ARC received from authors for an honest review

Kieran, Sebastian is just too Bashalicious to stay away from, right?

Carrying on right where Dare You finished, my heart was hurting for both Kieran and Bash as I opened up my Kindle. Bash's hurt and confusion about what he saw with the badbe bunny, Kieran's hurt that Bash had left him - oh my heart.

But I knew that these two would find their way back to each other.

I loved that we spent more time in South Haven, I loved that we got more of Bash's life and friends.

I am glad that we didn't have to wait to long before our guys got their sh!t together, as they neeeeed to be together.

We still have questions that need to be answered, and I am glad we don't have too long to wait before we find out.


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Alpha CEO - should be called Arsehole CEO.

I know I am going to be in the minority here, but this book and I did not gel patricularly well at all.

I am all for an alphahole in my stories, but they have to have something redeeming, and that is something that Julian really didn't have for me.

He was a dick the first time we meet him, and a dick to the last page.

He was a bully and I kept on waiting for him to change, to lose the hardness and show some kindness, and when he starts to show a little, his a-holeyness comes right back.

I kept wanting Autumn to figuratively - and literally -knee him in the balls, but she kept falling for it all and I kept rolling my eyes at her.

There was one character that I couldn't fault, but you will have to wait and read to find out who that one might be.

I won't lie, I disliked Julian so much that I nearly gave up on this book on more than one occasion, but I haven't DNF's a M.Rob book yet and I didn't want to with this one.

There were some great things within this story, but for me they were overshadowed by my intense dislike for our main man, and that was something I just couldn't overcome.

These things probably won't bother other readers, however they really did me. I spent half my time reading it complaining to a friend how horrible he was, so that probably wasn't a good sign lol

I am sure many many others will really enjoy it and fall in love with Julian, but this one really wasn't for me


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ARC received for an honest review

ARC received for an honest review

Yaaaaass b*tches! We're back in the True North-verse, and I can't get enough!

Grace + Darren + kiddo + puppers = happy Janeane!

Starlight is full of heartwarming, sweet and sexy moments.
And there are some heartbreaking and anger-inducing moments

I love a single dad story, and Kolton will break and steal your heart all in one go.

I loved the connections between them all from the moment we meet each and every one of them.

But don't get me started on exes and oh-nos that had me wanting to throw my kindle across the room.

Another wonderful addition to the Speakeasy Taproom series - I wish this series would go on forever.


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ARC received from Harper Collins for an honest review

What a delight is The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer.

When I looked at the cover I thought it was going to be quite a light and humourous tale of grannies on the run.

And whilst yes, we did get that, we got so much more.

This story deals with abusive relationships, strained family dynamics, and those who come together to save those they love.

Shirley and Beth are so completely different, and even with the years of dislike and discontent with each other, they really were the perfect partners for this Thelma and Louise-esque adventure.

Add in a beautiful 4 year old girl and a great grandmother that reminded me of Yetta from The Nanny, this is one road trip that you won't quickly forget.

I did feel that there were a couple of POVs that we really didn't need, though this could just be a me thing.

Ms Evans has given a beautifully written story, with wonderfully nuanced relationships, and a different take on what we would call motherly love.

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is my first Ilsa Evans read, however I will definitely read more in the future.


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ARC received for an honest review

I am headed back to the Speakeasy Taproom, want to come and people watch and have a cider with me?

Yes - the only correct answer is yes.

Randall and Lily's story is full of lustful looks and beautiful friendships between two people who have been broken by their pasts.

They really don't make much sense together, but that is why they make so much sense together, if you know what I mean. The artist and the Marine are just perfect for each other.

Speaking of the artist, I want a piece of her artwork, desperately!

I loved how they work together, bringing out the best (and the worst in each other). Even when they hurt each other, they like each other.

Adored the whole thing in this visit to the Speakeasy.
And want more. I know the series is coming to an end, but I am hopeful that we can keep coming back in the future.


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ARC received from Hachette Australia for an honest review

The Bad Mother's Book Club is my first Keris Stainton, and it won't be my last.

This book is kind of like Big Little Lies meets Bad Moms at the school pick up line.

Whilst there some book clubbing involved, it is more about he mothers, their lives and how things are not necessarily greener on the other side.

I completely adored some of the characters, some I just detested, and then there were those in the middle whom I wasn't sure, and could have fallen either way. I liked that we got them all in one novel, as we do in real life.

I liked being taken on the journey of Emma, Jools and Maggie (along with some other secondary characters) as they face the trials and tribulations of life, love, friendship.

Oh, and I neeeeed to be part of this book club.

I laughed, I got angry, I got frustrated, but mostly I smiled.

This is a fun, quick read that I look forward to going back to read again in the future.

ARC received for an honest review

It's time for another round at Jameson Force Security.

And Code Name: Tiara surprised me. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, the Princess and the SEAL. Please, don't let it be another spoilt brat story.

Of course, I should not have been worried, as Princess Camille was nothing at all like that. She is sweet, and kind and just lovely.

And everything Jackson doesn't need, but can't help but want.

For a story with a SEAL, all this security and all these threats, there was very very little of that in the story. Very tame in comparison to what it could have been. Even though I was expecting all that, I wasn't too disappointed that we didn't get that, if you get my drift.

Like all of Ms Bennett's series, my feeling is that this one is about the end of its course, and would not be disappointed if this was the end, as I enjoyed this installment a lot.



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ARC received for an honest review

Gah, I just loved everything about Matteo and Melanie's story.

Add in a precocious and precious little girl who will steal your heart, and what else is there to say?

I have liked Matteo from the minute I left him - I mean, can we say DILF hahaha! And his story was everything and more I could have wanted,

I adored that Melanie was doing what she needed to do to move on from what happened. The return of someone into the story was pretty uneventful when it could have been all kinds of drama. But yay for not going that route, I get a bit sick of drama for drama's sake in my stories.

Melanie + Matteo + Lauren = adorable instant family.

I love the extended Speakeasy family, and now I want to head to Vermont to meet them all.



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ARC received for an honest review

It has been a couple of years since I have delved into KA's world - work, life, study, so many books, all have gotten into the way,

However the chance to dive in at the start of a new series was an opportunity I couldn't give up.

Now, I know that Ms Ashley's writing is not for everyone. I like it (even if sometimes it is overly verbous and descriptive, and could be chopped down a little bit).

I did find the first of the story did drag, and I didn't really like anyone other than our main man Judge. It took me till after 50% to warm up to Chloe. Not sure what it was about her, but nope, wasn't a fan. I think it was that she was just a doormat to all her family and didn't stand up for herself, at the same time as flip flopping when it came to Judge.

However, after about 55%, she grew a backbone and that's when the story really started for me.

The second half of the book was much, much better for me. There were so many little stories along the way that finally came together for us.

And I am glad I finally got to like most of the other characters - though some I am still meh about,

I liked the set up for the next book, so I will be onto that when it comes out.


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Perfect.

Everything about this story was something I loved, from Mr Beige to Malachi's word vomit