ARC received from Simon & Schuster Australia for an honest review

I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading How Not To Fall In Love, Actually, but I was pleasantly surprised by what was inside.

This book is not so much a "how not to" story, but more of a "how to" book. How to stand up for yourself. How to believe in yourself. How to take those leaps and not rely on other people.

Emma's story is sweet, funny and quirky. I laughed, I cried, I screamed at the book as Emma takes us on one adventure (or should that be misadventure) after another. No matter what happens though, she falls on her feet.

She is surrounded by equally quirky and (mostly) lovable characters who really are a big part of who she is and who she is becoming. Not going to lie, for most of the story I thought that Emma's boyfriend was a bit of a d!ick (big part dick, small part lovable loser).

It did take me a little while to get into the story, but once things ramped up, I couldn't put it down. I was late to a party yesterday, as I needed to finish reading!

How Not To Fall In Love, Actually is Ms Bennetto's debut novel, and whilst it is quite predictable, it is a light and fun read. I am looking forward to seeing what she brings us next.

ARC received for an honest review

It has been a while since I have read a Katie Ashley book (the past couple have been a bit of a miss for me, so I stepped away for a little while)

But she is back to her best with Running Mate.

Running Mate is a light hearted, flirty and sexy story of family doing what they must, especially when it comes to one of them running for President.

Addison and Barrett enter into a fake relationship, but as campaigns progress, so does their relationship, and it is not long before everything fake starts to fell like something more.

I LOVE the bite and snark between our lovelies. Barrett is such an egotistical jackass most of the time, and there were times where, just like our lucky lady Addison, I couldn't help roll my eyes, but with a smile on my face. There is nothing hidden, nothing false about the persona we see. He is what he is. He is cocky and arrogant, but he is also so much more.

Addison is the bomb.com. She is what a woman like me thrives to be. She is smart, funny, articulate and making it (albeit not so well at times) on her own. And with her "Bear" Barrett, you can't help but fall under their spell.

I was also happy to see a cameo of some characters from Ms Ashley's earlier Runaway Train series (albeit a very short cameo!)

There were some great secondary characters that I would love to see more of in the future *cough cough Ty cough cough*.

Now I can't wait to see what Ms Ashley brings us next.

ARC received from publisher for an honest review

The Harmony Harbor series and this author are quickly becoming a bit of a must read for me.

Add in the beautiful second chance romance of Starlight Bridge and I was a goner.

We met Ava in the first book Mistletoe Cottage, but you don't really need to read it before Starlight Bridge (though why would you want to miss any of the goodness?)

Family tensions, business dramas, ghostly interventions - none of this can stop our Ava and Griffin from falling in love - again.

I love the banter and snark between the characters. Not going to lie though, for a while I didn't think there was a snowflakes chance of Ms Mason pulling it all together, everyone with their HEA. But she did it, and did it well.

I have quickly become enamoured with the ladies and gents of Harmony Harbor and can't wait to see what adventures Ms Mason takes us on next.

 

*Cue Whitney Houston singing "I Will Always Love You" as this MMA-fighter-slash-bodyguards meets Hollywood royalty in this 3rd installment of The Bodyguard Series.

Though this is the 3rd in the Bodyguard series, each can be read as stand alones, and there is enough back information that you won't get lost if you jump in now.

Alexa and Zack's story is a fast paced and adrenaline packed one. The Hollywood mob, MMA fighters, twists and intrigues. So much happening all the time.

I loved the pull between our lovelies, you can't help but want them to get together, stuff the consequences.

One thing though - the "you're so sweet" comment from Zack to Alexa every 5 minutes was a bit much. We got it. Despite everything she is going through and her upbringing, she was sweet - but this might just irk me.

Zack is a great hero. Yes he is protective, but I liked that he wasn't too OTT with is. Sometimes those alpha tendancies can be a too much, but I didn't feel that with him.

Alexa I found it a little harder to connect with. Can't quite put my finger on what it was, so is it probably just a me thing.

I have really been enjoying this series, and now I need more (Ian's story need to be told, right away!)

ARC received for an honest review

This is the second book in the Darling, VT series and it can be read as a standalone, but do you really want to miss out on all the goodness from book 1?

I adored Willow from the first book, she was just one of those characters that I could help but want to be friends with. She is a bit of a free spirit, but there is something beneath all that new age stuff.

Ethan... well, for most of the book he really isn't that likable. He is not just gruff, he is rude and nasty and just not a nice guy. Yes I understand he is going through a lot, but ugh the way he treated people wasn't always nicest - and I know I would have run the other way!

But as the story progressed and both Willow and and Ethan opened themselves up to love, he did become a lot more tolerable and even lovable.

The little scene stealers in this book though are Ethan's two boys. Oh my heart!

I loved the snark between our lovelies, and can't get enough of the banter between Ethan's family and Willow and her friends. The small town feel of the story is a winner for me too(I live in a small town so i sure can relate to it).

Whilst I didn't get as swept away in Willow and Ethan's story as I did the first book, it doesn't mean that I didn't like it!

I loved that we got more of Ethan's brother Rory, and is a great lead up to the 3rd book in the Darling, VT series.

Bring it on!

ARC received for an honest review

Who's up for a little fun in the sun? Because that is what you will get with Below Deck.

Below Deck is a sweet, sexy, funny vacation fling - but it is also so much more.

Whilst yes it is all insta - that's to be expected on a 10 day yacht trip - but it didn't feel all rushed. Declan and Mackenzie's relationship is kind of Darcy/Elizabethish - except he is the prejudiced one and she is too proud to ask for help.

The lingering looks, the lustful thoughts - fanning myself - oh my it is hot hot hot. But there is so much more to them both, and at times I got quite emotional whilst reading. The bite and the snark between our lovelies drew me right in.

The push/pull between the pair ramped things right up too! At times I wanted to slap some sense in to on or the other of them, but I knew that they would - hopefully - finally figure their crap out.

I read this book in one day, as once I got into it, I couldn't stop. It is not the laugh out loud hilarity that we have come to expect from Ms Sivec, this time it was more.

Can't wait to see what she brings us next.

 

ARC received for an honest review

The Deep End and The Honey series is a big departure from Kristen Ashley's sexy overprotective alpha that we have come to know and love, but hey, it is a Kristen Ashley book!

The Deep End delves into the world of BDSM, but with a twist to what we usually find - here we have a Domme, Amelie, and her alpha-sub Olivier.

I am not going to lie, I did struggle with the first half of the book. I felt that it dragged, that our lovelies were in rinse-wash-repeat mode. But the second half of the book felt a lot better.

I adored Olivier (Olly) and his struggles to come to terms with what he wants, what he needs in his life. I loved his alpha coming through, even though he isn't "topping from the bottom". I need a man like that in my life I think!

Amelie (Leigh) though, I just couldn't connect with her. Not sure what it was about her, but I couldn't warm up to her as much as I could other characters.

Ms Ashley always paints a very detailed picture for us - but maybe to me this was a little bit too wordy? But that could just me my little quirk.

Like I said, this is so completely different from anything else Ms Ashley has given us to date. But you will need to put your preconceived notions of "what is a Kristen Ashley book" aside and jump into The Deep End feet first.

Now I need the next in this series.

Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review

We are back in the dark, twisted world of the Scarred Souls series, with more of 152, Inessa, and we are introduced to 901. This book carries on right where the 3rd book ended.

What a raw, heartbreaking, gritty story of forbidden love amongst the bloodshed that is this series.

I could feel the fear, the pain, the emotion leap off the page and crush around my heart like a vice. From the first word to the last, I was on an emotional rollercoaster as our slaves fought for each other, fought against the Master (who is just pure evil), fought for freedom.

I loved that we got the guys and their gals from the first 3 books. None of their stories has been easy, but Riot turned things up a few notches.

Ms Cole has quickly become a favourite author for my darker reads, and can't wait to see what she brings us next.

ARC received for an honest review

This is my first read by Ms Vale, but I am sure going to be reading more.

I love a good MMA fighter book and Fighting For Her is no exception.

There were a couple of things I really loved about this book.

Firstly, our leading lady Emory is 38. It should be surprising to us readers to have an older characters, but it seems to be so few and far between lately that it was a big tick for me.

Secondly, even though Gray is a champion MMA fighter, he is not all perfectly sculpted abs and a face that launches a thousand ships. He bears the scars from his years fighting with pride. He knows he is not perfect, and that just makes him all the more adorable.

From that instant spark of lust and attraction to more, Emory and Gray were just perfect for each other, and made for a sweet, sexy, quick read with a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure.

I really did enjoy this book, and I can't wait for the next in the series.

ARC received for an honest review

It is always a bittersweet feeling when you read the last book in a series that you have come to adore. Over the past few years I have come to think of the Fighting For Love characters as family.

It was great to get snippets of the characters from the previous 3 books, but this book centres around Xander James and his sweet, sweet Sophie.

A sham marriage and true feelings - well this can end one of two ways.

The attraction and spark between our lovelies if off the charts - can we say UST vibes from across the room. I love the banter and snark between them as embark on this adventure.

Xander... le sigh. It's not just the fact that he is a hot AF fighter, it is his sweetness, his devotion to Sophie, just the man that he is. Well, once we get past his whorish ways that is!

I love that Sophie is tough as nails and doesn't like taking help from anyone - but does when she really needs to.

So many feelings in this book, but nothing too OTT. Full of romance and fun and sexiness.

Now to wait for what Ms Maxwell brings us next.