Stolen Touches is the fifth installment in the "Perfectly Imperfect" series. This continues on with this wonderful series, and we got hints of this one in the previous book, so I was definitely eager to pick this one up here. I will say that while Stolen Touches wasn't my favorite of the series, I definitely had a blast with these two and Neva Altaj definitely delivered a solid story with this one.

In Stolen Touches, we have our heroine, Milene, who is a nurse and working at a hospital in New York City. She is also part of the mafia family, but its not something she has ever wanted to be a part of. So she leaves her family and runs to New York and is hiding, not expecting the Don of La Cosa Nostra to find her, but when she draws his eye when she delivers a baby, he discovers who she is and finds himself fascinated by her and wants her and when he realizes who she is, he knows his perfect play to keep her in his life. Milene is then forced into an arranged marriage with Salvatore, and while its tense at first, Milene knows this is her life now and endeavors to embrace this new life with Sal, but she never expected to fall so hard for this dangerous man....

Stolen Touches is such a intense read and it does feature some disability rep here with the hero having sociopath tendencies, and we see in this story how its something he has always had since he was a child in certain ways. I really loved this dynamic in many ways. The interactions between Sal and Milene were so fun and I really had a blast seeing them work through their issues. There is quite a bit of alpha behavior, which I was all for on this one here. I also really enjoyed seeing how Milene learns to adapt to a different way of life than she originally planned on. I also love it when the heroine is protective of the hero, and love seeing how she reacts when he gets hurts, its pretty awesome.

I think the only issue that I had though was the heroine forcing the hero to have pets, I am not for this at all, it just rubbed me the wrong way to be honest. But I am also not a big pet person, so if I was forced to have pets, yeah I would struggle. So I didn't really enjoy that element of the story. But everything else just delivered for me!

Overall I found Stolen Touches to be a brilliant addition to a great series that I can't seem to get enough of!

 

 Hard Lovin' Man is the 1st book in the Contemporary Duo series by this author. I have had this one so long on my TBR. As I was looking through the backlist of Lorraine Heath, I realized that I haven't read this author's contemporaries. I have become highly intrigued by this one here. I will say that this one was a very typical older contemporary. Nothing significant on this one popped out to me, but it was still a definitely solid read and I am excited to read the companion novel to it! I do think Heath's best talent is in her historical context, but you definitely feel her voice within this story.

I found Hard Lovin' Man to be an endearing romance and if you love a good small town romance, then you definitely need to pick this one up. Now it definitely has a secret involved but thank goodness it wasn't abortion or secret baby or not secret baby that you would expect. I do think that Lorraine Heath took a unique take on this. I really enjoyed seeing these two come back together as they do. And I do like the kids aspects of this story as we have a mix of a young child with a teenager and the dynamic was pretty good.

I do think that this one just had the a typical conflict that you normally expect in these older contemporaries, but I was fine with it as Lorraine Heath always delivers. But I wouldn't say this is her best work either. But it was a great delivery and had a fun time with these characters. 

 Even If It Hurts is the 1st book in the Coastal Elite series. This is a book where we see the beginning of the latest series by this author. I recently read Undertow and wanted to read the first book. I have been hearing all the best things about this one and I was curious to see how this one would compare with the elite "Untouchable", and while I definitely enjoyed this one and delivered a powerhouse of a bully romance, its nowhere close to how good Untouchable is for me. But having said that, Even If It Hurts was a phenomenal read and wow this one was definitely intense, dramatic and dark. If you only read contemporary romance, I do NOT recommend this book as it does contain dark themes with a anti hero who is a psychopath---literally haha

Even If It Hurts is a story that begins with our heroine, Aubrey, who is working hard by staying good in High school and taking care of her mother who has cancer. But with one altercation with one of the mean girls of the school, she is brought into the sphere of Dare who is the king of the school but also pulls no punches. At first there is a dare with Dare and his girlfriend to play a trick on Aubrey. But it becomes apparent that there is definitely more going on for Dare than meets the eye. And one has to wonder if he will protect Aubrey and betray her in the end...

So Even If It Hurts was completely different from "Untouchable" and even though there are some similarities, they are completely different. I did find that Dare to be much more of a sociopath than Carter Mahoney. Carter is just different in some ways and doesn't quite get as unhinged as Dare can get. So its definitely an experience to get Dare's perspective. And to be honest, in the first half, I wasn't seeing it haha but yeah once you get into the later half of the story, his character really shines through and you definitely see the sociopath that Dare is. I actually loved the heroine to be honest, I know she isn't everyone's favorite, but honestly, she really just worked for me so well on this one. I really was intrigued by her character and her reactions to Dare. The writing in this one is just as addictive as what you see in Untouchable, so I do think fans of Untouchable will be easily won over by this one here. But this one is so DIFFERENT from Untouchable, so keep that in mind. As I feel like people will go into this expecting an Untouchable type of story. It definitely has depths to the story that is typical of Sam Mariano, but at the same time, its going to deliver a story that is completely different than anything that you have read previously.

Overall I found myself hooked in line and sinker into Even If It Hurts, and this author really magnified the greatness of the complexity of their abilities in this one. It delivers on the dark, on the edgy feels and on the heart! If you are a fan of dark bully romance, then this one needs to be on your checklist! 

 The Red Lily is the second installment in the "Vampire Blood" series and this is a continuation of the world building that we received within book one. I became so intrigued by the first book, although I did feel like book one was super rushed, whereas with "The Red Lily" it actually felt like a much more smoother pace in comparison. I am not sure if it was just due to the fact that this is the companion novel moving forward with the series, whereas there was quite a bit happening in the first book and it could be overwhelming but I definitely enjoyed this one so much more.

The characters that we are introduced to within "The Red Lily" are so relatable and solid. I guarantee that these characters will charm you so easily. The hero is what I would term an alphamellow or alpha cinnamon roll. I love how committed he is to the heroine and to his cause. But also very protective and a badass when he is fighting as well. He is so encouraging of the heroine and just uplifts her in the best of ways while also instilling his need to see her protected. There is something so valuable in how Juliette Cross writes her characters, they come off the pages as being compelling in ways that makes you want to know them on a deeper level.

The plot of the story was fascinating. I was so intrigued by the world building and how much more we get in this installment. You also will be on the edge of your seat with this story, especially in the later half. Whew, some of these scenes are wild and intense. So fair warning, that there is some crazy moments, and if you want to know the crazy moment with the heroine (just leave a comment and I will tell you, as I don't want to spoil it for you for those who haven't had a chance to pick this one up yet. I am honestly so excited to see what retelling will we get next.

As far as the retelling themes in this one, I absolutely adored the Red Riding Hood connections to the retelling. This is a retelling that just isn't done very often and I just adored it so much. What we get with this one is seeing the way in which the hero has a aura of mystery and broodiness to his character. but we also get the relationship with the heroine and her wolves and she does have a grandmother. So lots of fun unique hints that relate directly with the fairytale.

Overall I was fascinated with The Red Lily and I can't wait to see what the next installment will bring to the series! 

 First Impressions
Harmony of Lies is the second installment in the “Alice & Owen” series by the newest author ‘Brian Feehan’, who made his debut last year with “Harmony of Fire”. In “Harmony of Lies” this is where we get the continuation of the journey of Owen and Alice. I was so blown away by the first book, so I was super stoked to be able to pick up “Harmony of Lies”, I was so eager to return to this brilliantly captured world of fantasy and music toned feeling to it. I would highly recommend that you need to read these books in order, if you don’t, you will feel a bit lost as this book picks up just a couple weeks following “Harmony of Fire”. Now this one was such a solid installment and I loved getting back to Owen and Alice and while there was a bit less focus on their relationship as they each have to do their own journey for a portion of the story, you really see their relationship grow in ways that I didn’t honestly expect considering how much time they are actually on the page together. We get the continuation of the world building and its highly impacting and was just as impressed as I was with the first book “Harmony of Fire”

Summary
Alice and Owen are learning what it means to be a true team. Owen is feeling antsy and its been building within him for weeks, and he knows that soon he and his troupe will need to move on and their next spot to head to will need to be San Francisco. But his heart is torn because he loves Alice and he knows that he will have to fight for her to have her be willing to choose him. But Alice needs to settle things with her own family and find out her own purpose. Owen and his group of musicians head to San Francisco, hoping that this will be a quick and easy trip, but what they find is not going to be so simple. There are deaths of musicians, and there are magic and secrets happening with a piano, and intrigue and mystery surrounding the intentions of politicians. Owen will have to determine whom he can trust as some are friends and enemies alike. But for him and his people to survive, he will need everything he has at his disposal including the woman who is his true partner and strength because this will be his greatest test ever…

What I Loved
“Harmony of Lies” was such a brilliant story and my heart became so woven in with Owen, Alice and their group of musicians. I was completely humbled to be able to pick up this author’s work again, and I can tell you, if you love paranormal/UF sub genres in romance, then Brian Feehan is an author that you need to pay attention to, because I have a feeling he is going to deliver some brilliant work. In Harmony of Lies I was so endeared by the characters once again. We do see that Owen and Alice have to follow their own paths for a short time. For Alice, she has just been reunited with her family and she needs that quality time with them but also to reveal her past to them but also for Alice she will also discover what is needed to help Owen at his time of need. Then on the other end of the story, we have Owen’s journey. Where he will take his group and he will have to face the greatest danger he has ever had to face. We also get introduced to some new characters and getting a deeper perspective on Owen’s past and his character. There is something so intriguing about Owen, he has such a commanding presence. He is the alpha of the group, the leader, but also works with his musicians as a team. He does get lost in some ways in how he handles some delicate situations, but his devotion to them is so endearing at times. The romance between Owen and Alice is definitely present but its definitely lower than what we got in the first book as they are separated for atleast half of the story. So be prepared for that, but what you see is essential for their relationship. The moments that we do see them together was so powerful and filled with intention! The way that these two are willing to fight for each other works its way to the heart. The spice of the story is so well done, so romance readers who need their steam, this author handles it just perfectly!

What I Struggled With
The only thing that I struggled with is not seeing more couple page time as I was expecting. Its the only reason the rating isn’t higher for me. But I am hoping book 3 will really deliver more couple page time and seeing more growth and depths to their relationship! Everything else in the story was perfection!

Overall View
Harmony of Lies is a continuation of Owen and Alice, a couple that find their own paths which are filled with historic mystery, legends and myths, a edgy packed plot to battle the trials of battle ahead! It’s a story guaranteed to keep your thrilled from head to toe and deliver in brilliant emotion, bright imagery and impactful storytelling! 

 Only You is the finale in the "Adair Family" series and it was so bittersweet to go on the journey with this one but boy I couldn't put this one down. I just loved it so much. It was so interesting to see how Samantha Young would handle this story and it was quite different in how it played out then I expected, but this author definitely knows how to write her angst. I really enjoyed the style in which we get our final brother's book.

In Only You, we have a story about Brodan our hero, and Monroe, our heroine of the story. In this book we have Brodan and Monroe who were childhood best friends, and they did fall in love with each other but when misunderstandings occur, they have to find a way with each other again. But there are many misunderstandings between them on what kept them apart. In the first 1/3 of the story, we do experience some flashbooks in the story, but then we are constantly in the present line of their story where they work on rebuilding their relationship. Its not easy for either Brodan or Monroe, as they need to rebuild bridges of trust and openness and that does take time.

In Only You, this story just so quickly captivated my heart. I had so much fun with this one here. It was so interesting seeing how these two reconnected. It does get really angsty for the first half of the story, Brodan is angry and depressed, and takes it out on Monroe for a while and its really hard to see especially with how vulnerable she is. But then we have lots of groveling in the second half of the story so he does make up for it. What I really loved about the way this author writes groveling is how SINCERE they are. Its where whether the hero or the heroine hurts the other, and they take the time and take action to prove themselves. I also respect that she doesn't do the big stuff, just soft quiet moments of firm action to prove that they are changed and striving to be better. Its so relatable to real life and I just love how she makes this aspect just come alive!

If you are a fan of the family times, then this series is most definitely for you. I just love the way the family dynamics is written and as a plus we have a family epilogue which was super great! I really appreciated how the author really brought the series to a close, but gave us this beautiful teaser for the start of her new series and I am so excited for it and I need this book...NOW!!!

Overall I found Only You to be a captivating, stunning romance that really swept me away into the wild lands of Scotland and delivered on prime emotion, stunning sensuality and such a picturesque atmosphere to have you falling in love! 

 Gladiator is the first book in the "Galactic Gladiators" series, and I have to say that I absolutely ADORED this book so much. I originally fell in love with this author with her "Galactic Kings". The Galactic Gladiators are connected to her Galactic Kings. Now you don't need to read either first. They are only loosely connected. We saw some of the characters from this series in the Galactic Kings which intrigued me the most about these books. I was completely hooked into this one and I couldn't put this one down. It was such an entertaining read and I tend to be picky about kick ass heroines, but not with Anna Hackett, she just writes them so relatable and vulnerable in the best ways.

I think what impressed me the most is that the heroine very quickly accepts her life and losing what she had. She is a bit stubborn in the beginning and is a bit stupid at times but this happens in the very beginning, she soon realizes the reality of her situation. But once she comes to this realization, this is where she really became relatable and starts to embrace the type of life that she can have with the hero. I adored how protective he is of her. Because he appreciates her abilities and what she can do and knows she needs to stand on her own, but is by her side when she needs help. And I LOVE that. Seeing a couple work as a team was just perfection. I was so easily swept up in this world and I can't wait to explore more of it. 

 The Accidental Countess is the finale in the "Aristocrat Diaries" and I have had such a blast with these books. They are so wonderfully written and highly entertaining. I do recommend to read this series and really this author in audio. She always portrays the best romantic comedies and I just ADORE these type of covers, I would love for the genre to get back to this style as they are so much better than those a line faceless cartoons lol

What we have in The Accidental Countess is a charming marriage of convenience. I absolutely adore this trope in a contemporary romance and its so delightful to see here. Emma Hart really handled this trope so well. I can be picky about this one here, and it was so well done. I really found it interesting to see how it was set up and that the heroine was so on board with having a baby but yet was fighting her birth control all the time, it was a bit confusing at times. Because she agreed to have a baby with the hero, but yet when his grandmother enforces the idea of her having a baby, she is like well I am on birth control, I won't be pregnant haha

But overall I found this story to be endearing, hilarious and wild fun as only this author can deliver! 

 

Every Scandalous Secret was such an interersting read and I think I had higher hopes going into this one. I also think I just wasn't in the best of moods to read this one so I do think this was a "me" issue in some respects. I did find the set up to be so fascinating. I loved the whole set up of the hero on a bet with his friends thinking the heroine is the model of an infamous nude painting. It definitely screams secrets and scandals. I found the chemistry and bantering to be so intriguing and I became so intrigued by their interactions. There is a bit of marriage of convenience when they get caught in a scandalous embrace. Its been a while since I have read this set up in a historical, authors tend to not write this like they used to and I really loved seeing it. I do want to read the last of the trilogy though as I was charmed by this book even though it felt like a super slow read!

 

 Buns was such a fun installment and what a great finale to this trilogy. I was a bit nervous about this one as the second book was a bit slow for me. So that is why I did this one in audiobook but I have to say this book was FANTASTIC in audio. I just loved being able to listen to this one. It was so delightful and the narration was just right on this one here. There was something so unique about this story that just drew me in and is my favorite of the trilogy. Just with the combination of opposites attract, the sassy sexual tension, witty bantering and the charming small New York town that just drew me in right away.

Buns is a story that features two stubborn creatures that are behind it. The heroine is a workaholic. She works on saving hotels. She comes to Hudson Valley to save Bryan Mountain House. The head and owner of the hotel, is stubborn and fighting her every step of the way but Clara is determined to save the hotel and make sure that Archie sees reason. But these two clash in the worst of ways and their love affair ends up fierce and passionate....

There was something PURE FUN about this book. I just couldn't get enough of these two and the way in which they go back and forth with each other. You just feel the drawn tight tension that builds so wonderfully between them. From one moment they are arguing and then the next moment they are kissing each other like they need each other to breathe. Its super intense but also hilarious. I just loved the way that these two end up arguing and working together.

Overall I found Buns to be a delightful installment that had me falling so quickly in love with these characters and their intense romance!