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

Introduction
Reckless is the fourth installment in the "Chestnut Springs" series and the most recent release that the author has come out with these books. I have to say though, this book completely took me for a turn. I have struggled a bit with this series, they just haven't quite clicked for me completely, but I went into this one pretty openly with a fresh outlook and wanting to take it for what it is and not for the hype surrounding it. And from the reviews that I have read from those I fully trusted, I knew that this was the best book of the series and I can concur that this is the BEST book that I have read from this author so far. I was so impressed with how this one was handled and absolutely adored how this was implemented. Now if you are nervous about the secret baby aspect, just trust me on this, its the best written secret baby I have EVER read. Elsie Silver really handled it delicately and I admire that.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Theo
A profession bull rider, a bit of a ladies man and playful especially with women and prickly ice queens turn him on. He has charm, patience and love for family

The Heroine: Winter
A strong STEM style of heroine, she has had to keep herself hidden from her sister, betrayed by her husband and working on a fresh start. But she doesn't trust easily and is a bit of a lone wolf only relying on herself and struggles trusting others into her heart and life.

Summary
Theo and Winter meet in the most unlikely place....a gas station in a small town. There are sparks that fly but when they find themselves at a mutual family gathering, the sexual tension between them only rises and they end up sharing a one night stand after signing consent forms on a coaster in a bar. When Winter finds out that she is pregnant with Theo's baby, she is shocked. After years of struggling to have a baby, Theo of all things knocks her up. With a turn of events, she finds herself a single mother, struggling to raise this baby on her own, and when truths are revealed and Theo learns that he is a father, Theo is dedicated to Winter and their baby girl in a way that Winter has never known. The playboy and the ice queen are the most unlikely match, but discover a deep passionate love through it all...

My Outlook
oh my HEART!! This book just tore me up inside and out. I just couldn't get enough of these two here. And the way in which they come together and seeing their story being told in such a phenomal passionate way just had no choice but strike deep to the soul. Elsie Silver has definitely won me over with this one here, and is hands down the best book she has written! I have no clue how she was able to captivate me in such a way, but she definitely worked her way effortlessly in this one here.

I will admit that I was highly nervous on this one here especially on the main trope of this one which was "Secret Baby". I first want to point out that the author handled this very delicately and you can trust her to handle it correctly. I do think that the way its handled by this couple is just right. There are aspects to the situation that a third party gets involved, but neither Winter or Theo are at fault here. Winter does her duty in this one and makes her effort to reach out to Theo on it. And when Theo finds out the truth, was the most CAPTIVATING moment of the book and I think this moment will stay with me for a very long time. The devastation he feels in how much he has missed with his daughter was so heartbreaking. You really see his heart in this moment and it just tore me up inside, seriously, I was sobbing my heart out when this hero is torn to shreds over it. The way he stands by Winter, wanting to be by her side and help meet in being a parent with her was so touching.

I know also some readers might be nervous for Winter's character because she has been known throughout the series as a "Ice Queen" and I can reassure you, you will love her character. I am so picky over ice queens and most of the time they just don't end up working out for me. But in this one, it totally worked for me. We see all of her vulnerabilities and seeing her true character behind that ice shield very early on in the story which I appreciated. We see her human side and not the persona that she showcases to everyone. I never thought that I could relate to her in this way, but the author wrote her brilliantly with a side of softness and deep pain.

The romance that develops between Theo and Winter is so delectable. I loved seeing these two together, and their connection strikes deep to the heart. I just couldn't seem to get enough of them. I absolutely adored these two and their story resonates on a basic human level. You know that the author will deliver on the steam level of course. But seeing their connection go deeper than just the physical is what really won me over. Seeing them learning each other and letting go of their past reservations and embrace what they have and with their baby girl was so precious. You can definitely trust in Elsie Silver to write such a beautifully portrayed romance with western aesthetics to expound on a heartfelt romance.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:5
Overall View: 5 

 

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

Introduction
The Temptation is a story that features a romance that definitely blew me away because it was the last thing that I expectation but I was so engaged by this story and didn't even notice the time flying by while I was reading it, which always make for the best reads right? I absolutely adored every single moment that we get with this couple and going into this series and picking up the finale I was really expecting something crazy and bananas and honestly it was sweet and endearing ...like what? Nikki Sloane just keeps giving us books that we don't expect to find from her. But it was just as delightful as the previous books in the series even if it was a bit different.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Vance Hale
The youngest son of the Billionaire, has always had wealth and fortunes and a bit of a playboy. But he has always yearned for something more with a woman and has been the son that has been second guessed but also is tortured with mistakes of the past involving his family.

The Heroine: Emery
Is a clever young woman who has had to make it by the skin of her teeth. She was once a pick pocket, but now handles safe's as a professional but is also on the road to revenge for damages done against her family.

Summary
Vance Hale makes a best with his best friend and a woman he used to be involved with that he can't go without intercourse (sex) for 3 months and he agrees to the bet but then she suddenly disappears and then enters Emery, who is the one that repairs his security system and instant chemistry builds between them. And Vance and Emery decide to do a fake relationship while working with each other for other advantages but beneath the surface a strong friendship forms between them. As they start working together for their interest, a deep strong love forms when they least expect it and they embrace what they have together while working as a team to take down an enemy that threatens everything they hold dear...

My Outlook
I had so much fun with Temptation. In fact, its probably one of the most sweetest stories ever done. I really enjoyed the mix of tropes that we find within this story as well. But also this friends to lovers that forms between Vance and Emery, my heart just easily got so swept away by these two. I just couldn't seem to get enough of them and what they have together. And they are both such clever individuals that tend to get overlooked by those around them. I absolutely adored how well they click together. And the heroine especially was so likeable. I loved her cleverness and her determination and how cunning she is without being ruthless. She is such a great partner for Vance and fits the family just right even though at first glance she wouldn't appear to. And the fact that she was a pick pocket and can crack safes??? I thought that was the neatest thing in the world. I don't think I have ever read a heroine that does this profession so it was so interesting. And the plot was just perfection on this one. It just evenly flowed and the pieces fell into place when they were meant to and the author really balances it with some solid humor that fit so well while also maintaining the classy vibe to the story.

Overall View
The Temptation is a sensual, full of class, with some laugh out loud moments that will engage the reader from beginning to end capitalizing on this sweet romance that delivers on all fronts!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover:5
Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:4
Ending:4.5
Overall View: 4.5 

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

Introduction
An Invitation to Seduction is the final book in the "Daughters of Fortune" and you can easily read this books as standalones if you wanted to. Its been like a decade since I read the previous books in the series and I sailed through this one just fine. I also recommend trying this one out in audio if you can. It has one of my favorite narrators for historicals so this one was such a solid fun time for me and yay for non thick accents. This is basically a love triangle and that is NOT what I would have expected from this author but ocassionally she delves into this trope a bit delicately and I was impressed with how it was handled overall. This is all a American-British pairing so I think that will appeal to many historical readers as those are always so delightful.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Trevor Nicholson, Duke of Weddington
Is a Duke. Has a fear of swimming but doesn't let fears overcome him. He lost his father to a storm accident and he has always been held under suspicion of that accident. He is your typical Duke personality, and goes all in for the woman he wants.

The Heroine: Kitty Robertson
Kitty is an adopted child, and has always seemed to be ashamed of any sensual desires she had because her birth mother was a prostitute. She has always tried to be as English as she can for her adopted parents. Her family and duty is everything for her. She is driven and graceful and poised but neglects her true desires for what she seems is "right"

Summary
Kitty Robertson has always been devoted to her adopted family and has worked hard to be the daughter that they deserve. When it comes time for her to be married, she chooses someone that is respectable and will be a good friend for her and that is Nicholas Glenville, who is the Marquess of Greystone. But before heading to London, she goes out for a swim and she meets the enigmatic Trevor Nicholson, and they have a sensual affair at the sea. But what happens between them terrifies Kitty that she runs straight into Nicholas and a practical relationship with him. But when Trevor finds Kitty in the ballrooms of London and being pursued by his best friend, he is determined to show her the woman she is and what she deserves.....to be with a man who will love and desire her fully. Now Kitty will have to choose between duty and desire...

My Outlook
An Invitation to Seduction is the fourth installment in the "Daughters of Fortune" series. I absolutely adored this one here. And while it wasn't a perfect story by any means, it was definitely entertaining and different than what I normally read in historicals. Quite frankly I never see love triangles like this and only Lorraine Heath is an author that can make it work for me. And if you are nervous about love triangles, what I recommend about this one is to keep with it. When it gets to about 50% is when the pieces start to fall into place and when the truth comes out fully, what a reveal!! I do think in the third conflict many readers will be able to guess what has happened with Nicholas and the secrets being kept. But its still interesting in seeing how Lorraine Heath handled this set up in the way that she did with this one here. I think my biggest hangup was the heroine a bit. She just seemed too caught up on the past and what her birth mother did and not willing to embrace living life fully. But seeing the change in her when she reveals it all to Trevor and the way he reacts was just so endearing and beautiful. I really enjoyed these two together and these lovemaking scenes were so sensual and captivating at times. I truly had a fun time with this one and I am glad I was able to pick this one up here.

Overall View
An Invitation to Seduction is a powerful enigmatic romance that instills, enforces and endears the reader to this couple through the pain and struggles they have to work themselves through to reach their HEA.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:4
Cover:5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 3.5
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:4
Ending:4
Overall View: 4.25 

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

Introduction
Passion and Ink was a story that I eagerly wanted to jump into as I had just fallen so hard for the first book in the series and also just adored this family. I will be honest in this though that this book didn't quite click for me as book one did. I think part of it was that this book wasn't in audio. Sometimes having a book in audio just makes all of the difference ya know? And I just wasn't as invested in this couple as I wanted to be and even though I love forbidden taboo romance this one just didn't feel as intense as the previous book.

Summary
Basically our hero and heroine, first meet, at a bar and have a sensual sexy night together and the steam is really powerful between these two. But what they don't expect is to meet each other at a family dinner where they realize that they are step siblings but even though there isn't any blood related between them, its socially taboo for them to even be together. But also the heroine's dad has blackmailed her into forbidding her from being together with him or all the money she needs for her mother's medical bills will be taken away. But despite the fact that their relationship is forbidden, they keep it under wraps and in secret. They both have to learn to fight for each other and only then will they be able to believe in what they have together...

My Outlook
I absolutely had a fun time with this. Forbidden love is actually one of my favorite tropes to read in romance and I really feel like Naima Simone really handles these aspects so well. And while these aspects were done very well, my heart just wasn't in the story. I am not sure if it was just my mood or what, but I just didn't feel connected to this couple as I did with the first couple. She does powerful steam and I have come to really enjoy how she handles chemistry and I would say that this book is borderline erotic romance, as there is quite a bit of high steam being focused in the story. So I do think these are scenes you don't really want to skip out on though. And the level of forbidden themes that are introduces was so well done. And I didn't mind the step sibling aspect as they weren't ever truly raised as siblings together and the heroine left for almost a decade. But it was quite interesting in seeing how the heroine was the one not wanting to be open about her feelings for this one. Its also fascinating when the hero is more open with himself than the heroine but you understand why she is the way she is. My heart just broke for these two. And I really don't like the parents, I will be honest. It doesn't matter how much they apologize, they really tend to manipulate their children emotionally and that is abusive so I don't know if I will ever get behind these. I am wanting more books for this couple but not sure if the author plans on writing more for this couple. Would love to see her return to this series though because I LOVE these siblings.

Overall View
Passion and Ink was a captivating read and I absolutely had a blast with these two here. It was so fascinating seeing them come together and learning to fight for their love....truly endearing!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building:4
Cover:4
Hero: 3
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:3
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 3 

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

Introduction
The Spy is the fourth installment in the "Kingmakers" series, and this is technically the final installment of the series as I know book five I believe doesn't feature the school, but I could be wrong. I know The Spy was intended to be the final installment originally. I pretty much went into this one completely blind, I just knew the small hints leading up to the serial plot, would be finalized in this one here so I was highly intrigued, and I really love this cover -----the sexy man NOT the weird illustrated. I did enjoy this one and I do recommend listening to these in audio formats if you can, because the narrations are well done and definitely worth the wait for them.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Ares
Hiding his identity, posing as his best friend, looking for justice for his family and seeking to get close to his father's enemies daughter to seduce and use her if necessary. His duty is to family first and foremost.

The Heroine:Nix
Strong and a bit of a loner, as she is the daughter of the most hated man in the mafia world, Nix is strong and passionate and has a kind heart full of desires for adventure.

Summary
Nix has always loved her father and he is overprotective but she is determined if she is to take her father's place, to attend the Kingmakers as she wants to escape the life she was raised in and to be able to stand on her own. What she doesn't expect though is to find her own courage and strength as it isn't easy to stand on her own but also to be so hated from everyone around her except her roommate who seems to be cunning and badass in her own way. Nix has her own smarts and is determined to find her own path until she falls for Ares who is a man of mystery and layers. She knows that there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Ares is a man on a mission, and he is torn between duty and his heart. He is supposed to get close to Nix to save his family, and he has also had to assume this secret identity from everyone even those closest to him, but he doesn't plan on falling hard for Nix who is the daughter of his most hated enemy.

My Outlook
Whew boy, this book was a roller coaster of a ride. I absolutely adored every single moment of this one and I am not sure but I think this is a close tie to "The Bully" and in fact I might even love it more than "The Bully" and I honestly thought no book from Sophie Lark could actually top that one. There was just something so much more in depth for the plot that just seemed to work way better for me. I was so intrigued by this pairing. And from the beginning, we get to see their backgrounds and their connections with their families, so instantly you are drawn in and just captivated by them as individuals.

When they meet at the Kingmakers though, its more like friends coming together. Nix is new and in her first year, but she is also so hated and she doesn't understand why. She doesn't know all the evil things that her father has done and if even in the mafia he is the most despised that is saying something. What I was intrigued about with Nix is that she was open minded and wanted to know the truth surrounding her family and not have it kept from her. Ares even though he wants to hate her, soon gains admiration for her which quickly turns into love. He doesn't want to have a heart for Nix, but he quickly sees that she is so much more than her father's daughter and he becomes torn over duty and heart. And my heart just broke for these two, because as the truth is revealed about his family (And no one was more shocked than I was on this) you start to see how drive Ares is for his family and to save them.

The romance that builds between these two is just simply wonderful. I loved their connection to each other and how protective Ares gets even though he understands why so many students are bitter against Nix. Both Nix and Ares have such fighting spirits for adventure and for those that they love. They definitely have powerful sparks between them but there is also something so much deeper that forms between them. Nix quickly reveals all of herself with Ares, but what I loved about Nix is that she knows that there is a persona that Ares is hiding from her and when everything is revealed its truly so saddening for Nix. You know that there isn't another way that this could have happened, but even through that betrayal she also still loves him so deeply. And in the third act.....this book completely captivated me and I couldn't put it down. And seeing how Ares friends just ended up standing by him when they learn the truth just fills the heart seeing that strong loyalty that they have for each other. And seeing how much in the end that his family accepts Nix through it all despite what her father has done, warms your heart and soul on such a deep level. Sophie Lark really works her magic with this one and she has captured such beautiful things in this series and I can't wait to delve into the final connected book "The Savage".

Overall View
I found The Spy to be a captivating read that kept me on the edge of my seat, a plot that steals your attention, characters that endear your heart, and a romance that you will want to fight the world for.....STUNNING IN EVERY WAY!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:5
Overall View: 5

 

 

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

Introduction
Scandalous is the final book in the "Outcasts" trilogy and I honestly went into this one very blind. I found this one to be a quite interesting one but not my favorite of the trilogy if I am being honest. I think book 2 is my favorite of the trilogy but I will say that "Scandalous" was still highly entertaining. But there are many aspects to this story that will deliver to the readers for sure. And if you are looking for plenty of drama, adventure and unique settings and tackling some serious issues then you should definitely pick this one up.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Captain Martin Bouchard
Martin is a runaway slave, who has made his yearnings on the sea. He is a rogue, wild in his passions and tormented by his past. Highly masculine with some alpha tendancies.

The Heroine: Sarah Fisher
Sarah is a missionary, a virgin and innocent of sexual pursuits. She is also a healer of sorts and can handle a pistol when needed. She is strong in her convictions.

Summary
Scandalous is a story of Sarah, who finds herself on a slaver ship and finds herself taken by the captain of a privateer ship who rescues the people kidnapped and forced into slavery. But when some misunderstanding occur between Sarah and Martin, and her ancestry comes to the surface, Martin returns her to her family in England only she finds herself being pursued by fortune hunters and Martin has never stopped wanting Sarah. But Sarah is her own woman and doesn't believe that Martin cares for her but when the truth comes out, a scandal may come to the surface where they might have to be forced apart...

My Outlook
Scandalous I will say was a wildly entertaining story and I had so much fun with it. I absolutely couldn't seem to get enough of these two even when they were aggravating me to no end. haha I will mention that if you are looking for more "adventure" themes in your romance then you definitely need to pick up this series. I am not sure how her newer books compare but this series just satisfied me on that front. What impressed me also with this one is that the author really researched her history especially for slavery for both white and black people and how they were forced into this slave trade. I really appreciated that she knew her history but also was able to capture on it in a way that didn't seem too heavy for the story but offered dimensions especially to Martin's character.

There is some wonderful character growth within this one here and I really enjoyed seeing the background being put front and center with Martin and Sarah. They both have such explosive personalities and they really butt heads so frequently and in fact I think its their headstrong natures that cause so many misunderstandings and from the beginning there is a ton of them. My goodness, these two just couldn't get a break. They both didn't seem to really understand each other and were able to really have healthy communication. I think in the third act conflict especially is where I started to really struggle with the heroine. As what she does, is what bothers me a ton about women especially. Because *spoiler* but when the hero comes clean with her in a open honest discussion, she basically gets offended and starts yelling at him and acting like he cheated o her. Keep in mind they are not in a committed relationship and she is courting other men including one whose father used to own Martin as a slave. She just comes off as a hypocrite but she wants him to be honest, but apparently not really honest. But I did enjoy "plot wise" how it builds in the third act and the reveals that come out especially concerning Martin's past. So in the end I enjoyed the way that it all worked out, I just would have liked some more couple page time than what we get in this one here.

Overall View
I found Scandalous to be a thrilling adventure which takes the reader from the high seas to the ballrooms of the London ton'. Its a story of scandal, secrets and hidden passions with a satisfying ending.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building:5
Cover: 5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3.5
Steam: 4.25
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending:4
Overall View: 4/5 

 

Champion is the fifth installment in the "Galactic Gladiators" series. It was so wonderful to return to this series. I will say that what I have really enjoyed about these books are what a wild ride they are and so much thrilling action. I just love it. Its like sci fi romantic suspense and the only thing I think I would change about these is that they don't seem to be long enough haha there is a serial plot line, so I would actually recommend reading the series in order of each other though. Just because as far as that is concerned, the reader might find themselves confused on certain aspects.

Champion is a story that brings together two fighters together. The hero, Blaine, was a space marine, and then held hostage, forced to fight with drugs which changed him. Now that he is rescued and with the Galen warriors, though he is full of rage and the only one that seems to snap him out of it is the kick ass female warrior, Saff. When their safe haven and compound is attacked, and three of the women are taken captive, Saff and Blaine join forces to go out in the desert and find them, never expecting to find a connection to each other along the way.

What I found most interesting about this story was seeing the chemistry that builds between these two and the way that they connect in their sparring matches. They definitely kick ass against their enemies and I loved seeing that as well. I also found it interesting to see the way that their chemistry builds. And there are these small quiet moments that really build on the emotional intimacy that slowly builds stronger between them. And the ways in which they learn to fight for each other was beyond precious.

I loved the way in which we see other couples and hints for their stories building and I am really intrigued by this tension that is building between the Galen warrior and their Thraxian enemies, you can definitely tell its building into something more that will involve more than just these two groupings and I am curious to see where this author is planning on taking this in the next installments.

Overall, I had a blast with Champion and like the previous installments and what is typical with this author is you will be taken on one wild adventure to curl your toes and whet your appetites, leaving you hungry for more!

 

 Munro is the latest installment in the "IAD" series and I had been really excited to pick this one up and decided to do this one in audiobook. I had heard the narration was really wonderful so I took a risk on this one and even though this is a solid read, this book didn't quite work for me. There were some factors within the story that I had a more challenging time working with.

Munro has many elements that will work for fans of the series but to be honest I am kind of exhausted with these type of heroines that are so prickly and unrelatable and always trying to kill their men *covers face* I know this will really win over some readers but I feel like many of the heroines in this series all feel the same to me. And it's also possible the narrator just ruined the book for me since I just couldn't get behind the heroine at all. She just was so rough around the edges and so hard and not very likeable for me. There were also some plot holes in the story that I didn't expect to bother me but rubbed me the wrong way. I loved finally getting to know Munro's book but it also felt like something was missing here. There are aspects of time travel in this one which was a bit confusing in how it developed the plotline. There is some wonderful aspects of action and thrilling moments that will keep you on edge of course. This author has always been able to build intensity throughout her books. So I really appreciated some aspects of how the world building and atmospheric vibes were developed throughout the story.

But overall, while this book was a solid read, it didn't quite work for me all of the way through and would have appreciated the heroine being better developed. 

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

Introduction
Secrets That We Keep is the 2nd full length installment in the "Forbidden Men Descendents" and this features the twins from Mason and Reece. I will be honest in that I put this book in the highly nervous section because the blurb was putting me off. I should have had more faith in Linda Kage though because she ALWAYS delivers and she definitely did that with this one here. I absolutely adored the way in which the author wrote this book, on the surface it might seem to be complicated but honestly the author really makes it work in ways that you least expect it to. But it does involved 2 primary couples so keep that in mind and they do make sense into why two are written here.

My Outlook
Secrets That We Keep is a story that is primarily about two couples but each story is very well developed and as this book is 450 pages long, it definitely digs deep as you would expect from this author. I was highly intrigued to see how this one would delve and first off it was hilarious. There is something about Linda Kage in how she implements humor that is beyond delectable. I just couldn't get enough and just wanted more. I was fascinated as we start to see some of the pieces to fall into place and you just knew where this one was going and when everything comes out and is revealed, oooh boy.....its intense and emotion and just had me in my feels. I really adored the bond the twins have here, they just have such a close bond that I love seeing portrayed in books. There is also an issue with sexual assault and drug abuse, so keep that in mind when reading this one. And I absolutely adored the way that the men in this compete with each other, its so hilarious. This story just truly comes together in such a balanced way and delivers from feels, to character growth, to laughs and family connections.

Overall View
I found Secrets That We Keep to be a delectable read that just was so endearing and delectable in all of the best of ways! A TRUE KEEPER!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:5
Overall View:5 

 

What a wonderful novella this turned out to be and I absolutely loved this "extended epilogue" of the first three couples that we have read so far and seeing how they each deal with "Valentines Day" was so different but be prepared for the STEAM haha But I loved all the feels that also gets delivered and the strong sense of family that just immediately captures you. If you are a fan of the series, reading this novella will definitely bring much delight to you. I can't wait to see what we see from this MC in the future here.