4.5 searing stars

It's been a while since I have been back in the world of Elite and the 5 families.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Phoenix after what we had seen of him in previous books.

But boy oh boy does Ms Van Dyken do the man justice. My heart ached for him as we got to learn more of the man inside.

And enter Bee, Tex the Cappo's sister. She brings a lightheartedness to Phoenix that you would never think you would see.

I loved the humour amonst the families and friends - yes, they are mafia but they are young and that shines through a lot.

Now straight onto Elude - oh Sergio what are we going to do with you/

ARC received for an honest review

It's been a while since I read a JEM story. And as soon as I started, I knew why I always enjoy them.

Eleanor and Becker's story made me want into their lives. I was drawn in to their world of art and antiquities, but more than anything, I was drawn into The Haven. I am willing, right this minute, to hop on a plane and Hunt (no pun intended) that place down!

I love the push/pull between our lovelies (even though at times Becker acted like a 5 year old who had his favourite toy taken away).

Just as I was really getting into their story and their relationship - BAM! There was something that I reallllly wasn't expecting. Then we were cliffied, gah!

I have an inkling of how things will turn out in the second installment, however I am looking forward to seeing how things play out.

But really, do I have to wait until November?

ARC received for an honest review

Firstly - I love the cover. I don't usually even bother with the covers, however I love this duos covers.

This was like the tale of two books. The fun and flirty road trip with Milo and Maddie, and I really, really liked this half of the book.

Then we got to part 2, when our lovelies were back at home. And this I didn't like so much. I knew Milo and Maddie would get together in the end, what I wasn't expecting and didn't go for was the love-triangle aspect. This could just be me though.

I pretty much hated everyone in the second half (except for Milo). Maddie's ex Brady is a piece of work - and not a good piece. I disliked him from the minute we find out what he did early on, and every time he was on the page in the second half, I wanted to throw my book at his head. He made me ropeable. I was talking to myself, telling him to just eff off.

I got so completely frustrated with Maddie in the second half. Her flip flopping between Milo and Brady again made me want to throw my reader across the room.

I wish we had more of the road trip and the long distance thing rather than the triangle thing. Just extend part one and leave the douchebag Brady out of it all together. But this could just be me.

Part 2 really messed with my liking of this story unfortunately. But don't let this stop you from reading. I love Vi and Penelope's books, this one is just an anomaly for me.

Copy received from author for an honest review

If you have read the previous Mudville books, you will know our leading lady Bethany already. And if you haven't, you are missing some sweet reads.

Honey Buns is my favourite in the series so far.

Bethany an Brandon's almost one night stand leads to a wonderful flirtation - when she isn't p!ssed at him hahah. He is so not what she expected, and it was great watching them fall for each other.

One thing though - don't read whilst you are hungry,as you will be craving cake!

I loved getting more of the peeps of Mudville, and particularly Harper and Red from the first two books - and their delicious men,

Now I need Boone's book -stat!

Now firstly, I will say that i am not a huge fan of rural romances, however I do like Rachael John's women's lit/contemp romance stories, and the blurb for Something To Talk About intrigued me.

Living in a small country town, for me it can sometimes be hard to get into the rural stories - they can either feel too like my town, or so unlike things that it takes me out of the story

The complete opposite happened for me with this book. I was hooked from the first time Tabitha met Fergus, and I was eagerly turning the pages. I just adore Tab, and I need to be her friend.

I completely understand Fergus being the new guy in town. I was subject to some of the same things when I first did the tree change, and understand his reactions to people and events. They made me laugh at times.

Tab is so strong and independent, however she also shows her vulnerabilities. I want to be her when I grow up.

There are plenty of wonderful secondary characters - if your heart isn't filled with Ned by the time you finish, well, I don't know what to think!

I didn't read Talk Of The Town, however this did not affect my reading and enjoyment of this installment, as we are given enough back story.

Thank you Harper Collins for a review copy

Wonderful conclusion to Pen and Mark's story.

I didn't have a clue on the whodunit, so that was a real surprise for me.

I adore this narrator, who had read some off my favourite m/m tales and brought them to life