Jo&Isalovebooks REVIEW TEAM

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Down Shift by K. Bromberg

REVIEWED BY Melinda Lazar

Down Shift by K. Bromberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Down Shift by K. Bromberg

I know I was in the extreme minority of readers who wasn't a huge fan of the first few books in the Driven series. However, when I realized who this book was about, I immediately requested a copy from the publisher and at this point in my life, I'm fully prepared to go back and read the books that I've missed. Why? Because I've fallen in love with Bromberg's writing and most especially with these characters.

Getty is on the run from her past. From the moment her mother passed away when she was a child, she's not known love. She's been manipulated, controlled, used as a pawn by those who claim to love her and she's done. She's come Pineridge to hide, yes, but also to rediscover herself and heal from the invisible wounds. The unfortunate thing is that Getty thinks she's so weak and needy etc and doesn't see the absolute strength she possesses. Luckily, Zander can see the strength within and helps Getty see herself how he does. She's a character that you can't help but like and feel an abundance of compassion for while at the same time being in awe at her resilience in the face of what she's been through and the decisions she's had to make.

Zander is a race-car driver and has made a recent discovery that has turned his life on its axis. He leaves his life behind and heads to Pineridge to lick his wounds, find answers, and deal with the blows thrown at him all while helping his friend with home repairs. What he doesn't expect when arriving in Pineridge is another inhabitant invading what was to be his private escape. I loved Zander as a little boy, but as a man? Just wow. He's beyond incredible: he's sweet, he's protective, he's raw, he's real, and he's broken. I couldn't help but fall in love again with the man he's become.

This is a story about two people who have escaped their day to day lives and have come to heal and find answers in Pineridge, albeit alone. I was drawn right into this book from the first page and could not put it down till the last. I highly recommend this standalone whether you enjoyed the previous books or not.

*arc received in from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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Sunday, 2 October 2016

Take Two by Shira Anthony

REVIEWED BY Joanne Swinney

Take Two by Shira Anthony
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Take this book, download it, read it and YES! you will love it. This story was...... just simply beautiful. Such a heartwarming read, the pages were oozing with love. I wanted to know everything straight away, I couldn't put it down until I knew what was going to happen. There was a few heart stopping moments when I thought, oh my god do not let this happen, but I carried on and I want more.

This story was about, Wesley Coolidge and Sam Carr, aka mega movie star, Sander Carson. These two men met back in college, they became the best of friends and lovers.
Wesley is a professor of History and is slowly putting his life back together after breaking up with his partner. It wasn't a bad break-up, no fights, no drama just two people deciding to go their separate ways, or was it just Wesley that decided enough was enough? The old saying, 'you never know what you've got until it's gone' springs to mind.

Wesley has the summer off and is looking forward to spending time with his current boyfriend, Carl but the best-laid plans can always go awry, no matter how well planned they are. Carl informs Wesley that his boss, Robert will be staying with him to oversee the project he's currently working on and he won't have any spare time, yada yada. Yep, I found, Carl to be full of it, he gave me a bad vibe about him from his first words that were spoken.

Wesley gets offered a job working as a consultant on a movie set. He's been down this road before and is not that eager to return, but the money they are offering is too good to pass up. And of course somethings are to good to be true. Oh! the money is good, but when he bumps into his ex partner, Sam aka mega movie star Sander's the pieces start to fall into place.

Sam Carr has missed Wesley with a passion, he wants that man back in his life no matter what it takes. He is pulling out all the stops to win Sam back, but unfortunately it's never that easy. Although they are once again working along side each other, Wesley tries to keep his distance, he has a new boyfriend now, someone he can see himself with. Sam needs to understand that they tried and for whatever reason it didn't work.

Everything happens for a reason and sometimes things don't work out between two people, but does that mean it wouldn't work out a second time? I would have to say if it's a really bad break up, then no but with these two, I could see them having a future together. I wanted it to all work out. Two very beautiful men inside and out that deserve so much happiness.

Sam has an assistant called, Jeffery and I am really hoping to hear his story. You will see why when you read this book.
Take two is filled with fun, adventure and some very intense moments, but above all it's about love. If you're a lover of the M/M romance, then this book is for you.

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Defiance by Pamela Daniell

REVIEWED BY Ann Meemken

Defiance (The Revelations Series Book 2)

Defiance by Pamela Daniell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed book 1 Revelation and I wanted to see what was gonna happen next. I felt Jenna was gonna have a fight on her hands. She wanted to save the man she loved so she made a deal with angels. They have come to collect on their deal. Jenna is determined to fight for Dylan and not give the angels what they want.

I felt this story had a lot more action and that Jenna grew into her powers. Dylan has a huge family secret that comes out in this book. I did not see that one coming. I enjoyed Jenna fighting for her man. It just shows how much she loves him and is worth risking her life for him. Dylan would put her needs above his own. They have a unique love that is worth the fight.

I am looking forward to next book.

Reviewed for Jo&Isalovesbooks review team.

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The Studying Hours by Sara Ney

REVIEWED BY Micky Barnard

The Studying Hours (How to Date a Douchebag, #1)

The Studying Hours by Sara Ney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I need to rave about this book. This is a 'new to me' author and a friend gifted and recommended the book. I'd already seen it on my feed and liked the blurb. This book blew my expectations out of the water from like to love. This is rom-com at its best and where I find most of the rom-com books I read are contemporary age-group, this was college-aged. It worked fantastically well and I lost myself, living vicariously through the characters.

Sebastian 'Oz' is the douche from the title, living up to his name but he amused me constantly. He's not annoying at all. Jamieson (female) is the epitome of a strong, snarky, feisty woman and I loved her no-b******t attitude. She didn't flip flop into a sap at the sight of a hot guy. There's a distinct lack of angst in this book and I really enjoyed that aspect, that's not to say there's no complications but it sticks to the genre of funny love. What got me was a clever twist later in the book.

One of the highlights of this book are the chapter-heading statements douche-style that had me absolutely laughing and sharing the odd screenshot with a friend, because you cannot keep stuff like that to yourself. Sarah Ney is truly on my radar now, her writing was fun and flowed well. She writes chemistry and connection with expertise. I'm absolutely thrilled to see my hope that the next book will tackle the obnoxious Zeke; roll on book two.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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Violet Addiction by Kirsty Dallas

REVIEWED BY Kari Cox

Violet Addiction by Kirsty Dallas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book; I am a huge fan of music and rockstar romances and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I love the descriptions used for the music and I think it really made a point of how great Violent and Cain's talent was. Along with their music, Violet and Cain's relationship is incredibly strong. Cain is a dream guy; I love his character. He does whatever he can for Violet, even if it isn't necessarily what he wants. Violet loves Cain, but her dependency makes her show it less. Their story is not a perfect one and their struggles are heartbreaking. I couldn't put the book down once I started. I had to know if they made it through those struggles and I kept my fingers crossed the entire time they made it through them how I wished they would! Violet and Cain's story is a must read!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog

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Gentlemen's Agreement by Ethan Radcliff

REVIEWED BY Ann Meemken

Gentlemen's Agreement by Ethan Radcliff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read Ethan Radcliff's poetry and absolutely loved it. I was excited to read a novel by him. I wanted to see how he portrayed his character's and the story.

Chad is in a rut with his girlfriend Lora and decides to break it off. When Chad's best friend Jon comes to a wedding with a beautiful woman on his arm. He wants to get to know her but he does not want to hurt Jon. When Jon tells Chad how he met Cleo at a Bdsm club he is shocked but at the same time curious about it. This is a story of self discovery, friendship and love.

I enjoyed this story. The character's were well developed. I liked that it had a female domme in this story. She knew exactly how to take care of her men and vice versa. The sex scenes were extremely hot. I had a hard time connecting to Lora but I like the strong female that know what they want.

I look forward to reading more of Ethan's work.

Reviewed for Jo&Isalovesbooks review team.

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Ready For FLynn, Part 3 by KL Shandwick

REVIEWED BY Ann Meemken

Ready For Flynn,Part 3 (Ready For Flynn Series)

Ready For Flynn,Part 3 by K.L. Shandwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My initial reaction to this book was "Holy crap that book wrecked me!"

This series is one of my favorites. Valerie and Flynn have captured my heart. Their journey has been one hell of ride. KL Shandwick has captured their feelings and wrote the scenes so vividly, that you get wrapped up into the story. The story is beautifully written. I was a blubbering mess trying to read through my tears. The final book in this series puts you through a wide array of emotions with so many twists and turns. I felt everything they were going through along there journey. I love their story.

If you are looking for that next rock star romance look no further and one click the Ready For Flynn series now.

I look forward to your next release!

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