Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

REVIEWED BY Melinda Lazar 

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

This was a wonderful second chance romance written by the talented Sarina Bowen and set in the world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. It's the story of goalie Mike and personal assistant/office manager to the team owner, Lauren.

Mike and Lauren have a past. A significant past and one that neither has really moved on from. While it's been years since they last crossed paths and with so many unanswered questions, Lauren is finally ready to start in a new direction and make things happen for herself. Given that she's now running two offices, she and Mike are now constantly crossing paths (much to her dismay) and he wants back in her life and to hell with the consequences.

I love a good second-chance romance, I love single dad stories, and I love sports romances so I *really* wanted to love this story as much as I have the previous in the series but a small part just really didn't sit quite right with me. Perhaps I expected better of Mike; it was almost as though he didn't put any thought into his decisions or the effect that would have on other people, namely his daughter. I didn't feel as though a single dad would not take his child's feelings and thoughts into consideration no matter how long it's been since he last saw the love of his life. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but that's how I saw it. Nonetheless, it was highly enjoyable book and series I recommend. I particularly loved the story within the story - that's just driving me crazy!

*arc received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Sex in the Sticks by Sawyer Bennett

REVIEWED BY Micky Barnard

Sex in the Sticks by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SEX IN THE STICKS was a fun, light read, one of those books where you grin at times reading. The premise for this book was kind of perfect, rich socialite travels to Alaska to partake in the glut of men out there. I didn't need much encouragement to be invested in the idea of a rugged Alaskan man, it came naturally but I did need time to like heroine, Valentine. This is the second jobless-socialite I've read lately and initially this kind of heroine doesn't draw me in. She does write her own sex and dating blog though, thus her trip to Alaska. I did come to like Valentine more as the story developed.

The hero was a different matter, Logan, chief of police was the epitome of rugged, capable, outdoor-man. I liked his reticence when it came to Valentine, he sat back and watched her antics. Her antics were funny and I smirked and sniggered along the way. These two definitely had chemistry and their coupling made the blog melt-down with comments.

I definitely want to see more of this series and setting. There are more men in East Merritt, Alaska that need a book and I'm here to read that. Sawyer Bennett certainly has skills of creating a great premise and this book is well executed yet on the light side of contemporary.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.



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Emergency Attraction by Samanthe Beck

REVIEWED BY Tina Shobe

Emergency Attraction by Samanthe Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sinclair Smith hasn't seen Shane Maguire in 10 years when they meet up again at her sister, Savannah's wedding. Shane left her behind when he left for boot camp. He's back in town for work and he talks Sinclair into helping him out.

I love her line "Welcome home. When do you leave". Shows him exactly how she feels about seeing him again.

I absolutely love these two. Their banter is hilarious. Shane wants his girl back and Sinclair is just as determined not to go down that road again. I could literally feel the built up of their sexual tension. Their chemistry is sizzling.

The secondary characters really add depth and humor to this book.

This is book 3 in the Love Emergency Series but was easily a stand alone. I seriously read this book straight through. I was enjoying it so much I couldn't put it down. I was a little lost when the story ended. I wanted more.

I will say I loved the Epilogue. We get a glimpse into their future and added some more laughs. I really hope there is another book to this series (I am going back and reading the first 2).

This is the first book I have read by Samanthe Beck and I love her writing style and am now stalking her on Amazon and through her newsletter. I want to make sure I don't miss any future books.


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All About the D by Lex Martin

REVIEWED BY Melinda Lazar 

All About the D by Lex Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All About The D by Lex Martin and Leslie McAdam
4.5*

When I initially saw this book being promoted I immediately signed up for an arc and to be quite honest I barely had a glance over the synopsis but the title grabbed me because really, who doesn't want to read All About the D? Well anyway! I was very pleasantly surprised when I started. I was expecting a light, shallow romcom which is totally up my alley but I got so much more than that. This story and the characters had depth and feeling throughout that came out of the blue for me and made it that much more enjoyable.

Evie is an attorney and frankly, feeling stifled and overstressed; she desperately needs to bring in lucrative clients if she wants a promotion (which she does). When she's approached with an unusual client who must remain anonymous, she sees the opportunity to elevate her employment status and help out one of the sexiest men she's ever laid eyes on. Josh is part of one of the wealthiest families in Portland. He is also an architect by day, and blogger of dick pics (his own!) by night. He's been presented with a chance not many get and as a result, needs legal advice from someone completely unassociated with his family. As soon as the two meet, there's an undeniable attraction but there's the teeny issue of lawyer-client relationships being a no-no.

I loved the main characters in this story. I felt as though they were so well-rounded and developed. They were perfect as a couple and separately and I really couldn't help but like them. I actually forgot that this was written by two authors; the writing flowed perfectly and was faultless. I am eager for the next book from these two, particularly as I'm not sure how they'll manage to turn a certain man-child into a hero!

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Free Baller by Rie Warren

REVIEWED BY Tina Shobe

Free Baller by Rie Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brooklyn (Brooks) Holt plays for the Carolina Crush Football Team. After his bitter divorce he played the field pretty hot and heavy thus earning himself quite a reputation.

Delaney (Laney) Jones plays football during half time for the Woman's Football Team, Carolina Cougars. (I just love that women are playing football!)

Brooks wants nothing more that to be a part of Laney's life and not as just a hook up. Laney knows all about his reputation and doesn't want to be another casual hook up. She doesn't believe there is more to Brooks than that.

Brooks is doing everything to prove to her that there is more to 'them'.

I loved this book, to me it has it all. It has humor, romance, sizzling sex and wonderful banter between the characters. The fact that Brooks is Laney's self appointed champion and cheerleader really adds to the story.

I was so glad we got to reconnect with all the characters from the first book, Million Baller Baby.

This can be a stand alone book but I highly recommend you read them in order. To me, it just adds that much more to the book plus the series is awesome!


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JOY Ride by Lauren Blakely

REVIEWED BY Jess

Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a long standing Blakey fan and a lover of all of her amazing male leads, I have to admit, and I apologize to all the other hotties in this group, but I have to say Max is by far my favourite of the Lauren Blakely boys. JOY RIDE was all I wanted it to be-and more.

At some points during my read, I would have to remind myself to breathe. I was so utterly consumed with what I was reading, with the compelling chemistry between Henley and Max, that I would start going blue! I was so drawn in by the fantastic character pairing I was losing air! The S. E. X. Was. Soooooo HOTT. I'd argue it was Blakely's best writing by far. It's as if she took every review ever written about all of her books, and gave us all what we wanted and she did such an amazing job at delivering it.

Max, a master in his field-custom car making, and Henley his apprentice from years ago are going head to head in a car making mash up. She's become as amazing as he thought she would be all those years ago. And not only is he proud of her, he can't stand her, is attracted to her and wants to sleep with her. A bad combination if you ask me. What he doesn't know is, if the feeling is mutual. Old feelings flare up and the professionalism Max is known for is at a stand still when he can't get a certain brunette car detailer out of his mind. Henley is a force to be reckoned with, within the car business and being a woman is not always easy, but she's making a name for herself. Having had the best mentor in Max years ago has moulded her into the mechanic she is today.

I'm hugely impressed with this little slice of awesome. I smiled, swooned, laughed and pretty much blushed for the whole book. Both characters did a lot of growing through the read and the revelations regarding their roles in the car industry was so well thought out and well detailed.

The best part? This books primary focus was Max and Henley. Yes, we did see some of the old gang (which I always love) but I loved that JOY RIDE was primarily focused on these two Vibrant characters-and that kept me wanting more and more.

Another hit for Blakely-quite possible her best yet! Max met his match. The one he subconsciously knew it was all along.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Jess for joandisalovebooks blog

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Dating the Undead by Juliet Lyons

REVIEWED BY Micky Barnard

Dating the Undead by Juliet Lyons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

DATING THE UNDEAD was a different kind of vampire read than I'm normally used to. It had a real undertone of fun and snark in which I found engaging. I would have liked a little more building of this particular vampire world to really understand the context as the reality of vampires in the human world was a new concept for society.

Silver was the kind of heroine that needs to grow on you. Her character wasn't instantaneously likeable but she did have depth to her character and was multi - dimensional. Logan intrigued me and I loved getting under his skin step - by - step. For me, Logan was the glue in this story. The underworld of vampire - human relations was interesting.

The connection between Logan and Silver just lacked something and I can't quite put my finger on it but I held back from fully investing in these two.

I did enjoy this book, I just wanted a little more in a few ways.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.

Reviewed for Joandisalovebooks blog.

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