Thursday 16 May 2019

Enemies With Benefits by Roxie Noir

REVIEWED BY
Ann Meemken 



Enemies With BenefitsEnemies With Benefits by Roxie Noir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eli and Violet were nemesis since Kindergarten.

They are once again thrown together. There is a hate/love relationship between them. They are used to being at each other's throats but there is also something new between them. There is chemistry between them. What will happen if they give into it? How will the story play out?

I enjoyed the banter between them. There were times of sweet endearing moments. They both let there guard down. It was a beautiful moment to read and watch what happens next. It was a great story and fun to read.

**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog**

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Wednesday 15 May 2019

The Dating Proposal by Lauren Blakely

REVIEWED BY
Melinda Lazar 

The Dating ProposalThe Dating Proposal by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dating Proposal by Lauren Blakely

The Dating Proposal is a complete reimagining of Blakely’s Trophy Husband (no longer available for purchase) and comes with brand spanking new material that even those of us who inhale every book Blakely writes (for example, me), will be delighted at the fresh, new (around 85% new!) content.

We meet McKenna, a successful vlogger, when she’s headed out to celebrate her anniversary. Not of her marriage though; McKenna is celebrating the anniversary of her non-wedding. While she doesn’t meet Chris on this fateful day, she does meet someone else who she thinks she might enjoy dating and thus enters into a ‘dating for fun phase’.

Chris is a sexy, delicious geek who helps McKenna when an evil cat damages her hard-drive. They strike up a friendship and when Chris suggests that McKenna join him on his show and help boost both their target audiences, she acquiesces and so the journey (kind-of) starts.

There’s a delicious slow-burn to this story as neither Chris nor McKenna want anything more than friendship. Chris because he’s been burned by dating a colleague and McKenna because she only wants to date for funsies. Because of this, they take their time getting to the eventual point and I so enjoyed the journey with them. I felt that their friendship was so adorably cute and flirty and when they got together, I may have let out a small cheer.

The Dating Proposal includes a gorgeous cast of characters we’ve likely met before and for me, it’s always fun to visit old friends. This book is a wonderful reinvention and I already look forward to a reread.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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The Lying Hours by Sara Ney

REVIEWED BY
Monique Cashmere 



The Lying Hours (How to Date a Douchebag, #5)The Lying Hours by Sara Ney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love the How To Date A Douchebag Series and this one is another fun read. Each book has different characters that sometimes cross over due to it all being centered around the same university. This installment is about Abe and Skylar.

What I appreciate with these books is that each character has a flaw. Some can be redeemed and some are for us to have a better understanding and acceptance with. Abe was the gentle giant that was taken advantage of from his other teammates but especially his roommate. He had plenty of growth in this book and it made for interesting reading. I loved that he may not have known at the time that he stuffed up, but when he did, he went about to fully apologize for his actions. That is more important to me than being some alpha mucho male.

Skylar had a good head on her shoulders and knew what she liked in a partner. Lucky for Abe, it wasn’t JB. She may have been inexperienced in the bedroom, but she made up for it with wisdom of the heart and was a quick learner. She was sweet and witty with a sincerity to admire. I also loved her roommate and the insight with the epilogue. Bring on the novella.

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Well Suited by Staci Hart

REVIEWED BY
Monique Cashmere 



Well Suited (Red Lipstick Coalition, #4)Well Suited by Staci Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this, I felt like I was missing something. When I went back to check the other books, I had! My bad, I skipped book 3 somehow, and I will be rectifying that mistake quick smart, as Amelia and Tommy’s story sounds pretty good indeed. He is Theo’s twin brother.

In saying that, I still got the full picture of what Katherine and Theodore’s story is all about. Kate, I’m going to call her Kate because I feel I know her well now, is different from the other girls. She needs order and stability and routine. It is hard for her to adapt to change and chaos. Theo is similar to this but he is better at being flexible and can handle little surprises. Even if it comes in the form of a baby. One thing he will insist on is being present throughout the whole experience. He will not repeat history and follow his own father's footsteps.

Theo melted my heart with his attention to detail to make everything easier for Kate. He believed in happily ever after and soul mates, but it is not in Katherine to conform to silly notions. Theo knows that to win Kate over is a slow and steady strategy and one he is willing to take for love. Kate, on the other hand, didn’t deem it possible to fall in love, it’s a chemistry thing. And as much as I wanted to shake her, I understood why she would think that way due to her upbringing. I don’t agree with her, and she finally sees what’s in front of her all along. What I didn’t get was John Banowski’s storyline, it felt out of place and thrown in for an explanation for something and the missing link might be book three, but his actions were a little contradictory. En masse I enjoyed this book and was happy with the full epilogue and the way it closed out the series.

** Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.

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In Azure Dreams by Jim Proctor


REVIEWED BY
Joanne Swinney 

In Azure DreamsIn Azure Dreams by Jim Proctor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Entering the world of the paranormal is exciting. All make believe, but such a great journey reading the imagination of others. Jim Proctor takes us on not one, but six brand new adventures. It’s completely fascinating to the point that you will be unsure of what is real and what are just dreams.

All six short stories are captivating, but if I had to pick a favourite it would have to be story six, The Gift that Keeps on Giving. Samantha is a hard working girl, trying to make ends meat. She’s been invited to a party or rather everyone in her workplace is required to go, and also bring a gift. I’ve never heard of such things, and Samantha isn’t too happy about it either. But not wanting to be the only person who turns up without a gift she relents to buying something a little special. Not even sure special is the right word, but it’s definitely something.

Strange things happen in each story. A house that is everything but a home, surely buyers would stay clear of something going so cheap. It’s a strange mystery that could keep on going throughout life. A man who is constantly asking the same question every single moment of his waking day, and night for that matter. It’s like groundhog day for Eric. For Carly life is just beginning she just doesn’t know it yet. Not everything is as bad as it seems. Poor Arthur is living not one life, but two and can’t keep up with either of them. This is definitely the saddest of all six stories. Senja and Petre explore a new planet that is an intriguing discovery. And finally, Samantha’s luck takes an awful turn for the worst when she buys a gift for her boss.

If you love all things paranormal you should definitely download this book. You can read each short story at your leisure as each one is standalone. It’s also available with KindleUnlimited subscription.


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DEBASE by Rachel Van Dyken




REVIEWED BY 
MELINDA LAZAR 

DebaseDebase by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Debase by Rachel Van Dyken

Debase is the last book of the Eagle Elite series but fear not! It is also the first book in the Elite Bratva Brotherhood which means that we still get all sorts of EE yumminess (ie Tex) sprinkled throughout.

I always request RvD’s books to read and review (particularly this series) but when it comes time to actually write said reviews, I’m at a loss. I don’t like to give too much away because these books need to be experienced and my reviews never do them any justice. Nonetheless, here we are and here’s my review.

We’ve seen enough of Andrei in the previous books to know he’s ruthless and dark dark dark as they come, no thanks to his father (who, if he wasn’t dead already, I’d be requesting a hit on). Yes, he’s dark but deliciously so. Against his will and even with the best of intentions, he falls for Alice who sees the light in his darkness. How anyone can see light and goodness in another person given what she’s gone through is beyond me but Alice manages to. Andrei and Alice and their background stories absolutely broke my heart and I’m thankful for the humor interspersed throughout this book that broke up the intensity and lightened the heaviness.

Debase is an amazing start to a new series and if you’re new to The Family, you won’t be lost at all. I don’t normally read anything even remotely dark or mafia-ish, much preferring my lighter and fluffier reads, but this series is one I can’t help but read. Why? I hear you ask. Because Family first. Blood In. No Out.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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https://www.amazon.com/review/RT3B9C5EUMMKA/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv


https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R20HR07GW3WWJI/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

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Enemies with Benefits by Roxie Noir


REVIEWED BY
Ann Meemken

Enemies With BenefitsEnemies With Benefits by Roxie Noir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eli and Violet were nemesis since Kindergarten.

They are once again thrown together. There is a hate/love relationship between them. They are use to being at each other's throats but there is also something new between them. There is chemistry between them. What will happen if they give into it? How will the story play out?

I enjoyed the banter between them. There were times of sweet endearing moments. They both let there guard down. It was beautiful moment to read and watch what happens next. It was a great story and fun to read.

**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog**

View all my reviews

Give Me a Reason (Redemption Hills, #1) by A.L. Jackson

  Give Me a Reason by A.L. Jackson My rating: 5 of 5 stars This BOOK deserves all the recognition and praises it has received. From that ...