Good With His Hands by Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar

 

Good With His Hands by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good With His Hands by Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente
4.5⭐️

Ruby and Jesse have become the best of friends after a car accident took the life of Claire - Jesse’s sister and Ruby’s best friend. This same accident also caused enough injury that it took Ruby two years and intense rehab to recover from. Now that her rehab is over, Jesse has a surprise for her: a list Claire left behind with things she wanted Ruby to do to ensure she’s living her best life. Jesse offers to work through the list with her before he moves across the country in a few short weeks - after all, it’s not like they’ll actually dare to develop feelings in that short time!

I so enjoyed this book and actually forgot that it was written by two authors as the writing was seamless. I fell in love with the characters and really loved watching them fall for each other. I particularly loved seeing Ruby grow as a person as she had a lot to work through. Jesse was an absolute sweetheart - he knew he had feelings for Ruby but pushed them aside to help her find herself and be at her best. I’m already eagerly awaiting Gigi’s story next year!

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

View all my reviews

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1GOG44GCT80TE/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1968966987

Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

 

Loverboy by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

Gunnar and Posy are a welcome addition to The Company with their second chance romance. As much as he loathes New York, Gunnar returns for the sole purpose of completing a job. Unbeknownst to him, the job he’ll need to take undercover is that of a barista. Problem? He hates coffee but even that takes a backseat to his new boss: Posy, of Posy’s Pie Shop. They’d met many moons ago as bartenders and had undeniable chemistry way back when. That’s not abated for either of them though both are obviously cautious for reasons of their own.

This book packs a punch in that it delivers suspense, humor, and a hefty dose of sexy. I felt that the way Gunnar and Posy reconnected and fell in love was so right and true. Not without obstacles and hesitation, but right for them. I enjoyed the characters and the story and I especially enjoyed that I couldn’t figure out the suspenseful part of things for myself!

Although this is the second book in Bowen’s, The Company series but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

View all my reviews

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3QCXKN3A9KNRY/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/910193726

Mafia Casanova by M. Robinson

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar

Mafia Casanova by M. Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mafia Casanova by Rachel Van Dyken and M Robinson
2.5⭐️

I’ve read all of RVD’s mafia books and was so insanely excited to read this one co-written with M Robinson. Unfortunately, the book was a bit of a miss for me on more than one level.

I didn’t like any of the characters and while that’s to be expected when read a book centered around the mafia, I usually manage to fall in love with the MC’s more than once throughout! Romeo was an asshole and I don’t mean the sexy, lovable kind and Eden irritated me to no end with her weakness and wishy-washiness. Naz was the star of this whole book and he’s the child!

The story was okay but not one that had me staying up all night to read. The relationship between Eden and Romeo was toxic at best and I didn’t really enjoy the way it progressed. I felt that there was a clear line switching authors and writing style and while I loved one, the other I really didn’t care for. It pains me to say it, but I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to read the following books in this series although I’ll be waiting on tenterhooks for more of the Royals.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

*Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

View all my reviews

https://www.amazon.com/review/RU35W2WAPR4CN/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3079056164

One Exquisite Touch by Lauren Blakely

 

REVIEWED BY 

Melinda Lazar 

One Exquisite Touch by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One Exquisite Touch by Lauren Blakely

I love a good masquerade and One Exquisite Touch kicks off with quite a scene indeed. Sage is co-CEO of The Extravagant hotel in Las Vegas: she’s a boss lady who relishes the idea of giving up control. She attends a masquerade with her bestie and meets not one, but two Prince Wickeds - Cole and Daniel. This night starts off an Exquisite affair with two, no three! people who are business adversaries by day and so much more at night.

Yes, this book was kink at its sexiest but it was also friendships and relationships built on trust and respect. Cole and Sage have both had their hearts broken previously and they needed to work their way towards something special. This book got me all hot and bothered (my husband thanks you!) but also got me in the feels. I am so excited to get my hands on Daniel’s story soon!

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog

View all my reviews

https://www.amazon.com/review/R65JYIUTXKHM4/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3268224224

GHOSTKIN by Ellen Mellor

REVIEWED BY 

Joanne Swinney

 

Ghostkin by Ellen Mellor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I was recommended I read this book written by Author Ellen Mellor from a friend. It was weirdly captivating. At first, I was unsure what certain things meant. Like what actually was a ghostkin? And then realising that although people had passed, died, supposed to be gone. They weren’t actually gone, they were still here or rather there and could speak and do things. Okay, so we call them ghosts, but it wasn’t like that. They were dead but not gone.‘Eat your heart out’, Supernatural. They need to watch, Sam and Dean Winchester don’t catch up to them.

This story is about a young woman who has so far led a very colourful life. Her first love is now a Reverend. A member of the clergy as Rachel so kindly puts it. Sometimes Rachel’s character comes across as mean, but there is definitely more to her than the persona she likes others to see. Rachel is a transgender, a person whose gender identity or expression does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. She’s also a thief. A very good one by all accounts. Most importantly Rachel is a ghostkin.

This story is set in the North East. Can’t say I would ever have imagined Newcastle Upon Tyne to be filled with all kinds of paranormal beings. This author certainly has a very vivid imagination.
In all honesty, this isn’t a book I would usually read, but I am pleased I did. It may take me some time to let it all sink in. Vampires, and other-worldly things, have spiked my interest of late.

To conclude my review, I think if you like reading all things paranormal or you're not afraid to try something new. Then you should definitely try a sample of this story today.


View all my reviews

THE WISH by Eva Lenoir

REVIEWED BY

Isa Jones

The Wish by Eva LeNoir My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Firstly, I would like to send an apology to the author for a delay in writing this review. Eva knows me and knows I commit to my deadlines, however, I found it hard to put into paper my feelings and emotions about this story so I wanted to compose myself.

I lost my Dad just a little over a year ago and I still mourn his absence every day. My Dad was my biggest fan and supporter of each and every one of my accomplishments, he was the perfect Dad and always used to tell me the best way to fulfil your life is to make sure you have a child, you plant a tree and you write a book; he did all three and I am making sure I live by his example.

In the Wish, Eva gives us an insight into the beautiful relationship between a Dad and his Daughter, particularly after the former battles with a deteriorating health condition.
It is a story of opportunities, relationships, love, living life to the fullest, fulfilling your dreams and life's second chances. It is a book about finding love in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

I think everyone has had the same impact after reading The Wish and that is to tick some of those things on your bucket list before life escapes us. We are currently living through a pandemic and most of us want to be able to go back to our old life but I think this has to give us an opportunity to love passionately and live fiercely.

Marlon is beautiful in so many ways (if you can call a man beautiful) but I fell hard for him and I loved the compassionate nature of his heart and the professionalism he shows for his business. He is the maker of dreams and he is a dream himself.

Jaidyn is, in turn, strong-willed and her only purpose is to make her dad happy, the love between them is strong and everlasting.

Together Marlon and Jaidyn have combustible chemistry I never got tired of reading their encounters.

Eva once again in her masterful way has written a bitter-sweet story, an unforgettable tale. I will forever cherish this book and regardless of the tears I shed whilst reading, I loved it with every fibre.

5 WISHFUL STARS! Jo&Isalovebooks.

View all my reviews

Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen

 

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lies and Lullabies by Sarina Bowen
4.5⭐️

Lies and Lullabies is the first book in the Hush Notes series and it sets a very high standard for the books (and authors!) that will follow. This is the story of lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Jonas and the second chance he gets with Kira, the girl he met one summer five years ago. Jonas has returned to Maine and is delighted to find Kira there though he’s in for the shock of his life!

I have to say loved these flawed characters. They both made decisions and choices that made me roll my eyes to the back of my head in annoyance while simultaneously wishing to slap them both into next week. However, I understood what made them both the way they are and why they made the decisions they did. The book was sexy with the perfect amount of angst and there were some really funny moments that had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed every word but could easily have read more especially with secondary characters like Vivi, Adam, and Ethan there to entertain. This is a fabulous start to a new series and I’m excited to see what Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros produce and how they redeem Nixon and Quinn.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

View all my reviews

https://www.amazon.com/review/R15WID3JHWLVWU/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3145592375