Broken Beginnings by Clio Evans

3 Stars

You’re Next.

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time—and that moment changed me forever. After walking in on a masked man murdering my neighbor, I went back to the one place I swore I’d never step foot in again. Citrus Cove.

The sleepy town hasn’t changed much, but the people have. Including my old high school bully, Cameron Harlow.

He’s the last person I want to see. He should be the last person I want.

But Cameron Harlow has been dreaming of the day he’d see me again, and wants to set things right. Our history makes me hate him, but he’s sinfully hot, has that sexy southern charm, and calls me sunshine. How can I resist him?

When the danger I’ve been running from shows up in my hometown, Cameron becomes my sole refuge. Someone is watching me. Following me. They want me dead.

From the ashes of our broken beginnings, all we want is our happy ending. But the killer has other ideas and the only way Cam and I have a future together is if we live to see it…

This book was so slow in the middle. I loved the beginning and the ending thirds but the middle third just slowed the book down. It was a struggle to get through because of this. I did get through it and did love the ending.

Book 1 Citrus Cove

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The Bluff by Devney Perry

4 Stars

As Calamity’s newest resident, Everly Christian thought life in small-town Montana would be dull and tame—and she needs a little mundane after the last few chaotic years. But one night, boredom drives her to the local bar, where she finds herself sitting beside a handsome and mysterious artist. The man is anything but dull and tame, especially in the bedroom, and when she steps out of his shower and overhears his conversation, life gets interesting again.

Reese Huxley needs a wife. And why shouldn’t Everly be the bride?

She’s got her reasons for agreeing to the hasty nuptials—reasons she’s keeping to herself. As long as she can stop herself from falling in love with her husband, she’ll make it out of this sham marriage in one piece. But Everly has a weakness for wayward men, and the more Hux pushes her away, the more she realizes this bluff is anything but a lie.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I loved how FMC thought she could keep her feelings away from their relationship. She was determined to not fall for her husband and his daughter. I loved how that did not happen. The switch from fake marriage to all in was awesome read.

Book 2 Calamity Montana

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Break my Bones by Grace McGinty

4 Stars

Andrei Ludokov

A drunken promotional after party involving unlimited vodka, several social media influencers, puck bunnies for miles, and the goalie from an opposing team, leads to a massive mistake.

No, not a surprise pregnancy. I was drunk but not that drunk.

No, this mistake was worse because even months later, I can’t get it out of my head and it’s effecting my performance. My coaches are on my case because I’m dragging ass on the ice. My friends are all worried because I holed up in my hometown for the entire off season.

There’s only one thing to do, and there’s only one person who can help me. Juniper. My best friend and the social media manager for the IceCaps. Sure, she’ll give me her disappointed face. That sighed, “Dammit, Ludo,” that I’ve heard at least once a month since we were fourteen. But in the end she’ll help me, because she’s my Juniper Berry and she wants me to be happy.

I just needed her to commit to it before I had to face “The Norse God” on the damn ice again and all my carefully controlled mistakes spiral out of control.

If Rigby Engman and River Cooper can have some kind of polyamorous lifestyle in the NHL, why can’t I?

Really enjoyed the story and the characters. I wish Juniper was more the focus versus Ludo and Eric’s relationship and hiding that relationship. It also read as Ludo wasn’t truly interested in Juniper but Eric pushed it so he went along with it. I still enjoyed the reading.

Book 2 Penalty Box Players

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Wicked Girl by AJ Merlin

3 Stars

The murders may be over, but my heartache is back in full force, thanks to my mother and my own misgivings.

When I return to Winter Grove early and end up relying on the pack to help me out, I’m sure it’s a new form of torture. Instead, I find myself growing closer to August and Foster. I can’t help but think they’re dragging me deeper underwater, with no intention of letting me up for air anytime soon.

To add to the confusion, a new arrival at the university has a grudge against the pack, and she knows that getting to them is easier when she’s targeting anyone who’s more vulnerable than the boys.

And that might include me, despite how much I want to stay out of it.

But when she goes after my place at Winter Grove and the pack that I might be willing to call my own, will I just let her? Or will I take a few lessons from my vile boys and show her I’m not so quick to surrender?

Picks up rightish where the last ends. You get more info about each of the guys. The struggle Mercy has with her new roommate is something everyone can relate to. The secondary story behind the romance was better in this one. It fleshed out the guys' past. I loved that they came together to help Mercy. Overall, a good duology. 

Book 2 Knot Their Toy

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Dragon lover by Donna Grant

3 Stars

She is the one fire I can’t extinguish…

I have sworn to protect. To endure. To survive.

Peace has always been just beyond my reach. Betrayal and war follow the Dragon Kings, and I no longer expect anything else. When I hunt an enemy threatening more than one world, I am prepared for battle.

I am not prepared for her.

Esha is disciplined. Fierce. Untouchable. An elven warrior bound by duty and hiding a fire she refuses to claim. She challenges me in ways no one ever has. I want her—not only her body, but her trust, her strength, her heart.

Desiring her is dangerous. Needing her could be fatal.

She fascinates me. Consumes me. And for the first time in centuries, I question the cost of resisting what burns between us.

I have faced numerous enemies and survived. I fear nothing.

Except losing the one woman who has awakened something I thought long dead.

You need to have read previous books to read this one. Writing was good but got a bit lost in details. It is a short story and was quick to read.

Book 5 Dragon Kings

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Love Laugh Lich by Kate Prior

3 Star

Some people have monsters for a boss, but not everyone has an undead Necromancer Lord at the office.

Lily has been the Lich's secretary ever since his evilness took over the company. She loves her job, but she's got some questions about her boss. Like what's under that cloak of ever-billowing.

Her wondering intensifies when one day the Lich needs something from her that isn't just scheduling appointments-- but a shiver. He needs it for a spell, but it feels like it crosses a line from their usual workplace banter.

After her contributions to his dark rituals become more than OSHA compliant, she starts to contemplate whether the Lich Lord returns her feelings, or still only sees her as his secretary. Lily may have given him her body, but he never asked for her heart.

Another quick and easy read. It is a story that makes me want more information. I needed more world and character building because I have questions about how the world is run. It is a very well written monster love story that has some very interesting smexy scenes. I enjoyed the writing enough to not care about any of the issues and will be checking out other books.

Book 1 Claws and Cubicles

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Vile Boys by A J Merlin

3 Stars

Nothing says welcome to your dream University like dead bodies and a warning to stay in my lane.

It’s almost impossible to get into Winter Grove University, so when I’m accepted on scholarship, I know my life will change for the better. Or will it?

When an alpha starts harassing me to join his pack, I’m left with no choice but to tell him I belong to another. The thing is, I name drop the richest, most notorious pack on campus.

Dorian, Foster, and August aren’t happy when they find out, and the tension between us grows. These vile boys know how to hold a grudge, but when I’m forced to spend time with them, I can’t stop the connection that’s growing between us.

With a killer closer than we thought, will I lose everything I’ve ever wanted or will I become the omega I never thought I could be?

I did love this book. It was a good story but there were issues with the secondary plot. Mercy is both strong and weak. She is on her own and is somewhat sheltered. She isn't willing to put up with the alphas being dicks but also caves to Dorian, Foster, and August. If the entire story was about what the Vile Boys do to Mercy throughout the story would be a solid 4 stars, but it wasn't. There is a murder on campus that they get dragged into. This part of the book isn't well developed at all. Mentioned in passing until they all get dragged into it. It didn't really add to the story. Overall good "bully" romance. Can't wait to see what book 2 has to bring.

Book 1 Knot Their Toy

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