A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper

4 Stars

Jessamine Bricker loves a plan. Contingency plans and pros-and-cons lists are her love language, and because of that, her proposal planning business is thriving. But with rent costs rising at her office building, Jess jumps at the chance to plan a proposal between her snobby high school classmate, Diana, and her very wealthy boyfriend, Trenton Tillard…the Fourth.

Roped into joining Diana’s ”pre-bridal” retreat at the exclusive Golden Ash resort, Jess hopes to fade into the background, get some work done, and maybe find some time to unwind. Their first day is anything but relaxing: Diana is furious about the mountain spa’s lack of cell phone reception, the couple next door argues constantly, and Jess swears she just saw a drug deal go down. To top it all off, she’s warned to stay out of the woods by the gruff and sexy chef, Dean Osbourne. Is this a retreat or a horror movie?

As Jess tries to do her job while placating the bride-to-be and her increasingly over-the-top demands, she spends more and more time with the resort owners, finding herself much more in tune with the laid-back Osbourne family than her social climbing “boss.” Between a meditation garden-related drowning and Jess’s discovery of a body in a sauna, it's clear that deadly secrets abound at the Golden Ash. Now it’s up to Jess to unravel the mysteries here in the mountains—before all her plans are cancelled…permanently.

I loved this murder mystery with just a bit of romance. The characters were well developed and so was the world. I loved how the mystery played out. As well as the back and forth between Jess and Dean. Definitely looking forward to the next one.

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Pregnant and Rejected by the Lycan King by Kiara Sere and Via Thorn

2 Stars

My fated mate is the alpha king…

And I’m too weak to be his queen.

So he rejects me- but doesn't know I'm pregnant with his pup.

I’ve been a punching bag my entire life.

Bullied by my pack, sneered at by my family…all because my wolf refuses to show herself.

So when all unmated females are invited to the alpha prince’s ball so he can find a mate, I’m dreading it.

My sister trips me in front of everyone, and I’m ready to be the laughingstock of the ball.

Instead, the prince catches me.

And our mating bond snaps into place.

His fierce protectiveness takes over and he turns his rage on my bullies:

“Apologize to your future queen, or I will toss you out in the cold after breaking the pack bonds to make you a rogue.”

The heat of our connection and the way I feel when he looks at me…it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt.

But then he realizes I’m a weak omega who’s never even shifted.

He doesn’t want me anymore, but it’s too late—he’s already marked me.

I resign myself to being ignored by my suddenly icy, distant mate for the rest of my life.

But then I find out I’m pregnant.

So I run.

Once I’m gone, will he realize how much he needs me?

Or will I spend the rest of my life brokenhearted and mateless, raising our baby by myself?

The book was so slow and took forever to get to the HEA. I also never got past Talen’s rejection of Elena. This is one I wish I skipped.

Book 41 Forbidden Alpha Kings

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Wrapped in Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

Liam Montgomery will try everything once.

He started his career as a model and turned that opportunity into becoming a bestselling author.

The only thing he hasn’t tried is a steady relationship.

Not that he’s looking for one.

Arden Brady doesn’t get out much.

Living with Lupus means sometimes her days aren’t her own. She’s lived her life to the fullest so far, but the one thing she’s never let herself do is fall in love.

Then comes Liam.

A chance encounter changes the game, and both will have to risk everything they thought important to make this work. Because family secrets and unplanned heartache aren’t the only things trying to tear them apart. But if they’re lucky, the passion between them might just make this romance thing something they can believe in.

Arden has Lupus and doesn’t think she will ever get her HEA. Liam is all in with her basically from the beginning. He works with her and wants to care for her. There were a lot of cute moments in the book.

Book 12 Montgomery Ink

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Too Little Too Late by Sarina Bowen

3 Stars

How to behave when the guy who broke your heart two thousand miles away turns up in your office:

One: Don’t drop your lucky coffee cup in shock, even though it’s been ten years.

Two: Don’t get defensive when he asks how you ended up working his family’s ski mountain… and why you kept it a secret.

Three: Give him the worst room in the resort. He deserves it for suddenly waltzing back in like he owns the place. (Which he kind of does.)

Four, five, six, seven, eight and nine: Do not kiss him in the hot tub.

Ten: Try to keep your heart intact after you break all of your rules.

Because Reed is leaving again. Hate can't turn back into love. And it’s a little too late…

I made the mistake of reading book 2 first and so I struggled with this one. Not that it was written bad just I hated Reed so much. I loved Ava and she deserved better than what she got with Reed. Other than my hate of Reed the book was good and I loved the setting.

Book 1 Madigan Mountain

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Promo: Larissa Ione

The legacy continues…

Exciting News!!! Get the first two ebooks in the Demonica Birthright series from New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione & Blue Box Press for FREE for a limited time!

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Legacy of Temptation

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Legacy of Chaos

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Synopsis for Legacy of Temptation, Book One:

Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as Deputy Spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for Chief Spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team. But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.

Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, has dedicated his life to fighting demons alongside his colleagues at DART. He loves fighting, females, and his pet hellhound, Cujo. What he doesn’t love is The Aegis, whose leadership attempted to slaughter him at birth. Understandably, he balks when he’s ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.

But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving into temptation even as they sacrifice the things…and people…they love the most.

Overtime Kiss by Lauren Blakely

3 Stars

Just what every bride dreams of—running straight from her cheating fiancé into the arms of a hot hockey star… and then getting hired as his kids’ nanny. 

Tyler Falcon is protective, flirtatious…and frustratingly responsible. We almost did something reckless when he found me alone in my wedding dress, and I blurted out all the things I’d never truly experienced.

Now, the sexy single dad is saving me again with a job I desperately need—and a promise to never mention The Night of 1001 Confessions.

I live in his house. Take care of his kids. Pretend I don’t notice his heated gaze lingering on me after they fall asleep.

Until one night, the tension snaps.

Now we have a deal. Five lessons in seduction. No strings attached.

But he’s not just good in bed. He spoils me with thoughtful gifts and supports my dreams. For the first time, I feel like I belong.

Except…this was never meant to last. I’m his employee. He has kids to protect. And neither of us can afford to make a mistake.

The more nights we spend tangled up together though, the harder it is to pretend it’s just physical. Because I’m not only falling for my boss—I’m falling for the man whose kids have stolen my heart.

My biggest issue was the third act break up. It irritated me so much because it didn’t add anything to the story. Everything else was nice and worked for me.

Book 5 Love and Hockey

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Ink by Numbers by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

Kaylee knows art, friendship, and love. And because she’s known love, she wants nothing to do with it ever again. She likes her life just the way it is. Her art and her Brushes with Lushes classes keep her sane and happy.

Landon spends his days with numbers and financial spreadsheets. At night, he just wants to relax, but the only way he can do that is with a woman. But these days, not just any woman will do.

Kaylee and Landon do an excellent job of dancing around each other, but no matter how much desire burns between them or their own personal hang-ups, they’ll need to make a choice: life as they know it, or a life that could be so much more.

Kaylee and Landon get their HEA in this book. It flows nicely and adds to the rest of the series. Even though neither is a Montgomery this book was good short story.

Book 4.5 Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs

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Loving Lady Bug Part Two by Jane Handler

3 Stars

My ex doesn’t know when to quit.

It’s not enough that he has a hockey contract and an omega. No, he and his family have decided to go after me because I had the poor judgment to date him.

At least I’ve got Clark and Tenzin–and things are heating up between all three of us. Yeah, I might just keep those two forever. Also, the New York Knights are my family and have my back.

My past is about to catch up to me, but my ex is the one who should be wary. There’s a good reason why I don’t talk to my family much.

I’ve decided that despite my past, despite being just a beta, I deserve good things–friends, a hockey career, and two cute alphas included. And I’m not going to let anyone stop me.

I liked this less than part one. I wish the books had been combined into one book. They could have been edited down to one book. Then you add in some threads not being tied up like Tenz’s baby. It was just meh.

Book 2 Hockeyverse

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Loving Lady Bug Part One by Jane Handler

4 Stars

They call me Ladybug.

I’m the only female EBUG for the New York Knights. I’m starting goalie for my university team. I’m also just a beta. At least according to my knothead ex. Ugh.

But I’ll show him. I’m going to focus and find what used to make me special as a goalie so I can get signed after graduation. Even if putting myself out there is a risk.

At least I have friends who will help me. Like Tenzin, the Knight’s new alpha defender, who like me is getting over a broken heart. And Clark, the alpha forward I befriended last season who is a skating ray of sunshine.

Maybe, just maybe, I’d like to be more than friends with Tenzin and Clark. There’s something there, something that could lead to a happily ever after–even if with my past I probably don’t deserve one.

My feelings for them grow by the day, but will they still care for me once they know what I’ve done?

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was so mad when it ended on a cliffhanger ending. I liked the relationship between Swen, Clark, and Tenz. The backstory and trauma for them was interesting to read. Definitely moving on to the next book.

Book 1 Hockeyverse

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Jagged Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan

2 Stars

Roxie Montgomery met her soul mate when she least expected it. When he asked her to marry him, she thought her happily ever after was only just beginning. Then, she found that walking into the sunset was much harder than her favorite books made it out to be.

After a crushing loss, she feels as though she doesn’t know her husband anymore, or rather…she doesn’t know herself.

Carter Marshall has loved Roxie since the first time he saw her. But as the days pass between them, so does the distance. He doesn’t know how to show her that he’s all in, and honestly doesn’t know if she’s in at all.

When an accident changes everything, they’ll have to decide if what they have can be salvaged, or if starting over is the answer. Or even possible.

I think this was my least liked book by Carrie Ann Ryan. I liked Roxie and Carter but the story was just meh. They suffer a loss and drift apart. This is normal. They refuse to talk to each other. It was more Roxie than Carter that was refusing to talk and that led to all the problems.

Book 11 Montgomery Ink

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A First Time for Everything by KL Walter

4 Stars

Madeline has always been extremely close to her family, so she is shocked when her older brother gets engaged without including them (or even giving them a heads up!). Mads has never been the biggest fan of his fiancée, Katie, so in order to remain one happy family, she is determined to bond with Katie before the big day, which includes reluctantly agreeing to be a bridesmaid.

During a late-night bridesmaids-only game of "Truth or Dare" Mads is cornered into revealing she has never been kissed or even been on a date, which spurs the other girls to unite on a quest to find Mads the perfect plus-one for the wedding. Next thing she knows she's navigating a series of disastrous dates that include some major misunderstandings and mishaps.

All of a sudden Mads finds her heart tugged in different directions: to Connor, the boy next door who knows her best. To Marco, the former classmate who knows how to push all her buttons. And to some of the new suitors who surprisingly aren't all bad.

As the wedding draws nearer, Mads has to figure out who she wants most as a dance partner, while also making sure her brother isn't making the biggest mistake of his life.

This book is a YA and I loved the book so much. The story was fun to read and the characters were well developed. Pacing was good throughout the book as well.

Amazon 

Never Kiss a Werebunny by Keira Blackwood

2 Stars

Kissing? It’s the express lane to spit-swap city and cootie central, according to my kids.

The real danger, though, is catching a bad case of feelings.

Exacerbating that danger is the fact that somewhere in my heart lurks a hopeless romantic, a sneaky little love-cheerleader out of place in my otherwise pragmatic life. It’s the force advocating for late-night-romance-novel-reading sleep deprivation. And it’s a silent rebel stirred awake by the insanely hot voice of the guy next door.

I've got that mushy part of myself locked down deep, nearly forgotten beneath my day job herding grown yet child-minded men who think the epitome of podcasting excellence is butt jokes, and actual child-wrangling at home.

But when my daughters prod me to kiss a bunny at the farmer’s market, I assume it’s harmless.

Until I sprout a fluffy little cottontail.

Turns out cooties are real. Even scarier, so are feelings.

This was not a story but an idea. It was too short to build anything. Add in the insta love it just didn’t work well for me. There needed to be more world building and character development to make this a full story.

Book 1 Magical Midlife Malfunction

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An Unexpected Everything by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

He left me with a note.

Weston Caldwell and I had two months together. Two months of intense heat and plans for our future. Then one day he left me sleeping with a note and never turned back. I closed off my heart and my dreams after he left and promised to take care of my family, never trusting love again.

So when I am forced to head to my family’s small town for protection, I never expect to turn around and see the man I loved.

I want to walk away and never look back, but when I find out he left for a heartbreaking reason, I’m not sure what to think. The chemistry between us hasn’t gone away—if anything it burns even brighter.

But my life is in the city and his is in this small town that draws me. Between his siblings, the town itself, and my new found family, walking away might break me.

Only Weston isn’t the only secret from my past. And it turns out, if Weston and I aren’t careful, we could lose everything before we find our second chance.

I enjoyed this one but Weston was an idiot when they were younger. I get the stress and everything but he made a decision that changed the course of both his and Isabella’s life. Now that they are older and they are both at a crossroads of life it was interesting to see them figuring things out. I did have issues with Phoebe’s name being misspelled a couple of times. Other than that it was a good book.

Book 2 The Cage Family

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Jackass in Class by Amy Award

4 Stars

He’s the campus king with a no girlfriends rule.

But he’s about to break it for the most irritating, sassy-mouthed woman he’s ever met.

Flynn Kingman’s senior year plan is simple: class, getting drafted in the first round, and no romantic complications. Until he chases a rogue baby donkey across campus and meets Tempest Navarro—the one woman immune to his charm.

Tempest Navarro is hiding her bestselling romance novels, anxiety, and a baby donkey in her sorority house. Nope, nothing to see here. Especially not for a jock that’s too hot for his own good. Why does he have to be in her Shakespeare class, saying smart things, and driving her insane?

When they’re forced together by a university tutoring program, verbal sparring turns to undeniable attraction. Especially when Tempest’s emotional support donkey, her meddling sisters, and a whole lot of Kingman siblings are all conspiring to push them together at every turn.

This was such a good story. It had serious parts but also so much humor. It is built on the previous 4 books but does hold up as a stand alone. I loved how nice Tempest’s family was with Flynn….Well most of her family.

Book 5 The Cocky Kingmans

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Rejected Omega by Sara Sellers

4 Stars

I hated Connor Masters as much as it was possible to hate someone.

I hate the smiles he so seldom gives. The carefully uncareful swoop of his hair. The soft tone of voice he uses on the select few he cares about. The stretch of his shoulders beneath his shirts, broader every year.

I hate him because it makes loving him easier.

I hate him because he doesn't know I'm his.

He should know. Even through the suppressants that give me horrible migraines, even beneath long sleeves and leggings that keep my irritated mating gland and injection bruises hidden. We've been drawn to each other since we were children. He should know.

But he barely looks at me these days.

He looks at her.

The plot and characters were well created. The first half of the book flowed nicely but the second half felt really rushed. I also didn’t think Connor did enough after everything he did.

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