Souled by K.L. Shandwick

REVIEWED BY

Ann Meemken 

Souled: Bid on Love: Bachelor #1 by K.L. Shandwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

McKenna is a rock star. He goes home to care for his mom. While he is home takes time to catch up with his friends back home. He helps out a charity close to his heart. He is bid on at a bachelor's auction. He is surprised by who just won the bid. His long time friend Charlotte.

This story was a bit different than your typical rock star story. McKenna is portrayed as being just a normal guy. He wants her to see the real man and not the rock star. He wants to show Charlotte a good time on their date. I enjoyed the sexual tension and chemistry they shared.

This story is a short and steamy read. I loved every minute of it.



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Fat Cat Liar by Ahren Sanders

Reviewed by 

Ann Meemken

Fat Cat Liar by Ahren Sanders
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story started off a bit slow for for me. Greer and Lawson both have many secrets and don't let many people into there personal life. Which works out well at the beginning but as the story develops you wonder who's secret will come out of the bag first. I was intriqued to find out what they were both hiding and why. As the story went on the characters grew on me. They developed more and seemed more real, when they actually started letting down there guard. The story was well thought out and I enjoyed it.

This is the first story I have read by Ahren Sanders. It won't be my last.

**I received a copy for an honest review**
**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog**

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Tattered by Devney Perry

REVIEWED BY

Jess

Tattered by Devney Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank goodness for the extra scary story line in TATTERED, by Devney Perry because the first bit of the book was a little slow for me. I had my fingers crossed that a hook, line and sinker side story was going to pop my eyes wide open, and I was going to get the book I was hoping for!

Perhaps it’s me, or the genre of books I’m reading as of late, but I’m having a hard time reconciling the second chance at love theme and the hopefulness I have at some originality within the genre. It’s really hard to write something that’s so saturated in the contemporary romance scene and have it keep you on your toes, but Perry was able to suck me in from the middle of the book straight until the end- thankfully!

I just knew there had to be something up Perry’s sleeve!

There was.

Devney surprised me with her ability to really take your run of the mill book and spice it up quite a bit. Not only was the chemistry between Thea and Logan, spicy, but the creepy factor kept me coming back for more. The last 50% had me attached to my kindle like glue and I couldn’t put his book down.

Perry’s witting style really ebs and flows. It’s really quite poetic at times. I often find myself daydreaming when she writes a particularly intense scene and I just envision it playing out before me. I absolutely love that about her as an author.

There is always room on my kindle for a Devney Perry book and I look forward to the next instalment of this series!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed by Jess for JoAndIsaLoveBooks Blog



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Only Him by Melanie Harlow

REVIEWED BY

Jess

Only Him by Melanie Harlow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went through a lot of emotions while reading ONLY HIM by Melanie Harlow. Glee, nostalgia, disappointment and even frustration. The beginning and end of this book is solid. But I was lost somewhere in the middle with the story and I just didn’t like where it all went for a time. The reason for the four is because of the ending. The feeling it gave me, the one I wanted to feel for the whole book finally surfaced and I was awarded with the brilliant writing I was anticipating from Harlow the whole read.

Maren and Dallas were given a second chance. Not because either of them had hoped for a possibility at rekindling a romance from back in their teens-but because of something out of anyone’s control. Thinking you’re on your way to make amends and say goodbye was Dallas’s intention when he wound up on Maren’s doorstep...falling back into bed and into love wasn’t on the agenda. But true love never dies and even though the possibility of Dallas not having his life for much longer is on the table, he’s unwilling to share the news with Maren. Bringing them right back to what broke them up in the first place. His lies and his leaving. History was repeating itself.

While this trope has been repeatedly covered, over and over again, Harlow still managed to keep some individuality tied to it. Seconds chance romance can be hard to navigate and the character of Maren was probably the best part of the book for me. She was tough, she soldiered on, spoke her mind and didn’t take any BS from anyone. Especially Dallas. Her relationships with her sisters were genuine and lovely and that made for a better subplot.

I should also mention that Dallas and Finn really warmed my heart with their reconciliation. It took some time and they had to work hard to work through their differences and age gap, but it worked really well from a readers perspective.

Save for the middle of this read, I enjoyed the journey Dallas and Maren went on. It took nearly 2 decade to get to a place where both of them were happy and content with their lives, individually and together. Their dedication and love for each other eventually came to fruition and it was satisfying to read.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

*Reviewed by Jess for JoAndIsaLoveBooks Blog*


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Mogul by Katy Evans

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

Mogul by Katy Evans
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is an incredibly difficult review for me to write because I want to remain respectful to an author I admire hugely and I also need to be true to an honest review, because that’s who I am as a reviewer.

I simply disliked most things about this book. I found the heroine, Sara both annoying and insipid. Her admiration of Ian was pretty annoying. Her dialogue, particularly her nicknames for Ian, her own private parts and calling herself a ‘horny slut’ just pushed me over the edge. I didn’t gel with Sara at all.

Ian was fine, but he didn’t light a fire in me like so many of Katy Evans’ heroes have in the past. So as you can probably guess, these two together didn’t inspire me either.

The writing in general, again particularly dialogue, wasn’t to my taste. I think I can say MOGUL just wasn’t for me and fell flat in terms of interest and likeability. I know this is a short review, but my general disinterest means I really don’t have anything else to say. I will of course give Katy Evans another try because we have history and so I hope that the next works better for me.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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The Start of Something Good by Jennifer Probst

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard 

The Start of Something Good by Jennifer Probst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

THE START OF SOMETHING GOOD was a pleasant read, not angsty and just a lovely undulating journey. This is a perfect summer, low-concentration read, one for the beach or vacation.

Mia is a rising PR agent, representing the to-be Mayor or NYC. She’s somewhat vain, obsessed with being rake-thin and has no work-life balance. The to-be Mayor sends her to a farm way out of state to keep an eye on his wayward daughter doing community service. Ethan is ex-military, a bit predictably psychologically and physically damaged, however, he cuts a desirable character. These two truly were opposites with a hate thing going on. The chemistry between these two was very well written.

With the setting being a farm, I have to say some of the highlights came from some animals, primarily Hei Hei, the chicken and Phoenix, the abused racehorse. Chloe, the Mayor’s daughter also made for a slowly growing warm fuzzy.

The story was essentially predictable but I didn’t mind from a book like this, a story that’s going where I think in general. It was a sweet, encapsulated read. The bonus is, you can see a good set up for the next couple.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren

REVIEWED BY

Micky Barnard

The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5-4 stars

I’ve been looking forward to the next book in the Long Acre crew and this was an enjoyable, if somewhat lighter offering from the interconnected characters in this series.

Rebecca is still guilt-ridden over Long Acre and she’s lived a quiet, yet ambitious life pursuing law. She remains intermittently traumatised by her experiences and meets Wes through a situation that is traumatic and triggering. Wes was from the opposite side of the tracks to Bec and her non-issue with this was a bonus to the read. I really enjoyed Wes’ background more than Bec’s. In fact, in general, he was a more interesting character. Bec fluctuated between a weak and strong personality, which could be understood under the circumstances.

The chemistry between these two was well written, with a tangible feel. Wes and Bec just worked, despite everything. The kids, the bus and Knight were lovely extras to the story and I could definitely handled more Knight in the book.

I felt there was a lot less involvement of the Long Acre friends in this book and to be honest, I missed that, having expected them to be more prominent. There was also a less intense feel to this story, but not every story is going to be the same in terms of the level of emotions.

I remain invested in this series and I’ll be anticipating the next when it comes.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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