I’m going to say now that this review has a kinda (very tiny) spoiler in it so if you don’t want to know anything more stop now :)

I’m usually curious about what others are saying about a book I’m reviewing (just to see what they liked, didn’t like or noticed that I didn’t). And I was super surprised at how many people didn’t like Griffin. To me he was a pretty typical guy’s guy – take charge, physical, testosterone fueled, that kinda thing :) But quite a few people flipped at how he reacts when he finds out that Chloe is a virgin. I’m not sure what it says about me but I’m not surprised or offended that a guy who isn’t thinking long-term commitment with a woman at that point would have a problem with being her first. He’s concerned that she’d have a more emotional connection to sex than maybe what their relationship is ready for and it isn’t a new idea that most women have trouble keeping their heart out of the bedroom without that. It doesn’t take him very long to get over it but I can definitely understand why he has a knee-jerk “oh-hell-no” reaction. I think this is just going to be something that each reader has to decide whether it works for them.

I found the two of them to be quite realistic in their actions and reactions. They aren’t perfect and both have hang-ups from horrible things that happened in their past. But it also gives them a special understanding of each other that helps create the basis of a great relationship. And, one of my favorite things, they have great communication – that’s the one thing that will drive me nuts, when the characters don’t talk to each other and therefore do stupid things. There is drama – over her virginity, his need to save everyone and her aversion to taking any kind of risk. While they may not have typical issues, they handle them without a whole lot of melodrama – any time I thought that something was going to come back and bite them, they actually worked through it in a way that was very believable.

My only complaint is that we don’t get enough of the relationship between the guys. The interactions that we do get are so entertaining and show the closeness that has developed between such different guys that I really wanted more … and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series for that alone. Plus, Barth does such a good job of giving us tidbits and little glimpses of the other guys that I really want to get to know them better. So I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on these guys – I’m seriously looking forward to them meeting their matches (especially Knox :) ).

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Let me start by saying this is definitely a sizzling read. Iain knows his way around a woman’s body and Austin makes sure you know it too so you need to be OK with that bedroom door being wide open, showcasing his every dominant moment. It’s hot and sexy but won’t be for everyone.

Outside of the bedroom, the story showcases the growth of Iain and Brynn – both individually and as a couple. Iain is ruthless and doesn’t really spend a lot of time thinking of others, having no issue using people to get what he needs. And that includes Brynn. But it doesn’t take long for her to get under his skin, making him change how he treats people. As for Brynn, she has issues saying no and domineering, arrogant Iain threatens her safe, comfortable world. But the more time she spends with him, the more of his take charge attitude rubs off on her and she starts to stand up for herself. I really like how these two help each other, changing and working their way closer to something in the middle for both of them.

Of course the biggest issue is the fact that Iain started their relationship to get to her brother-in-law and it wouldn’t be a romance if that didn’t get out at the wrong time, causing trouble. I don’t usually like romances that are based on lies but Austin does a good job of having all of it – the way it happens and the aftermath – fit with their personalities. It’s not pretty but it definitely works and I appreciate that while Iain put everything in motion he decided pretty early on to not go through with it but he didn’t know how to fix it. And once it all goes upside down, I have to appreciate his attempt to set it to rights and win Brynn back. It’s not for everyone – some aren’t going to like the way that Iain uses her (it is kinda old school romance, but that doesn’t stop it from being enjoyable) and others aren’t going to like the steamy sex scenes - but if you give it a go you are going to get a hot, enjoyable read with growth, heartache, and a fun HEA ending.

(This is the 3rd book in this series and while there were little things that I didn’t totally understand about Brynn’s siblings it didn’t impact anything – this one can definitely stand on its own)

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Though the ending seemed a tad rushed (I would have maybe seen a little more of a realization from her and a conversation between the two), overall I was very happy with this story. It is nice to see Sinclair come to terms with his past in Benevolence and look at the town with adult eyes, recognizing that the townsfolk did care about him & his brother. (Although, here was another place I would have liked a little more something because we get a little about Sinclair’s military history. His experiences are still impacting his life so I think there was the opportunity for that to be addressed more.)

I also really enjoyed seeing Addie grow and come to terms with her past (and her future) as well. (As I write this I keep thinking of things that I think need a little more explanation because I would have loved to see a little more resolution between Addie and her mother – although her sisters are due stories so there may be something there. We’ll see what happens :) )

I feel a little bad for pointing out things that I think the book needed because when I closed the cover at the end I really & truly liked the story and would very much recommend it. The characters are interesting and they experience a lot of growth, both individually and as a couple. The secondary characters are fantastic as well and I can’t wait to see more of their stories.

The writing is very smooth and I found myself turning pages very quickly to see what came next but there aren’t ever any pacing issues. And the deepening of Sinclair and Addie’s relationship feels natural and kept my interest. So everything considered, for me, that means the book is a winner and I’m looking forward to what McCoy brings us next!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

There are going to be people who do not like this book because they feel it follows too closely to the stories that it takes inspiration from – Pride & Prejudice, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Mean Girls. I’ve seen a lot of reviews that say it steals word for word from them (which I didn’t see that much of but I don't necessarily have them all memorized).

Buuuuuuuuut, there are also going to be people like me who really like some (or all) of those stories and love the idea of an author having a good time with the material. P&P and Bridget are two of my favorites stories (ones that I go back to time & again) and I found it fun to read someone else’s re-imagining of them.

So before picking it up decide if you are OK with a close retelling - you are going to see familiar things but in unfamiliar ways, so you have to take that into account :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

The blurb covers just a tiny bit of the story – the rest of it involves Greta & Grisham deciding if they want to be together, Grisham worrying over what he will do with the rest of his life now that he can’t be a SEAL (and what it means for their relationship), and a stalker that Greta somehow finds along the way.

I really like them as a couple because they have sparks and fun and sass that work well together. Greta’s issues with Grisham’s work feel realistic to me – from a logical perspective she spends a lot of her time waiting for him to screw up so that seems a little like she makes it happen, but in that situation she’s going to lead with her heart and so for me it is believable. I also appreciate how Grisham handles it and that seems true to me as well. I also like how he shows patience and understanding but doesn’t give up.

I do have a little concern about the business side of things (I’m not sure the way the cases are run is all that believable and if we are going to be told out about a case I’d like to know how things turn out ) but the stalker issue and the romance are well done. So overall, I am very satisfied and I’ll be keeping an eye out for others in this series.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

For some reason I didn’t really like the first book in this series, which meant that I skipped the next one but the couple I’ve read since have been fantastic. There isn’t a lot of drama involved in The Heat Is On – just a straight forward story about two old lovers who have to decide if they are willing to get involved. With the fact that Tracy has four kids there are a lot of extra hearts to break if things go bad so they have to take that into consideration. It is such a realistic issue for divorced people starting to date again and I think that Rose handles it very well.

Connor is sexy, strong and truly a good man. He’s settled, both professionally and as a man, and he’s entering a time in his life when baseball isn’t going to be his sole focus. Being back home again means that he has the opportunity to look up his first love – the one woman he hasn’t been able to forget – which is super sweet. While Tracy may be a little overwhelmed as a newly single mom with four little ones, she’s definitely smart enough to give someone like Connor (who is the super-sexy total package) a chance. But it definitely doesn’t mean that things are going to be smooth for them :)

We’re also treated to some fun in the locker room with the Sonics. I loved getting little glances at past couples but I think that Rose also does a great job of capturing the brotherhood amongst the players – their roles within the organization, not just on the field – which brings extra heart to all of her stories. But if this is your first read in this series, don’t worry because it can definitely stand on its own.

Sexy ball players and sweet romance are the things I’m starting to associate with Rose’s stories and I really hope that she continues to knock it out of the park :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I think I was expecting the baby part of this to be the big stumbling block for them but that doesn’t come up until must later in the book. The beginning is the back and forth for Hannah & her feelings for Derek. I can kinda see where she’s coming from because she’s known him since he was barely a teenager and she was in a motherly role with her brother at that point so that would have meant she saw Derek as the same. Now she’s coming out of a bad marriage with an immature guy so it’ll be hard for her to see Derek as mature, not a kid. But she’s definitely not giving him enough credit :) Derek has done a lot of growing up over the years but he never outgrew his crush on Hannah … and now he has the chance to act on it. He’s just got to convince her that he’s all man.

This is another of those stories where their issues are caused by their lack of communication – making assumptions, not talking and reacting with emotion. If they just got over themselves and talked it would have been a much shorter book (but where is the fun in that :) ). Hannah is very caught up in what she “should” be doing and how it will look to others that she forgets to ask herself what she wants to do. And because of Derek’s childhood he still has some issues with acceptance, regardless of how successful he’s been since he left town. I feel bad for him but that causes a lot of his issues with Hannah because he reacts with his heart instead of his head whenever he feels unwanted.

I know that for some people the communication issue is a no-go so I want to warn you now. I’m usually on the not-a-fan side when it comes to that kind of story but for me Kwan handles it really well. I never got overly frustrated or wanted to smack them and I always consider that a win :) It definitely isn’t everyone’s favorite storyline but her writing is so well done and that helps to make it work.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I love Sophie but I still get a little tired of his flip-flopping emotions – luckily Jacob has a lot more patience with her than I do :) Other than that though she’s great. I understand where she’s coming from, with her ex and her family, and it makes her issues believable. I love how saucy she is and how she’s willing to give Jacob heck but still be there for him when he needs it.

I’ve been anxious to get to Jacob’s story, mainly because he’s the unknown Kincaid (although Kenna gives him a run for his money there :) ). Shalvis does a good job of showing his conflicting emotions over his choices and how the past decade without his family, plus everything that he’s seen and done, has impacted him. I love watching him work his way back to a happy place with the rest of the siblings. And I adore his & Hud’s relationship with their mom. It’s both sweet and fun and I love them all together.

Once again Shalvis delivers a winner and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I was surprised at how drama free this one actually was. We spent the majority of the book getting to know the characters and their friends & family, plus a little of their history – the highlights of what made them the people they are today. And it was an extremely fast read for me, I think because of that. We were there with Claire and Logan as they met, worked to get him back in the NFL & prove her worth as a trainer, and watched them as they develop a relationship. We didn’t really get them falling in love, more the realization that they had. They had this instant attraction to each other & danced around that a little at the beginning, but once they gave in to it we jumped forward a few months, towards the end of their time in Oklahoma before Logan headed back for training camp.

Williams did a great job of giving us interesting secondary characters as well and I can’t wait for the next book because I’m hoping we get Gaige’s story. And more of the Knights because I will warn you that if you are looking for a sports romance you won’t really get it here. Most of the story could have been about any couple because other than Logan’s stress over getting back into the NFL very little time is spent around football. Not that I’m complaining because it’s a good story but some may be looking for that in particular.

Over all, I was surprised at how quickly I made my way through it. It shows on Amazon as almost 200 pages but it sure seemed shorter … and not in a bad way. I really enjoyed the characters – they are fun and interesting and entertaining, both the main and the secondary. The plot wasn’t full of drama, just some small town trouble here & there, and they both had a good head on their shoulders about their relationship so that wasn’t too angsty. I’m going to blame good writing for why it went by so fast while still managing to keep me interested and ending then with a very satisfied feeling :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

(Although characters appear in stories throughout the series, this book can stand on its own.)

If you read Win Me Over you know that Derek and Lindsey had a history and now you get to find out exactly how bad it was. I think my favorite part is that there aren’t any bad guys in this story – these people find themselves in an unfortunate situation and do the best they can. The worst that could be said is that Derek underestimates how truly harmful his actions were and the long term impacts they had. He expects some heartfelt words, maybe an explanation, will fix things but Lindsey’s scars run pretty deep.

I thought I would get tired of her attitude but it makes sense in the story – she realistically works through her old hurts and the feelings being with Derek again brings up. I do get a little frustrated at how Derek didn’t seem to understand how she would hold on to the hurt but I think that is typically male of him :)

Overall I am very pleased at how they handle their history, being together again and developing a new relationship. It is so sweet and super believable – I just love the idea of a second chance romance between the two.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)