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

Introduction
Fractured Souls is the 6th installment in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series. I was so highly excited for this one here. I have fallen in love with this author's series and how she writes mafia. I do love that she handles some great disability rep, but more than that, she just writes mafia in such a more traditional manner that I am drawn to more. It's not so dramatic and with unrealistic flair. She also implements some logical tropes that fit the mafia world more. In Fractured Souls is where some really difficult topics are addressed, so make sure you go to the authors website and check out the trigger warnings before picking this one up here.

Summary
Asya was taken captive and forced into the slave trade and drugged. When she manages to free herself, she finds herself taken into safety with Pavel who is the only safe haven for Asya. Pavel runs clubs for the Bratva, and he provides safety for Asya, who is traumatized from her abuse and doesn't want her family involved. As Pavel provides Asya with a safe place, he and Asya develop a deep connection as he assists her in working through her trauma.

My Outlook
Fractures Souls was such a beautiful story and I really enjoyed how this one was written. I adored this one, it wasn't my favorite of the series, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. I always enjoy it when authors implement human trafficking. And I felt like this author handled it just right. Its really treated in a delicate manner that represents how real this reality of human trafficking is and I wish more authors would address this author especially with how prevalent it is just in the states, let alone the whole world.

Fractured Souls is a story that focuses on the recovery and healing and dealing with the PTSD aspects of such sexual abuse and drug recovery. I really enjoyed seeing how this story was written and how raw the emotion felt throughout this story. It was so genuine in seeing their growth with each other and how they find their way into a deep connection.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4.5
Cover: 5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 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
How To Be A Wallflower is the 1st book in the "Would Be Wallflowers" series. I started this book as an audio and then switched to the ebook. With some historical authors I prefer to do this, as sometimes HR can be hard for me to get into. I will say that if you love fun witty, self made heroes, and American/English pairings then you definitely need to pick this one up. This had all the charm and endearing humor that Eloisa James is capable of. Its a book that intrigued me and I was captivated a bit by these characters. It wasn't a perfect installment, but an lively one that entertained me so much. I definitely had a good ole' time with this one.

Summary
Miss Cleopatra Lewis after reuniting with her grandfather is to be launched into society. But she is determined not to marry and wants to show herself as a ugly wallflower that turns the men away and not drawn them in. Then we have the self made businessman mogul Jacob Astor Addison who has come to England to acquire some businesses to bring back to the America's to launch. But when Cleo steals a costume emporium from him, he is determined to win it back and the lovely lady included because he is charmed for her and even though he is betrothed, Cleo fascinates him in a way a woman never has before. But Cleo has no interest in marriage, so Jacob will have to use all of his charm to win his lady over and her heart.

My Outlook
How To Be a Wallflower was a endearing read. It had me laughing all over the place. I had some issues with the story itself, but, if you are a fan of this authors work, you will definitely see the wit and carefully balanced building of the relationship being showcased within this story. So I want to talk about what I loved the most first and then go into my issues with the story.

What I loved the most in this one, is that, dialogue between Jacob and Cleo. I wouldn't necessarily call this enemies to lovers, but there is conflict between them and a competition between them so you see them bantering with each other back and forth but there is an obvious attraction between them. I also really enjoyed the way that this book was developed with this one here. I loved the way that the hero pines for the heroine and his "courting" of her. I love "courting" romances, and I feel like we don't see them as much in historicals as we used to, so it was so fun to see this being so focused in the story. We get an entry of the Duchess of Trent (loved seeing her connecting this book to the Wildes series. So, it was fun seeing. her have a part in this one, as she is friends with the hero. The romance itself was charming. And there is such a strong sexy vibe to their connection. There are some great smexy moments here. Eloisa James really knows how to build up her steam moments so well with the story itself.

Now to talk about my issues with the book. The first is the heroine. While I enjoy some aspects of her character, it never really made sense why she was so anti marriage in a culture where marriage was such a focus for women. It wasn't ever really explained on a deeper level why she was so against it other than her mother's experiences. Also she didn't seem willing to sacrifice anything for the relationship. It was very one sided of the hero sacrificing everything for her. I didn't like how he had to give up his whole life and career for her when he obviously would be the one bring "home the bacon" haha It just seemed like all the work and dedication in the relationship was one sided and the heroine was just "I guess I love you so we can get married". I like to see both sides giving to the relationship and she didn't give hardly anything to it. For example he chooses her clothes and its attractive, she chooses his clothes, she dresses him like a peacock. Just very disappointing in some of these elements.

Overall View
I found How To Be A Wallflower to be a fascinating read that was enjoyable and pure plain sexy fun! Definitely a witty charming romance to indulge in.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 3.5
World Building: 4
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 3.5
 

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

Introduction
How The Light Gets In is the second book and the companion novel of the Cracks Duet. This book takes place 11 years following the first book. This is the novel where our lovers are reunited and are both ready to be together fully and embrace what they have together. Its a story of reunited love and second chances. I absolutely adored how this one was done, it was so well done and the only complaint that I have is that it was too short haha but I feel like we got what we needed from this one. Because much of the foundation between them was built in the first story, this is just where they are both in the same place and open to being together again.

Summary
Evelyn Flynn's grandmother has passed away and so she moves to New York City to be with her Aunt when she offers her a bartending job and she immediately jumps on the chance for a fresh start. As she gets settled in, what she doesn't expect is to be drawn back into the world of Dylan. Dylan has been educated and started his own perfume business and has now opened up a location in New York City and now the old high school sweethearts have now been reunited. Dylan is determined to show Evelyn that this is their chance to be together. But Evelyn has her own past to resolve and realize that she needs to jump on her present and embrace her love with Dylan..

My Outlook
This book just so easily wormed its way into my heart. I absolutely adored everything about this one here. I became so endeared by it and seeing them coming together. Now Evelyn was a bit frustrating at first, she was so resistent and I didn't fully understand why. Yes she doesn't have a big career but not sure why that mattered when her only love wants back in her life? But we see that she has some unresolved issues with her grandmother. We see how she needed to understand she needed to let go of her past before she could be the kind of partner that Dylan deserves. We see how Dylan pushes her where she needs to go but its not in a rude alpha like way. Its more from a man that loves her deeply and is doing his best to be encouraging to what he knows she needs. I really enjoyed the hero so much. You see how much he loves our heroine and is willing to do whatever it takes to win her over and also help her find herself in her gardening. It was delightful that he knew its what she needed and pushed her to embrace that part of her that she was neglecting. We also get to see Conor and the Aunt get together ...FINALLY and it was awesome! This final chapter was everything that I could have asked for, although I do kinda wish the epilogue was a bit longer. But man this epilogue had me crying my eyes out, its tribute to their friend was so precious! This story just delivered on all the boxes for me and OH THE PRECIOUS HEART! Loved every single minute!

Overall View
How The Light Gets In is a precious companion novel that delivers the HEA that our pair rightly deserves. Its a story of reunited lovers, second chances, and finding the beauty in the moment! .

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
A Crack in Everything is the first book in the "Cracks Duet" and this book was actually chosen for my Romanceopoly pick but I knew once I realized that it was a duet that I would definitely be reading both and don't worry I will be jumping into book 2 very shortly. But lets get into my first impressions of this one. This is a YA romance although, if you are fans of NA then it will work for you, book 2 I know is when they are reunited a decade later, this book is seeing our couple fall in love and what seperates them. So this book has many emotional undertones in it with also a epic love feeling to the romance. There is a deep connection between our couple and we get to see their fresh young love and the thrills and exciting feels that comes with a young love. And also the adversity that they have to face and the realities of life that happen to those especially that grow up in the "hard" places.

Summary
Evelyn Flynn, is being taken care of by her aunt when her mother abandoned her and now her Gram is in a care facility. She is 17 years old, enjoying being with her best friend who is gay and taking care of her atrium of plants and flowers. She then crosses paths with Dylan, when she provides him with a safe harbor from a gang chasing him. They form a instant connection, and now they embrace each other instantly. But as Dylan and Evelyn draw closer to each other, connecting on their similar interests in plants and scents. But both will have to face some hardships and realities of life and how despite the cracks, that sometimes love can be divided by tragedy...

My Outlook
I absolutely adored the first book in this marvelous duet that just had me in my feels instantly. I don't normally read YA, but I can do it if I know it will blend into NA or Adult Contemporary. This book is where we see our couple fall in love. We see how young they are and how even though they are fighting being hardened by their circumstances, they also see such hope for the future. I really loved the setting of this which is the inner city of Dublin, Ireland. And it was so delightful and rich in it. The author really handled the terms of the country so well and really added to the atmospheric vibes that just made this book come even more alive.

I think what really drew me in was this unique pairing. Dylan, was such a fascinating hero. He is strong but innocent. He is starting to become hardened by his surroundings but still has this seed of innocence that centers him on focusing on the good but he also has big dreams for becoming something more and doing good for others. Then we have our heroine, Evelyn. Who is beautiful, kind, and innocent. She has a love for flowers, that Dylan is drawn to. Their romance is so poignant and endearing. They have such a form connection and their feelings for each other are so fresh and vibrant, just like their dreams. But Evelyn is still figuring out her place in the world and not knowing where she wants to go. What killed me though was seeing how Evelyn will have to be forced against some tragedy and loss to get on the road to figuring it out. It just broke my heart seeing how this story ended, because my heart ached for these two and what causes them to end things but it also has a twist of hope with it, and I am excited to see what brings them back together and seeing their romance flourish!!

Overall View
I found A Crack in Everything to be a stunning portrayal that endeared me fully and I can't wait to see what this author delivers in the conclusion! UTTERLY CAPTIVATING!

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

 

This is going to be a pretty short review, there isn't much to say about this one, as its really just an extended epilogue of the Royal Elite series. But I will say that I LOVED this book so much. It was perfect. I truly wish all my favorite series had detailed extended epilogues into engagements, weddings, babies, and families like this one delivered. I just love the banter between the couples and probably my favorite part was the way Jonathan gets played by his son haha pretty funny actually. I am very excited now to explore more of Rina Kent's backlist. Tell me which ones are you favorites that I definitely need to read next!!!

 

 

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

Introduction
One Hot Italian Summer is a standalone and what a delicious one that this one turned out to be. I absolutely loved this one so much here! It was super in every way and wow did it have so much more heart than I was expecting. And its the perfect beach read. I read this for my "Summer" prompt for the romanceopoly challenge and one of my favorite reads from this challenge this year, although most of them have been wins. I really loved the way that this author developed this one, and it does have a PINING HERO (Need I say more? haha) But I guarantee that you will love all aspects to this story.

Summary
In One Hot Italian Summer, our story begins, with our heroine. Grace Harper, is a author who lives in Scotland and is struggling making her book work for her. She was once part of a duet of authors but when her partner died, she is going on her own writing and struggling making it work. Then her agent, Jana Lee, offers her a summer vacation in her home in Tuscany. What she doesn't tell her is that the home belong to her ex husband and son and they return early due to cancelled vacation plans and now they must learn to live together for the summer which causes some interesting dynamics and before Grace realizes it....she will have to fight her heart from falling for the Italian sun and her Italian boys who are slowly captivating her heart.

My Outlook
One Hot Italian Summer is a story that was everything I was looking for and more. I absolutely adored this one. Its a story that is the perfect summer read. It was just plain sexy and fun! I loved everything about this one, well the heroine was a struggle at times haha she is so resistent to love and the hero is like I would die for you type of love. But she does get there and I love how the story ends with her devotion to him. So the heroine definitely becomes redeemed in this one. The story is so well balanced with plenty of humor though. I loved the son, he is so precocious. Honestly, I want like 10 of him haha Karina Halle has always had the talent of portraying children just right into a romance. His character was just enough to add charm and innocent delight to the story without detracting from the romance. Our main couple definitely have plenty of intimate moments together and they do get creative and just fair warning there is some exhibitionism in this book, it was pretty hilarious how crafty our hero is when it comes to sexy times.

Overall View
One Hot Italian Summer is such a delicious read that combines the beauty of the italian country with the sensuality and charm of the setting and implements it in a beautifully crafter way to deliver a heart impacting read!

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

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

Introduction
Highest Bidder is the fifth installment in the Salacious Players Club and its one that has been so well received by the romance community and after reading this one, I can definitely see why that is the case. This one is just so wonderful and I loved every single moment. I really adored the way that this one was written, and what the author used to develop this story. I will say that this one is a tie with Praise and I might even love it more than even the first one. And I really really enjoyed the first one the most out of this series. But there was something in this story that just seemed to work so well for me. But I will say that Sara Cate is such a talented author, she just writes the best stories and they are always so well fleshed out and I can guarantee that you will fall fast for this one here.

My Outlook
Highest Bidder is a story that I immediately was drawn into. First off it had one of my favorite themes in a book which is a "auction". There is something about starting off a story or even just having this element in a book that just really will pull me in right away. I just love everything about it. There is also something so sexy about this book. The hero of course, is rich and really really WEALTHY haha but he also works hard for it. Then we have our heroine, who is a poor waitress and living in her van. Now part of this is her choice, but you also see how when she meets our hero, how she begins to reevaluate life choices. What I really loved is how endearing these two are with each other. They have a connection to each other that is so explosive and even though they have some great chemistry, it takes time before anything really happens with them. The way that the author builds up their chemistry was superb in every way. We also see some great exploration of BDSM, but its lighter. Its not like some of the other books. But there are some light aspects to healing for it as well which I really loved seeing. We also see much more of "Madame" and I am really excited for her book. I have such high hopes for it. I do sometimes get nervous with dominatrix characters, but I trust Sara Cate to handle her correctly. I just want her to find love, she really deserves to find that happiness that all of her friends have found!

Now as to the secret of the heroine. This is dragged out, just warning you, and yeah it doesn't come out cleanly, but you know, the way that Sara Cate wrote it, just ended up working for me.

Overall View
I found Highest Bidder to be a spectacular read that just won my heart immediately. Its a story of trust, recovery, and captivating on one's heart! 

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

Introduction
In Isabeau's Eyes is the first book in the Kentucky Nights series. I really had such a fun time with this one. I had been hearing the best of things for it, and I did get this one in a ARC form and I was so happy that I was able to. I will admit that I was a bit nervous in picking this one up here. It has been a little while since we have received anything from this author so I was intrigued to see what this one would be like and I have to say that this one just kicked booty! I absolutely had so much fun with this one even if it had some tropes that aren't my favorite to read, but Lora Leigh really kicked this one out of the pick. It definitely has the sass and spice that you have come to expect from her and it delivered in so many ways for me.

Summary
Isabeau Boudreaux is being hunted. When her parents were murdered, she was shot and became blind because of it. But she survived, but now she is being stalked and people she cares about are being put in danger, but she doesn't want to reach out to her brother who will just place her in a different spot in the country starting fresh again and she wants to stay with the place she calls home and those she considers family. Then enters the picture...Tracker Calloway, who is determined to protect her and find the killer before anyone else gets harmed. There is an instant connection between them, but Tracker only does casual sex and nothing permanent. As Isabeau and Tracker work together both in and outside of the bedroom, they will discover a fierce love to fight for.

My Outlook
In Isabeau's Eyes we have a story where the author implements the "Fling" trope and yeah I wasn't sure how that one would fly in this one, but honestly, she really worked her magic for it because I ended up loving it so dearly. It was so endearing the way that these two connect with each other. You can tell that there is some great chemistry but also wonderful attention and care for each other. I really was charmed by the way that they are with each other and the ways in which the hero courts his girl without courting her haha. Tracker only does casual and its for a certain reason, but seeing the way that Isabeau tears down his walls was so delightful. She has a sweet nature but can be sassy when she needs to be. I really loved her character as she was so well balanced. I am on the fence in how the author implemented "the disability" aspect to the story. I think if I am being honest, if she had stayed blind. I wasn't a big fan of the disability being reversed. But I can also see why it worked for this story due to the certain developments of the plot. The villain in the story was a surprise though, I actually thought it was someone else like her brother (I know I know but his dialogue with his friend felt kinda sinister at times haha, and yeah I was off the mark and I need his book). I have to say that I am intrigued to see where the author is planning on taking this one. But curious to see how she plans on developing this series, I have a feeling we have just tipped the spear on what she will build in this series.

Overall View
In Isabeau's Eyes is a brilliantly penned romantic suspense that kept me on the edge with thrilling plot building, sexy sensuality and just enough humor to balance it out and deliver a stunning return from a epic author!

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

 Awaken Me Darkly is a book that was part of my romanceopoly pick and so I can't believe that I had to do this, but I had to DNF this book at 60%. I really went into this blindly and I do wish I had read reviews as I could have avoided this book altoghether. I really struggled with this one. The heroine is NOT my type of heroine. I am not sure where the author was going with this one here. Now first off, one of my red limits is heroine abusing men or the hero. And its definitely the case in this one. I just couldn't find this heroine resonating at all. I did love the hero though, so he is the reason I kept with this one for as long as I did. What I really struggled with was seeing the heroine so hateful towards any men in the story, even her partner. And she was so bipolar in certain scenarios that just didn't make sense to me. But this heroine was practically a sociopath in how she viewed men, and honestly she was such a example of a toxic feminists heroine. And quite frankly the hero deserves better than being with someone so abusive. Now having said this, does this mean I am going to give up on this series? Nope. I will give this series another try but I will research the best book to try it out with. 

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

Introduction
Still Beating is a book that has been on my watchlist for quite some time now. I have seen this book just become so popular all over the community and when this book became a group read for a dark romance book club I am a part of, I knew it was the kick that I needed to read this one here. I absolutely loved this one. It tore my heart to shreds and was so deeply riveting. This is a DARK romance, so please check all the trigger warnings, which I have below for you. I was so captivated by this story because it was so different than even I expected. I knew that this would be a dark romance. But we get so much more than the hero and heroine being kidnapped together, we see dealing with the recovery and healing moments and how difficult of a road that can be and what it can lead to.

Summary
When Cora is at a party and needs a ride home, she calls her future brother in law and her nemesis, Dean to come pick her up. Neither of them expecting to be pulled over by a cop, and then kidnapped and chained to the basement. Where both are forced to do unspeakable things and forced through a sexual assault, and they form a bond of connection over the weeks that they have been kidnapped and abused. Cora and Dean in the aftermath have to learn how to live life again and how challenging that can be. But if they embrace the bond that was formed, what will be the consequences of fighting for their love?

My Outlook
This story just had my heart all over the place! I absolutely adored this one here, and it's definitely worth ALL the hype and I just couldn't get enough of this one here and seeing how much this couples goes through to reach their HEA and YES they definitely have a HEA and the epilogue was perfection and worth seeing all the struggle that they have to face. I absolutely adored these two together. It starts out with them being very antagonistic together. They tend to pull pranks on each other and have a angst filled relationship. But I absolutely adored these two together and the connection that they form together. Because in the darkest of moments, the way that they pull each other out of it was so heartbreaking at times but just keeps the reader in the moment of it. But what is even more hard to witness for the story is the aftermath of healing and what trauma can do to a person like this. I really loved the way that they just "understand" each other and the way that this author wrote this one was just brilliant. I adored every single moment here. It was so endearing seeing this couple really learn how to heal on their own and together in their own unique way. It was a struggle to see them journey towards it but oh was it so satisfying. These two will always have my heart!!

Overall View
I found Still Beating to be an endearing, heart wrenching romance that delivered all the way! Its a story of trauma, of healing, and of love getting you through it all!

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