MinnChica from The Book Pushers

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/07/review-stay-by-candi-wall/

This was my first time reading a book from Wall, and I will be looking forward to more in this series.

Abby is always on the move, as her past constantly catches up with her. But now that she’s landed in Maine, Abby is finding for the first time, she doesn’t want to leave. She has a great job working with Jonathon, a deaf high school student that is glowing under her tutelage. The new fire and rescue squad she is on is not only a great team, but they are also run by the sexiest man she’s ever laid eyes on.

Brack and Abby clashed from the get go. She charged into his world and flipped it upside down and out of control. But their anger leads to steamy attraction as well, and they will find that together, they can overcome all the horrible memories of their past if they can stop arguing long enough to figure it out.

This book was full of sexual tension between Brack and Abby, and at times it was angry attraction. I love the frienemies trope in romance, and don’t think it’s as widely used as it should be. There is something just so fun about reading two characters who push each and every button the other has, rile them up completely, and yet can’t fight the attraction that is continuing to pull them together. For me, it just provides for fun and sexy reading times!

While I understood Abby’s shame over her past and current predicament, I also hated the fact that she continually cut herself short on life. I loved the way Wall portrayed Abby’s mother’s mental illness, and thought she did a good job of showing just how real it can be. I was glad to see that Brack was willing to do anything, deal with anything for a chance to be with Abby, however I wanted him to go after her sooner.

That being said, I also loved the way that Abby’s disappearance helped bring Brack and Jonathon closer together. I could see how easily it was for the two of them to lose sight of each other and their broken family. One of my favorite aspects of this book was watching them figure out how to be a family again. How to talk to one another, relate to each other, and find common interests once again. It was a wonderful aspect to the story.

All the secondary characters in this book were wonderful as well. I loved the other members of the rescue squad, especially Brack’s brothers. They were such fun to read, and I hope that Wall will tell their stories in future books.

All in all I really enjoyed my first Wall book. The romance was different and fun and sexy, while the plot took on some serious issues and made them realistic and an integral part of the story. I am looking forward to more from Wall in the future.
I give Stay a B

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/06/review-pitch-perfect-by-sierra-dean/

I hate admitting this, but my love of Dean’s Secret McQueen series had faded over the last few books, and I was reluctant to read anymore of that series. But while talking one night on Twitter she told me she had a contemporary sports romance coming out and I was so excited at the opportunity to read it. And I’m so glad I did!

Emmy’s dream job has always been to work as the head athletic trainer for a major league baseball team. Now that her dream has come true, she knows that baseball season is going to be full of sprains and aches and a grueling travel schedule. The last thing she has in mind is a romance that could potentially ruin everything she’s worked for.

Tucker is nowhere near old, but in baseball years he is getting up there. Coming back from a season off and major surgery has him scared, and he fears being just another washup. But with Emmy pushing him to be better, and the threat of leaving the only team he’s ever played for and loved, Tucker will take Emmy’s advice and do everything he can to succeed. The only problem is, he’s found that Emmy is his new lucky charm, and he doesn’t want to let her go. Ever.

This book had such a wonderful slow building romance. At the start of this book, Emmy is new to town and still has her boyfriend in Chicago. Although the attraction to Tucker is off the charts, Emmy does her best to push Tucker away at every chance. They start with a strong sexual attraction, and develop a wonderful friendship over time. It isn’t until at least halfway through the book that Emmy breaks up with her Chicago boyfriend and admits to herself she wants to take the chance with Tucker. That slow building romance was so well done, and I adored it.

I loved the way Dean portrayed Emmy’s character, especially once she was featured in the paper without her knowledge or approval. I loved that she hated the fact that a spotlight had been shown on her for being the first female head trainer in the MLB, and how upset she was that people would now possibly question her abilities. I thought it showed not only a strong strength of character, but also some vulnerability to her character that shined bright.

Tucker was wonderful as well. Despite the fact that Emmy was constantly pushing him away, he still did everything he could to support her. He was a friend when she needed, a support system, and when the time came, a lover. Although he was struggling with his own issues, namely getting his game back, he was also quick to focus one hundred percent on Emmy, and make sure that she was well taken care of.

The secondary characters, especially the guys on the Felon’s baseball team, were all fabulous. I loved how different and unique they all were, how large their personalities were, and how well they meshed together. I can’t wait to dive into the next book and read about Alex, Tucker, and the rest of the guys.

I am not a huge fan of baseball. While I love going to a live game and getting a cold beer and a hot pretzel, I’m also not a die-hard for the sport. That being said, I thought Dean did an incredible job of making the sport come alive. So many times in sports romance books the plot takes place off the field for the vast majority of the story. With Dean, the sport itself was just as integral to the book as the romance. The day to day grind, practice, working out, and the energy of the game itself was just as strong of a character as Tucker, Emmy and the rest.

All in all I found this book to reaffirm my love of Sierra Dean. The romance was exactly what I was looking for, and the added bonus of the strong friendship between Emmy and Tucker was wonderful. The baseball way of life and the players within it pulled me into their world and I was sad to see it go. I’m anxious to read more about the Felons.
I give Pitch Perfect a B.

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/05/review-midnight-games-by-elle-kennedy/

I adore this series from Kennedy, so every time she releases a new book, I’m anxious to get my hands on it and see what else she has in store for us.

Isabel hasn’t seen Trevor since she left him waiting in her apartment five months ago. Running away was easy, and now that she’s off her assignment, she knows that she’ll need to explain things to the one many who got under her skin. But Isabel isn’t sure that she is ready to take all that Trevor is offering.

Trevor finally has his life in order, and the only thing missing is Isabel. He wants her more than anything, and is willing to fight hard to win her over. But as they deal with a bombing on their safe house, their missing commander, and a plot that neither saw coming, Trevor and Isabel are going to have to fight to stay alive, before they can fight to stay together.

I have been waiting, not so patiently, for this book. When Isabel and Trevor first met in book one, I couldn’t wait to see where Kennedy would take these two. Especially given how screwed up Trevor was, and how closed off Isabel was. During the second book their relationship escalated, and I was hooked onto these two like you couldn’t believe. Now that they’ve had a book of their own, I’m amazed at how well Kennedy has drawn me into their world and lives.

I love the relationship between these two. It has changed so much from the first time they met. They had a long time to become friends and although Isabel is still very scared about being more than friends, the attraction between them keeps pulling them together in ways neither expected. I loved that they couldn’t seem to stay away, despite how hard it was at times. That attraction and pull was tangible throughout the whole story.

However, because their relationship has built so much over the course of the series, I felt like the overall romance took a little bit of a supportive role. Maybe it’s because they’ve known each other and worked with each other the last two books, but for some reason I felt as if the book focused much more on the suspense plot and secondary characters than it did on the developing relationship. It could also be in part because we go into this book knowing that these two have a history, and are pretty much in love already…

I loved the plot on this one too, especially since Kennedy was able to throw me for a loop. It seems like she constantly has a little something up her sleeve, and when I least expect it, she whips out the twists and curves and keeps me at the very edge of my seat. I loved that things played out unexpectedly with Jim, and the weird pseudo-relationship he has with Noelle. I thought the end was so perfect, despite the somewhat ugly scene.

One of the things I think I loved best about this book was just how perfect Trevor and Isabel ended up being for one another. Despite Isabel’s ability to take care of herself, she was (at times) willing to let Trevor care for her and protect her. And although she hid behind her disguises, I loved that Trevor was always able to see through them. Always able to see the real Isabel underneath the makeup and hair dye. While it’s true that most romance couples are made for one another, I felt like the journey that brought Isabel and Trevor to that point made their HEA all the more perfect and special.

There were so many questions left unanswered at the end of this book, especially with the secondary characters. I’m desperate to know what is going on with Jim and Noelle, Ethan and Juliet, D, Holden and all the others. One of the things that Kennedy does best is bring out incredible characters, all while dropping little hints and teases to keep them interesting and mysterious. I wish I could get Kennedy to open up her big box of secrets for me, but she is pretty tight lipped! :)

All in all I adored this installment of the Killer Instincts series. The books and characters keep getting better and better with each book. The romance and relationships are flushed out to perfection, and the plots continue to be intense and engaging. I am so excited to see what Kennedy has in store for us next, and hope that she continues to write in this series for a long, long time.
I give Midnight Games a B+

Day is a new-to-me author, and I'm so glad I picked up this series. I really like the world and can't wait to read more!

We did a read along with this book, which can be found here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/09/magic-rises-readalong/


This book killed me. Absolutely, positively killed me. It’s been a week since I finished it and I’m still reeling. The romance aspect of this book flayed me open and literally squeezed my heart till it hurt. There were twists and turns that Andrews sprinkled in the book that had me both laughing and crying. The end had me sobbing, literal tears streaming down my face as one of my favorite characters in the series sacrificed their live to safe the others. There were so many different emotions packed within every moment, every scene, every word. I am so excited about the way this series has progressed, and I love the way that Andrews had made it possible for the world and characters to stay true to themselves. I love the journey that Kate is on, and I am so excited and sad with each book that comes out, because it means that Kate’s journey will soon be coming to an end.

This series remains my all time favorite. The romance, the action, the drama, it is all the perfect blend of harsh and unforgiving and loving and sweet. Never before has a book cut me open as much as this did!

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/02/review-the-marriage-merger-by-jennifer-probst/

I’ve enjoyed this series by Probst so much, so when the final book came out and we got the chance to see Julietta get her happily ever after, I was both anxious and sad to read the final book.

Julietta doesn’t have time for a man in her life, so when her sister Carina forces her to do the love spell, she puts down the most outrageous ideals and forgets about it. With a new business merger on the horizon, Julietta has plenty to keep her busy. But working with Sawyer is more than she expected, and the man pushes all her buttons in both the boardroom and the bedroom.

Sawyer came from nothing and has built an empire. Partnering with Julietta and the bakery is just good business sense. Falling for the woman is not. But Sawyer can’t seem to keep his hands to himself. When a promise he made as a young man ties him to Julietta forever, he gets the glimpse at a life he never expected to have, and realizes he might have to fight harder than ever before to keep it.

I think this book might be my least favorite in the series, only because the marriage of convenience plot didn’t play in until late in the book. I love that Probst has kept with that trope throughout, but was sad to see that it wasn’t brought up sooner.

I really liked Sawyer, but felt so horrible for what he had to endure as a child. I wanted so much to wrap him up in a big hug and tell him that everything would be okay. I thought the relationship that he had with Wolfe really helped them both deal with the horrific aspects of their past, and I sincerely hope that Probst will take the time to write a story for Wolfe.

The romance between Sawyer and Julietta was wonderful, as expected. I loved that Sawyer had the ability to bring Julietta out of her mind and just feel. Although Sawyer had a bit of a tendency towards BDSM, I thought Probst had the perfect blend of romance and smut and didn’t try to “play up” to the current themes of rich playboy BDSM heroes that is common right now.

While I liked Julietta, she wasn’t my favorite heroine. She was so strong and commanding in the business aspects of her life, and for some reason it didn’t really seem to transfer over to her personal life. If anything, she came across as a bit of a timid mouse when she wasn’t working. I wanted some of that assertiveness to impact her everyday life too, and it wasn’t until the end of the book that I felt she really came out of her shell in her personal life and really lived.

It was wonderful to see all the previous couples in the series get back together. We also got the chance to see more of Mama Conte and her backstory. I liked getting a little bit more from the matriarch. The end was a little confusing to me though, because it came across very final in Mama Conte’s POV, and had me wondering if the wonderful grandmother was finally passing on. It had a very end-of-life feel to it.

All in all I was happy with the final installment of the Marriage to a Billionaire series. I thought Julietta and Sawyer were so different, and yet so perfect for one another. They had a fabulous opposites attract romance, and it was great fun to read from start to finish. I do hope that she dips back into this world for the chance to give Wolfe his HEA.
I give The Marriage Merger a B

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/02/review-home-to-whiskey-creek-by-brenda-novak/

I really enjoy the Whiskey Creek series, and I was excited to read about Noah, especially since the last few books have been leading up to a big confrontation with Noah’s best friend. I have to say though, I never expected this book to be so incredibly heavy.

Addy swore she would never return to Whiskey Creek, but her sick grandmother has her coming back, and she isn’t exactly welcomed with open arms. The last person she ever expected to rescue her, Noah, seems to be the only person willing to welcome her home.

The death of Noah’s brother still haunts him at times, and when he finds Addy at the bottom of the mine shaft that killed his brother, he is drawn to her in so many ways he never expected. As Addy finds herself in more and more trouble, Noah is bound and determined to keep her safe, all the while falling for her. The last thing Noah expected was to fall for a woman, let alone one with secrets that someone would kill to keep.

Oye, this book was tough to read. I don’t like to give away spoilers, but I also feel it’s kinda important to know what you might be getting yourself into when you pick up this book. If you don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading now…

At 16, Addy goes to a graduation party and gets gang raped by a group of boys from the baseball team. The ringleader happens to be Noah’s twin brother, and after he comes back for more, Addy fights back and inadvertently causes the cave in that kills Noah’s brother.

Needless to say, there is some seriously heavy stuff going on in this book, and I still am not sure how I feel about it all. It’s been almost a week now and every time I think back on the book I’m hurt and confused and sad and there are just so many emotions welling up I have problems process it all.

Despite the horrific part of Addy’s past, she seemed incredibly strong to not only go back to Whiskey Creek, but to also live through the torment all over again. I know that had I been in her place, I would have run at the first sign of trouble. The strength of her character was amazing, but at times it bordered on the unreal. I had a hard time believing that she was so put together, that she was so strong, that she was able to deal with everything she had to endure. She was almost too healed, too put together, too perfect.

I liked Noah and thought that he handled the truth of his brother well. I was glad to see him stick by Addy’s side, despite the fact that so many people tried to convince him otherwise. Despite the fact that Addy was somewhat responsible for his twin’s death. He was there for her every step of the way, and I adored him for that.

I have to say, I really liked the parts where Noah had to deal with his best friend, Baxter, coming out. It was something that had been building for awhile now, and I liked the way it all played out. From the awkward way that Baxter told Noah, to the struggle with maintaining their friendship, it was actually the lighter sub-plot of the whole book! I hope that things with Bax resolve within the next book though, because I love his character.

All in all this book was tough. I am still struggling with my overall feelings on it, because the subject matter was so hard to read, so hard to handle. Novak did a wonderful job bringing out so many different emotions with this book, but I’m just not sure it’s one that many people will enjoy.

This book is so hard for me to grade, but I think I’ll have to give Home to Whiskey Creek a B-/C+

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/29/review-perfect-fling-by-carly-phillips/

I have been anxiously waiting to hear Erin’s story, so I was so excited at the chance to gobble this story up! Loved it, Phillips did an amazing job with this one.

Erin has always been a good-girl, but one night of loneliness caused her to make a rash decision that was so out of character. When that decision ends up with her pregnant, Erin knows that her life has been forever changed. Although she doesn’t know much about Cole, Erin knows that deep down he’s a good guy. When he demands to protect her after she’s shot, Erin finds herself falling more and more for the father of her baby.

Cole is used to his undercover work. Going in and getting out while completing the mission and keeping people at bay. Erin is the only woman who has ever gotten under his skin, and while Cole would like to keep her there, he isn’t sure that is the best thing for her or their baby. But with Erin’s safety in question, Cole will do anything to keep her and his unborn child safe. Too bad he is finding that his heart might be the only thing crushed.

I love marriage of convenience stories, and I also have a soft spot for secret baby stories, so this book had a little bit of both, and had me falling head over heels. The romance between these two was so refreshing, and I loved every minute of it. Erin tried to keep her heart intact, and yet when she realized that she lost herself to Cole, she was willing to fight tooth and nail to win him over. And poor Cole, he was so beaten down by his father that he had zero faith in himself. He wanted the perfect life he knew he could have with Erin, but was so scared of what a relationship with him would mean for her.

I thought the mini suspense plot was so well done, too. Although I easily guessed who the stalker was, I liked the way it played out in both the overall story and the romance. Plus, I always like when the hero is forced to spend day in and day out protecting the heroine. It really gave Cole and Erin the chance to become friends, and fall in love.

I’m super excited for the next Serendipity book as well, as I’ve come to love all the secondary characters in this series. I can’t wait to see how things work out for Sam, especially since his love interest will have a lot to contend with in Serendipity. The secondary characters are some of my favorites, and I love the fact that Phillips makes them play such a strong and integral role in the books and series overall.

All in all I adored this installment of the Serendipity series. Erin and Cole had one of the best romances I’ve read so far this year. I loved the baby aspect, the forced togetherness and the way that Erin and Cole were able to really pull each other out of their stereotypes and have the kind of relationship they both dreamed of and desired.
I give Perfect Fling a B+

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/25/review-playing-the-field-by-jennifer-seasons/

I love my sports romance books, so when I saw the second Diamonds and Dugouts book, I couldn’t wait to see what Seasons would have in store for us next.

JP has only been in the majors for two years, but he is the kind of man and player who knows exactly what he wants when he sees it. When he sees Sonny at a charity event for kids with diabetes, he knows right then and there she is what he wants. Although she is leery of his almost celebrity status, Sonny is drawn to JP in ways she never expected.

When Sonny told the father of her son that she was pregnant, he cut and run like so many other people in her life. She never expected to be a single mom, but she’s made it work. Now that the sexy and younger JP doesn’t want to take “no” for an answer, Sonny finds herself swept up in the romance and her son’s love of JP and baseball in general.

I really liked this book, but there was one aspect that was a big disappoint to me. I hate when authors add certain dynamics to their story, and then don’t really explore that aspect of the story. I liked that Sonny’s son had diabetes, however I felt like it was hardly touched on throughout the story, especially given how much they went out to eat and had various meals during the story. I would have liked to see Seasons explore that aspect of the story more.

That being said, I really liked the other aspects of the story. I thought the romance was so well done, especially as Sonny had to deal with JP’s fame and age difference. I loved the way that JP single-mindedly pursued Sonny, and kept finding new and different ways to spend time with her and her son, Charlie. I liked that Seasons also took the time to develop a relationship between JP and Charlie, and had them work on their relationship outside of the romance.

I loved Sonny, I thought she was such a hard working and genuine heroine. She had wonderful interactions with her best friend, and the other baseball girlfriends. I liked that she was so protective of Charlie, and at the same time allowed him to make a connection with JP. It felt real and easy and flowed well within the confines of the story.

I like getting a chance to see and know more of the baseball players who will hopefully be featured in future books in the series. I can’t wait to see what happens with Pete especially. He is such a louder-than-life character, and there is definitely something brewing with him.

All in all I really enjoyed this sophomore book from Seasons. JP and Sonny were wonderful characters who had a sweet romance. I loved how Sonny’s son, Charlie, fit within the story. Although I wished we would have had the chance to explore his disease more, it was a great read. I’m looking forward to more in this series!
I give Playing the Field a B

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/22/review-dancing-with-the-devil-by-keri-arthur/

I loved the Riley Jenson series, so when I saw that the Nikki and Michael series was being re-released, I jumped at the chance to get into another series by Arthur.

Nikki is a PI on the case of a runaway teenage girl. Her psychic abilities help her in every way, but it isn’t until she finds out who is controlling the teen’s strings that Nikki will realize there are scarier things in the world than her psychic ability. During her case she continually runs into Michael, and finds that being alone isn’t as great as she thought.

Michael has a secret of his own, but the pull toward Nikki is almost more than he can overcome. Although his goal is to track down and take out Jasper, Michael finds that Nikki is more than he expected, and he begins falling for her, little by little. But as Jasper plans to take down both Michael and Nikki both, they find themselves in the fight of their lives.

This book had a very urban fantasy feel to it, despite the fact that the series focuses on the couple of Nikki and Michael. The romance reader in me was disappointed, as I wasn’t expecting the book to end on a non-HFN or HEA note. I was hoping we would get to see a little more in the development of their romance, instead of the way the book left with the separation. That being said, I do really love the way Arthur writes a long-term romance, and if Nikki and Michael are anything like Riley and Quinn, I’m down to continue with the series.

I liked the world that Arthur created here. I’m not ga-ga over vampires (I’m more of a shifters girl), but I did really like the simplistic world that Arthur had shows us so far. I hope that things continue to develop as the series goes on, and that we get the chance to see more unfold in the world.

I have to say that I connected with Michael more so than Nikki. I thought that Michael was such a tortured and fabulous hero. I loved his dark and broody attitude, and although he walked at the end, I was pretty smitten with him. I loved that he tried so hard to be everything good that he could, and when his world turned a bit upside down, he knew he would have to do anything and everything he could to make sure he got that control and perfection back.

I wanted to like Nikki as much as I liked Riley, and yet she came across as a bit of a victim to me. She had a lot of excuses and explanations. She had a couple TSTL moments that really drove me crazy, and I wanted he shake her at times. I hope that in future books Nikki really grows more as a character and becomes a heroine that I can really get behind.

All in all I enjoyed this book. The world is something that I’ve come to expect from Arthur: fun and sexy. While this book isn’t as sexy as Arthur’s previous books, I have high hopes for Nikki and Michael. I’m excited to see what else Nikki and Michael get into, and hope that their romance gets a chance to turn into something epic.

I give Dancing with the Devil a B

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/18/review-never-deal-with-dragons-by-lorenda-christensen/

I love a good dragon story, so when I saw this paranormal romance on NetGalley, I was intrigued by the blurb and the world. I am so glad I got this one, because it was such a fun read.

Myrna has the ability to speak to dragons, who were created by man in a freak accidental lab experiment. She works for an organization that settles disputes between dragons and humans. When the Dragon Lord of the area requests someone to work on a dragon to dragon mediation, Myrna jumps at the chance to kick-start her career.

Trian left Myrna in the middle of the night with no words, and having to deal with the fallout of stolen paperwork. Now he is working as her bodyguard, and finding out just how much he really misses her. But as Myrna finds herself in trouble again and again, Trian will have to reveal his secrets and past in order to keep Myrna safe.

I really loved the world building of this story. It was so unique and different and so incredibly engaging. Usually with paranormal stories that feature dragons there is a magical aspect, or a lot of fantasy undertones. With Christensen, she took a completely different approach and had her dragons be genetically made within a lab, while humans were trying to find a cure for cancer. I absolutely loved that. It was so awesome and kept me flipping pages as fast as I could read.

I do have to say that this story had a very urban fantasy feel to it. The romance was VERY slow to develop, and although I really liked Trian and Myrna. However, I was okay with that as the plot was so wonderfully written. I loved the political aspect, and all the crap that Myrna had to muddle through in order to do her job. I don’t know if Christensen has any plans to make this a series, but if she does, I can only hope that we either get to see more of Myrna and Trian’s adventures, or that we get to meet more couples in this world.

I really liked Myrna, despite her occasional TSTL moments. Although she did some training before going into her medications, she still made some pretty bold – and in my opinion, stupid – moves while dealing with the dragons. That being said, I kinda adored everything else about her. Despite the way she was forced to deal with the downfall of her career, she was still hopeful and optimistic for her life. I feel like there is so much more to her story, and I hope that we get to see more from her.

Since this book was told in the first person, I didn’t feel like we got to know Trian very well. He was kind of a jerk, especially since his history with Myrna is a little muddy. I never really felt like we got a good understanding of who his character really was. Again, if Christensen continues writing about this couple, I hope that we get a chance to delve more into his character.

All in all I think this was a wonderful debut paranormal book. I loved the world building, and Myrna was an all around great heroine. The plot was a great mix of political mayhem, and action. I hope that Christensen continues to grow this world and these characters and that we get to see more of Myrna, get to know Trian better, and spend more time within the dragons world.

I give Never Deal with Dragons a B+

Review originally posted here with Has and E: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/16/joint-review-beauty-and-the-billionaire-billionaire-boys-club-2-by-jessica-clare/

1. Thoughts on the Hero

MinnChica: What to say about Hunter? I was intrigued by the scarred man when he first appeared in Stranded with a Billionaire, especially once his attraction to Gretchen became evident. I think that Clare does an incredible job writing virgin heroes (read her Sims book Desperately Seeking Shapeshifter for another goodie) and I loved how shy and insecure Hunter was about it. At the same time, Hunter kinda came across as an alphahole. He was so flustered that he was short and gruff and at times a jerk to Gretchen. Toward the end when he screwed up with her big time, I wanted to beat him silly for some of the hateful things he said. But the way that Gretchen asked him to “grovel” was so amazing, and I loved watching that change in him.

Has: I loved that double aspect to Hunter’s character, he was so vulnerable and unsure of himself but at the same time he was the typical alphahole. I especially loved how flustered and frustrated he became when he tried to interact with Gretchen who saw through his bluster. But it was so refreshing to read a hero who was so socially cutoff but finding his way to communicate with a woman who is attracted to. I really liked how Hunter was in a position of power who tried to control the wooing of Gretchen. But I liked that it was Gretchen who turned the tables on him and very insightful that she saw through his brusque and aloof demeanor. And can I say I adore the fact he was a virgin hero to boot! That really gave the story and romance another sweet element because instead of Hunter setting out to seduce Gretchen which was his original intention – it was Gretchen instead who chased him.

I also loved that Jessica Clare managed to capture the elements from the Beauty and the Beast fairytale so well because Hunter really fits that role well, especially with his hobby in growing roses.

E: I had a blast with Hunter. He was so socially inept yet he really wanted a relationship with Gretchen. While I thought his methods were rather underhanded especially given his double standards he was still a very fun character. As his back story came out I could completely understand why he had a very hard time relating to people and the reason for his scars was something I never would have guessed. I also enjoyed how Hunter made up for lost time once he relaxed enough around Gretchen to discover some additional benefits of life. I will admit that he could certainly be an arrogant ass but he could also grovel when necessary.


2. Thoughts on the Heroine

MinnChica: I really liked Gretchen. She was wild and fun and carefree. It was kinda nice to read a book about an author who hated to write, it’s not a typical theme to find in romance books, and added another dimension to Gretchen’s character. I liked the way she had to really coax Hunter into becoming friends and then lovers. I think the only thing about Gretchen that kinda upset me was the way she didn’t immediately jump to Hunter’s defense during the horrible dinner party they hosted. While I understand how it all went down, I expected a little more from her.

Has: Gretchen was the perfect heroine for Hunter, while he was the loner and vulnerable because of his scars – Gretchen was much more social and outspoken. I loved how honest she was even though it did get into trouble at times. But I also liked the fact she was so sensitive and empathic to the people she was close to. I think the chemistry that she sparked off with Hunter, worked so well between them and I loved their interaction and the slow build up with the tension was amazing. I also liked her interaction with Hunter’s butler who disliked her but it helped to create some amusing scenes in the book with Gretchen’s snarky comments. I also loved that he helped to fit the gothic overtones of the story of the huge foreboding manor house and that really added another aspect to the story.

E: Gretchen was an intriguing character. She was spunky, snarky, and vulnerable. Watching her seduce Hunter was very enjoyable as she gradually worked within the bounds of his comfort zone yet would also push at the edges. She was good at thinking on her feet except when it came to her sisters. They were her weakness and almost ruined her chance at happiness. I also had an issue with how she approached her ghost writing and thought it didn’t look good for her professionalism even though I completely sympathized with her boredom. However, I liked her enthusiasm as she tackled the letter project and a few other things. I also enjoyed how sometimes things she said sounded much cooler in her head than out loud. That trait humanized her character and made her a lot easier to relate to.


3. Favorite Scene

MinnChica: Oh man… what to pick, what to pick. I think, because it’s Clare, I need to pick a sorta naughty scene, so I’m going to go with the scene where Gretchen asks Hunter to help her act out the letters. It was Gretchen’s way of coercing Hunter into becoming more intimate with her, and yet still keeping it light and fun and sexy. I loved the way Hunter really let himself go at first, let himself get into the game of it, and enjoy the touch and fell of Gretchen’s body and his own. I loved that it showed how fat Gretchen was willing to go to reach out to him, and how desperate Hunter was for human contact, while first showing his own playful side.

Has: Like MinnChica said, that was one of my favourite scenes in the book as well. But I also loved the scene detailing Hunter’s love with growing and hybridizing roses, who he would place a vase every day in the library for Gretchen. When he explained to Gretchen about the process, and asking her which species of roses she loved the best. I felt that was the moment in their relationship overcame a hurdle and I also love the nod to the Beauty and the Beast. There is another scene which I really loved when Gretchen was on Hunter’s lap and was teasing him and what happened next was very very sexy. But the lead up to it was funny but sexy and so fun to see Hunter starting to open up more and exploring sexuality.

E: I think since Has and MinnChica took two great smexy scenes I am going to go with the grovel scene. This was really an extended scene that I loved. Once Hunter figured out that he had screwed up he really put time and effort into trying to show that not only had he learned his lesson but that he was serious about making changes. To me watching what he did over time was so touching especially since it screamed that he had listened to Gretchen and thought what she said/did had merit. I love a good grovel scene and this was was superb.


4. Dislike about book

MinnChica: Oh man… there wasn’t anything huge that I disliked about this book, other than Gretchen not doing a better job of standing up for Hunter at the disaster dinner party. There were a few characters that I didn’t really like, specifically Gretchen’s agent and Hunter’s stuck-up butler. I thought they both sucked as people, but I liked the value they added to the story, despite their crappy personalities. :)

Has: I really don’t have any bad comments about this book either, the pacing, the story was great and the characters, even the ones I disliked, like MinnChica stated – they all added to the story and it was a delicious one!

E: I had the same dislike of the two characters that MinnChica did and I didn’t like what her sisters did at the dinner party. I thought Audrey was a bit too concerned with catering to their famous sister even though both of them knew what was likely to happen. That was actually my least favorite scene. I felt so awkward and bad for both Hunter and Gretchen initially and then I got mad at them both as well. However, as much as I didn’t enjoy that particular scene I have to admit it was well written and it served as a great yardstick for their HEA (happily ever after).


5. Any other misc. thoughts along with grade

MinnChica: All in all I thought Clare really knocked it out of the park again with this book. I am loving this series so much, and am super excited for the next installment. I love all the characters; the guys have such a fun and interesting dynamic between them, and it’s great getting to know the ladies who are winning them over. I am so excited to see how things play out with Gretchen’s twin sisters, and anxiously awaiting Audrey’s book. I adored the relationship between Hunter and Gretchen, and getting to know them as individuals as they came together was a wild and fun ride.

I give Beauty and the Billionaire an A-

Has: I know there has been a slew of brooding billionaire heroes at the moment, but this series has been a pure and utter delight. I loved that Jessica Clare has made the character much more relatable and likeable. Even though Hunter started off as this closed off man, his romance with Gretchen slowly unveils him to be a hero who has insecurity and emotional and physical scars. I loved that both Gretchen and Hunter both learned about other aspects in their lives which they changed as well as falling for each other. There was real growth and development, and I loved its take on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. This was a romance filled with humour, passion and real passion and I totally fell in love with it.

I give Beauty and the Billionaire an A!

E: I loved this story. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales and I enjoy reading different retellings. I thought Clare did a great job here down to incorporating the roses. This was a great installment in her Billionaire Boys Club series which really stands out from all of the other billionaire stories that exist. The connection between the billionaires, how they screw up but make up for it, the women they end up with and their connections. The humor and how it seems as if the monetary imbalance is countered by the fierce independence of the women keep me from feeling that the hero has all of the power. I am looking forward to the next one and I want to see if/how Clare is going to redeem Gretchen’s two sisters in my eyes.

I give Beauty and the Billionaire an A.

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/16/review-undone-by-shannon-richard/

I love small town romances, so I was excited to read this one, but unfortunately it fell short for me.

Paige lost everything she had in Philly, and finds herself moving back in with her parents, in small town Mirabelle. Thing just go downhill from there, until she meets the sexy mechanic Brendan. Then she finds a friend in town and things start to look up. Brendan helps her get a job, make some good friends, and start to really enjoy life in Mirabelle. But not everything is perfect for them, and even after they have it all, one secret might be enough to destroy them.

This book had a very chick lit feel to it. While the core of the story was the romance between Paige and Brendan, it spans much more than just their romance. While I like when my romances to have strong family ties and female friendships, this book just didn’t work for me in that regard. I’m not sure why, but I just wasn’t that interested in the chick lit aspect of the story.

I did like the romance though, as I felt like Paige and Brendan were a perfect match for one another. I liked that Paige was a little wild and free and that she refused to conform to the conservative viewpoint of the rest of the folks in Mirabelle. I liked that Brendan cared so deeply for her, and wanted nothing more than to make her happy in any and every way he could.

One other aspect that I liked about this book was that it didn’t just end with their “I love you.” The story continued on past their declaration of love, past a wedding, and into their ever after. It’s not typical in romances to see a relationship develop that far, and I liked that we got a chance to glimpse more than what is normal. I think that is one of the reasons why this book felt more like chick lit than just a straight romance. However, one of the aspects I didn’t like was that the big fight and misunderstanding that is typical in romances, didn’t come until after Paige and Brendan were married. I know that marriage isn’t perfect, but I was a little upset to see that Paige ran when things got tough, instead of working it out. Once a commitment like marriage is made, I have a harder time accepting Paige just walking out.

I liked many of the secondary characters in this story. Between Brendan’s group of friends, his sister and grandparents and the group of ladies that gossiped on Thursday afternoons, there were a lot of wonderful and fun characters to read about. I think that if the series were to have a more romantic feel to it, I would definitely be checking out the next books in the series.

The small town of Mirabelle was not one that I enjoyed. I am a big fan of small towns: Serendipity, Lucky Harbor, Fool’s Gold, Whiskey Creek and more. However, I found that most of the people in Mirabelle were old, cold, and nasty. I hated the pretentious nature of the older generation, and the way they so outright hateful to the younger generation.

All in all this book wasn’t what I was expecting or hoping to see when I picked it up. I was disappointed that it had a more chick lit feel, and it wasn’t an aspect that I liked. While I enjoyed the characters, I had a hard time connecting with the rest of the storyline.

I give Undone a C-

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/17/review-once-burned-by-dee-carney/

One day on Twitter I was talking about my desire for a “Kitchen Nightmares” like romance book, and Carney and I got to talking about her foodie series. When she asked if I was willing to review the first book, I jumped at the chance. Afterall, who doesn’t love a good foodie romance?

This book was short, almost too short. I loved the setup, and think the blurb does a great job of laying out the general plot line. However, I would have liked more. I wish that Carney would have gone into their past more, especially since they had so much history between them. I always love a good frenemies story, and I know Carney could have blown me away with more backstory and more tension throughout.

That being said, I did enjoy the book. I thought Pepper and Darien were great together, and I loved the fierce competition they had going on, all while dancing around the sexual tension. I liked the way they were forced to not only work together on the competition, but also forced to deal with their past. Darien had to practically corner Pepper in the kitchen to get her to hear him out. And despite the way that Darien treated her as kids, I loved that Pepper was able to take a step back and look at what she really wanted, how she really felt, and make a decision from there.

I also thought Carney did a great job with the secondary characters, Pepper and Darien’s sous chefs. I thought it was great that they were a couple, and their relationship was a fun juxtaposition to the animosity of Pepper and Darien in the beginning. I would have liked to see more with them as well, as I thought they were great.

I thought the food truck competition was fun! I would have liked to see it stretch the story more. (this seems to be a theme throughout this review, huh?) I was a little bummed that Darien would think that Pepper would purposefully sabotage him, but glad to see that his groveling paid off in the end. I really loved the scene where they announced the winner of the competition. It reminded me of the movie Forces of Nature; at the end when Ben’s character is standing in the hurricane with his future wife. I loved how both the book and the movie seemed to have life happen around them while they were focused some completely on one another. So great.

All in all I really liked this story. It was short, and I really did want more, but I enjoyed what I got. I liked Pepper and Darien and was glad to see they finally got their second chance at love. I hope we get to see more of them in future books.

I give Once Burned a B-

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/15/review-the-winning-season-by-alison-packard/

When I read Packard’s debut novel last year, I was hooked. I adored it. When I saw this baseball book, I didn’t even read the blurb before requesting it (I am a sport romance junkie)!! The fact that this book tied back into Love in the Afternoon made it even better.

Kelly has her dream job working publicity for the Blaze baseball team. Only her biggest nightmare has been traded onto her team, and she finds herself having to work day in and day out with the one man who drives her absolutely crazy. But in between insults, Kelly gets to know Matt and finds out that there is something more to the man than just a total screw-up.

Matt went through one of the most traumatic things someone could suffer, and he let his career and life spiral out of control because of it. But when he gets traded to the Blaze, he realizes he needs to get his shit together. Being thrown into the path of Kelly time and again opens his eyes to so many things, and Matt realizes that the woman he once hurled insults at, is one he doesn’t want to live without.

I absolutely adored this book, it was so fun and sexy and everything I love about romance. The romance was great, with Kelly and Matt starting the book as enemies who absolutely hated each other, but had such an intense sexual attraction between them. I loved watching them burn up for one another, all while trying to like each other, and eventually fall in love.

I adored Kelly, especially once we got to learn more about her past struggles. Growing up the polar opposite of her sister led to some horrific experiences in high school and college, and I thought Packard did an amazing job showcasing the destructive ways that self image can impact young women. Some issues can be really hard to read about, and eating disorders are ones that can go either horribly wrong, or have a strong impact. I thought Packard did an incredible job, and the story benefited from that subplot beautifully.

Poor Matt was kinda a dick and yet as his story unfolded, I wanted to cry for the guy. He had to deal with some pretty crazy changes in his life in a short period of time, so the fact that he went off his rocker was understandable. I loved the way he had to struggle to rebuild his reputation and life, especially as he leaned on Kelly to do so. He was a genuinely great guy, and I adored reading him. I hope we get to see more of him and Kelly both in future books.

My one gripe with this book is that it seemed to end rather abruptly. Matt and Kelly finally were able to resolve their big fight, and the book seemed to end right at that point. I would have like to see a little bit more after, since there were still a few things I would have liked to see be wrapped up. I hate when books leave me hanging like that, because I feel like I’m missing something important in the story still, so I’m going to be anxiously waiting for the next book in Packard’s series.

Via Twitter, Packard told me the next hero and heroine will be JT and Angie, two secondary characters from this book I adored. I hope that the baseball theme continues in her books, because I thought it was a wonderful balance of sports and fame and romance.

All in all I loved this sophomore book from Packard. She has quickly made her way to my auto-buy list for contemporary romance authors. I loved both Matt and Kelly as well as all the other characters we got to meet in this book. I’m anxious to see what Packard has in store for me next!

I give The Winning Season an A-

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/11/review-hotter-than-ever-by-elle-kennedy/

I have to say, when I first read Kennedy, I fell head over heels in love with her writing. She creates such sexy and fun stories, and the characters are all so easy to fall in love with.

Dylan has been living with his lover and friend Aidan for awhile now, and despite the fact that the two of them are insanely attracted to one another, the two of them just can’t figure out what the missing link is in their relationship. When Dylan heads home for his brother’s wedding, and ends up coming home with the jilted bride, Dylan and Aidan realize the missing link might very well be the sexy Claire.

Claire hated Dylan, but the attraction could never be denied. When Dylan and Aidan propose an all out threesome, Claire is hesitant but intrigued. As they explore the unknown together, it becomes clear their relationship works best with three. But between Claire’s conservative family, Dylan and Aidan’s military careers, and Claire’s almost ex-husband, their relationship might not be able to survive.

I am the first person to tell everyone how much I usually hate menage relationships. I usually feel like someone always gets the short end of the stick, and I have yet to find an author who can make me truly believe that things will last forever. However, I’ll admit that Kennedy came damn close with this one. Although I LOVED Dylan and Aidan together, and would have been totally happy with a m/m romance only, Kennedy left enough hints to the fact that neither Dylan nor Aidan were totally happy with just each other. They both said time and time again that despite the fact that they really cared for one another, it wasn’t enough. They knew it, they acknowledged it, and it was said and presented in a way that made me believe it.

I was not a huge fan of Claire from when we met her in Seth’s book. She was kinda stuck up and snooty, and the way she and Dylan constantly bickered with each other was enough to have me wondering how they would work out. However, once Aidan locked them in a room together and forced them to work out their differences, I loved the way their relationship developed. Dylan was such a joker and free spirit, and although he still teased Claire, he did it in a way that showed her just how much he cared. Likewise, he was such a polar opposite from Aidan, they made a wonderful triad.

I was surprised with how many twists and turns Kennedy threw into this book. Between Dylan’s mom’s issues, the truth about Aidan’s mom, Claire’s family and boss’ reaction to her relationship and the overall douchebaggery of Dylan’s brother, Chris, I was shocked at how much really happened. Yet, I never really felt like it was too much for the story. Instead, Kennedy did a wonderful job of balancing out the lives of three very different people, who are trying to make a go of a very unconventional relationship in their conventional world. I loved that.

All in all I think Kennedy has done a wonderful and amazing job of creating a believable triad relationship in the contemporary romance setting. It was heartfelt and sexy and so engaging that I didn’t want to put the book down. I am still head over heels in love with this series, and can’t wait to see what Kennedy has in store for us next.

I give Hotter than Ever a B+