I feel like this one needs a little bit of a warning. As I moved through it, I felt like I’d missed out a little by not reading a lot of Piper Rayne books. Not so much from missing the first in the Lake Starlight series but The Baileys series. This is a HUGE family and there is a lot that has happened to get to the point where this generation is finding their own HEA. It’s not required reading but I will say I felt a little confused by some of the references to how the misc parents got together. If that’s going to bother you, I’d suggest adding a few books to your TBR pile :)

Having said that, I did enjoy getting to know Van and Brinley. Brin has been a little stuck since her husband died four years ago. It doesn’t help that she lives in a small town so it’s hard to escape the label of “widow”. She’s not really put herself out there, but she’s definitely not been pushed. Until Van.

Van isn’t the bad boy that the title implies – he’s caring, brave, and dedicated to his job. He’s patient when Brin needs it but he’s there to help her to be more daring, to be more herself and not who she thinks she should be. His support and encouragement of her is pretty awesome.

But while I liked the two of them, there was something just a bit missing for me from what I expect in a Piper Rayne story. The characters are interesting, their romance works, and I love all the assorted side characters … I don’t know. It’s a darn good story, it’s just not spectacular and that’s the norm when I pick up one of their stories. Others seemed to have loved it so maybe it was just me … regardless, it’s definitely worth a read no matter what.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I love the way that these two get together. It is absolutely a wonderfully meet-cute and Lana is an absolute doll for how she handles some of the things that come afterward. I’m not sure I could be as forgiving as she is once she finds out who he really is and that he keeps it a secret for a while. I understand why but … and when he has that REALLY big idiot moment … yeah, she’s a doll.

Isley knows how to craft an entertaining story full of characters that readers can get behind. Lana may be clueless about all things Hollywood but she’s pretty good at Christian. It’s a bit of a struggle, coming from two different worlds, but eventually (of course) they figure things out.

Christian also (besides those idiot moments) has moments when he proves just how out of touch with the regular world he is. But I appreciate that he likes Lana enough to try and he’s got a great support system that likes the real guy, not just what he can do for them. Although I think they could have maybe tried a little harder to keep him from being SUPER idiotic 🙂

There’s drama – how can there not be in a world like his – but it’s not too far out there and Isley does a good job of bringing it back to center when it’s time. Fun, funny, and with characters hard not to like, Isley once again delivers an addictive page turner.

(Part of a series but can stand on its own very, very easily. A few short cameos, and maybe a bit of a feel of Christian, from previous books is about it.)

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

Merged review:

I love the way that these two get together. It is absolutely a wonderfully meet-cute and Lana is an absolute doll for how she handles some of the things that come afterward. I’m not sure I could be as forgiving as she is once she finds out who he really is and that he keeps it a secret for a while. I understand why but … and when he has that REALLY big idiot moment … yeah, she’s a doll.

Isley knows how to craft an entertaining story full of characters that readers can get behind. Lana may be clueless about all things Hollywood but she’s pretty good at Christian. It’s a bit of a struggle, coming from two different worlds, but eventually (of course) they figure things out.

Christian also (besides those idiot moments) has moments when he proves just how out of touch with the regular world he is. But I appreciate that he likes Lana enough to try and he’s got a great support system that likes the real guy, not just what he can do for them. Although I think they could have maybe tried a little harder to keep him from being SUPER idiotic

Blindsided

I love these two together. They complement each other well - one calm and one more impulsive but appreciating the important things and each other.

Angst mixed with sarcasm and tenderness, rolled all together with a HEA journey ... it takes them a while to get there, and there's a lot of difficult moments (and a huge amount of heat), but it's worth it.

Just like Wed Like Wildfire, Helms's newest is sweet, fun, & sexy and I had a tough time putting it down. Cole & Layla work seamlessly together as a couple. From the moment Layla gives in, it's like they've always been together. . . if only he wasn't in the process of being matched to someone else.

As for the matchmaking, it's obvious there is something going on, and from the outside looking in we know what Ruth is up to, but it takes a bit for the characters to catch on. Plus, Layla fights it every step of the way - I'm not 100% sure of all her reasons but she does take her company seriously. If they'd only talk to each other, and to those around them, things could have been handled a lot easier (usually the lack of communication is a big problem from me, but somehow Helms takes those things and make them OK. She did it in Win My Heart, too, which was the first book I read by her.)

There were a couple of things involving the conflict that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but it was overshadowed by how much I enjoyed these two and couldn't wait for them to get to their HEA. I'm so enjoying Helms's writing and look forward to checking out more of her books.

(Part of a series but can easily stand on its own.)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I really enjoyed Backwoods. It was a fun (and intense) mix of family drama, romance and suspense. The first half is all about the dynamics of this mixed family – Nathan’s relationship with Leo, Abby’s relationship with Brooke, and all of them in relation to the exes. A little attraction between Nathan and Abby is thrown in to keep it spicy. The second half though is when things crank up.

Full review available at Romantic Reads and Such on http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/book-review-backwoods/

3.75 - 4.0 *s

I wasn’t sure if we were supposed to like Lincoln at the beginning. He came across as the a**hole that he’s called more than once. But as we get to know him, and he lets his guard down around Brinkley and her family, he becomes the hero our book deserves. He’s got a big heart and is very giving but he also doesn’t want every moment of his life out there to be dissected by the world. He keeps his circle small and it feels good to be let in.

I don’t know if more was given in other books about the situation that got Brinkley fired because it didn’t make a lot of sense to me. For her thinking of herself as one of the good reporters, I’m not sure why she thought it was OK to follow a man into the bathroom to ask him questions. In general, I think I liked Brinkley more because Lincoln found her so appealing. She’s sassy and fun, but also stubborn and sometimes I wonder about her choices. Kinda makes her real, huh?

The Reynolds siblings are a hoot. I loved all of their interactions (and their love of Lincoln

**some mild spoilers**

I feel so bad for Dillon. To love your best friend, and pretty much have everyone know it, only to have him be with every one but you. I can totally understand why he struggles so much after waking up married to Jackson. There’s so much there and while there’s good, there’s a lot of hurt too.

Jackson, oh my goodness poor Jackson. That poor man has been through so much and he’s so lucky to have Dillon there for him. It’ll take patience and honesty but he knows a life with his best friend is worth just about anything.

Readers will get plenty of steam but even more emotion with Wadsworth’s newest. The characters have heart and I just felt for them every step of the way, anxiously waiting for them to figure things out and get the HEA they deserve. The author is new to me, as is the series, but I’m looking forward to more.

(Part of a series but can easily stand alone.)

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Fake dating can be hit or miss and I think Foster does well by her characters. There’s not a lot of build up like you’d expect, instead they pretty much jump right into it and quickly find themselves enjoying their “relationship” a little too much. Duncan proves himself to be more than just a pretty face and ego. He’s a funny, sexy dirty-talker with a big heart. And as much as he’s drawn to Leni’s sassy mouth, he also likes her brain and dedication.

But because they hook up pretty much right away, the rest of the story was a little bit of rinse and repeat. Both Duncan and Leni have their reasons to avoid getting involved, and Leni has some pretty high walls protecting her heart, but their connection is just too strong to resist. When they let themselves give in though, they are a delight – oh-so-hawt and funny, with moments of vulnerability.

Emotional, steamy, and humorous, Foster’s newest is delivered with her trademark style of enjoyable characters and a HEA that will leave readers with a smile on their face. (Seriously, this is one of my favorite endings by her.)

[Can stand on it's own but like most of her stories will likely be enjoyed a bit more by knowing all of the secondary characters and their stories.]

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

The London Chance is perfect for people who are looking for a low angst, easy read. From the fall out of a disastrous first date to a sweet bonus story, it’s all sweetness and steam.

Chance and Roman are both enjoyable characters. Chance is lively & carefree, a good match for Roman’s reservedness. Neither thinks that a long distance relationship can work but are willing to enjoy the time they do have as much as they can. It leads to some moments as they realize the end is coming and a cute resolution.

Humor and heat blend well to give readers a quick journey to HEA for two delightful characters. After enjoying this and Fairy Cakes in Winter so much, Lane Hayes is going on my must read author list.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

3.75 - 4*s

Cam is struggling a bit almost a year after the tragedy that took most of the Titans. His coach suggests going to a social function with other survivors. It's not a therapy session, just a chance to be with others who understand. And while there he runs into an old friend, the widow of a teammate. When feelings start to develop, Cam is afraid that it could impact the current team and is hesitant to go public.

Dani has come to terms with the loss of her husband and is moving forward with the new phase of her life. Meeting Cam again, seeing him be there for her and her son, has her thinking that maybe there could be something more. But will the secrecy be too much for her to take?

I enjoyed Camden & Dani, and I get where they are both coming from, but you really have to be ok with a slow burn story. It takes a while for them, especially Cam, to be brave enough to take that next step. And even longer for him to come to terms what a relationship with Dani might mean. It's not going to be for everyone but for those who have a lot of patience I think it pays off.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**