Quickie Review:

Be With Me is a story that I really jumped into blind. At first, I assumed that this one was menage, but it was actually reverse harem. Now anyone who knows me well at all will know that this trope hardly ever works for me and the majority of the time I am not a fan of how most authors handle it. However, when it comes to this author, I know she will do it well. And this book blew me away. So whether you are a fan of RH or not, I highly recommend this one. What I found my favorite aspect was how the relationships between each of the men were well focused on. Not one of them gets neglected in this story. And it's NOT about the sex in this book. There is some fabulous steam in this one here, but it's not the primary focus, and I really had a blast seeing that. I also really loved the way in which this was a second-chance romance. And so much pining between all the characters involved in this relationship. I also found it intriguing how they were able to really connect on other levels than just the sexual ones. There is also a plot to this book, unlike the majority of RH. There is plenty of suspense and danger and the villain...yeah, I didn't see that coming at all. I was utterly captivated by this story and is a reminder of why Maya Banks is such a great author to dig deep with.

So if you are looking for a well focused poly romance....I highly recommend this one to you! 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Cowboy Cross My Heart is the second installment in the "Heart of Texas" series. This is a book about the bad boy cowboy from the first book. If you have read the first book, the hero is the troubled kid from the first one who went rebellious and made some bad choices wanting to provide for his siblings. I absolutely adored seeing Brice reach his HEA and seeing him being such a responsible hard working adult. I will be honest in that this one was entertaining, thrilling, kept me on edge and had a solid romance. It definitely has Donna Grant's typical writing style.

First Line
Excitement rushed through everyone as the lights suddenly cut out in the arena.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Brice Harper
Brice Harper is a redeeming hero. As a teenager, made mistakes with good intentions, served in the military and determined to run his own ranch with his brother. He is sexy, protective and caring.

The Heroine: Naomi Pierce
Naomi grew up in a Texas small town, naturally born in the saddle, living in D.C.. She has a strong will, a fighter when needed and has always yearned for love and a good life

Summary
Naomi Pierce has come to Texas to visit her best friend who is part of a Rodeo Queen beauty pageant. When there is a evil plot against her best friend because she and the other contestants have been assaulted by men secretly in power and using them for sexual favors. Naomi gets targeted as she has some photo evidence, where she runs into the Harper brothers. Brice is protective and strong, and when he runs into Naomi, he is determined to protect her no matter what. When it becomes apparent that her life is in danger, he and his family use all their influence to protect them. But as tensions escalate as the danger increases, the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place. But will Naomi and Brice survive and find a way towards their HEA?

What I Loved
Cowboy, Cross My Heart was a delightful story. It really reminded me why I fell in love with this series originally and not sure why I haven't finished the series yet. I really had a blast with Brice's book. We see him being such a responsible young man and I loved how he is with Naomi. He is so wonderful for her. I really enjoyed that. I also found it most interesting to see how he is with his siblings and became so endeared by their relationships with each other. To see him change from the young boy who made so many mistakes for his family, I just fell hard for it.

We also have a kick-ass plot. There is something so captivating about the danger-themed plot that this author implements, and she really builds on the tension regarding the mystery and intrigue. We also have a solid friendship that we see with Naomi and her best friend. I loved their bonds to each other and what a great friendship they have and have been building for years. I really admired Naomi and her strong spirit. She has such a great balance to her. She is strong and feisty but not kick ass. She is such a relatable independent heroine that I just loved seeing her within this story and her great growth in this story and the moments where we see her face adversity.

What I Struggled With
The romance was more in the backstory. While I really enjoyed their chemistry, and the spice in this book is powerful, I felt like the relationship aspects could have had a bit more focus that what we see.

Narration
Truly delightful. Not the perfect narration, but it was solid and she did a great job in building the danger feels to the story.

Overall View
Cowboy Cross My Heart is a superb read that really delivered in what I was looking for. Its a story of thrills, superb plot portrayal and an romance that endears the reader in a very solid way.

Favorite Quote(s)
Her beauty might have caught his attention, but it was her strength, steadfastness, heart, and authenticity that kept pulling him back to her

There are a great many things I regret, but being attracted to you isn’t one of them.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Bull Rider, Cowboy, Rancher
Themes: Small Town, Family Bonds, Western,
Tropes: Redemption, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Dust on the Bottle

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either, these are easily read as standalones

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Narrators:
Rebecca Estrella 

 

A Texan's Luck is a story that I was buddy reading with Mina @ Mina Reads. I wasn't expecting much from this one, if I am being honest, and I am happy I kept my expectations lower on this one because this one most definitely disappointed. Now it's not a horrible book or anything, but there are factors that come into play that ruin the possible enjoyment that one could have from this one here. My biggest issue with this story is the heroine. She is very unlikeable and a bit toxic of a heroine in how she treats the hero. Many actions that she takes doesn't make sense. I was hoping that she would get better throughout the story, but to be honest, it just never worked that way for me. Even in the epilogue I was rolling my eyes at some of her actions. Now the hero while I had no issues with him, he also didn't make as much of an positive impression as the other male characters in the series have done so far. And I paid for this one in full price, as my library didn't carry it. Which makes it even more disappointing. I am eager for the finale of the series though and I am curious to see what the author does with that one there.

 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Luke: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Keaton: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Top Secret is the most recent release from Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy and its a story that I have been eagerly anticipating. I am not sure why I took so long to read these books that these two incredible authors wrote together, but I absolutely had a blast with these two. There is something so compelling in the way the stories just are so connecting and dig deep with the reader when these two get together and I couldn't get enough of Keaton and Luke being together and this is honestly one of my favorite enemies to lovers that I have read this year. They really implemented such a unique take on the trope with other factors that come into play that adds such complexity to the story and it all blends together in such a harmonious way that clicks just right. If you love college romance with some fantastic MM lovin, then you definitely need to grab this one up here. Oh and if you can...get this in AUDIO!!! Its addictive with these two brilliant narrators.

First Line
"Look," Annika whispers in my ear.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Keaton
Keaton is the popular one of the crowd. He comes from money and prestige and has a hot girlfriend who is his best friend.

The Hero 2: Luke
Comes from less than financial means, determined to get his college degree and get seperation from his toxic family.

Summary
Keaton and Luke come from two different worlds but reside at the same university and are both in the same fraternity. They are both rivals for the president of the same frat that they are part of. What neither of them don't know is that they will become friends and soul mates in the most unlikely way. When Keaton's girlfriend wants something unique for her birthday which includes a threesome. He is determined to give it to her. When he reaches out to a match he finds on a hookup app....he never expect that he will become way more invested in the threesome than his girlfriend ever would be. And he becomes intrigues with his match. But after weeks, and they finally meet up. he is shocked to learn that his hookup is actually his nemesis and now Luke and Keaton will have to confront the battling emotions that they are both experiencing in having to face up to who they are for each other and that maybe them being enemies isn't as antagonistic as either of them think it will be.

What I Loved
I wish I could convey in this review what I would really love to but I know that I won't be able to. There was something so lively and addicting about "Top Secret" and I couldn't seem to get enough of these two. I loved Keaton and Luke together. They also have that opposites attract going for them plus some class difference which is my catnip and it all flowed just right together. There was also the mistaken identity aspect that adds the right touch of mystery and intrigue to the story that just captivates you. Plus, it's a fabulous new adult romance. Its reading books like this, that makes me want to read much more of them. I really got hooked into the threesome set up which turned out to not be a threesome setup. I wasn't sure how they write this element, but it completely works. And you see how it just balances out in the story in all of the right ways. I also liked the bi sexual aspects that comes into play here as well. We also get two parental comparisons of what parents should be and what parents should never be. Your heart breaks for what Luke has to suffer through in his family life and how they constantly use him. But when he finally sets down the boundaries he needs to, I just wanted to hug this man who has been so abused by them and willing to stand against them in the way that truly matters. And the ending was just perfect, I just wish we had a epilogue novella with these two to get a bit more of their happy ever after together. I feel like one book is never going to satisfy me but you can bet I will be doing a relisten of this one and soon.

What I Struggled With
Nothing really. I think the only thing I would change is having the ending being a bit longer so we could see them together more.

Narration
The narration is done by two of my favorite male narrators and they just do such great work together. I absolutely couldn't get enough of it and their voices and the way that they bring in all the right overtones of the story just right really compells the reader to listen and I just had to binge this all day...it was that kinda of a audiobook!

Overall View
Top Secret is a story that will captivate your attentions, deliver all the laughs, and have you falling in love right alongside with Keaton and Luke in such an affirmative way!

Favorite Quote(s)
He said I was stingy with love, and he was right. I am really not sure that will ever change. But if there’s anyone in the world I could change for, it’s certainly him.

I’m just a guy, standing on a beach in nothing but his favorite pair of lobster shorts, waiting for the right man to love me.

LobsterShorts: I’m fresh out of lobster sex facts atm. BUT…lemme tell you about sea slugs.
SinnerThree: Omg yes. I can’t wait for this. Hold on. Let me undo my pants.
This time I snort out loud. I know he’s kidding, and I play along. Actually, I’ll do that, too. Having both our dicks out for this fun fact is so fitting.
SinnerThree: Dick’s out. All right. Slug sex. Now, baby.
LobsterShorts: OK—you ready for this?
SinnerThree: Hit me. Blow my mind.
LobsterShorts: Sea slugs have penis fights.
Dead air follows my revelation. I see the three dots appear to indicate he’s typing. Then they disappear. Reappear. Disappear. Finally, a message pops up.
SinnerThree: I don’t even know what to say to that. I guess… Why?? How?? Why???

What was I ever thinking? I need this man. And even if being half a couple doesn’t come easily to me, I have to try. Nobody has ever gotten under my skin the way he does. Nobody has ever needed me the way he does.
Not one person.
It’s terrifying.

The frat will get over themselves. Your hesitation has nothing to do with any of the excuses you gave me last month. It has everything to do with you being afraid. Of me, of trusting someone. Of loving someone. And I’m telling you, here and now, you don’t have to be afraid. But what you do need to do is decide. Decide if we’re worth the risk.

I want that again. And I like it a whole lot. I’ve always
known that coupledom felt right to me. The part I didn’t
understand is that it works even better for me when that
other half is a man.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Character Types: Bi Sexual, College Student, Abused
Themes: Abusive Parentals, Gay For You
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Mistaken Identity, Class Difference, Opposites Attract

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Oh Lord by Mic Lowry

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Teddy Hamilton
Christian Fox
 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Hot Commodity is a story that will blow your mind out of the water. Its a book that I should have expected this author to write, but it still was wild and crazy and complete bananas and yet I was completely on board with it. Linda Kage has a way about her writing, that no matter the crazy plot or circumstances that comes into play, I am ready to jump right into the story. And this author definitely wrote some crazy situations here, but you know what it completely worked for me while at the same time implementing great heart and character depth along the way. I fell so hard for these characters and their journey is not what you expect it will be from reading the blurb.

First Line
Olivia Donovan shouldn've known better than to answer the door to her twelfth-floor suite

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Cameron Banks
Cameron is a billionaire, running a financing company working with his cousin aka also his best friend. A recovering alchoholic from losing his wife to suicide.

The Heroine: Olivia Donovan
Olivia is a socialite in her own way, all she knows is the parties and events that her mother plans.
She is constantly being emotionally abused and manipulated until she sees a way out of the mess her mother plans for her.

Summary
Olivia Donovan's mother wants her to trap a man into marriage because of his financial assets. Olivia all of her life has worked to stay in her mother's good graces because she has seen what a monster she can be to others that cross her path in the wrong way. But this time, Olivia refuses to marry a man she has never met and is more than likely some old geiser. So she hatches a plan, to escape one night, and find a stranger in a bar, get him drunk and marry the man and ruin her mother's plans. But what she doesn't expect is the man she catches, is sexy and kind and they have a wild night of getting married in Vegas and hot sex. But in the morning she finds out that she married THE Cameron Banks and all of her work is for nothing....or is it? Will married to a Banks be different than she expect and find true freedom she has ever known?

What I Loved
Hot Commodity is pretty much what the title conveys but the story is so much deeper than what you see on the surface. The heroine has been abused and manipulated by her mother all of her life. And our hero while raised by loving parents, lost his wife to suicide and still blames himself and relies on alcohol. And even those these two live in the same world, they are so different from each other. Olivia is also having to discover who she is and what to do with her life and while Olivia and Cameron are trying to work through their own personal issues, there is also a marriage to worry about and what to do about it....should they get it annulled or stay married? But the longer Cameron puts off the paperwork for the annulment the more he wants to be with Olivia for good.

I really appreciated the story that is delivered here. And I completely see what the author was trying to convey into this story. I really enjoyed so much of this book. I was laughing all over the place though. The humor was beyond delightful and I couldn't get enough of it. Yet there were these moments that just strikes deep where you least expect it. I also love how the heroine is honest with the hero. She doesn't keep this big secret from him and I really appreciated that the conflict in their relationship were other aspects that had more deeper meaning for their relationship. I can't wait for the companion novel of the cousin's book.

What I Struggled With
There were some things that I struggled with. One this isn't the most polished story that this author has written. And some of the plot machinations was a bit "out there". I also wished we had a longer epilogue of Cameron's time after recovery.

Overall View
Hot Commodity was a delightful mix of heart, humor, and a unique marriage of convenience that will entertain from beginning to end.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Billionaire, Socialite Heroine
Themes: Family Bonds, Laughs, Addiction Recovery, Abusive Parentals, Las Vegas Wedding
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Book Perspective
1st POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Falls Apart by Sugar Ray

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 NOVELLA REVIEW

Well I had a fun time with this one. It was definitely fun revisiting this series and when I had realized that I hadn't read the novella, I decided that I needed to get on that. I am glad that I did, just to get more background on this pair that we have seen throughout the series. I definitely got plenty of laughs with some of the banter between the different warriors and the leader lady ....she is so badass. I always forget her name, I think its Endelle but every book I always get a kick out of her character. The second chance set up was very interesting, since that tends to be more rare in the PNR genre but definitely found it very interesting to see here. I also really enjoyed the aspects of the war between the rebels and the good warriors and the trust they our pair have with each other especially when things get dangerous and bad for them. They come out in the green and love seeing their relationship becoming so iron clad in the end. Definitely had a fun time and eager to get to more of this series. 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️.5
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Autumn Lover is the first book in the Maxwell duo series and is number five in the "Only" series. This story has been on my watchlist for the longest time and for almost a year I have been trying to get this one read. I am not sure why I have put off this book for the longest time, but I finally braved the wild frontier and grabbed up this book and it was actually way better than I expected. But also reading this made me realize why I don't read too many older historical's anymore, the angst was unreal in this book and the hero is a jerk alpha hero. So if that isn't for you, then I don't recommend it. But if you don't the jerk hero type, and love some great plot machinations and strong western themes, then I do recommend this one to you. It definitely has a storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat and really delivers such a strong thought out story.

First Line
I hear you need a ramrod who can handle a gun

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Hunter Maxwell
An Alpha Male, Gunslinger, On the hunt for revenge for the death of his family. Bitter about his late wife who had countless affairs and used him and mistrusts most women.

The Heroine: Elyssa Sutton
With her parents dead, its up to Elyssa to save her ranch from outlaws and rustlers. She loves pretty things but has never found a place where she has been accepted and loved for who she is. She lives and breathes her family's home.

Summary
When Elyssa Sutton returns from England to her family's home and ranch in Wyoming, following the end of the Civil War, everything her parents built is falling apart. With rustlers and scavengers picking the place clean, she will fight with everything she has to protect what is left. When Hunter Maxwell arrives, to be her foreman and to stop the destruction, she hires him on. Hunter is on the road to revenge against the Culpeppers who destroyed just about everyone he loved. He doesn't trust Elyssa, she is a beauty just like his late wife and wears satin dresses and he doesn't trust her to not flirt with every man within a mile of her. Hunter has been burned badly, and despite the unfair treatment he deals toward Elyssa, there is a strong connection that forms between them. But they are in great danger now and it will be a miracle if they survive the coming storm...

What I Loved
Autumn Lover wasn't a easy and light filled story. This is most definitely not for the faint of heart, but it was a solid story that packed quite a punch. It does have a writing style that was typical of authors back then, so keep that in mind. There is quite a bit of inner relationship angst in this story. But there is also a very well written plot and great storyline that will keep you moving forward on the story. We have some great character development here. The hero is a tough nut to crack, but eventually he redeems himself. We see such great torment in him over his past and losing his children, so he definitely is multi dimensional and it takes a while to get down to the heart but once you do then its pure gold. Then we have our heroine, whom I really loved. I just had a blast with her character. She has such spirit and genuine heart and intentions and I admired her strength. She stands up for herself which I really was endeared by. The plot of the story is what really makes this story shine. The author kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through this and I was so eager to see it play out in the end.

What I Struggled With
I really struggled with the angst and how the hero treats the heroine. This was really hard to see, because the heroine has such a tender heart. And the hero has all of these wrong misconceptions about her character and its really tough to see how hard he is on her and he can come off as very demeaning and almost bullying in some respects. So keep that in mind before reading this one if these characteristics might be triggering for you.

Overall View
Autumn Lover is a story that is full of autumn vibes, spicy angst, and a plot to keep you eager and involved....a solid win of a story!

Favorite Quote(s)
For Elyssa it was like being in one of her restless dreams—darkness and moonlight, the scent of rosemary and the rippling murmur of water, Hunter’s eyes watching her with a hunger that made her heart turn over.

“No one can stand upright on fire,” Elyssa whispered. “All you can do is sink into it…and let it burn.”

Autumn lover. I’ll remember you each year when leaves turn to fire.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Time Era(s): American West, Civil War, Reconstruction
Character Types: Alpha Male, Jerk Hero, Tortured Hero
Themes: Angsty, Pining Heroine, Groveling Hero, Danger, Western, Autumn Fall Vibes
Tropes: Unrequited Lovers, Revenge, Age Gap

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

Song This Book Inspires
This Is My Trying-Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Bound by Fate is the 9th installment in the Ravage MC Bound series. This is a installment that brings us almost to a close with this series. I can't believe that I have read most of the books in this world. I have really enjoyed the ride that this author has taken us on. This book takes place about 6 months following Micah's two books. So I do recommend maybe reading those first before picking up Bound by Fate. Bound by Fate is guranteed to take you on a emotional roller coaster. Its a story that is going to be intense and dramatic and full of so many feels. Its a story that also continues our two prospects and seeing them slowly prove themselves to the club. This author really stepped up her game in this one and everything in the book was just about perfect. And even though I got this in hoopla I want this book for my kindle and bookshelf soon. She really worked some powerful magic in this one

First Line
Life isn't a guarantee. Each day is precious. How you live those days is up to you. Live in the past...or look to the future. Your choice..

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Benjamin Dryerson
Dryerson is retired marine, he is best friends with Micah, and is now a prospect for the Ravage MC. He is a protector and very patient.

The Heroine:Katie
Older sister to Ensley. Grew up in a cult. Suffering from PTSD from being attacked and used as a tool to get to Ensley.

Summary
Katie, is living in a torment. She is trying her best to push everyone that loves her away. When she is used to get her sister Ensley kidnapped. Katie has blamed herself ever since. Even though its been six months, she is pushing the trauma beneath her and refusing to face up to it. She has pushed away the man that loves her....Benjamin Dryerson. Its very obvious to everyone in the MC that she is not as healed as she presents to everyone. Katie is consummed with guilt and feels like she doesn't deserve any happiness and certainly not the kind of happiness that she could ever find with Dryerson. But Dryerson is done waiting for Katie. It has been a long six months, and he will claim her and prove to her that their love is worth fighting for. But Katie will put up a fight and when everything is revealed will it turn the family she loves along with Dryerson away or only tighten their bonds even more...

What I Loved
Oh my heart...this book completely tore me up. I had such a blast with this story and there was so much to enjoy about this one here. I absolutely loved everything about this book. Ryan Michele can be a hit or miss for me but when she HITS .....it packs such a punch. Bound by Fate is in my opinion one of her best books that I have read so far. I just adored everything about this one. I just instantly clicked with Katie. You are seeing a heroine battle with actual PTSD and its not pretty to witness. She is struggling with this inner mental battle that is just wearing her down. Seeing this struggle just connects you to this character in such a human way. I absolutely couldn't get enough of her and even though it was tough seeing her go through this struggle at the same time, you just want to cheer her on to her road of happiness that she definitely deserves.

Then we have our hero Dyerson. Dryerson is so patient and understanding with Katie. He treats her like china, just taking it at her own pace and not pushing her too much but at the same time pushing at the boundaries that she sets so that she is reassured of his steadiness and patience for her. The devotion that this man has for Katie is so heartwarming and poignant in some moments. While this book has as much steam as previous books, there is so much more focus on the emotional intimacy. The author really handled this balance so well. And the scene where everything about Katie is revealed to Dryerson and the club was EPIC and heart melting and it had me crying buckets of tears for this heroine and her struggle and those that desperately love her with such understanding. And then that third act completely BLEW ME AWAY! I mean seriously I didn't NOT expect the author to come up with that turn of events dealing with Dryerson and I won't reveal it at all because I do think it needs to be read without knowing it. But expect the author to really take you on a wild ride.

What I Struggled With
Nothing! I might have wished for a longer scene in the epilogue featuring the club and vote but it was still a great scene and very satisfying after the build up in the previous books.

Narration
Tim Paige always does such an incredible job. I really enjoyed this narration. These two don't always do perfectly, but in this book, they handled the emotional tension and conflicts just right!

Overall View
Bound by Fate is a story that has the perfect buildup of tension, emotional battles, and poignant emotion that appeals to you on a deep level. A truly work of MC art!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Bikers
Themes: Motorcycle Clubs, Cults, All the Feels, Pining Hero, PTSD, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Unrequited Love

Book Perspective
Dup POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Up Where We Belong

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I do

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Tim Paige
Samantha Summers 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️.5
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Jet is a story that brings together some great dynamics of a opposites attract romance. There is something so wonderful in reading from this author. I absolutely loved how this story was brought together. And while its not a perfect story especially in how the third act plays out, I really enjoyed how Crownover brought this book together. There are many dramatics in this romance that are implemented but there is such a strong connection between Jet and Ayden. There is some hidden conflicts with how their pasts come to them and how each of them face up to them and learning to stand for each other.

First Line
It was totally against everything I was supposed to be doing in my new life--to ask a really cute boy in a band to take me home.

Summary
Jet is a story that brings together a opposites attract story. This is a book where our hero is a rock star of sorts with unique tastes in metal. Our heroine, is a small town southern girl and these two couldn't have more differences in music that you could find. But there is a powerful chemistry between them. We see them build a solid friendship, and even though there is great chemistry between them, Ayden is in a relationship with a solid good man but who is dull for her and doesn't really do anything for her. But due to her past, Ayden is more about someone boring and dull, than for the excitement and thrill. Jet is determined to show her he is who she needs, and that no matter the mistakes in her past, to face them together and not alone. But Ayden has worked hard to be so independent, that it takes a patient Jet to help Ayden realize her own strength and the power in fighting for the one you love..

What I Loved
Jet was such a wonderful story, I absolutely had a blast with this one. And even though it wasn't perfect, this author is becoming my catnip even when there are elements in a story that aren't my favorite to read. Jay Crownover really adds more edge to the typical contemporary that I truly enjoy reading. The first aspect that I was first drawn to was the differences that set these apart but despite those differences these two are able to find their common ground. They might seem too difference on the surface, but it becomes clear very quickly how well they connect and what an intense connection that they have for each other.

I really adored the hero. He is a bit of a playboy in beginning, but he is a man that doesn't apologize and isn't ashamed about himself. The hero always is in a emotional battle with his parents as his father is abusive and his mother just accepts it. Then we have our heroine who has put herself in a image that showcases her being this bubbly nice girl, but in truth, she has made many mistakes in her youth. There are many dimensioins to the depths of these characters that I really enjoyed and Crownover really keeps you engaged with their growth. The romance between them is delectable. I was so easily drawn to their relationship, especially once they decide to go all in for each other. The hero is such a fighter for the relationship in the third act that just had me all over the place with him.

What I Struggled With
Probably not to anyone's shock, but I really didn't like the heroine especially in how she acts in the third act. I know this is how authors just love to add conflict into the story, but you can bet I won't give it a five star when its like this. The heroine burns the hero and guess who grovels??? Well its not the heroine. The hero does a grovel and he doesn't really have anything to apologize for. The heroine is a bit of a basket case mentally. I am not sure why she thinks Jet wouldn't understand, its not like he had a perfect home life or anything. So I do wish that we had seen more action on her part to fight for the relationship in the end.

Overall View
Jet is a engaging, heartfelt, a bit of drama but plenty of spice and loveable characters to keep you all in for this pair and their journey to together....

Favorite Quote(s)
He sings to me at night and it makes my heart hurt. The way he looks at me, I feel like he’s trying to pull me apart and put me back together in an even better way.”

“Sometimes, things need to change, because there just isn’t any way for them to stay the same.”

“We can’t pick our families or where we come from, Jet. All we can choose is who we want to become in spite of them, and because of them.”


Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Character Types: College Student, Rock Star
Themes: Book Boyfriend, Danger, Music, Pining Hero
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Friends to Lovers

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict is more present, but there is a solid plot conflict

Song This Book Inspires
So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold

Recommendation For Reading Order
Read in order if you can, but you can read as a standalone if its needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
When A Texan Gambles is the second book in the "Wife Lottery" series and this is a book that I have been wanting to read and we did this as a buddy read with Mina@ Mina Reads. And I honestly had so much fun with this book. Its not a perfect story by any means, but its a solid western that had a wonderful plot and a somewhat satisfying romance. Jodi Thomas really knows how to get a story set up but also introduce some very unique factors to the story. This was not a book that I expected it to turn out as it did and I have to give credit for the author in implementing some solid creativity here. I do think there could have been more romance focus but it was still well done just differently than what I am used to seeing.

First Line
Sam Gatlin removed his rain soaked coat and shirt, knowing that they would never get dry before morning.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sam Gatlin
Bounty Hunter, Lawman, Gunslinger, Protector

The Heroine: Sarah Andrews
Widow, Ex Convict (kinda), softspoken but badass in unique ways

Summary
Sarah Andrews is a widow and lost her child and has been recovering from an illness that caused her and her friends to be abandoned by the wagon train that they were on. Then she was bartered off as a wife in trade for freedom from killing a man in self defense. Her husband, is Sam Gatlin, who is a complete stranger to her. But when he ends up being caught up in a gunfight, and injured, its up to Sarah to save their lives and find refuge. Sam is a bounty hunter, and because of this, he is always being hunted for going after the criminals. But Sam is also a man of honest intentions and only hunts the true criminals that deserve jail time. He is always on the run and in danger and he isn't sure why he took a wife like Sarah, but he couldn't resist taking a chance on a somewhat normal life with a family as he always dreamed of. But his life with Sarah but will be a cycle of surprises and love in a way he never expects.

What I Loved
There are many aspects to this story that I truly enjoyed. The first and foremost being our hero. He is beyond delectable. I just fell so hard for his story. There is something about the lawman with a bit of a bad boy thrown in that I just love to read. And in this one he is such a protector but the poor man is always getting hurt lol Your heart really goes out to Sam and his situation though. He is treated like a hunted outlaw just for living within the bounds of the law and going after the worst criminals for money. Then we have the lawman friend of Sam's that I really adored. (He has a book later in this series and I am stoked to see it). We also have some great plot and world building aspects implemented in this story. If you love to see a historical with a solid plot, then you are in for a treat, because this is what Jodi Thomas is truly wonderful at portray. I was on the edge of my seat with this story. And the writing style from this author is so FUN!! Like I have never read writing that is so entertaining especially in a historical romance before. And she easily pulls you into a story. There were some really great intimate moments between Sam and Sarah that were so "in the moment" type of scenes that just grabs your attention and takes your breath away. And I adored the ending especially in seeing them settle in the small town that they do and have some wonderful kind neighbors. So heartfelt of a scene.

What I Struggled With
I really struggled with two aspects of the story: the heroine and some elements of the romance. So lets discuss our heroine first. So the heroine is one that has been abused in her life on and off so she does have a almost naive personality. While you understand where its coming from and that she has never had true affection with anyone, at the same time she can be hard on the reader at times. Not that she is a bad character but she is packed with oxymorons and as the reader you almost feel like a ping pong ball with her.

The next issue that I had is with the romance. Now, don't get me wrong, its not all bad or anything. But there could have been a bit more focus on it but also we didn't get enough intimate moments. This author can really pack a punch and we got some beautiful heartwrenching moments between Sarah and Sam and I honestly just wanted a bit more. While it was still a great story to read I do think there could have been a bit more focus on this. And if you are wanting a high spice story, move to a different author, this author from what I have read so far doesn't do much in spice.

Overall View
When A Texan Gambles is a interesting story that will take you on a wild ride through the lands of Texas. Its a story of sacrifice, of struggle and fighting for the one you love.

Favorite Quote(s)
“All my life, all I’ve ever wanted was someone to love, and it looks like you’re the only one who applied.”

“Life lost all reason. I didn’t really care if I lived or died.” “And now?” His dark eyes met hers. “You gave me a reason to care.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Character Types: Bounty Hunter, Widow, Abused
Themes: MC on the Run, Crime, Danger, Fade to Black aspects, Kick Ass, Suffers Illness, Western
Tropes: Arranged Marriage

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict more than the Relationship

Song This Book Inspires
Try That in a Small Town by Jason Aldean

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy