Review: Deeper by Robin York

Title: Deeper

Series: Caroline & West #1

Author: Robin York

Release Date: January 28th, 2014

Rating: 3.5 stars

Cliffhanger: Yes - mild.

In the New Adult debut from beloved contemporary romance author Ruthie Knox, writing under the pseudonym Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.
 
When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper

Deeper is one of this books that are more than difficult to rate and review for me. Some parts were brilliant, some of them where not and while I enjoyed the story overall, there were fragments that I could not relate to or that just bothered me and made me skeptical. Nonetheless, I did have a good time as the story definitely consumed me and made me think.

As for plot, this book was fast moving and paced to go. The story follows Caroline a nineteen year old college student who happened to be ostracized by whole university, because her ex – boyfriend broke her trust and published her naked pictures on-line. Now, she has to live with a red mark on her forehead and constant reminders that she’s a slut.

West also has some serious problems with his family and carries a great deal on his shoulder. Together, they slowly start of as friends and with time they develop deeper feelings toward each other. But Caroline’s porn pictures aren’t going away and West’s drugs dealing problem is not closed either.

At the beginning I wasn't very sure if I will be able to like it much, since it started off very slow and I didn't feel any connection between the two main characters. And frankly, Caroline wasn’t likeable heroine. I had pretty hard time with relating and sympathizing with her. Don’t get me wrong, what happened to her was horrible and my heart ached while thinking about it, but Caroline made it so hard to like her. Fortunately somewhere in the story, she changed and grew on me and I was finally able to enjoy reading Deeper.

As the book progressed, I found myslef liking it and appreciating it more and more. With every new chapter the plot was going on the right track and I couldn’t stop myslef from swooning from time to time or just smiling.

I immensely enjoyed reading ‘sexy times’. Robin York’s done a great job in describing sensual, steamy between the sheets action and I devoured this part of the story.

However, there were other aspects that didn't work for me. I had stop myslef from rolling my eyes few times at Caroline and her unnecessary drama making. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t try asking for help and put up with the bullying. She should have put on her big girl panties and do something with this mess. Fight! I’m not sure if I could go on like she did.

Overall, Deeper is a strong read worth checking out. The writing was solid, intrigue well thought, romance sweet and sex off the charts hot!

**ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review**

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Book Blitz: Seven Sons by Lili St. Germain

Title: Seven sons

Series: Gypsy Brothers #1

Author: Lili St. Germain

Release Date: January 5rd, 2014

My father was most certainly NOT an innocent man. As the leader of the Gypsy Brothers MC, he was guilty of many things. But he died for a crime that he didn’t commit, framed by an enemy within who then stole his club and everything he had ever worked to protect.

Including my innocence.

When Dornan Ross framed my father, he set into motion a series of events that could never be undone. My father was murdered by Dornan Ross and his sons when I was fifteen years old.

Before my father died, Dornan Ross and his seven sons stole my innocence, branded my skin and in doing so, ensured that their lives would be prematurely cut short. That they would suffer.

I’ve just turned twenty-one, and I’m out for blood. I'm out for revenge.

But I didn't expect to fall for Jase, the youngest brother in the club.

I didn't expect that he would turn my world upside down, yank my heart out of my chest and ride away into the sunset with it.

Now, I'm faced with an impossible choice - Jase, or avenging my fathers death?

 

  

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Review: Raw by Belle Aurora

Title: Raw

Series: Standalone

Author: Belle Aurora

Release Date: January 3rd, 2014

Rating: 4.5 stars

Cliffhanger: No

 

 

***Author Note: This is not a love story. This is a story of love gone wrong.***

Growing up the way I did, you’d think I’d be more screwed up than what I actually am.

Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street.

Best decision I ever made.

Now, at the age of twenty six, I’m educated, employed and damn good at my job.

My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it’s like to grow up unloved.

But the saying is true.

The world makes way for those who know where they are going.

That’s me.

I know where I’m going and I’ll get there eventually. On my own terms and at my own pace.

But then there’s him.

I feel his eyes on me. I see him hiding in plain sight. He watches me.

He makes me feel.

It’s unconventional.

But it’s real.

I’m sure you’re wondering how a person falls in love with their stalker.

So am I.

This isn’t a story.

This is my life.[ No (hide spoiler)]

Sweet, heartwarming and hilarious Belle Aurora is officially gone and I’m not sure if I mourned her for a single second. As much as I adored her previous novels, this time she not only astounded me but also showed me how talented she truly is. In Raw she not only challenged herself, completely changing her usual style of writing from easygoing, snarky prose to something fifty shades of darker, she also challenged her readers, and I’m glad I took this test! Belle Aurora didn’t have a single struggle with writing in entirely different genre. My respect for her only grew.

Raw was gritty read. Fabulously wild story that took me on the verge of sanity and made me step out of my comfort zone more than once.

I was overwhelmed. Stunned. Dazed. Dared. I felt unimaginable pain, fear, shock and discomfort. I was thrown on wild, rough, never ending, the most fucked up ride of my life. Ride that made me forget about everything only to make me feel. Feel so many deliciously dark and forbidden emotions, emotions that were bleeding from Belle Aurora’s novel. And I loved every minute of it.

“You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you.”

This story follows Alexa. She’s sweet, good person. She’s happy. She has loveable friends, great work and nice apartment. She also has a stalker.

Twitch is a guy that picture would pop up if you google ‘bad boy’ ‘antihero’ ‘villain’ or ‘stay away from’. He’s damaged. He’s broken. He’s certainly not a good human being. Yet Lexi is drawn to him and quickly finds herself falling for a man that doesn’t deserve her.

“Not everyone can be a fairy-tale hero.” He pauses a moment, then adds, “The world needs villains too.”

I am pleased, that I finally found a book with a man that is not only so called bad boy wannabe. He is bad and period. No questions asked.

This is a great addition to the story, because it makes it realistic. Belle Aurora made a great job in creating characters. Their entirely opposite personalities were well thought and brilliant!

Raw is not a fluffy love story. Raw is not your usual romance. Raw isn’t a novel you can easily label or name. There isn’t a single page that doesn’t dare readers and make them think.

In single, yet so meaningful plot, Aurora catches the truth of life and she doesn’t need a ‘knight in shining armor’ hero to picture true love.

While being sexy, controversial and so, so hot, Raw was everything I could ask for. I am immensely glad I picked it up and opened myslef for this wonderful erotic experience.

“Monsters don't always lurk in the shadows. Sometimes they hide in plain sight.”

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Excerpt Reveal: A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers

 

Title: A Little Too Hot

Author: Lisa Desrochers
Series: A Little Too Far #3
  Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse

From USA Today bestselling author Lisa Desrochers, comes the third book in her sizzling New Adult series.

 

If you play with fire…

Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.

Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming.

Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY

Exclusive Excerpt of A LITTLE TOO HOT by Lisa Desrochers by WilliamMorrowBooks

Lisa Desrochers is the USA Today bestselling author of A LITTLE TOO FAR , courtesy of HarperCollins, and companions, A LITTLE TOO MUCH (Nov 12, 2013), and A LITTLE TOO HOT (Jan 21, 2014). Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan).

She lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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Review: All The Pretty Lies by M. Leighton

 

Title: All The Pretty Lies

Series: Pretty Lies #1

Author: M. Leighton

Release Date: November 11th, 2013

Rating: 3 stars

Cliffhanger: No

"Live, no regrets”

Her…

Sloane Locke has led a sheltered life. However, with a history like hers, she can understand why her brothers and her father want so much to protect her. She has gone along with it for twenty long years, but those days are over. For the girl who never makes promises, Sloane has made a pact with herself that things will change on her twenty-first birthday. So when the clock strikes midnight, Sloane strikes out to spread her wings and break a few rules.

Him…

In addition to inking skin, Hemi Spencer possesses many talents. Controlling himself has never been one of them. It’s never had to be. He’s lived a life of indulgence for as long as he can remember. Right up until tragedy struck. Now, he’s nothing but controlled. He’s a man on a mission, one who will let nothing and no one stand in his way.

Them…

Nothing in their lives could’ve prepared Sloane and Hemi for what they’d find in each other—distraction and obsession, love and possession. But the one thing they can’t find is a future. Neither one has been totally honest. And they’ll soon learn that the devil is in the details. In the details and in the lies.

How far will two people go to live in the now when the now is all they’ve g

ot?

Sloane is finally twenty one years old and she has had enough of being treated like a child by overprotective father and brothers. Long years constantly spend in the ‘cage’ are over. Sloane needs to spread her wings and live with no regrets. She feels like life is slipping through her fingers and if she doesn’t do something about it she won’t have a taste of real life. 

To celebrate her birthday she’s going to tattoo parlour to mark her body with new motto. She didn’t expect to meet Hemi, a man that will shake her life. 

 



All The Pretty Lies is one of those books that have a great concept, nice storyline and overall are very pleasurable read. Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed reading it, All The Pretty Lies didn’t mesmerize me or hooked me enough to say that I loved this story. Yes, it’s nice enough and I definitely don’t regret picking it up, but for some reason it lacked a few things that would make it masterpiece in my eyes.

I think the time when I was utterly satisfied with a tattoo romance story is over. Now, I need and anticipate more from an author than a bad boy tattoo artist. I crave a wicked roller coaster, panty melting, heart wrenching, hands shaking ride. This time I got a ride on pink carousel. Nice, but not quite memorable.

I was looking forward to more in characters’ creation. I needed a little bit more of a goofy, laughable moments that could brigthen this book and make me swoon, and I also hoped for more steaminess. There were parts where I was thinking that I don’t feel the sexual tension between Hemi and Sloane and then out of nowhere a sexy little gem would pop out.

„You have no idea what you looked like up there. With your hair put up and a few curls dangling down on your shoulder.” Reaching out, Hemi fingers the strands that still rest there. “Your lips so red and kissable.” His eyes rise to my mouth. I have the sudden urge to moisten my lips. “And your breasts, so round and firm. Oh, God!” he groans, “I’ve never wanted to touch somebody so bad in all my life. Not one person. Ever. My tongue tingled just thinking about sucking one of those pink little nipples into my mouth. And when you looked up at me, I could see it in your eyes. You were wishing the same thing. You were wishing I was touching you.” His voice is low and thick, hypnotic. It oozes over my skin like molasses. “Tell me you were wishing I was touching you.”

Overall, All Pretty Lies is a nice, sexy read. M. Leighton completely surprised me once or twice and I had fun reading Sloane and Hemi's story.

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Review: Finding My Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

Title: Finding my Forever

Series: The Beaumont #3

Author: Heidi McLaughlin

Release Date: 30th December, 2013

Rating: 3.5 stars

Cliffhanger: No

[Yes (hide spoiler)]

Everywhere I look, my friends are settling down - marriage, children, white picket fences; but not me. Marriage isn't in the cards for me. I’m a ladies man.

A rock star.

I was born and raised in the industry.

I love everything about my life, especially the attention from the women that my status brings me.
Women find me. I don’t chase. I know what they want and they know I’ll deliver.

But after one look, one touch, one night...
Now I’m the one doing the chasing.

I need to find a way to show her that I’m serious, that I can change.
I need to find a way to show her that I can love her fully, and only her.
I need to find a way to show her that she’s my forever.

I love reading Heidi McLaughlin’s romances, because she is a master in creating friendships. She easily builds stellar world filled with realistic, funny and incredibly amazing people. It’s hard not to love them very much. This time, like previously I was hooked instantly. My deep love for band members, the women and children was still present and I was relieved to find out that my book boyfriends, Liam and Harrison got their happily ever afters and nothing changed for them.

After learning theirs stories, in the third book of The Beaumont series Jimmy ‘JD’ Davis, the biggest womanizer of 4224 West has a chance of telling us his deepest secrets. It was nice to see him in different light and knew what was hidden in his heart. I would be lying if I didn’t say that Jimmy was very sexy, because he did make me extremely hot and bothered.

The only thing that didn’t really work nicely with his personality was giving him the bad boy title, when he wasn’t really one. He was just like other guys from the band – nice, sweet and very loveable, so despite being lady-killer, Jimmy didn’t have an ounce of bad boy attitude. He definitely was relationship kind of guy, he was just too much hurt to realize it, but when Jenna caught his eye, she also found a way inside his heart.

I enjoyed reading his and Jenna’s story. It was very well thought, intriguing, sweet and everything I liked. It was not the best part of the series, though. As much as pleasurable it was, I’m still more swooning over Harrison and Liam. Don’t get me wrong, Jimmy was yummy – sweet rocker with broken heart, whom I totally dug, yet other boys were ‘it’ for me.

 

Jimmy and Jenna were a good match. At the beginning I didn’t get why things progressed between them so quickly, but afterwards, I adored them together and every moment they shared was almost perfect.

The few clichés that were thrown into the plot were still sweet, so I didn’t mind them much.

Overall, Finding My Forever is another hit of McLaughlin. Fans of the series will be swooning, melting and immensely enjoying reading third installment of Beaumont.

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Review: Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy

Title: Three Broken Promises

Series: Drew & Fable #3

Author: Monica Murphy

Release Date: December 31st, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Cliffhanger: No

Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

[ Yes (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed previous Monica Murphy’s books, but Three Broken Promises is absolutely, out of this world perfect romantic story that swept me off my feet. Once again, I fell in love with Murphy’s easy style of writing, great sense of humor and ideal characters. I really had a blast while reading this strong, unique and interesting novel.

Jen and Colin fight with extreme attraction and strong feelings that pull them together. No matter how hard they struggle to stay away from each other, there is nothing in this world that could part them. Both are consumend with horrible past and guilt, that slowly eats them alive, and that’s way they try to stay in friend-zone, but how long can they say to their heart no?

I could not get enough of this heartbreaking story. I felt glued to the pages and there wasn’t a single thing that could make me stop reading. The immense guilt that bled through the pages, made my heart ache and I really hurt along with Jen and Colin. I wanted for them to find peace and redemption and finally let go of the past.

Murphy perfectly captured their tortured souls and showed me how much they fought against their feelings. I could feel every single emotion that wandered through Colin and Jen’s heart as well as see how hard for them it was to make a confession.

There were scenes that woke up hundreds of butterflies in my tummy, made me weak in knees and left me completely, utterly breathless. I swooned, I laughed, I cried, I hurt got a ride on amazing roller coaster. There was also incredibly erotic part of Three Broken Promises, that really showed how perfectly Murphy can write a steamy, sensual scene.

Overall, Monica Murphy created another novel that fans of Drew and Fable series will immensely enjoy. Colin and Jen were great characters, their story was interesting and well thought and the pacing was fantastic.

I fell in love with Three Broken Promises and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, “Four Years Later.” I really hope Owen’s book will as good and well created as Murphy’s previous novel.

* ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review *

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