLs2H

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: Furious Rush by S.C. Stephens

****4 Stars****

I have to say, I would probably rate SC Stephen's, Thoughtless series as one of my top 5 all time favourites and I also loved her paranormal, Conversion series. So when I was given the opportunity to read this, I simply jumped at the chance. I loved the idea of two rival motorcycle racing teams and a forbidden love type story.

Two teams have a long running feud that prevents either racers or crew from interacting with each other. Mackenzie Cox racing for one team and Hayden Hayes racing for the rival team. Both hit it off straight away and the fact that neither can be seen together makes their chemistry that bit more powerful.

For me however, there just wasn't enough emphasis on the romance element and it felt like the motorcycle racing storyline and Kenzies issues with other characters took more of a precedence. At times it just didn't feel like an SC Stephens book, other times it did.

The characters, especially Kenzie, seemed cowardly and that became incredibly frustrating at times, because ultimately there was a great story to be had here.

Kenzie in particular bore the brunt of my issues for much of this book. She allowed certain characters to walk all over her, with very little reason for it. I understand that her career meant a lot to her, but I do feel that with a little more back bone, Kenzie could have been a much more likeable character.

Hayden simply made this book for me. I only wish we'd had a couple of chapters in his point of view, just to help us get to know him better. Because a large percentage of the story, we knew very little about him at all, apart from the odd glimpse Kenzie had of him across the track or when they were racing together.

Now whilst this may not be my most favourite of SC Stephens works, I am excited as to what she will be doing in the future.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

For Mackenzie Cox, racing motorcycles is in her blood. Born into a family legacy, she's determined to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in this male-dominated sport. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonised by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Hayden, exceedingly arrogant and outrageously attractive, immediately gets under Kenzie's skin and she can't help but be distracted.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense - and strictly forbidden - attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie needs a win, and she also needs to stay away from Hayden. Unfortunately for her though, one thing has become all too clear: she can't.

Fuelled by passion, driven by desire, Hayden and Mackenzie both want to win more than anything else. Except for, maybe, each other. But anger, jealousy and extreme competitiveness aren't their only obstacles . . .

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2b4RXNq

Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2akgYXS

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: Bad Judgment by Meghan March

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

Justine is focused and determined to not allow herself to become distracted from law school. Her biggest distraction is Ryker. She knows no good can come from allowing herself to give into him and she has done a remarkable job keeping him at bay for the past two years. She almost let him in when she needs his help to move the summer of her second year in law school. He loses his chance and she thinks that's the end of his temptation until she finds out her scholarship is gone when she returns to school. Now she finds herself choosing between two undesirable options: Strip to get enough money for tuition or tutor the desirable and hard to resist Ryker.

Ryker can't get Justine out of his mind or system. He is used to getting what he wants, and a woman who can resist his charm is a novel and impossible to resist experience. He isn't one to take no for an answer and he is convinced he can wear Justine down and convince her he has only the best intentions. When he gets a chance to ingrain himself more firmly into her daily life he pounces. Soon a deal is set and neither will ever be the same.

I enjoyed Bad Judgement tremendously! Megan March writes steamy stories that have strong determined women and sexy can't and won't take no men that are thrilling to read. They are always so much fun! There are some secrets in this one that kept the plot interesting but the story manages to stay light and not too angsty. I also loved that Justine and Ryker had a very mature feeling relationship given they are in school. Fabulous read!

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

A deliciously sexy enemies to lovers standalone coming this summer from USA Today bestselling author Meghan March.
He’s so arrogant.

She’s so self-righteous.

I can’t stand him.

I want her.

He’s a distraction I don’t need.

She’ll say yes eventually because I’m not giving up.

Justine Porter is stuck between a rock and a stripper pole. She lost her law school scholarship, which means she has two choices to keep her life on track: strip for her tuition or tutor the most distractingly sexy guy in her class—the one she’s been turning down for two years straight. It should be an easy choice, but tutoring Ryker Grant could derail her plans to graduate with honors faster than two-for-one night at the Déjà Vu. Then again, topless has never really been her color.

She could take the easy road, just this once . . . but the deal has enough loopholes to trip anyone up.

Who knew they taught bad judgment in law school? 

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2baHELf

Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2bXPDN1

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: In the Eye of the Storm (Storm and Silence #2) by Robert Thier

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

We meet up again with Lilly Linton and Mr Ambrose in book two 'In The Eye Of The Storm' and this follow up does not disappoint.

Lilly and Mr Ambrose travel to Egypt to hunt down bandits, but the book delves into their relationship development more than plot wise for me which if I'm honest doesn't bother me one bit as I wanted to find out more about Mr Ambrose but he doesn't give anything away.

One thing that always stays with me after reading a Robert Thier book is the writing style, my god this man can write an extremely good book, character development, his words are a complete addictive page turner.

Now I'm eagerly awaiting book three.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

In the desert, an instant turns life into death and hate into love. In the desert, everything is different. Boundaries break down, and you find yourself doing things that you would never, ever have imagined.

Lilly Linton finds this out the hard way: in the shadow of the pyramids, she and her boss, cold, calculating Mr Ambrose, must face death and danger together. Is the desert's heat enough to melt the cold heart of Britain's richest financier?

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2btTaxk
Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2bb7NcZ

Facebook

Goodreads

Review: Exploited by Lane Hart

****4 Stars****

This was my first book by this author and I quite liked it. It's quite a tame dark read compared to some of the really dark stuff I've read. Most of it is in past tense explaining in the story but with some of the content/explanation there's no way it could be categorised as anything else especially with events towards the end of the book. I'm not going to rehash the story as its all in the blurb and anything more would maybe spoil it for some. Blair has me curious as at the moment her head is all over the place and she struggles to know what she wants. However her character is developing and I can only see that getting stronger as the next book unfolds. Brede and Aiden I'm still trying to work out but they were arses at the end which has made me want to slap them both. The Cliffy at the end didn't bother me either as it was one of those endings that was abrupt but you also knew what was happening at the same time. I look forward to book 2 and I will definitely check out more of this authors work.

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

I’m going to hell, and my angel’s about to lose her wings.

For years I’ve left a path of death and destruction wherever I go. I promise myself that after one last job I’ll have the money I desperately need to quit taking lives. That’s how I find myself back in my hometown of Lexington.

So beautiful and innocent, I unknowingly end up saving the life of the one girl I was supposed to keep silent…the one girl I was supposed to end.

She’s my fallen angel sent from above.

I can’t resist staining her pure white wings with my darkness when I use her. Defile her. Deceive her.

The two of us were both ruined by our pasts when they intersected. Pasts that we’re still trying to escape with the hounds of hell on our heels.

Fate brought us together. Now, I’ll do anything to protect my angel from the demons that haunt her. I won’t stop until I slay the devil himself to keep her safe, the man who ruined both of our lives.

The only problem is, my silent angel is keeping secrets from me – the biggest of which is that I’m not the only one who wants to exploit her.

WARNING: This is the deepest, darkest, dirtiest romance I've ever written.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2a7YeGw

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2aNHIgp

Facebook

Goodreads