3.5 stars

ARC received for an honest review

Gah, novellas are so hard for me to review! I am a huuuuge fan of m/m romance, so I jumped at the chance to read Hooked Up.

I loved the synopsis of this book, but it didn't quite do it for me.

Shay is nursing a broken heart after his lover moves for work. Jagger has moved back home to care for his ailing father. When their worlds collide - literally - things sure do take off.

I know that things move along a lot quicker in novellas, but I am not a fan of insta-love relationships, and this one went from insta-lust to I love you's in half a blink of an eye.

I did like how Shay and Jagger, both big alpha males fought within themselves about submitting to the other, but again, this was resolved in no time. I know, I know, there is only so much that can happen in 80 pages and everything need to move at warp speed, but this just moved at warp factor 10!!

Another thing - I get that both the boys are extremely well endowed, and that Shay has a "beer can d*&k" - but I did not need to be told this every time he got naked. I got it the first time.

I would have liked to have known more about Shay and Rex's relationship before they broke up, and would have loved to have got a bit of Jagger and his bounty hunter exploits (as he kind of puts them to use in part of this story).

I feel that if Hooked UP had been a full length book (or even just another 80 pages!!) I would have felt happier with it. There was just so much that happened off the page that things just seemed to jump to and fro.

But, this is just my opinion and you might absolutely love it. It just left me wanting.

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review 4.5 stars

I absolutely adore this whole series, and have always been interested in what made Xander tick. 'Cos let's face it, he was a bit of a dick a lot of Connected and Torn.

But now we get into his mind, and could understand a lot more about the man he is today.

Loved tge "reverse rock star" in this book - you know, this time she's the rock star and he isn't.

There was also a lot more background into Xander and River's childhood, and what tore Xander and Ivy apart in the first place. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to slap some sense into people, I wanted to hug them hard.

Most of all I loved that Ivy and Xander reconnected. But then, Ms Karr put my heart back together, only to rip it out again. I was all WHAAAAAAT?!?!?

Did my heart get put back together again, or is it still shattered? Nope, for that you will have to read for yourself.


Mended is full of emotion. Laughter, tears, anger, hope.


I couldn't stop reading Xander and Ivy's story. From the moment I picked it up I coudn't put it down, I had to know what happened with them. There were a few twists and turns and surprises.


I loved that we got more of Dahlia and River, Aerie and Jagger in this story. Just love how close this group of friends are. But now I need to know more about Ben and Belle, because I can't wait to see how this all turns out.

ARC received from author via Netgalley for an honest review

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Or does it???

When this book started with Gavin's mother sending a text message so say that she would not be able to attend his wedding (really? A text message?!?) I knew that this was not going to be the run of the mill, cookie-cutter romance.

Gavin is just days away from marrying Muireanne, the perfectly nice, perfectly stable woman to spend the rest of his life with.

Fiona is back in town to be in her cousin Muireanne's wedding. Muiranne and her mother are just bitches, really did not like them at all. And they are out to make Fiona's time in Ballybeg hell.

I really, really like Fiona. She was a breath of fresh air amongst the rich, snobbish family that surround Gavin and Muireanne. She's a combat boot wearing, outspoken whirlwind that comes back to town and stirs things up.

She has come for wedding before taking of on an adventure of a life time to Australia. But the best laid plans and all of that....

When she discovers something from back in her past, it affects more than just herself. Gavin is in this thing up to his neck, and in just a few days his whole world is thrown into turmoil. He loses pretty much everything with just one piece of paper.

OMG,for about the first 1/3 of the book, I so was not a fan of Gavin. I wanted to scream at him to bloody well grow a pair and stop being everyone's doormat - his fianc`, her family, everyone except for his best friend just walked all over him. I could have cheered when he finally stood up to people - go Gavin, go Gavin!!

There was plenty of "shenanigans" in this book - of the fun kind and some possibly illegal ones ` from the main characters, to their families, to the labradoodle dog, hideously named Wiggly Poo - I think he was acting out because of the name!!

I very much enjoyed Love and Shenanigans. I was drawn into the story and it kept my interest from the first to the last page. There was a couple of twists and turns that I was not expecting. I liked the writing style, loved the Irish-isms throughout. I laughed at some of the antics, I got upset right along with the characters.

If you are after a light hearted, fun read, why not give Love and Shenanigans a go.

Now, bring on the next book please Ms Keane!

4.5 sexy, sensual stars

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

Boy, where do we start with the Diamond Ring? It's been a while since The Golden Locket and our "darlings" Gustav and Serena, but I was drawn straight back into their sexy, voyuerist world.

Even though newly engaged, Gustav's past and his evil ex Margot (hissssss) are still haunting the couple.

OMG Margot. I really, really do despise her! There is not one redeeming quality about her AT ALL!! I swear I was sure she would pop up like like the wicked witch and call out "I'll get you my pretty.... and your little do too!" at some stage, and even feared for Gustav and Serena's dog - even though they didn't have one!!!

We also get a lot more of Pierre, Gustav's brother. Is he changed? Is he still out to destroy Gustav and Serena? He is a bit of an enigma. Every time you think "oh yeah, he's changed, he's a good guy now" something happens to make you still question him and his motives.

There was more than one occasion last night as I lazed on the lounge finishing this book that my body completely tensed up as I read. I wanted to throw my kindle across the room, I wanted to scream at the characters, I could have quite willingly hit one or two of them. In the face. With a brick! It has been a while since a book or characters have brought out such a reaction in me.

I loved how Ms Bond could make me feel like I was right in the scenes and cities she visited. I could practically feel the hustle and bustle of New York, hear the noise and smell the spices of the souk in Marrakech, see the lights of Paris. She also makes you feel you are right in the room with her while she is filming and photographing the sensual, sexy scenes and the chateau.

And though I am not a fan of the girl-on-girl action, it is so much part of Serena's being that the story would not have been hers with out it. I agree with Bianca's view above, that we need some man-on-man action with Gustav!!

So, do Serena and Gustav get their happy ever after, or will Margot succeed in finally tearing them apart? What's the deal with Pierre? Will Serena's friend Polly find the happiness she seeks?

Throughout the series, Ms Bond has taken us on a sensual journey from Serena's sexual awakening to where we are now (no, I am not going to tell you where they are at!), and I am going to miss Gustav and Serena

ARC received for an honest review

This is the 3rd novel in the Bayou Stix series, and I think it is the best so far!

Skye Turner has drawn me back into the loves and lives of the men of Bayou Stix, and this is Liam Christianson's book.

After a bad breakup, Liam's bandmate Dade has his sister move back home and into his house. Liam is currently living in Dade's house, and as kind of a built in "babysitter" for 23 year old Clove.

These two could not be more different if they tried. Liam is the consummate rock star. Never settling down, a parade of women in and out of his bed room. Clove is young and sweet and innocent, so not what Liam wants or needs.

Or is she??

I love the bickering, the snarky remarks, the fighting between Liam and Clove. There is a fine line between love and hate, and this pair are toeing that line. Even behind all the sniping at each other, you can feel that it is not at all malicious.

In fact, you could cut the unresolved sexual tension between the two with a knife!!

The sparks just fly between Liam and Clove. I could understand why Liam does not want to act on the attraction (hell, she is his friend's baby sister, who wants to ruin that friendship if things go sour between them) but I just wanted them to forget about everyone else, and do what is best for themselves.

So, do they act on the attraction, or will they forever be looking at each other across the room, pining away?

Nuh uh ~ for that you are going to have to read for yourself.

I loved that we got more of the other band mates and their family and friends. This is such a close knit group of friends that no story would be complete if they weren't sticking their nose in everyone else's business, givig their two cents worth, and being the wonderful support group for each other.

I think this series just keeps getting better and better, and with that little set up of Dade's story at the end of this one, I can't wait for book 4!!

Slammed has been sitting g on my kindle forever waiting g to be read.

Now I just have to say - why did I wait so long to read it?!?

Such emotion jumps off the page, Will and Layken had so much going on in their lives, such torment and sadness.

I loved how they expressed so much through their poetry.

I will definitely I will not be waiting too long to read Point of Retreat!

** I was gifted a copy of this book by the author for an honest review **

Firstly, I have loved Belle Aurora's work since I first read Friend Zoned, and have read everything she has released since. I always know that I am going to get something different with her work.

So wow, where to start with Night Fury: Act 1?

I knew from reading the blurb that this was not going to be any ordinary story, and it sure wasn't!!

Actually, for the first little bit I was a tad confused about what was what. Is Cat a nun in training? Or a ninja-like assassin? Seriously, who are these people?!?!?

But once I got sorted who was who and what was what, WTF and WOW!!!

It was fast paced, suspense filled, such an interesting different read.

The only thing wrong? It ended now I have to wait for act 2!!

Heat is a short read but packs a punch!

Be warned it contains f/f and group sex scenes so don't say you didn't expect it.

Novella length stories are hard for me to review. everything moves at warp speed to get it all in there, and we miss so much. I was glad that they didn't go from meeting to hot sex to I love you overnight and that Lacey and Cole did have to fight for their relationship, but still....

This was a sweet quick read. I find novellas hard to review without giving too much away

Keith is a hockey superstar who's life changes when he gets traded.

Kelly is the perfect girl for him. She doesn't buy into all the hype around the superstar.

These two are so good for each other. No matter what anyone else says or thinks about them, they only have eyes for each other, and all the outside pressures and opinions (especially of her) be damned.

I loved that they work through all the problems they face together, and even when people from their pasts try to tear them apart they stay strong.

Thank you Nikki for gifting a copy of this novella for an honest review