Between Love and Loathing by Shain Rose

3 Stars

Fake dating my enemy so I can design my dream bakery should be easy … as long as I don't fall in love with him.

Dominic Hardy might be an award-winning architectural engineer with fancy degrees and considerable accolades, but he doesn’t know a thing about baking.

He doesn’t even like sugar.

So when my late stepfather’s will states that Dominic Hardy is set to inherit the Pacific Coast Resort he’d painstakingly designed, as long as my bakery can be plopped in the middle of it, it’s no surprise he balks.

And my jaw drops when another stipulation requires us to mutually approve plans for my bakery’s design.

His stuffy taste will never mix with my whimsical vibe.

But then Dominic comes to me with a proposal I can’t refuse. He’ll give me everything I want in my bakery as long as I agree to one thing:

Fake date him for five months.

Keep his ex away by pretending we’re in love.

Smile and stare into his piercing green eyes at a gala or two.

Maybe share a kiss.

Nothing extreme.

Five months of acting in love when I really loathe him and his filthy mouth.

Even when he’s using it on me.

This should be a cakewalk.

Except there’s a fine line between love and loathing, and I think I’ve made the colossal mistake of blurring it.

I need to stop bing reading or going into sequels with high hopes because this one fell short for me. This book was ruined by Dominic. He was a dick from the beginning by making assumptions about Clara that were wrong and that attitude continued well into their relationship. There was no redemption for him by the end of the book either. Clara was also a very weak willed woman. At least with her it is somewhat understandable because of how her mom and sister were with her but she just caved unless it helped someone else. She does end up standing up for herself more but it was never enough. She should have thrown Dominic to the curb and made him crawl back. Still love the writing style and world building this author does so I will look for another book from her.

Book 2 Hardy Billionaires

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Promo KA Linde

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Cursed Demon by Brogan Thomas

3 Stars

She enjoyed life as a demon’s pet. Until the cries of an innocent tore her world asunder…

Emma Case is freaking out. Being surrounded by monsters is risky enough without breaking the rules, but when the soft-hearted girl hears a pup in distress, she can’t resist trespassing on forbidden ground. And after discovering the unfortunate creature is a wolf-shifter, she’s stunned when the child’s pack accuses her of the crime and abducts her for interrogation.

Tortured for information she doesn’t have, Emma pleads desperately for her handsome tormenter to believe her. Yet as the naïve young woman tumbles deeper into the realm of supernatural intrigue, she unexpectedly manifests frightening powers she has no idea how to control.

Will Emma’s hidden heritage prove a blessing or a bane?

Cursed Demon is the second standalone book in the character-driven Creatures of the Otherworld urban fantasy series. If you like sassy heroines, laugh-out-loud humour, and white-knuckle thrills, then you’ll love Brogan Thomas’s action-packed tale.

I loved book one but this one wasn’t as good. This is the brother from book one and he was a dick in book one and he’s a dick in this book. FMC deserved so much more than him and his bull. I noticed with book one there’s no real conclusion to the story and book two continues that which left me wanting. I still enjoyed the overall story and will try the next one.

Book 2 Creatures of the Otherworld

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Vanished in Atlanta by Andi Lynn

2 Stars

Timur

My father was invincible, larger than life, also cold and distant. As the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva you can’t expect much more. Growing up as the second son I lived in the shadows of my brother only imagining I’ll be one of his Brigadiers until Sylvester Levi made a move for power killing them all. I’ve spent the last ten years growing the Atlanta Bratva into the organization it is today. I run my men with an iron fist all while keeping an eye on the Levi family to find my way to pay back the pain I’ve felt. The time for waiting is over, it’s time to settle the score!

Carrabelle

I’ve been the good daughter. Never going against my family even when it means spending the rest of my life with a man that I don’t even know. Well, that was the plan, until the god of a man storms his way into my life. I’ve fought him and my growing feelings for as long as I could. I’m just praying I can stop the war that’s brewing between the families. All while trying to figure out what one is supposed to do when your greatest temptation won’t let you go. Do you give in to the temptation or continue to fight the growing inferno?

Loved the writing style of this author but felt the story was rushed. The story needed to be expanded with more backstory and time for the Carrabelle and Timur to come together. I will check out other books by this author.

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Game Plan by Tonya Clark

4 Stars

Emma’s day couldn’t get any worse. All she wants to do is get home...maybe she just needs to get out of the hotel room and calm her nerves a little.

Lucas is married to his team. Being the coach of the top MLS team requires a lot of time, which leaves very little for anything else...until one night out celebrating.

I loved this short story. The meet cute was adorable and I loved how they were connected. The writing style was easy to read, and I can’t wait to read the next book.

Book 2 Storm

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Vixen by Lux Miller

2 Stars

Darkness rises... empires fall. Who will still stand at the end of it all?

Stolen from a life I can't remember and trapped in a world I wish I could forget. At the beck and call of a monster. I wait for the chance to free myself of his tyranny and take back what's mine. They say every man has skeletons in the closet and when I discover his; I go from prey to hunter as I bring them out to play.

Ashes... ashes... we all fall down.

NOT A ROMANCE AT ALL…you are warned. It is a very dark and has no HEA book. Description definitely doesn’t match the actual book. If you have triggers be warned the entire book is SA. There isn’t a single instant of consent in this book. The writing style was good so I will probably check out other books by this author but not this one.

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My Stuffed Valentine by Rozy Mack

 

2.5 Stars

For a single mom who long since gave up on finding the right person to love me, Valentine’s Day is another painful reminder of my loneliness. Sure, I love my little miss with all my heart, but a woman has needs.

When a stuffed gift from my bestie turns into my very own life-sized monster vowing to worship me with his love and devotion, I have to decide to let my heart lead or listen to the doubt screaming in my head that this can’t be real.

He’s big, covered in fur, and purrs on demand. Oh, and his tail. Let’s not forget the special delight it brings behind closed doors.

Cursed by Cupid, my surprise Valentine monster asks me to help break the chains of the past so we can move to the future. Together. Maybe I’ll find love after all.

Short and spicy but it needed to not be so short to be a complete story. It was a cute concept and I think I would have liked it better if it was expanded more with better world and character development. As it stands now it’s just meh.

Book 1 Guardians of Cupid

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The Gods We Obey by Auryn Hadley

3 Stars

As priests, we are meant to obey - but our duties are to our gods, not mere men.

Zeal is back, and he's seen by more people every day. The God of Temptation grows stronger, but High Priest Kinen has found the one thing that can stop a god: disbelief. The return of our gods means an end to his power.

And Kinen isn't ready to lose.

Over time, the priests of our temple have surrendered their power in the name of our god. We're trained to obey, to help, and to be Zeal's tools when he cannot help himself - and now that has become a problem.

Because power is given, never taken, and we have surrendered far too much. It's time for things to change, before our complacency destroys our gods. And yet, habits are such hard things to break.

What we need is a rebellion - and I'm going to start it.

Our gods never expected blind obedience, so it's time to give into the temptation to fight back. But will the price for this be more than I can pay? I just can't believe this is what my path was meant for - or is this all just a game between gods and men? Because we, the Priests of Temptation, have been betrayed.

I have prayed.

I have obeyed.

Now I'm doing it my way.

Too many pointless things in this book. Giving a 3 for overall series not for this book. This one does wrap everything up nicely but it takes forever to get there. It got very preachy ny the end of the series and I got bored. Overall if trimmed down it would be a good series but as is it is too long.

Book 6 The Path of Temptation

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Heir Apparent Reject Mate Cate C Wells

3 Stars

He rejected me for “reasons.” Too bad for him. No take backs.

Rosie

Fate made a huge mistake when she mated me to Cadoc Collins. He’s the heir apparent. I’m a scavenger. My people are so low in this pack, we don’t even rank.

I should have known better, but for one night, I let myself forget the facts of life in Moon Lake. Cadoc Collins might be powerless to resist me, but he’s not going to claim me, either.

A pink line on a stick makes it a much bigger problem than my bruised heart.

I’m eighteen, knocked up, and publicly rejected by the future alpha. And this baby in my belly? It might as well be a target on my back.

Lucky for me I’m a scavenger. My kind are good at finding things, but we’re great at getting lost.

Cadoc

The fate of Moon Lake rests on my shoulders. I can’t claim the scavenger female.

The pack is on the verge of a revolt, and a mating so controversial could push our warring factions into open conflict.

All I need is time. I’ll do what’s expected of me as our future leader, and when the politics are sorted, I’ll do right by the odd little scavenger.

I’m the heir apparent. She’ll be there when I’m ready.

Right?

So slow to begin plus limited world building led to a hard read. It is a part of a series so book one might have what I need. I did get through it and I liked how it ended but it took me a while to get there.

Book 2 Five Packs

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Promo: Carrie Ann Ryan

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Fumbles by Lisa Suzanne

2 Stars

Getting fired and dumped in the same thirty seconds makes for a pretty bad Tuesday. But by Thursday, I’ll be in Vegas celebrating my brother’s wedding. Since I could use a fresh start, he offers me a place to stay with a buddy of his.

At the bachelorette party, a raunchy game results in a quest to find me a one-night stand. When a hunk with dark blue eyes and perfect bone structure hits me with a silly line at the bar, my mission is complete.

I vow to move on from our steamy night as I head to the rehearsal dinner, certain one of my brother’s hot pro football player groomsmen will be my Prince Charming.

Then the best man turns around. Dark blue eyes. Perfect bone structure. A body I won’t soon forget.

And apparently my new roommate.

I have never been more turned off reading a book more than I was reading this one. Travis was an asshole throughout this book with no redemption in this book at all. It ends on a cliff and there are four more books but it’s not worth it to me to suffer through Travis plus Victoria’s I shouldn’t but he’s just so hot I can’t say no BS. No thank you!

Book 1 Vegas Aces

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The Prayers We Pray by Auryn Hadley

2 Stars

Be careful what you pray for - because even gods can be tempted.

The Temple of Temptation is broken. The system is failing the priests who serve faithfully, but Zeal isn't missing. He's simply powerless - or was.

As more priests believe in our god, the balance of power has been shifting. Temptation is thriving. Miracles are happening. The High Priest is struggling. In his attempts to control me, he's making it almost impossible to help the other gods.

Something has to give, and I'm worried it might be me.

With the last semester of my initiate training underway, things are supposed to be looking up. I finally have instructors who are grading me fairly. I no longer feel like a failure. However, my ties to the nobility of our barony have drawn just a little too much attention. The wrong kind.

The High Priest wants to get rid of me. My enemies want to destroy me out of jealousy. The nobility wants to put me in my place. My lovers want to protect me at all costs because things are starting to get dangerous.

None of that will stop me because gods aren't the only ones to answer prayers.

I am the voice of Zeal. I walk with the Blade, the Shield, the Temptation, and the Shadow. We are the devoted, five priests determined to serve our gods in any way they demand - but the divine holds no power over men who don't believe. Faith offers little to those who think they are the ones who should be worshipped.

Gods want love. Men want power. Everyone knows temptation.

To save Zeal, I'm tempted to destroy everything...

Even our traditions.

I am determined to finish this series because I need to know how the series ends but I think 6 books is way too many books for the storyline. This one has the same issues as the past couple of books. No movement and repetitive throughout the book. Only one more to go.

Book 5 The Path of Temptation

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Guarded by the SEAL by Amy Gamet

2 Stars

A desperate woman on the run with a little girl places her trust in a hardened operative—with a heart that’s walled off from the world.

When Teslyn McGregor receives a desperate call from her estranged mother, she has no idea her life is about to spiral into chaos. Fleeing a deadly fire and with her five-year-old sister in tow, Teslyn finds herself hunted by a powerful, dangerous network determined to silence them forever.

Navy SEAL Wyatt "Bulldog" Sorenson has spent years fighting battles in the shadows, but protecting Teslyn and Ivy quickly becomes personal. Thrust into a game of cat and mouse against a ruthless enemy, he must use every skill he’s ever learned to keep them safe, because Teslyn is more than just a mission—she’s a chance at the life he never thought he deserved.

It was a quick read similar to Susan Stoker which is probably why I was so meh over it. I love Susan Stoker’s books and this one just fell flat. I did love the strength the characters had to do what needed to be done. Tess stepped up to take on a sister she knew nothing about and MMC stepped in to help both of them. Overall, it was just meh.

Book 1 Hero Force

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Choosing Their Omega by Sadie Moss

3 Stars

Working as a live-in nanny for four hot hockey star Alphas? That’s got to be every Beta’s dream.

Except… it’s not quite that simple.

After losing my job and my apartment in the same day, I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom. But when Cruz Ashford, captain of the Titans NHL team, finds out I have nowhere to live, he makes me an offer that could help us both:

Move in with him and his three pack mates and work as a nanny for the adorable little boy they’ve adopted.

As crazy as it sounds, I say yes. It’s a chance to turn my life around after the loss of my grandmother left me buried in a mountain of medical debt, so there’s no way I can turn him down.

The only problem is, living with four gorgeous Alphas is harder than I thought it would be. Almost from the first moment I arrive at their house, the tension between us is off the charts.

I don’t know why I’m so drawn to Cruz, Knox, Lawson, and Miles. Why I can barely control my body around them. Why their delicious scents affect me so much… or why I seem to affect them too.

Until the day I start perfuming, and I finally realize the truth that’s been staring me in the face.

I’ve been wrong my whole life. I’m not a Beta. I’m an Omega.

And everything is about to change.

It was fine but repetitive at times. It was sweet and low stakes for the most part. Lily was a bit too sweet at times. The main drama happened too late in the book and wrapped up to quickly in my mind. If you’re looking for a quick and spicy read give this one a chance.

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The Ways We Betray by Auryn Hadley

3 Stars

To protect those who matter most, we will betray others in ways we never expected.

This is supposed to be a good year. With a new set of instructors - and ones I know well - I'm sure it will be. For once, things are finally starting to go my way. My mentors are proud, my family is closer than ever before, and I am happy.

Unfortunately, the gods are tired of waiting. Every day, Zeal grows stronger, but Ambition, Inspiration, Perception, Compassion, and Intuition don't. They're fading, with no hope in sight.

Except me.

Piece by piece, my god has built me up, given me "weapons" to use, and made me into the kind of woman I can be proud of. He calls me his partner and that isn't an empty title. It means more than just serving him. I can tell by the longing in his divine eyes.

My success doesn't go unnoticed, though. My haters want to destroy me, but let them try. Petty bullying is too childish for me to worry about. With so many priests able to see the God of Temptation now, I no longer care who likes me and who doesn't.

And that's my biggest mistake.

Because my god doesn't run this temple. He doesn't make the rules. With a single signed paper, I'm no longer as safe as I thought. Friends are going to be betrayed. Lovers will suffer. Somehow, I have to fix this.

I am the Priestess of Temptation, Zeal's chosen.

Someone is going to be punished.

I almost hope it's me.

Just like the last one this book dragged on because of the repetitiveness. The story is just plodding along with no new conflict. Nari was just trying to get people to remember what they are there for. Something new or different would be nice.

Book 4 The Path of Temptation

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