Never Fall for the Bride’s Father by Julia Kent

3 Stars

Power outages. Runaway brides. Collapsed wedding cakes. Tainted caviar. Handsy grooms. And the always classic: jealous MILs who wear white. No wedding catastrophe can faze Katie Gallagher, because when you plan for the worst, you deliver the best.

The best wedding ever.

Her company, Wedding Protectors, Inc., promises happily ever afters. Guaranteed. Whatever it takes. But always-prepared Katie? She’s steering clear of her own HEA. Years of dating older, wealthy, alpha businessmen who treat her like an ornament has left a bad taste in her mouth.

And some bruises on her ego. Love is her job. Not her destiny. So when she falls for silver fox and self-made millionaire Patrick Cooper, she breaks a rule so taboo, it doesn’t technically exist: Never fall for the bride’s father.

Enter Patrick, a widowed art dealer with salt-and-pepper charm. He can't resist trying to share an Uber with the captivating, enticingly stubborn blonde. Their encounter? Classic enemies-to-lovers. Sparks fly, but not the good kind... at first.

Starting off on the wrong foot left a terrible impression, but when a series of coincidences pushes them together, the more time they spend with each other, the more the lines blur.

Chance favors the risk-takers, so when he takes a leap of faith and gets a passionate kiss that rocks his world, Katie opens closed doors in his heart.

Can he really have a new soulmate — Or is this just a May-December fling?

 

I loved how the books started with the conflict between Katie and Patrick. Patrick was a major dick and stole her uber. He tries to make it up to her but it’s too little to late for Katie. They eventually find out who the other is which leads to Patrick really trying to make it up to her. It was a fine book after this conflict, but I felt it missed the mark for a really good book. I never felt like there was a big connection between them as there is such a jump in the timeline. You don’t see them spending a ton of time together and that led me to feel like it was mostly lust and not love. The first book could get away with this style as they were a second chance at love with a past. Katie and Patrick don’t have that and needed more screen time to get that connection. Still love Julia Kent and will look forward to her next one.

Book 2 Whatever It Takes

Amazon 

Never Plan a Billionaire’s Wedding by Julia Kent

3.5 Stars

Kari and her friend decided to open a business to help the super wealthy keep their events going without problems. Nothing will keep them from giving you your perfect day. When she and her partner meet the newest client, she wasn’t expecting it to be her ex-boyfriend. Caleb was surprised and incredibly happy to see his high school sweetheart at the meeting for his brother’s wedding. He feels this is his chance for a forever with the one that got away but will miscommunication keep them apart?

I loved the idea of this book. It was funny at times but the hesitation Kari has throughout the book did get old very quickly. I loved Caleb and wanted her to go after him sooner than she did and can completely understand why he thought they were done done because that’s how she had been acting through the entire book. Hook up with him then ignore him. I am still baffled by why Caleb’s brother married his wife but not my problem. Overall, it was a fine to read and I only really wanted to throw my kindle at the end ish.

Book 1 Whatever it Takes

Amazon 

Love You Now by Julia Kent

Ana needs a cleanse from a bad break up. While staying at a hotel for a conference she meets a man who just might be what she needs. Dennis Luview is trying to figure out what to do with his life out of the military. He meets a woman in a dumpster trying to save a kitten and she's just what he needs. She thinks it's just for one night and he's sure it is more than that. When life throws them some curve balls will they find a way to be together?  

This is one of the best books in the series. I loved Ana and Dennis. Ana is a strong female main character who has her own issues but is so good with Dennis and his issues. I saw some of the twists and turns that were thrown into the book. Them finding there way to a HEA was an awesome journey to read. It was a sweet romance with some sad parts but it was all a journey and worth reading.

Book 4 Love You, Maine

Amazon

Love You More by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

With a cursed love life Colleen Luview is tired of being alone but no one wants to chance ending up in her ER after 3 dates. She thinks she finally is going to get past the curse when she ends up seeing the guy she's dating get hit by a car at the airport. She's their to pick up Moore and wasn't expecting to see her could of been get hit by a car and break up with her. One their way home Moore and Colleen end up stranded during a blizzard. They almost died and this brings a change to their relationship. When they are rescued will they go back to being just friends or will they go for more?

LOVED Colleen and Moore. I loved seeing their relationship grow and change. They had to deal with several issues in their relationship to be together. Collen and Moore's kid were awesome together. The big blow up was interesting and I liked that the forgiveness was almost instantly because everything was put into perspective when Moore was injured. I would have liked more of an ending then we got but overall, an enjoyable story. One of my biggest grumble was how Luke responded to their relationship. He was a major jerk. Luke needs to be given a good swift kick for his actions. Overall, a good addition to the series. Can't wait for Colleen's brother to get his book.

Book 3 Love you, Maine

Amazon

Wedding Laughbox by Julia Kent

4 Star

This story contains the following stories:

Shopping for a Billionaire’s Wife

Shopping for a CEO’s Wife 

It’s Always Complicated

Random Acts of Love

Hasty

Only going to review Hasty as I've done the other ones. Mallory and Will are finally getting married and going on their honeymoon when their past makes a reappearance. This reappearance leads to some chaos.

I enjoyed seeing Mallory and Will again. It comes full circle where they meet the adult film crew/stars while they are on their honeymoon. Chaos happens with police involved. If you liked the rest of the series you will enjoy seeing this story.

Amazon

The Proposal Laughbox by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

I have and had read and reviewed all but the newest book in this collection. As of today it is still 2.99 and for all of these books that's a really good deal.

Here's a list of all of the books included.

Shopping for a Billionaire’s Fiancee

Random Acts of New Year

Shopping for a CEO’s Fiancee

Random Acts of Yes

Love You Fiancee

I've already reviewed the first 4 when they came out so this review us for Love You Fiancee. I adored this story. It was all about how Kell proposes to Rachel and the shenanigans that happen after the proposal. Let's just say it has to do with a cheap costume zipper getting stock in a very sensitive area for Kell. It was a funny scene. I enjoyed this short story a lot and was very happy to have gotten the set just for this story.

Amazon

Love You Again by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

Kylie is trying to remove her ex from her life by throwing all of his stuff into the donation bin. What she wasn’t planning was to also toss her keys with them. When she tries to rescue them, she ends up locked in. Luke lost the love of his life to an accident and has held on to her things until now. He is ready to donate them and move on with his life. What he finds is an old girlfriend stuck in the donation bin. As a cop he has the key to get her out but left it at home. After he rescues her, he’s not ready to leave her in the past. When he needs a new babysitter, and she needs a job Kylie agrees to be the babysitter until she can find something else. The more time they spend together the more they remember all the feelings they had before. Will they be able to work through their past to find their happy ending?

This was a super cute second chance romance. I liked Kylie a lot I think that she dealt with a lot growing up and to find what works for her was amazing to read.  Luke was an interesting character he very much was a grumpy single dad who is just trying to make it work. The big blow up that happened between them was expected but I liked how it resolved itself.  Can't wait for the next one it will be interesting to see where Kent takes the series

Book 2 Love You, Maine

Amazon

Promo Julia Kent

 

Newest book in Julia Kent's new series  Love You, Maine: Love You Again is available everywhere. Review posting sometime this weekend. The first two books can be found here and here. All of the books have been amazing and I cant wait for the next one.

Amazon

Love You Right by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

Kell Luview is done with love. He may live in a town all about love but he wants nothing to do with it. When he runs into an old friend Rachel. He wants nothing to do with her after their falling out in DC but after an embarrassing encounter that gets the town talking he can't get away from her. Will he be able to resist her?

I read the prequal and loved them and was waiting for the conclusion and it did not disappoint. It flowed nicely and you got some very weird characters that made the book amusing. Both characters have struggles they have to deal with to find a way to be together. I liked the journey they take to get their HEA. I can't wait for the next book as it is previewed at the end of this one and it seems to be just as good.

Book 1 Love You, Maine

Amazon

Love You Wrong by Julia Kent

5 Star

Kellen has left his small town behind for working in DC on Environmental policy. His time in DC is coming to an end and he's pulled in different directions. His girlfriend isn't helping as she's pulling away when he gets some bad news from his friend Rachel he can't kill the messenger but it does start him spiraling When there is a catalyst he's forced to choose his path.

This was an amazing prequal. I loved the interactions between Kel and Rachel were amazing. I loved the hints of things to come with the series. Even though it is a short story and a prequel it's a complete story that just so happens to leave you wanting more. I can't wait for the next one.

Book .5 Love You, Maine

Amazon

Shopping for a Highlander by Julia Kent

 

5 Star

Amy has graduated with her MBA and even though she could work for her sister's business she doesn't want a hand out. She interviews for a job with a business that is invested in sports figures and they need her to keep Hamish in line and out of the news for the wrong thing so they can all get a huge payday. The problem she wants him. Can Hamish break through her reserves and win her over?

I loved Amy and Hamish's book. Hamish gets up to so many shenanigans and Amy is brought in to keep him in line but that's not actually how it actually goes. This is a spinoff of another series but you don't need to read all of the previous books to read this one. We do get to see all of are favorite characters from those books. One of my least favorite parts of previous books was things Marie did to her kids and in this one she was actually mellow and it made my day. I can't wait for the next book to see where Amy and Hamish story goes.

Book 2 Shopping for a Highlander

Amazon

Shopping for a Turkey by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

Hamish McCormick just wants to go home but because of Thanksgiving there’s no cheap flights back to Scotland. His agent offers him an ad with his uncle in Boston he snags it as that is better than sitting in a hotel in New York. Amy Jacoby is prepping for the holidays when she gets a call from her dad saying her mom has broken her leg and they will need to figure out how they are going to handle Thanksgiving. When her sister lets her know her cousin-in-law will be joining them for the holiday she is not happy. She may lust after him but wants nothing to do with him. Between the unexpected guest and mom’s broken leg due to sexcapades what else could go wrong?

I enjoyed this story. It is a spin off of the Shopping for a billionaire series. The humor is definitely in this book just like all of the original series. My favorite part was when the dog and cat stole the turkeys and they had to figure out what they were doing. The one downside of this book was it felt more like a prequel to the story coming out next year. We get to see the beginning of Hamish and Amy’s relationship with not a lot of progress. However, we do get to see what Amanda/Andrew and Shannon/Declan are up to. I really can’t wait for the next book in this series to see what shenanigans this family get up to.

Book 1 Shopping for a Highlander

Amazon

Eternally Complicated by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

After many miscarriages Josie is tentatively happy she's pregnant again.  She wants this one to stick and be able to finally have a kid with her husband.  While Josie is happy to be pregnant her friend Laura isn't so sure about being pregnant.  Laura, Mike, and Dylan are finally in a good place with their three kids.  Will everything work out for Josie and Laura?

This is the last book of the series and it wraps everything up nicely.  I started with the series when it first came out years ago and it was a joy to read how everyone's lives turn out.  I know with previous books I was really hoping for Josie to finally have a baby and was happy to see how this finally came out.  The only part that was jarring for me was Darla in this book.  I don't remember her being as obnoxious as she was.  Still if you've read all the books you will love this one.  It is one you do need to have read some of the previous books to understand everything.

Book 6 Her Billionaires

Amazon

In Your Dreams by Julia Kent

4 Star

After a bad breakup Laura is in need and her dreams aren't helping. Mike and Dylan are reeling from the death of their partner when they find out she had a lot of money and she left it all to them. They are left wondering why she never told them she had big money. Their lives are all crazy and chaotic but they all want to find their perfect partners.

This was a prequel for Laura, Mike and Dylan story. It takes place right before they meet in Her Billionaires. If you haven't read that series this book makes sense but you won't necessarily get a complete story. It is very much a book that is for those who love the series and want to see where they started and how they made the choices they made to come together. As this was how I found Julie Kent's books and I loved the series and all the others that have come out since I was excited to see this.  Writing was just as good. There was a lot of emotions with this book. There isn't a HEA or even a HFN it is a glimpse into where the three started that lead to there HEA.

Book .5 Her Billionaires

Amazon

Shopping for a Yankee Swap by Julia Kent

 

5 Star

Shannon and Declan are back for the holidays.  For the first time the McCormick men will be participating in the Yankee Swap.  They are out to win by bring the most ridiculous gift possible.  To defeat all of the others Declan goes shopping with his mother in law, Marie.  Once they get the kids to sleep who will win?   

This was an amazing addition to the series.  I loved seeing the growth the characters have gone through since the beginning of the series.  It's always interesting to see what these guys get up to and this book definitely did the series justice.  I liked seeing the struggle each had with different parts of their lives and ways to make things better.  Seeing the way Declan interacts with his brothers has vastly changed.  I can't wait for the next book with Shannon's sister and Declan's cousin which had been hinted at.   

Book 17 Shopping for a Billionaire

Shopping for the CEO’s Baby by Julia Kent

 

4 Star

Andrew and Amanda are about to be parents to not one but two babies.  This means that he is beating his brother in the kid department.  Declan only has one and Andrew is getting two.  Life is changing.  Concessions will need to be made because there will be two babies that need Andrew.  Amanda need Andrew to give her the comfort and attention since pregnancy is hard.  How will the workaholic deal with the life changes heading his way?

I was surprised by this book.  I love the books with Declan and Shannon but tend to not enjoy Andrew and Amanda as much.  Usually these two irritate me so much that it just isn’t enjoyable, and I don’t reread them.  This book was a complete surprise and I actually really enjoyed it.  There was a lot of growth with Andrew and his family which was awesome to see him finally growing.  One of my issues was the competition between the brothers and by the last book I was done with it.  Grow up already was something I said and in this book he did.  There were still moments where there was some competing, but it was more good natured and frustrated me way less.  I really liked seeing all of it progress and the relationships grow and change to include kids.  This was a good addition to the series.

Book 16 Shopping for a Billionaire

Random Acts of Baby by Julia Kent

 

This review contains major spoilers.  The spoilers are from the first chapter of the book but still giveaway a major plot point for the story.  You have been warned.

4 Stars

 Darla, Trevor, and Joe are back with a new story.  Darla gets the shock of her life with a surprise baby.  She had heard of and mocked women who didn’t know they were pregnant until they delivered until it hit close to home.

This story was too funny.  I loved getting to go back to Ohio and seeing the emotions Darla went through finding out her mother had a surprise baby at 49.  There were some laugh out loud moments like when the house they were staying in had a water leak that caused the ceiling to collapse.  Joe was sleeping in a bed in that room and the description of the ceiling giving birth to him had me cracking up.  There were also some series parts to the story.  Darla was struggling with the new baby and not being more involved in her mother’s life.  Josie also made an appearance and you find out about her and her husbands struggle to have a baby.  It was pretty accurate and the details.  Very good addition to the series.

Book 11 Random Acts

Promo: Hasty by Julia Kent

Title: Hasty
Series: Do-Over #4

Author: Julia Kent

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Blurb

AN ALL-NEW STANDALONE FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JULIA KENT

I never thought my perp walk would lead to true love.

Then again, I never thought I’d be arrested on RICO charges and hauled away in zip ties on camera for the world to see, minutes after closing the most amazing deal of my career.

And all of it in front of my biggest rival, billionaire wunderkind Ian McRory.

I am broke.

I am disgraced.

I am alone.

I am a sucker.

But the worst part? I have to go back to my hometown and live in my bedroom filled with relics from my childhood.

Lisa Frank never made me so mad before.

Just when I needed a rescue, I got one — in the form of help from my biggest rival.

He can’t bring back my money.

He certainly can’t bring back my reputation or my pride.

But there’s one thing he can bring back to me.

A sense of hope.

Maybe even love.

Ian sees something in me no one else does, and he’s relentless about making me see it, too. As we grow closer, I’m starting to see that while my entire life used to be a lie, the truth is staring me in the present — and it’s a truth I like very, very much, hot eyes and gorgeous smile and all.

But I have to be careful.

I can’t be too —

That’s right.

Hasty.

The final book in the USA Today bestselling Do-Over Series (Fluffy, Perky, Feisty), as Mallory's sister, Hastings "Hasty" Monahan gets her turn at a happily ever after that starts off with an arrest.

Hers.

ADD TO GOODREADS

VIEW ON BOOKBUB

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY

Excerpt

Ian keeps chasing me, though. Why? And why does the fact that he won't let up thrill me?

That's the part I hate. The thrill. The zing of arousal that shoots through me every time that jerkface–who isn't a jerk–does this. He's pursuing me and I don't understand it, but I do like it.

More than I want to admit.

The fight inside me feels like layers of muscles in my abs are in a tug-of-war. Ian McCrory represents everything I fought to achieve in my old life. Self-made billionaire. Liked by everyone. Admired by even more.

Respected for his hardcore negotiating skills.

And droolingly handsome.

He was my nemesis. My enemy. The guy who sniped deals, and who I sniped from. We were adversaries, but he flipped the script, didn't he? Coming to my rescue. Aiding me in a time of need.

I don't want to need him.

And I especially don't need to want him.

I stare at the phone. Just as my finger goes to the Power button to turn it off again, three dots appear.

One dinner. Indulge me?

I go into my contacts, and I block him.

Title: Hasty
Series: Do-Over #4

Author: Julia Kent

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Blurb

AN ALL-NEW STANDALONE FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JULIA KENT

I never thought my perp walk would lead to true love.

Then again, I never thought I’d be arrested on RICO charges and hauled away in zip ties on camera for the world to see, minutes after closing the most amazing deal of my career.

And all of it in front of my biggest rival, billionaire wunderkind Ian McRory.

I am broke.

I am disgraced.

I am alone.

I am a sucker.

But the worst part? I have to go back to my hometown and live in my bedroom filled with relics from my childhood.

Lisa Frank never made me so mad before.

Just when I needed a rescue, I got one — in the form of help from my biggest rival.

He can’t bring back my money.

He certainly can’t bring back my reputation or my pride.

But there’s one thing he can bring back to me.

A sense of hope.

Maybe even love.

Ian sees something in me no one else does, and he’s relentless about making me see it, too. As we grow closer, I’m starting to see that while my entire life used to be a lie, the truth is staring me in the present — and it’s a truth I like very, very much, hot eyes and gorgeous smile and all.

But I have to be careful.

I can’t be too —

That’s right.

Hasty.

The final book in the USA Today bestselling Do-Over Series (Fluffy, Perky, Feisty), as Mallory's sister, Hastings "Hasty" Monahan gets her turn at a happily ever after that starts off with an arrest.

Hers.

ADD TO GOODREADS

VIEW ON BOOKBUB

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY

Excerpt

Ian keeps chasing me, though. Why? And why does the fact that he won't let up thrill me?

That's the part I hate. The thrill. The zing of arousal that shoots through me every time that jerkface–who isn't a jerk–does this. He's pursuing me and I don't understand it, but I do like it.

More than I want to admit.

The fight inside me feels like layers of muscles in my abs are in a tug-of-war. Ian McCrory represents everything I fought to achieve in my old life. Self-made billionaire. Liked by everyone. Admired by even more.

Respected for his hardcore negotiating skills.

And droolingly handsome.

He was my nemesis. My enemy. The guy who sniped deals, and who I sniped from. We were adversaries, but he flipped the script, didn't he? Coming to my rescue. Aiding me in a time of need.

I don't want to need him.

And I especially don't need to want him.

I stare at the phone. Just as my finger goes to the Power button to turn it off again, three dots appear.

One dinner. Indulge me?

I go into my contacts, and I block him.

Hasty by Julia Kent

4 Stars

Hastings "Hasty" Monahan is home living in her childhood home after having to do a perp walk in front of a whole host of cameras.  After closing her biggest deal of her career Hasty is arrested on RICO charges.  To help her heal and fight the charges she moves home to her parents house and starts over.  

I really liked this story.  It was a nice conclusion to the series.  In previous books I didn’t like Hasty.  She was a bit stuck up and wasn’t overly likable.  However, in this book she redeems herself.  I liked Ian wanted to be there for her but also let her spread her wings and do what she needed to do to make herself whole again.  There were several parts of the book that were really funny like when Hasty helped her friend deliver a cow.  I loved what happens with Hasty’s ex.  Definitely check out the book and let me know what you think.

Book 4 Do-Over

Promo: Julia Kent

Title: Hasty

Series: Do-Over #4

Author: Julia Kent

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Blurb

AN ALL-NEW STANDALONE FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JULIA KENT

I never thought my perp walk would lead to true love.

Then again, I never thought I’d be arrested on RICO charges and hauled away in zip ties on camera for the world to see, minutes after closing the most amazing deal of my career.

And all of it in front of my biggest rival, billionaire wunderkind Ian McRory.

I am broke.

I am disgraced.

I am alone.

I am a sucker.

But the worst part? I have to go back to my hometown and live in my bedroom filled with relics from my childhood.

Lisa Frank never made me so mad before.

Just when I needed a rescue, I got one — in the form of help from my biggest rival.

He can’t bring back my money.

He certainly can’t bring back my reputation or my pride.

But there’s one thing he can bring back to me.

A sense of hope.

Maybe even love.

Ian sees something in me no one else does, and he’s relentless about making me see it, too. As we grow closer, I’m starting to see that while my entire life used to be a lie, the truth is staring me in the present — and it’s a truth I like very, very much, hot eyes and gorgeous smile and all.

But I have to be careful.

I can’t be too —

That’s right.

Hasty.

The final book in the USA Today bestselling Do-Over Series (Fluffy, Perky, Feisty), as Mallory's sister, Hastings "Hasty" Monahan gets her turn at a happily ever after that starts off with an arrest.

Hers.

ADD TO GOODREADS

VIEW ON BOOKBUB

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY

Excerpt

Ian keeps chasing me, though. Why? And why does the fact that he won't let up thrill me?

That's the part I hate. The thrill. The zing of arousal that shoots through me every time that jerkface–who isn't a jerk–does this. He's pursuing me and I don't understand it, but I do like it.

More than I want to admit.

The fight inside me feels like layers of muscles in my abs are in a tug-of-war. Ian McCrory represents everything I fought to achieve in my old life. Self-made billionaire. Liked by everyone. Admired by even more.

Respected for his hardcore negotiating skills.

And droolingly handsome.

He was my nemesis. My enemy. The guy who sniped deals, and who I sniped from. We were adversaries, but he flipped the script, didn't he? Coming to my rescue. Aiding me in a time of need.

I don't want to need him.

And I especially don't need to want him.

I stare at the phone. Just as my finger goes to the Power button to turn it off again, three dots appear.

One dinner. Indulge me?