This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

First Impressions
A Fire In The Blood is technically a standalone but it is part of the world that Amanda Ashley has created with her paranormals which all are vampire-themed stories. I always get a kick out of reading her books because she has this spooky vibe that we just don’t see that much in vampire romance, it’s perfect for Halloween time but she has so many in her backlist and when I saw this one available in the library, I jumped at the chance to read it especially since I have been wanting to read more paranormal lately. I was really intrigued by this one, it had a similar style to some of her other books and there was this level of danger that kept me on edge all the way through it. I found this book to be difficult to put down and really invested in the story. The world-building is superb and really adds a aura of mystery and danger to it that scream “things that go bump in the night”. While this author isn’t like a five-star read for me all of the time, she always delivers in solidly written stories.

Summary
Our story begins with our heroine, who when she is a teenager visits a fortune teller who says that her life will be in danger and that a tall dark stranger will save her life and bring death and life to her. Then we skip ahead ten years later, and our heroine feels like she is being followed and as the reality of vampires has recently been revealed to the world, she knows something is off. Then she is attacked the next night but her life is saved by a mysterious stranger who protects her. Through a course of events, Andrei and Tessa begin dating and there is a level of trust that is built between them. At first, Tessa doesn’t know what to make of Andrei, she believes he won’t harm her, but she senses something more about him even though he walks in sunlight. But when the truth is revealed of his true nature, Tessa isn’t as afraid as she should be because he has been protecting her. She learns that newbie vampires are hunting her as a rumor is being spread that her blood will make them stronger. Andrei has built a home in this town and won’t let these vampires overrun it or kill Tessa. But when the past comes to the present and a threat to Tessa becomes more real than ever, will Andrei and Tessa be able to defeat her or lose everything in this villain’s rage and obsessiveness?

What I Loved
This was quite an interesting story and I really liked how the hero is with Tessa and the different things that built toward the climax. The world-building as always is stellar, I am always intrigued by the tone in which this author builds her stories, and it’s always so fascinating to see where its been going and how she builds it toward the end. It was so fun to see them “date” you normally don’t see that in vampire romance, there is a splice of life feel to the story that I found intriguing. I also liked how we get more than vampires but also a bit of shifter lore packed into the story. I really loved how Tessa has a level of trust with Andrei and doesn’t resent him for being a vampire and is mature about learning his identity. I really liked her for that, even when she has these moments where she falters in her faith in him, she still always impressed me throughout the story in how she takes the threat against her life and falling in love with a vampire with such ease that it felt highly relatable. And she has such a strong will of iron that turns her into the perfect match for Andrei. Its a solid vampire romance that kept me entertained all the way through.

What I Struggled With
I will be honest, this wasn’t exactly a five star read and I think if the story had been more engaging (it was engaging but not exactly a page-turner you can’t put down) and if I had been more invested in the romance, I just didn’t feel the chemistry like I wanted to.

Overall View
I found A Fire in the Blood to be a thrilling, edgy vampire romance that kept me on my toes, and had me eager to explore more of this world that this author has created! A solid win of a read!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

First Impressions
Headmaster is the second book in the latest series by this author, and after loving the first book I just had to read the second book, as there was such a side plot in the first book featuring this couple and I wanted them to have their HEA so badly and see their journey. I am not ashamed to have just jumped right into this one, because it was just as good as the first one, if not better, because when it comes to BDSM as healing, you will capture my attention from the get-go with that one. This book isn’t an easy one to read though, it deals with some tough tackling topics and I really enjoyed seeing how it all played out. I knew that going into it though, it would be a heart-stopper and would really tug at the heartstrings and the author succeeded at that and more. My heart just bled for this couple and seeing how much they loved each other but not only that, but how well they “fit” so well together and seeing them get to their dream in each other was so endearingly beautiful.

Summary
Lennox MacLure is the headmaster of the RACK Academy and is one of the most capable dominants in the business. But when his submissive Winnie, was killed, he blamed himself and ever since he has sworn off the Dominnant/Submissive life and for three years has been withdrawn, grieving and not allowing himself to feel and is burdened with guilt and shame. He created the RACK Academy shortly after Winnie’s death to atone for his sins. Now enters our heroine Mariela, who is the dance instructor and the lead submissive teacher, who also happened to be Winnie’s best friend and a natural submissive and is in love with Lennox. She is determined to save Lennox from himself and get him back into the lifestyle because she knows it will heal his wounds. But getting him to that point won’t be easy and she will have a battle on her hands but also with her heart….

What I Loved
This book was everything I could have hoped for and more….I knew going into this book it would really be rough emotionally and that is true. But I also wanted to see so much from this couple. We see quite a bit of struggle and pain in the previous couple and their relationship, and so to see them find their joy in each other and truly find peace was such a win for me. This author’s writing is fully engaging, and I was so captivated by the romance between these two and the emotional scars that they were both dealing with. Seeing the heroine take control and fight for the man she loved was such a breathtaking moment, and I was cheering her on all the way. We see what a recluse Lennox has become, and she slowly draws out the dominant in him and when he bursts free and embraces that side of himself was such a worthwhile wait to see. My heart became so endeared to these two’s journey and their growth together because we see how Mariela has really neglected her submissive nature and lost her dancing song and how Lennox has lost his dominant nature and lost sight of truths about himself. Then we see as they embrace a relationship together, that they find what they have both lost. Tara Sue Me writes such powerful evoking stories and I know I am just starting to read her, but the way she develops these stories is deeply riveting and I am excited to explore more of her work and I am definitely seeing why so many have loved her work, especially in portraying BDSM relationships so well.

What I Struggled With
Honestly….I can’t really think of anything that was a big struggle or anything. I think I would have liked just a bit more couple-page time if I had to change anything.

Overall View
I found Headmaster to be such a vibrant, soul-searing romance that curled my toes, touched my heart, and had me yearning for more! A HEART-ENDEARING ROMANCE OF KINK AND HEALING!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

It’s been my experience that fear doesn’t have a set of parameters. We can’t turn it off just by realizing we shouldn’t be afraid.

First Impressions
Hidden Away is the third book in the KGI series and I am slowly working my way through this series and learning to love this family more and more. Their fun bantering and the way that they fight and stand by each other, is just delicious. I really love how they all interact with each other and seeing their close bond to each other. We get plenty of fun times with the family, the parents, and the two previous couples from the first two books in the series. Hidden Away is a story that starts off with a wild kick, as we see a man get murdered and the heroine is now on the run as her life is in danger and then we have the hero, who is Garrett, who has been sent to go undercover, protect her and draw her brother out in the open. So I just love a snappy mistaken identity romance and this is the perfect BEACH read, as it’s set on a island with beach and surf and plenty of warm weather. There is a cozy feeling to this book and I really enjoyed seeing the romance blossom and the way they have to work to overcome the conflicts and Maya Banks did a brilliant job with this installment,.

Summary
Sarah Daniels is a witness to her brother murdering a high profile man who also raped and abused her. She knows why her brother took the action he took but also knows she is not safe. She goes on the run and settles on an island in the middle of nowhere and has a cozy beach house, just wanting to feel safe for the first time in a while. Then Garrett is pulled aside for a mission, to go undercover and sweet talk Sara and draw her brother out in the open. Her brother is Marcus Lattimer, and the nemesis to Garrett and his family, and he is determined to bring him down. What he doesn’t expect though is to be so drawn to Sarah and be connected to a woman that lives a life in fear and working to overcome what is obviously abuse and PTSD from a sexual assault. Garrett is determined not to just complete his mission, but protect Sarah at all costs. But when the truth is revealed, will Garrett be able to win Sarah’s heart and prove to her of his genuine care for her?

You don’t look like you’ve ever been scared of anything.” “Crying women scare me,” he admitted. She laughed. “Lucky for you I used up all my tears months ago.” “Plenty of things scare me. Pregnant women scare me.” She turned to face him again, her lips twitching. Some of the wildness had faded from her eyes. “I’m getting the impression that women, in any form, scare you.” He shrugged. “They’re the more violent species. And unpredictable. I’d rather take on a wild boar. You can’t shoot women.

What I Loved
This was such a kick-ass romance and I had such a blast with this one here. I just couldn’t get enough of this one and even though it wasn’t quite a five-star read, it was still a wonderful installment that I had so much fun with. I have always loved Garrett since the first book, he is the “brooding” brother and yeah I love the broody males. We see a different side to his personality when he is around Sarah and in a more tropical setting, he allows himself to relax and let all the stress go that has been pressing hard on him. Then we have Sarah, who has been through hell and back. Not only is she working through a rape and trying to work through that emotionally, but she is on the run as well. She knows that there is a connection between herself and Garrett, and instinctively she knows he is a man she can trust, but she is also a fighter. I really loved how she handles Garrett and stands on her own when she needs to. The way that the conflict works out while I would have preferred Garrett to be honest with her earlier in the story, I knew that it probably wouldn’t happen that way, haha but I did like seeing how Garrett has to grovel a bit for Sarah. I enjoyed seeing them interact and the way they overcome their challenges as a couple. And we get to see some fun players be more involved. We also get to witness the first birth in the family which was fun and how Garrett plays such a distinctive role in that.

And what she knew was that she had fallen and was still falling for the badass with the big heart and gentle soul.

What I Struggled With
So the real big issue that kept this from a five-star read is the ending, I so wasn’t a fan. It ended so abruptly like I wish that there had been at least a couple more chapters and it just felt so rushed and I was expecting more and it was the ending and I was like huh?? haha

Overall View
I found Hidden Away to be a powerful installment in the KGI series and this book has me eager to continue on. Hidden Away is a fiery hot edgy novel, that portrays emotional dilemmas, a sexy relationship being built, and some swoony moments that will bring a level of heart and poignancy to the surface!

Love was a gift, but it was up to the recipient to accept and cherish or to reject the offering. All she could do was give unreservedly. And for the first time since her assault, she realized that she could give something she’d never thought to give again. Her trust and her love.

Trigger Warnings:

Spoiler

Sexual Assault, Abuse, Psychological Stress, Murder

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

First Impressions
No Marriage of Convenience is a standalone by Elizabeth Boyle but it is part of the “Avon Romantic Treasure” line and I have been wanting to explore this line way more and delve into other older historicals. I very quickly grabbed this one up here from Amazon and I was immediately drawn into the story so I definitely have no regrets in reading this one. This is one of the older Elizabeth Boyle books and I really loved seeing her older style of writing and it had a refreshing feel to it. I also found that this one was super easy to get into, with a fun setup between our main characters, it delivered on the fun side characters and plenty of humor to satisfy the historical reader. It was such an easy one to just relax into and I really felt like this one was such a solid read. I was nervous before going into this one because there are a ton of mixed reviews on GoodReads for this one, however, I ended up having a blast with it and was highly entertained all the way through.

Summary
Mason St. Clair, is the Earl of Ashlin, and inherited the title when his brother died. Mason is a scholar and never expected to inherit a title or a pile of debts or three nieces that he needs to find good matches for. And then walks in a lady of mystery and beauty….Riley, an infamous actress and has come to Mason for assistance in keeping her show open and to try to settle the debt that needed to be resolved. Mason’s cousin Felicity suggests that Riley help tutor his nieces to prepare them for society and Riley knows that she has little choice but to accept. There is a chemistry between Mason and Riley but neither of them act on it, as they know the difference of their stations, but they can’t deny that there is something real between them. But as there is a stalker threatening to kill Riley,, Mason is determined to protect a woman he has come to care deeply for, but there are secrets of the past that will come to the forefront, and will Mason and Riley find a way to resolve their bind and a path to a HEA….

What I Loved
No Marriage of Convenience was quite an entertaining ride and I honestly had such a fun time with this one here. I really was so curious to see where the author would take this one here. I was so fascinated to see where this would go and what the author would deliver with this story. I will say that this book is super easy to get into, and I was really drawn into the story all the way through. I really loved how the writing just captivated my interest. There is such fun humor and it was well balanced in the story. I really adored the pairing of an Earl with an Actress, but they are both of scholarly type of minds, so while on paper they may seem like the complete opposite, they are both well-read individuals and that is where they connect first….is on an intellectual level. There is some fun moments of course especially when you had an actor troupe in the mix and three young women that are ill-mannered and learning their way through society. The story is really engaging, as we see the origins of the heroine’s mother, and it was that prologue that pulled me into the story. We see the villain’s true purpose and it was interesting to see how that was built into the climax that was delivered. The heat of this book is tame, there is some well-written chemistry but its a moderate level. The ending was highly satisfying and the way that Mason and Riley find their way together just worked for me and left me thoroughly happy. A solid romance and eager for more of this author’s older work.

What I Struggled With
There wasn’t too much, I could have used a bit more focus on the romance in the first half and a higher level of chemistry but still a solid fun read. And the title is misleading—-there is NO marriage of convenience, I know the blurb makes a prospective reader assume there is but since marriage doesn’t happen until the very end….you won’t see any marriage of convenience.

Overall View
No Marriage of Convenience was a well-balanced story that had a fun premise that ended up delivering in just the right way. It’s a story that will engage the reader, deliver in its witty dialogue, and offer a warm poignant feeling in the end that will bring a smile to your face!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

I would not wish any companion in the world but you

First Impressions
A Princess By Christmas is the final book in the trilogy (at least I am pretty sure its the final book) and after reading the second book, I was really excited for Hollis’ book especially since there was such a teaser about her story in the second book ” A Royal Kiss and Tell” and honestly I didn’t really know what to expect in this book as there was a teaser about Hollis and her Butler (who is this sexy butler and is always by her side and very protective) but I hate to disappoint but that is the center focus of the story. But ironically, I really liked this romance more than I probably would have enjoyed Hollis with her Butler. Hollis and Marek are such a great match and they really connect together. There is such a smooth transition in their relationship and the flow felt so natural. It’s a story that will definitely bring the charm of the Christmas season, a bit of a mystery, and a bit of forbidden love to keep you interested all the way through.

Summary
Hollis Honeycutt has been mourning her dead husband for three years and she is at the point of her life where she aches to move on and find joy in life again. While she loved her husband, she is young and full of life and wants to share her ideas and thoughts with the world. But her life is changing so much with her family moving in various directions, and Hollis feels like she is being left behind in a cloud of dust. But she has a very fulfilled life with her gossip sheet column which she has transformed into something deeper and more elemental for the readers. Where she will brave the society with her talk of progressiveness and enlightenment. But then she meets a sexy stranger, who is full of mystery. At first, she thinks that he is after the throne of Westloria and that he is a true villain. But she is surprisingly shocked to discover that is far from the villain in the scenario, but a true hero. And when his secrets are revealed to her, Hollis is determined to get to the truth of who is after the King of Westloria, and after the safety of her family and what the future may hold for Hollis and Marek. But as Marek and Hollis investigate this plot against the King, intense chemistry builds between them. But their lives are so opposite from each other, and they wonder how they could ever find a way to their happily ever after when they are worlds apart. Will Hollis and Marek be willing to sacrifice to keep their love or let it go?

She missed a man’s touch, that feeling of being wholy desires, she missed abandoning herself to pleasure. She missed lying against someone. The kiss was wild and dangerous, full of craving and desire.

What I Loved
I simply had such a blast with this book and there were many elements to the story that I really enjoyed. I first want to mention the heat in this story because it was actually very well done. You never know what you will find especially in a historical romance here, but I found that in this one I was charmed by the heat that is played out within this novel. It was much more heated than I expected, but there weren’t that many scenes which is why I didn’t put it under a higher level. And it doesn’t happen until the latter half of the story. I will say the kissing under the mistletoe scenes were on point and so delightful. The characters themselves were the stars of the story and really shone throughout this novel. Julia London has this unique talent of really writing the most endearing character that just comes alive for the reader. The plot of the book was the icing on the cake. I really felt like even though there was such focus on the character’s depth and growth, it was well balanced with a decently built plot. We have this plot against the king, so we have this mystery of discovering who is behind it but also saving the King in time. I really liked how these elements blended together and what a great team that Marek and Hollis make together. It’s such a true partnership and once the steam level builds, the intimacy between them really solidifies in such a relatable way. Another aspect that I really loved was seeing the hero fight for the heroine. He is so devoted to her and willing to fight for what they have.

He was so different from any man she had ever known, he was taciturn and solemn, surprsing in so many ways. Somehow he had made her feel vibrant and necessary again, he’d made her want again.

What I Disliked
There were a few things that I struggled with in this story. As much as I enjoyed this one, there were some issues that I had with this one. The first being the pacing, I have technically been trying to listen to this one for weeks but just wasn’t interested in it. I am not sure if it’s the book itself or if it was the narration although I really liked the narration so I am not sure that even played a factor in the pacing element. It wasn’t until about 50% of the book that I started to really get into it, and I almost DNF’d it because it just wasn’t holding my interest as I wanted it to. Then we had the way that her family treated Hollis. They were actually pretty neglectful of her and then act all surprised when she has a love match. I really felt for Hollis in how her family acted with her. But also I would have liked to see Hollis fight to be with the hero more. It seemed like he had to do all the fighting for the relationship just because she didn’t want to leave her family (who by the way were leaving her for the countryside anyway). She did have this bond with her butler that was strange and wasn’t ever really explained and I would have liked for the author to give more focus on this a bit. The ending was lackluster, while there were some good things about it, nothing was revealed about the hero’s identity not even to his true parent and I was really disappointed in that.

I need my life to mean something, I have wants, and I want to live, I don’t want to live to mourn.

Overall Evaluation
I found A Princess By Christmas to be a loveable romance that sparks joy into the soul, its a story that while it has some drawbacks, as a whole, is a beautiful well told story that left me with a tear in my eye and a smile in my heart.

I am twice the man I am when you are near

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

First Impressions
The Bookworm’s Guide To Faking It was such a fun time, and I breezed through this audiobook here. I had so much fun discovering this romance and enjoying the wonderful voice of Emma Hart. This is a very short and quick read, but it is one that you will get a kick out of. If you want a true romantic comedy, then look no further than this author. I have become impressed with her books so far and see what she pens. This is a romance that features quite an array of tropes and themes here and it was interesting to see how they all worked together. Another delight is that the heroines in this series are all booklovers of romance, so there is a connection to them that is so relatable. I really felt like the elements that are blended in this book just worked so seamlessly and I can tell that its a talent of this author in how she crafts such charming stories.

Summary
Holley Stuart is completely content working in her bookshop, and not having to worry about a man, that is until her high school sweetheart who broke her heart comes back to town. Holley and Sebastian were once best friends until at prom she saw him kissing her nemesis, and it broke her heart and she was never able to forgive or forget that fateful night. But now Sebastian is back and wants to reconcile, but Holley is determined to stand her ground against him. Sebastian has never forgotten Holley, despite his adventures throughout his career, she was his best friend and he is not a pansy and willing to allow Holley to let this misunderstanding widen the gap between them especially as he may be in town longterm due to his baseball injury. Through a set of circumstances, they end up posing a fake relationship, and as they are forced to be close together, the issues that separate them have to come to light and it will turn Holley’s life upside down. Because she realizes that she has never stopped loving him and what she feels him is more powerful than anything that she has ever felt. But will Holley have the courage to embrace what they have together?

What I Liked
This was a story that I truly had so much fun with and I really loved the turn of events that led these two into a fake relationship. I just adore this trope, and I really found this setup so endearing. There are so many fun players involved in this story from the main characters all the way down to the grandparents of Holley and Sebastian, to even the sweater-dressed ducks. The humor in this book was so delightful, I couldn’t stop laughing at all the dry humor and this author definitely knows how to evoke such playful emotions that just left me with a smile all day. I will admit that I just wanted to immerse myself in this story and allow this author to captivate me even further. The romance that develops between these two was quite fun and I didn’t want to let go of this one here. I adored seeing Sebastian and Holley together, and their quirky bantering was utterly delightful. You can bet on many barrels of laughter to entertain you to no end.

What I Disliked
As much as I was charmed by the story I will admit that there were some factors that kept this from a five-star read. The first is how LONG it took for this couple to actually get together. Like they didn’t have sex or even really have a good kiss until the latter half of the story, and even though it’s a short book, I really would have preferred some more built-up chemistry than what we received in this one here. But I also struggled a bit with Holley. I didn’t understand her reasons for pushing Sebastian away constantly throughout the book, it was a bit frustrating. Because even when the truth comes out, she still treats him like a stranger. I felt like she could have faced up to her feelings and fears sooner without Sebastian having to see past her fake persona and get to the facts of the feeling on the matter.

Overall Evaluation
I found The Bookworm’s Guide To Faking It to be an essential story that will charm your heart in the most endearing of ways. It’s a romance of fun angst, playful banter, a reconciliation that will bring a tear to your heart and deliver a sense of contentment to the soul.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

There Are No Saints was such an incredible read and I couldn’t seem to get enough of this book. I will be honest in that I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one here. I will be frank in that unfortunately this author just hasn’t worked for me in the past. I have really admired her for quite a while and it has been hard to not enjoy her books like I have wanted to. This duet was my last run with this author I was pretty sure and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to discover that this book won my heart in so many ways. There are so many complex layers to this story, and I was hooked pretty much from the beginning of this one. It’s not going to be one that will work for everyone. It does deal with some darker content (I mean the hero is an assassin) so there is that. However, Sophie Lark really worked her magic in this story and showcased a romance that seemed to just work in a variety of ways that you don’t quite expect to find.

And yet . . . not all of us were drawn to Prince Charming. Some little girls ate up the stories of ball gowns and castles and knights who slayed the dragon . . . While some little girls read the stories of a dark pathway into the woods . . . a twisted mansion with black windows and fog covering the grounds . . . That’s where we wanted to go. No matter what we might find inside . .

The story is this, our heroine, Mara is an artist and she gets caught in the middle of a rivalry between two artists who are also assassins. Cole has a cold exterior and only lives for his heart. He doesn’t like people but he has one rival, an enemy, that he despises more than any other….Shaw. But when Shaw plays a game and the beautiful Mara gets caught in the middle, Cole’s priorities begin to shift toward Mara. He doesn’t understand his consuming thoughts on Mara but for some reason, she is a woman that is delicate but has a spine of steel. She has a strength and talent that surpasses any other woman he has ever known, and before he knows it, he will do what it takes to protect the woman who is beginning to hold the heart that has been locked away for so long…

Mara warps who I am. But in the moment, when I’m with her . . . I like it. I see things I never saw before. I feel things. Hell, I even taste things differently.

Mara warps who I am. But in the moment, when I’m with her . . . I like it. I see things I never saw before. I feel things. Hell, I even taste things differently.

This story was such an incredible read and I am not going to say that EVERYONE should be reading this one, because frankly, not everyone should because it does deal in darker elements. So unless you enjoy dark romance, I probably wouldn’t recommend it. I will say that if you enjoy this sub-genre, then you definitely need to grab this one up. I really was impressed with how this author handled this assassin type of hero and see the depths of the story that we are given here. I didn’t know what to expect with this story but it was so captivating. I honestly couldn’t seem to put this story down….NOT ONCE. I just had to read this and I was hooked on the connection that Cole and Mara were building with each other. The beginning to their relationship isn’t easy, but seeing them find a connection was such a beautiful thing to witness.

“I don’t want to be taken care of,” she says. “I want to be seen.”

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

In There Is No Devil, we have the continuation of Cole and Mara’s story and what a story that this one turned out to be. I simply was hooked and I couldn’t wait to delve into the conclusion of Cole and Mara’s story and I knew that it would be filled with so much intensity especially as our villain is raising the stakes here, and Shaw won’t be easy to get rid of. There Is No Devil is basically where Cole and Mara are “together” from the very beginning and we see them exploring their newfound relationship. It was quite interesting to see them explore each other and find the unique personalities within themselves that seem to blend into the other. There are many depths to this one where we see that there isn’t anything so simple or easy in life and that both Cole and Mara have a dark past which only solidifies their bond.

I’m not trying to change who you are. I’m trying to reveal it. A diamond can’t shine until it’s cut.

The storyline to this book simply follows Cole and Mara discovering each other while also coming to the realization that Shaw is dangerous. Cole would love to kill Shaw, but its a delicate process, as there is a slew of murdered women and it isn’t Shaw that the law enforcement is focused on, it’s Cole. He has to handle this very delicately. Also, he needs Mara to understand that neither of them is safe while he is alive. Because Shaw is obsessed with taking Mara away from Cole and Cole will do anything to protect the woman that he is coming to love. In this story, we see how the lines of morality become blurred as these two survivors learn what it means to embrace themselves, fully without reservation.

I used to be Mara the victim. Mara the damaged. Mara the disposable. The day I met Cole, I was dying. Maybe I did die. Through Cole, I was reborn. Now I’m Mara the artist. Mara the star. Mara the unbreakable. Only Cole could make this possible. He wants to be the center of my universe. I want that, too. I want to worship him as the Egyptians worshipped their gods. I want to pray to him for help and protection. I want to give him my mind, body, and soul.

What a powerful story that Sophie Lark has cultivated in this book. I have read quite a few duets before and they do have a similar format. But I respected how this story truly was handled. And as these are the first two books I have truly ADORED from this author, I was on such a reading high from reading this one. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of Cole and Mara. I just wanted to stay in this story forever and I didn’t want to let go of Cole and Mara and see their building relationship blossom. There are so many beautiful moments that build upon their intimacy. We see both Cole and Mara grow in different ways, and it shows how well they complement each other. And what a villain that adds so much delicious angst within the plot. He definitely is one of my favorite villains I have had a chance to read in a romance.

The man who never cared about anyone is fixated on the girl nobody gave a shit about. In some twisted way, we’re made for each other.

Overall I have to say that this duet was packed with everything I expect and am endeared in reading romance, it’s a story of self-discovering and connection even in the darkest of moments.

That’s what loving her means—I want her safe, protected, flourishing, whether it benefits me or not.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

First Impression
The Girl In The Mist is the first book in the NEWEST series by Kristen Ashley. This is also the first step into a different genre, the messaging behind this book from social media was romantic suspense but I actually think it’s a blend of romantic suspense and a romantic thriller. It has more focus on romance than most romantic thrillers have but it tends to have a bit less heat and sex scenes than what you normally would expect from this author. And the way that the plot develops in this one gives the impression that it’s a mix, or at least, that is the sense that I felt with this one. I have some mixed feelings about this book here, however, because even though I greatly loved this one, Kristen Ashley has a recent change in her writing that I don’t completely jive with. But I was so pleased by so many other factors that really come together in this story. You know how much I love this author, so I did have high expectations especially when so many other readers had said it was classic KA. I don’t think it really is, it has some similarities but not really. It was quite fun to see this author try out something so different from what she has done so far. But she does tend to go to different genres in such a fun way that it was quite an adventure to see how she handled the romantic thriller side of romance.

Humans are animals. As such, we adapt. We’re also individuals. As such, how we do that is unique to every one of us.

Summary
Delphine LaRue is no longer safe, a crazy fan has made some serious threats towards her, and she has settled in the small town of Misted Pines, in a safe house by the lake near the misty mountains that give her the perfect view. Delphine has had a good solid life. She has had two divorces, but two beautiful daughters who are successful in their own right. She is ready to find a new home here in Misty Pines. Even though she is in danger, there is a sense of haven she senses within this town even if she doesn’t have much freedom currently. But then she meets a teenage girl whom she connects with, in a way that resembles a connection to her daughters. And this bond only leads her to her sexy mature father who is impressionable and a man she would love to get to know further, Cade Bohannan. Cade is a man of mystery but a solid protector who sees so much from her than she normally feels comfortable with. But now there is a serial killer in the town, killing innocent girls, the law enforcement in the area being no help, and the only warmth Delphine finds is with Cade and his endearing family who wins her heart. But will Cade and Delphine find the killer before its too late?

Stand on it as your foundation so that you allow no one, not one single soul, to shit on you again

What I Loved
There was so much to love about this book here and I just couldn’t resist sharing my love for this story here. I really enjoyed seeing Kristen Ashley explore a new sub-genre. Now I definitely feel like this is much closer to a romantic thriller (just with a bit more focus on the romance than what other authors do). There was such a solid plot with the serial killer and seeing who the culprit was and I didn’t see it coming. I felt so much love for the Bohannan family. I just adored every member of that family and saw their close-knit connections. Kristen Ashley has a talent for writing the best familial connections and in this story, it’s no exception. I adored the way the siblings play with each other and seeing how they support each other no matter what. Their father (our hero) has such a commanding presence, he is so QUIET at times and broody, love his personality. KA definitely hasn’t lost her touch when it comes to writing her heroes. He is so blunt and doesn’t hide what he is thinking and I found that refreshing. I did like that he was willing to voice his own opinion to the heroine even if he disagreed with her. But the heroine, Delphine, is the center of the story as it’s in her POV. I liked her for the most part, she had such a solid strength but a sweet nurturing personality. She is more mature and wise in many respects and she had a sense that others didn’t have. Both the hero and the heroine have the same type of psychic sense. I did feel like there could have been more focus on this psychic ability that they both have but I really enjoyed the light touch of it. It flowed gently within the story. The romance that develops between Cade and Delphine was so perfect, I just loved their sweet bond, and seeing them so “together” from the very beginning. I did really enjoy the level of couple-page time that we received even if the heat was lighter than I was expecting.

“It’s you,” he said to me. “I had her, but all along, I’ve been waiting for you to get to me.”

What I Struggled With
I won’t lie, this book I had some issues with and it might be some factors that won’t bother others, but it definitely was factors that kept this book from a higher rating. I did go into this book expecting this to have a classic KA feel to it. Other reviews I had read had left that impression but unfortunately, it didn’t quite have that. It had glimpses of course, but there could have been more consistency. Also, the pacing, is slow at times, especially at the beginning. So forewarned before going into this one here. But the pacing isn’t just slow at the beginning, there are spurts of slowness in and out of the whole story. And this is one of my favorite authors so I just wasn’t expecting that. Also, the tone in this story at times felt much more “feminist”, and even though it was more subtle, there were moments that it did rub me the wrong way because while KA has always written strong heroines, the way she writes her heroines lately is different and not as relatable. And there was also a feeling of this being an anti-marriage vibe. It happens toward the end of the book but it definitely had a cynism to it that really bothered me. (Now her book Knight wasn’t pro-marriage but it wasn’t anti either) but in this one, it just felt like an attack on marriage and the more traditional values and it felt so un Kristen Ashley. So I did try not to let it ruin my enjoyment of the story but it did affect it to a point.

Overall Outlook
I felt like The Girl In The Mist was such a unique twist in the different dynamics and growth of this author’s writing, I felt so drawn into this story despite my issues. Its a story that will touch the heart in the most poignant of ways while at the same time offer a delicious amount of thrills to entice you for more….