Title: The Temptation of Truth
Author: Brit Benson
Buy Link: CLICK HERE
Publisher's Insight:
Loving her will ruin my life,
But I’m tired of living a lie.
Mabel Rossi is the heartbeat of The Hometown Heartless.
The famous drummer with fast hands, faster wit,
and a light that shines brightly even from the back of the stage.
She’s temptation in lipstick and lace, and I’m just her manager’s niece.
Married, invisible, and completely out of place.
Taking the job on tour was supposed to be a harmless adventure.
Now that I’m here, far from home and my husband,
I’m starting to remember who I was before I lost everything,
and I have Mabel to thank for that.
Between stolen glances and whispered truths,
She coaxes me from the darkness,
Until I can no longer hide from the lies I’ve buried under the life I don’t want.
I’m married to a man I’ve never loved.
She’s so far out of reach it hurts to even want her.
But in quiet hotel hallways and backstage corners,
I start to crave things I shouldn’t.
Even if it’s reckless. Even if it’s wrong.
Because with Mabel, I start to feel alive again.
When she touches me, the fog lifts,
And suddenly, I’m not so scared of tearing it all down just to feel the sun.
Review:
What an awesome book. It showcases how control can ruin a marriage and almost ruin a person. It shows what love can and should be, in its time. This author ekes emotion from every scene; from the first to the last. I can’t wait to read more from this author soon.
The narrators are amazing in this book and I enjoyed that there was a male voice narrating the minor male characters in the book. Kudos to all three narrators.
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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.
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
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.
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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.
Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
No matter how she tries, and how many rules she tries to implement, she's toast. Juniper does not want to fall for a Macabe brother, so she's made rules... plenty of them. But none of them seem to stick.
The wonderful back and forth between Juniper and Callum is smoking hot, even when they are actively avoiding each other. Elliot Fletcher nailed this right on the head and was able to make me yearn for more.
Russ Bain and Rebecca McClay did an amazing job voicing these two characters and the others that are in the book. They helped to bring spice to life.
I'd like to thank the publisher HarperAudio and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Thank you.
View all my reviews
The Double Play by Annah Conwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hazel has the chance to work for another sports figure, but does she want to work for Emmett, a single dad, when all she's been used to is two parent families? Her former employer highly recommended Emmett, so she decided to give him a chance. But when she met June, his beautiful daughter, she was smitten and knew she had to have the job.
Little did she know that she'd fall head over heels for this grumpy baseball player. But fall she did, and hard. And not only for him, but for June as well.
Annah Conwell has provided us with an exceptional grumpy/sunshine, nanny, sports romance, rom-com. How she fit so much in such a little space is beyond me.
I loved the dynamic between Emmett and Hazel, and Hazel and June. And I want to go back and live in this world with them as my besties forever.
Tim Paige and Charlotte North did a wonderful job narrating this book and I would certainly give any book they were reading a chance.
I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
View all my reviews
Title: Finding Mr. July
Author: Anna E. Collins
Buy Link: CLICK HERE
Publisher's Insight:
She’s ready to do whatever it takes to get the job of her dreams, even if it means working with a pile of adorably unruly pups--and the office grump-- in this charming contemporary rom-com perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Sarah Adams.
Intern Holly King knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
The Pros:- Winning means a full-time job at the new office in Scotland
- Scotland is thousands of miles away from her toxic ex-boyfriend
- Her pitch includes PUPPIES! Lots of ‘em!
The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers. But if Holly wants her calendar of hot, outdoorsy guys and their dogs to win against everyone else’s fundraising ideas, she’ll need Jonathan’s undeniable talent as a photographer…even if he is the office grump.
When their collaboration accidentally gets off to a steamy start, Holly vows she won’t be distracted again. But as they scramble to shoot a year’s worth of hunks and pups in just a couple of weeks, the spark between Holly and Jonathan can’t be ignored.
With Holly’s career dreams finally coming into focus, whatever’s developing with Jonathan makes her wonder—could she be missing the bigger picture?
Review:
Sunshine - Holly (check)
Grump - Jonathan (check)
Rom-Com (check)
Workplace Romance (check)
Animal - dogs (check)
Narration - Lauren Ezzo (check and check)
I loved this book and the vibes that Holly and Jonathan gave out. But no matter how good things got, there had to be a 3rd act break-up (which made me want to slap someone for not getting all the information first) and it resolved itself well. I didn't think that this person would pull their heads out of their... well, you know... long enough for there to be a HEA, but... it happened and I'll say, it was worth the wait.
This is the first (and not the last for sure) of the books I've read by Ms. Collins. I'm so glad that I was given the opportunity to listen to the wonderful voice of Lauren Ezzo by NetGalley and the publisher.
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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.
Title: Alluring Adventure
Author: Dani Elias
Buy Link: CLICK HERE
Publisher's Insight:
Gliding over the mountains of Fellside sounds like a dream until it turns into a nightmare.
Keeley
Writing about the sleepy town of Fellside is a far cry from my usual thrilling escapades, but I can't help falling for its tranquil charm. And no, it has absolutely nothing to do with the incredibly attractive outdoor adventure expert—or so I keep telling myself. Joining him on one of his tours might just be the adventure my readers crave. Getting up close and personal with the hottie is an added perk. Though he makes it clear that dating me would break his rules, he can't hide the effect I have on him. The question is: how do I get him to admit it?
Oliver
"No dating clients, no dating clients," I chant to myself as the bubbly blogger wants to join one of my tours. She's funny, smart, and drop-dead gorgeous. But I've got to keep my hands to myself – her review is crucial for my business. All I need to do is give her a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My hormones just have to behave themselves.
Alluring Adventures is a small town, suspense romance.
This steamy romance is part of a series set in a shared world, but you don’t need to have read the others to enjoy it. Each story stands alone, though you might spot a few familiar faces along the way!
It contains adult content, please read the content warnings. The book is set in the north of England and written in British English.
Review:
Oliver runs a struggling adventure business and Keeley could be the one to save him. But will Oliver let his budding feelings interfere with his "no client" rule? Keeley and Oliver are a great pair and it was great to see them come together in such a wonderful way. I loved that Keeley was a take me as I am kinda gal. There was nothing that was going to stop her from having what she wanted, and Oliver was it.
Jack Hart was an amazing narrator. You could feel the emotions through his voice, and damn if that man can't read a sex scene. Whoooooo.....
I recommend this sexy rom-com to anyone who is interested in excellent character development, steam and wit.
I'd like to thank the author and Happlily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.
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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.
