The Something About Her by Rachel Higginson

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

The Something about Her by Rachel Higginson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series has consistently drawn my attention and THE SOMETHING ABOUT HER did it again with Dillon and Vann. This was a slow burn offering that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Vann has previously been a quirky character, especially in book one. He was just lacking some focused attention in my opinion because Vann was all good guy. Books about good guys are underrated and I will champion reads like this forever. Dillon was a complex, under-confident and messy character but she sure was likeable. Vann and Dillon were the third wheels thrown together and considering this series has had its majority share of a hate-to-more trope, this switch-up was refreshing.

There was a serious underlying issue to this story and I felt it was handled reasonably well perhaps with less focus than I wished. When the issue did reveal, it was well written and compellingly narrated. It was a real bonus in this book to see the previous couples story arcs come to completion. Happy sigh.

I highly recommend this book but the series as a whole from start to finish.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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Tumble by Adriana Locke

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

 Tumble by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a delightful surprise this turned out to be. I’ve been meaning to try out Adriana Locke for a while because I’ve heard good things, so I jumped at this opportunity at an early read. The blurb appealed with a second chance, small-town romance and it delivered on that very well.

This book was a grower, it slowly simmered to a boil with a story that drew me in more over the pages. Dean grabbed my heart fairly quickly, I just knew there was more to the issue, I just didn’t know what. Mia was pretty likeable and Neely, like the story, grew on me. Neely was the one to return to her home town, down on her luck but a career and NY girl at heart. This book had a rich bunch of friends and family that made this read a little deeper than expected.

I did a fair bit of highlighting in this story and when I looked at what I’d highlighted, it was mostly Dean’s dialogue. He was written in such a believable way and the way he was trying to hold back on his affections just made me all heart eyes.

“She fit right back into that spot - her spot - in my life.”

This is an ideal escapism read with a small town theme and gorgeously romantic. I truly enjoyed Adriana Locke’s style of writing, it had just the right balance of the physical with far more focus on the emotional. I will be reading more from this author without a doubt and I’m looking forward to more from this particular series.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

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AMAZON UK

Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

 Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FIERCE FRAGILE HEARTS did not disappoint carrying on the story of the three friends but this time with Suzanne as the protagonist. I was absolutely ready to get into Suzanne’s head and life; she was messed up and complex but I loved her honesty, humility and character growth. Suzanne was bravely stepping into independent life, in a bedsit and with a job.

Suzanne, Caddy and Rosie were two years on, 18-going-on-19 and they were all transformed in a realistic way. Lots had happened since the days of BEAUTIFUL BROKEN THINGS and Caddy seemed to be the most different, sometimes good and sometimes not so much. Suzanne had a big heart, it might have been fragile but I could feel it getting stronger and from this, her individuality began to shine.

Kel and Matt were brilliantly woven into the story. I loved Kel’s friendship and everything to do with Matt was welcome. Dilys was the warmest addition to the storyline as was Henry.

This duo of books finishes in a good position and yet I still want more so if Sara Barnard would please write these three, especially Suzanne in the future, I will be queuing to buy it.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

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AMAZON UK

Dearest Stalker Part:4 by J.S. Scott writing as Lane Parker

Dearest Stalker: Part 4 by J. S. Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Regardless of what name she chooses to write with, Author J.S. Scott has proven she is a master storyteller. Each of the four books on this serial were as addictive and page-turner as the next and we the readers couldn't wait to read the concluding and anticipated finale.
The story pretty much takes off from where we last left it and it was like hitting play on a movie that has been on pause. The steamy scenes were scorching and there were other nice surprises and unexpected turns which made me appreciate this last instalment even more.
Really I can't tell you much about the book as I do not want to give anything away. All I can say is that it ended perfectly, it was all I wanted in this story, it had touching elements and it still offered something new. The books were written in very quick succession and for that, I would like to commend the author, even when the last part seem to take long(and really it didn't, I was just dying for the day to arrive) she managed to release a Valentine's novella in between! Just AMAZING.

Sadly this story is now over but with every ending comes a new possibility and I for one can't wait to Ben's book, it's going to be another hit for sure!.

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Motion by Penny Reid

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Motion by Penny Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Law of Physics Book 1: Motion by Penny Reid

Why why whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did I pick up this arc fully aware that I’d be left with a goddamn cliffhanger??? And what a doozy of a cliffhanger it is! I even tried to flick the page but sadly, there was nothing there to satisfy my WTFery.

Mona gets The Call from her twin Lisa requiring her step in and pretend to be Lisa while Lisa languishes her days away in jail (and by God, we better get some answers there!). Twin guilt and loyalty kick in and Mona heads back home only to be babysat by their brothers best friend, Abram. While Mona is the serious and studious type, Lisa is something of a wild child so it’s not *just* a matter of pretending to be Lisa, Mona has to think, act, and reinvent herself in order to be believed and she has help in the form of Gabby, her sisters best friend.

I loved these characters and their story. Mona is a clever, quirky heroine and reminded me so much of one the authors other characters but in her own very unique way. She’s someone who I would love to sit and have a coffee (and donut) with and who I would find endlessly fascinating. Abram... first of all, he’s delicious. He’s a musician. He’s dimpled. And he’s ridiculously intriguing because he’s still such a mystery to me! I can’t wait to learn more about him in the next two books where I hope my curiosity will be well satisfied.

I really love that Reid always has a supportive female cast. In this instance it was Gabby who, while she used to be besties with both Lisa and Mona, now only has a relationship with the former. Given the reasons why she no longer has a friendship with Mona, I half expected her to not be as supportive and kind to Mona as she was and was happily surprised (and should have known better) with her caring and thoughtfulness.

I have to be completely honest. I didn’t love Reid’s Elements of Chemistry series for reasons I can’t even remember so I really didn’t anticipate that I’d move beyond ‘it was ok’ for Motion. However, given how I feel about this book, I’m going to go back and re-Reid EoC because maybe I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind when I read it the first time. Reid has given warning after warning that this book will end in a cliffhanger and so, disregarding my dismay at the start of this review, it really was no surprise. Having said that, the book ended in the perfect place and while I most certainly am going to hunt for clues for books two and three, it made perfect sense to stop there.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

*Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog

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Motion by Penny Reid

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

Motion by Penny Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So there’s Mona and then there’s Lisa and in this book you get a slice of both of them. MOTION quickly launches you into the quirky, intelligent world of Mona. She feels initially one-dimensional and she is definitely somewhat emotional stunted but there’s lots to unwrap with Mona, her quirks, her quips and her insecurities. I like Mona, a lot and I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface.

Abram is the house-sitter but really the minder and chaperone employed to keep ‘Lisa’ in line. He’s nice, in every way, there’s not much to dislike, after all he took her to a bookshop and had some great recs. Can I just pause here a moment and admire the cameo for the books that were name-dropped? There is some bubbling chemistry between these two and again I felt like I was scratching the surface with what is possible but there I still much more to come both in my connection with the characters and the story itself.

I didn’t find the cliffy bad, more like a commercial break but I’ll need the next instalment tomorrow.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

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A Single Glance by Willow Winters/

REVIEWED BY

Isa Jone. 

A Single Glance by W. Winters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was delicious, it was addictive, it was HOT and sexy and anything in between. I don't think there are enough adjectives to describe this story.
Gratefully this is not a cliffhanger but I need the next book in the series like if it was my next breath. Yeah, that is one way to describe my book hangover and I need more, more, more!.... Please.
As with everything Willow, this book was perfection in every way. The characters are cleverly crafted and their connection is EXPLOSIVE, wait till you read a particular scene and you will understand what I am talking about.

But what are you doing reading this review, if the opening line wasn't enough, I will tell you again. GO DOWNLOAD THIS BOOK AND START READING NOW! You will not be disappointed.


Privileged to have received an ARC from the Author.

5 SCORCHING STARS. Isa for Joandilsalovebooks Blog.

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The Double by Helena Newbury

REVIEWED BY

Isa Jones

The Double by Helena Newbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love how Goodreads has a little question when you are about to write your book review. What did you think? they ask.
Well let me tell you what I thought about The Double: It was Exhilarating, Compelling just in one word simply mesmerising.

The Dictionary describes mesmerising as: capture the complete attention of (someone); transfix.a former word for hypnotize. to hold (someone) as if spellbound.

I think I am completely bewitched by Helena Newbury because every time I open and start one of her books I am in a trance. Seriously Helena, you have put a spell on me and I just don't think I have the words to describe how reading this book made me feel, it was a complete state of elation.

To give those who are reading this review an idea, this book was in my humble opinion, one of the best mafia/gangster romantic suspense stories I've ever read.
Cleverly written with an incredibly original storyline I was enraptured and virtually on the edge of my seat. There was not one dull moment and those times where the tone was calmer, the pages were filled with very steamy scenes or deeply meaningful dialogues.

The story of Hailey and Konstantin is one that I will cherish forever and will eternally remain as one of my top reads of all time.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ACR received in exchange of an honest review.

5 SPELLBINDING STARS. Isa for Joandisalovebooks Review Team.

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Car Crash by T. Gephart.

REVIEWED BY

Monique Cashmere 

Car Crash by T. Gephart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the first book in this series, I was excited to hear that Dallas was getting his own book with the beauteous and bewitching Kitty. These two were a kindred spirit pair that I was sucked into their tale from the first sentence. They were exactly the same in their beliefs on relationships and not having one. But after a couple of crazy events for Dallas, he is spooked and needs to vent to Kitty. They decide to conduct an experiment that could change everything they held true with hookups.

The evolution of this couple was just fun and sweet and hilarious. Dallas is that character with wit, charm and charisma in abundance. He is the happy go lucky, fly by the seat of his pants dude that nothing seems to worry him. Until Mason may or may not have put a hex on him. Kitty was a little more classical and sophisticated but she was Dallas’s match through and through. Together they go on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

This is a standalone book, even though it’s the second installment in the series. You can absolutely read this and not feel like you have missed out on part of the story. If you did read book one, there are snippets of the previous couple which was fun. Ms Gephart is fast becoming one of my go-to authors for a guaranteed great read.


* I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.

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Dirty Halo by Julie Johnson

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar 

Dirty Halo by Julie Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dirty Halo (Forbidden Royals Trilogy #1) by Julie Johnson
4.5*

Wow! The first book in Johnson’s brand new series sets an amazing tone and having just finished a few hours ago, I’m left a little lost and confused and frankly, demanding the next book right tf now!

When the current King and Queen of Germania are killed in a palace fire, Emilia is dragged to the palace and her father (with whom she has had zero communication her entire life) and is essentially forced to take her place as the Princess of Germania. With that, comes a whole lot of secrets and lies, lust and intrigue.

I adored Emilia’s character: she was funny and super smart, stood up for herself without hesitation, and being human, also made some questionable decisions. I also adored Emilia’s new step-siblings: Chloe was hilarious and is well on her way to being a good friend and honestly, that’s a huge deal for me! Johnson could have made her into the evil stepsister (considering we already have the evil stepmother!) but instead she chose the good friend route. Love it. And her stepbrother? Lord Carter Thorne.... utterly delicious. That is all.

This is a fantastic start to a series and the only reason I’m giving four instead of five stars is because there was a small number of details I didn’t like and while they were minor enough, they’re still playing on my mind even hours later. Again, this book is the first in the series and does end in a cliffhanger but don’t let that deter you! I usually avoid books with cliffhangers without exception but I couldn’t resist this blurb and I’m so glad I didn’t wait.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

*Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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The Military Wife by Laura Trentham

REVIEWED BY 

Micky Barnard 

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE MILITARY WIFE swept me up quickly into Harper's life and story. Harper was a military widow and what was unusual about her tale was that she was five years down the line from being widowed. She was forever changed by her experiences, sad at times but she was also functional and optimistic about life ahead.

This story is told in a past/present chapter approach. Whilst I really did want to be focused in the present and what was happening there, I did appreciate the need to know the story underpinning the 'now'.

A strange revelation in Harper's life threw her into the path of her late husband's closest 'brother' and Bennett is reluctant to see or communicate with Harper. Bennett was a large, interesting but quiet man and Harper was persistent, getting under his skin. What develops between these two is slow-burning and beautiful. Although there was heat, the focus was very much on the emotionality of the connection and this intensity was fantastic.

There was a cast of strong secondary characters including another military family who were in crisis, Harper's son and her mother. The stories around these characters were strong and interwoven inexplicably into Harper and Bennett's tale. This all made for a rich and deep story.

This is my first time reading Laura Trentham but I literally can't wait for more of this series. I will also be perusing her other books as I wait.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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