Drive by Kate Stewart

REVIEWED BY

Becky Cox

Drive by Kate Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ladies and gents this is a must read. Especially if you are a music lover. An AMAZING story with songs linked at the beginning of each chapter so you can listen while you read to set the mood for the chapter. Sheer brilliance.

Drive is definitely in my top five favorite reads of 2017.

Willow Aster recommended this book to me and I am so so happy I followed up and read it. This is my first Kate Stewart and I look forwarding to checking other works by her. The emotional ride was breathe stealing, tear causing, sigh inspiring awesomeness.

I don't want to give away one little piece of this story. It needs to be read with no expectations and no hype.

Stella is a unique and amazing character. I loved her from the start. When I can insert myself into the character I know I have found a winner. My enjoyment increases ten fold when I can see myself living the life of the character or having experienced something that she is going through. Good writing does that.

The heroes in this book deserve a little kudos and I cared deeply for them, but don't want to influence a future readers perception so I will leave it at that.

Thank you Kate for an amazing adventure!

Reviewed by Becky for JoandIsaLoveBooks

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The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar 

The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane
2.5-3*

On paper, this book was absolutely my favorite kind of read. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite what I'd anticipated. Although I adore reading sports romances and I understand the rivalry between various colleges, it seem really extreme and contrived in this book. Maybe it's because I don't actually watch the sports but I don't think that was it.

I thought Jay as a main character was great. He was one hell of an athlete, he was sexy, he was sensible. Most importantly, he did not come up with ridiculous excuses of college rivalry to avoid a relationship with Kayla.

Kayla, bless her little pompoms, managed to grate on my nerves as did, oddly enough, her mother. I can understand some friendly rivalry, but this was extreme and immature and unwarranted. It seemed like every time she was about to fall into something with him, the rivalry would rear its ugly head. I get it, it's the title of the book, for God's sake but still. Too much.

I do enjoy Sloane's writing and this doesn't mean I won't be picking up her next, but I will say that The Rivalry fell a little short of expectations for me.

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Constant by Rachel Higginson

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

Constant by Rachel Higginson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m part thrilled, part frustrated over where I find myself at the end of CONSTANT. I’m certainly glad
Rachel Higginson made the decision to make this a duet because this an in-depth and intense story. I have to say that end is rather abrupt and felt a little unplanned but I am in utter suspense for what will happen in CONSEQUENCE. As ever, Rachel Higginson can write so well but new fans from her previous two novels (The Opposite of Us etc) will find CONSTANT a little different, a walk on the darker side. The good news is she executed this story well.

The setting for CONSTANT is a Russian crime family/brotherhood. Caroline had no choice in being drawn into a life of crime, she was born into it and she made a superb con artist. Sayer, a boy off the streets, finds food and employment with the Bratva. These two grew through their adolescence together and the story finds them apart many years later. I was completely drawn into this book, I found it difficult to ascertain where my allegiances should go, each character seemed to have bad and good in them. There are dark secrets, twists and I worried intensely for Caro, Frankie and Juliet, in fact I am still in this position.

The Sayer of the present was a compelling hero, bad boy with loyalty who gave an impressive physical presence. It was so hard to trust anyone from the Bratva that it’s an unusual position not being able to feel trust in the main characters but also fun to be in the dark. I highly recommend this as a romantic suspenseful read. Please join me in the wait for February 2018!

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

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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El Santo by M. Robinson

REVIEWED BY

Becky Cox

El Santo by M. Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

El Santo is up at the top of my favorite M. Robinson books.

I didn't know what twisty path she was taking me on but followed willingly and was blown away. I must admit I am bit in hate with Ms. Robinson at the moment for the ending. I will leave you to find out for yourself.

Damien wanted a life that was not to be for him. He is smart, resourceful and gorgeous...did I mention hot? He does the best he can with the life that has been forced upon him.

Amira, what a great character. She is pretty much perfect. The sweet young girl, to a confident young woman. Sassy and smart. Loyal and dedicated. Loving and wise beyond her young years.

El Santo resonated in my black little heart and I loved it. I wait on tenterhooks for the resolution of this story. I hate Ms. Robinson just a tad, okay so freaking pissed off at her for making me wait. If the story hadn't been so awesome I would probably say mean things, well meaner things.

Highly recommend this book to readers of dark romance.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Becky for JoandIsaLoveBooks



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Rock Solid by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

REVIEWED BY

Tina Shobe

Rock Solid by Carly Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life takes an interesting turn when Connor Prescott and Katie Kaswell flights are delayed due to a snowstorm. Connor happened to get one of the very last hotel rooms available, which turned out to be a suite with 2 bedrooms. He offers to share with Katie. Katie is reeling from a 'surprise' from her boyfriend when she showed up unexpectantly for Valentine's.

She would like nothing more than to forget and to feel desired. She wants a one night stand with Connor. A one night stand if something that Connor doesn't want. He plans to change Katie's mind but when he wakes up the next morning she's gone.

Neither one of them knows the other's last name. Both have never forgotten the other. Fate has Katie finding Connor four years later. She gives life changing news to Connor. I highly commend Katie for contacting Connor. She could of very easily never told him.

Connor has great integrity. He could of been very bitter about the situation and he stepped up accepted his new role in life and looked forward instead of backwards.

The feeling's that Katie and Connor acted upon years ago has not diminished and the more time they spend together the strong they get.

Katie is very leery of taking their relationship to another level. She doesn't have a great past when it comes to men and doesn't want her daughter to experience what she lived through in her childhood with her own parents.

Katie has to determine if she's brave enough to take a leap and have faith in Connor or step back and watch from the sidelines.

This is an wonderfully written book that pulls the reader in. I was left with a smile on my face at the end.


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At Your Service by Lexi Blake

REVIEWED BY

Becky Cox

At Your Service by Lexi Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Javi and Jules story had some elements that were vastly different which is a nice change. Jules is a military vet amputee, which I have not seen before and I really liked that the female vets, amputee or not, were getting some heroine cred.

Jules has some issues, besides the obvious, that I really didn't get in the big scheme of things but seriously liked her character nonetheless. She is feisty and confident (at least on the outside). I admire her independence and resilience.

Javi is ex-military as well. He is a manwhore extraordinaire, or was. He is ready for something serious and has his sights set on Jules. These two took a bit to figure out all their miscommunication or lack of communication but found their HEA.

I enjoyed getting to hear from some of the characters from previous stories I have read.

Ms. Blake writes a great story and I enjoy her heroes and heroines. The Masters and Mercenaries series has had some great characters and continues to do so.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

Reviewed by Becky for JoandIsaLoveBooks




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Single Daddy Scot by Donna Alam

REVIEWED BY 

Becky Cox 

Single Daddy Scot by Donna Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well Ms. Donna, you've done it again. Every time I think, that was my favorite, you give me another. I super serious this time, I love Single Daddy Scot.

Firstly, and most importantly, the Scots just do it for me. Secondly, Mac is just the bomb.

I was to be in Scotland last week and unfortunately had to cancel my trip, but I had told my hubs I was going to find me a Scot in a kilt and I wasn't coming home. He laughed being used to my nonsense, but I was absolutely not jesting.

Lucky for me, Donna serves me one right up in Mac. I love his humor. I am big fan of funny and all the books in this series have such great "laugh out loud" dialogue. I love Mac's dirty mouth. I could listen to him spout naughty thoughts for hours...days....years. That accent, ladies, I could hear it in my head as I read. Swoon.

Ella is such a great heroine. She had some rough times in a bad relationship and struggled through to come back to herself. She also has a great sense of humor. She is so good with Louis and with Mac for that matter. I liked how she thought things through and wasn't tossed about every little thing.

Love this series and all the characters but mostly love Donna's writing. It is down to earth and believable. I can see people I know in the characters. They speak realistically and interact as I do with my friends.

Thanks for another great adventure!!

Reviewed by Becky for JoandIsaLoveBooks

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