Review: Stolen by Anita Ruffino

Title: Stolen

Author: Anita Ruffino
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
For six years, they've been my best friends—four devastatingly handsome roommates who never suspected how deeply my feelings had grown. As graduation approaches and our time together dwindles, walls crumble and confessions spill forth.
My best friends want me.
All of them.
And I want them back.
What begins as a dizzying exploration of passion quickly spirals into nightmare when I vanish without a trace—kidnapped during a date with the son of a powerful mob boss.
Trapped.
A pawn in a vicious Mafia power struggle.
With no knowledge of whether my date survived the attack that tore me away, I'm forced to navigate a lethal underworld where family feuds are settled in blood. As rival factions circle and tensions escalate, one thing becomes clear: I'm at the center of a war about to explode.
The men who took me have no idea what they've unleashed.
It's time to release the dogs of war.

Review:

Noooo, this cannot be the end of the book!! Be prepared for the cliffhanger of a lifetime folks!

I was not expecting this book. When I started reading it I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this fierce, why choose, burn the world if you hurt her/him, dark romance! Anita has shocked me in the best of ways and I can’t wait to see what’s up her sleeves for the next book!! Kudos!

I’d like to thank the author and Literary Inspired for the opportunity to read this book!!

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Crossed Paths by Dani Elias

Title: Crossed Paths

Author: Dani Elias
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Two souls, one journey, and a spark they never saw coming.

Alexandra
Two years after my divorce, life has settled into a predictable rhythm—running the pub, cooking for one, and dodging my brother Peter’s constant attempts to fix my social life. When he drags me along on a village ramble, I’m only going to keep the peace. Then Hunter shows up. He’s Peter’s best mate, the charming hotel owner who always seems to have a smile and a clever remark ready. He claims he’s just scoping out the walk for his guests, but somehow, he keeps ending up right by my side, making me laugh and, annoyingly, reminding me what it feels like to have fun. I’ve been waiting for life to surprise me—maybe I’ve been waiting in the wrong place.

Hunter
Owning a small, exclusive hotel comes with its challenges—like knowing how to sell guests on the local attractions. So, when I hear about a village walking group, I decide to give it a shot. For “research,” of course. My best mate Peter agrees to tag along, but he brings his sister Alexandra, and suddenly, I’m in over my head. Alex isn’t just Peter’s big sister; she’s gorgeous, clever, and has this spark I can’t ignore. Too bad she’s also living like a hermit, and Peter wants me to help “get her back out there.” What he doesn’t know is that I’ve fancied her for years. Nudging her out of her shell might just break mine wide open.

Review:

Dani Elias' new book Crossed Paths is a beautifully written book about Alexandra (Alex) who has been hurt one too many times and has decided that the only way to remedy that situation is to stay holed up in her own little world.

Hunter has always liked Alex, but the bro code kept him from acting on it for fear of losing his best friend. But when he joins in on the Ramblers group he's back in touch with Alex and realizes that the feelings he's held at check won't stay hidden for much longer.

If you love a small town romance, with extra steam, a farting dog, and a meddling neighbor then this book is for you. Pick up Dani's new book coming soon.

I'd like to thank Happily Booked and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Backed by You by A. Boss

Title: Backed by You 

Author: A. Boss
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Callie Ryan

I came to Montana for peace and quiet, not a moody landlord with walls higher than the mountains surrounding his property.
Beau Montgomery is frustratingly handsome with his piercing eyes and capable hands. He’s a man of few words, all of them gruff and spoken alongside a scowl that could freeze hell itself.
This is his sanctuary. And I’ve invaded it.
But when Hollywood calls me back, he’s there—steady, protective, and unexpectedly gentle. Now I’m seeing another side of the brooding mountain man, one that makes my heart race.
And for the first time, success isn’t what I’m hiding from.

Beau Montgomery

She’s a pain in my ass.
A sassy little woman with the body of a goddess who doesn’t think she has to listen to a word I say. And don’t even get me started on how she drives like she just robbed a bank.
She’s temporary. I don’t do temporary.
Not since I learned how quickly everything can change.
But there’s something about her that gets under my skin—the way she talks to her dog, how she sees through my defenses, the quiet strength behind her smile.
I’ve spent years building walls to keep everyone out. Now the one woman who shouldn’t belong in my world is the only one I can’t imagine living without.
After fifteen years of dedicating my life to this country, I didn’t think I’d be put on my knees, begging for a chance at forever.

Review:

Beau's reluctantly back in town because of a military injury, and when he finds that there's someone in "his" cabin he's not thrilled. All he wants is to be alone, and staying with his family won't allow that. So one night, after trying to sleep in the rain - in a tent - his better judgement goes out the door.

Callie has come to Montana at the suggestion of her best friend, but she wasn't expecting to love it as much as she does. But why is she hiding in rural Montana, and from what?

The sparks fly between Beau and Callie in the latest book from A. Boss, and is by far her best book yet! If you love a grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance, this book is for you.

I'd like to thank A. Boss for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: The Makeup Girl by Eddy Twice

The Makeup Girl: Crash On You by Eddy Twice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ivy lost it all, her boyfriend, her home, her furniture, even her bed. And when she's forced to get a job after not having had one for a while, she lands a job at a makeup company. I found it hard to believe that Ivy just landed a job based on a friend's recommendation with no skill set at all. And to have found an apartment as quickly as she did seems to be a little unusual too.

While the banter was good in this book, I found it very difficult to keep my focus. The ending was satisfying, but was sped up so quickly that I felt like I missed some of what happened in the interim.

Bonnie Walsh and Daniel Rosenberg did an okay job with the narration.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

View all my reviews

Audiobook Review: The Code for Love by Anne Marsh

Title: The Code for Love

Author: Anne Marsh
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
A software engineer convinced that algorithms and romance don’t mix takes a work road trip with her surfer-boy nemesis in this swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance.

Her perfect plan has a gorgeous glitch…

Software engineer Pandora Fyffe is known for being prickly. The same can’t be said for world-famous surfer Ozzy Wylde, Pandora’s neighbor, a social media star beloved for his relaxed charm. The eight-pack abs and angelic face don’t hurt, either. Everyone likes Ozzy, while Pandora’s boss can barely remember her name.

But Pandora’s aiming to change all that with a new app that predicts a user’s ideal travel partner. Sure, there are bugs—the demo identified Ozzy as her perfect match! Now her boss wants them to take a romantic Mexican road trip filled with fake-dating posts to build their brand. At the end of it, one of them will win Pandora’s dream job.

Soon they’re rumbling through the beaches, deserts and fishing villages of Baja, letting their guards down, confessing fears, falling deeper. Nothing prepared her for sharing close quarters with the force of nature that is Ozzy—or for what will happen to her heart when the journey ends…

Review:

Pandora got fired for kissing surf god Ozzy and the face of the new campaign at work. Not a good day.

Fast forward, and Pandora sees someone climbing up the wall to the condo she lives in, and she rightfully calls the cops. But you'll never guess who was climbing the wall... Ozzy, of course.

When Pandora is in a pickle at work because of the ongoing prank war going on between her and Ozzy, he comes to her rescue and matches with her on the app she is building to find road trip buddies. Will they be able to live in a small camper van in Mexico while they try to enjoy their trip? Only time will tell.

I had a very hard time getting into this book, though I really wanted to. There was something about it that just seemed to drag on and on. And while there is an enemies to lovers trope, this seemed like an impossible gap to bridge. I give the book 3.5 stars, but have rounded up.

Mooreghan Martin read this book, and I think that's what saved the book for me. I could listen to her read just about anything.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: The Ex Effect by Dana Hawkins

Title: The Ex Effect

Author: Dana Hawkins
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Morgan Rose has always been the girl with the plan. Color-coded calendars, backup plans for her backup plans, and a wedding business that’s her entire world. Only one woman ever managed to derail Morgan’s organized life and shatter her heart in the process. But Morgan doesn’t think about Frankie Lee anymore.

Until Morgan meets the photographer hand-picked by her latest clients and discovers that Frankie is not miles away in New York like she thought. She's back in Spring Harbors, looking infuriatingly good, and Morgan's carefully ordered world descends into chaos.

Morgan has just 87 days to pull off the wedding of her career and she’s not going to let Frankie derail this opportunity. She will not be distracted by Frankie’s new haircut or the shadowy dips between her shoulders and biceps. And she won’t care about Frankie’s unfairly salty attitude when she left Morgan.

But some sparks never die, and as the wedding approaches and the tension between Morgan and Frankie grows, can they face up to the mistakes that pulled them apart, or risk it happening all over again?

A perfectly spiced romance about learning that the best love stories are worth fighting for… twice. The next unputdownable read for fans of Ashley Herring Blake, Alexandria Bellefleur and Haley Cass.

Review:

Second-chance romances... step aside! Dana Hawkins has given us a winner.

Morgan is type A and slightly anal retentive, but she gets her job done. When a wedding comes along that has to be ready in 87 days, she panics. She's without a venue, but she has a plan. But first, she has to meet up with the photographer for the wedding, Frankie. But little does she know, Frankie's not who Morgan is assuming; she's her ex.

Frankie, the one who got away, the one who is the barrier to getting the venue for this wedding. The owners of the property give the go ahead to start renovations, but there's one stipulation... Frankie has to be there every step of the way to approve of what's going on. And with Frankie's help, Morgan thinks she's got a chance at pulling this off.

Katie Beudert did an exceptional job narrating this book and I can say I'd love to listen to more books she reads.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook ARC Review: Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja

Title: Writing Mr. Right

Author: Alina Khawaja
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
In this charming, delightfully original rom-com, a struggling writer’s muse suddenly comes to life, but can they create their own happily-ever-after?

Legal secretary by day, aspiring novelist by night, Ziya Khan pours herself into writing stories featuring the kinds of diverse characters she loves. In exchange, she’s got a growing pile of rejection letters. When yet another “thanks but no thanks” arrives on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Ziya decides to throw her novel and her dreams in the trash. End of story.

Except that when Ziya wakes up, there’s a flesh-and-blood version of her muse standing in her kitchen. His name is Aashiq, and it’s his job to inspire Ziya to write again. From singing karaoke to standing up for herself at work, he’s pushing Ziya out of the sidelines and into the world, showing her how to live and love fully.

Even more impossibly, something starts to blossom between them. But as Ziya rediscovers the joy of writing, Aashiq starts to disappear. His job is almost done. And it seems soon Ziya will have to choose: Her art…or her heart?

Review:

As an author, I can relate to the problems that Ziya had in this book. She was pouring her heart out only to have people tell her that what she wrote wasn't good enough. Then the worst happened... she gave up. That is until she made an unintentional wish that brought her muse to life. And what happened next is nothing short of magic.

Aashiq, the muse, shows her that life and writing is not all about sitting down and putting pen to paper. I found such joy in this book. So many lessons that Aashiq told Ziya pertain to my life as well. So not only was this book a work of fiction, but it worked to light a fire under me in the form of a self-help book.

Then... Alina did it... she made me cry. If a book can make me cry, it is automatically a 5-star review, so Alina... thank you for providing this wonderful work of fiction and self help even if that's not how you envisioned it to be.

Mayuri Bhandari did an excellent job reading this book! <3

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.