Who here is surprised I’ve fallen behind on writing and posting book reviews? I’m not. Hopefully a new edition of Minute Reviews will help me get caught up!

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The Thing About Love by Julie James
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: April 18, 2017
Publisher: Berkley
Format: eARC, 373 pages
How I got it: From the publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
My rating:

FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a past. The former lawyer and cocky Army ranger clashed during their training at Quantico, gladly going their separate ways after graduating from the Academy. Six years later, the last thing either of them expects is to run into each other again–assigned to work as partners in a high-profile undercover sting.

For both of them, being paired with a former rival couldn’t come at a worse time. Recently divorced from a Hollywood producer and looking for a fresh start, Jessica is eager to prove herself at her new field office. And John is just one case away from his dream assignment to the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team. In order to nail a corrupt Florida politician, they’ll have to find a way to work as a team–a task that becomes even trickier when they’re forced to hole up at a romantic, beachfront resort as part of the investigation. Suddenly, the heat behind their nonstop sparring threatens to make the job a whole lot more complicated...

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In Review: My Thoughts

Can you believe this is my first Julie James book? I’m almost embarrassed to admit that. What I’m not ashamed to admit, however, is how much I enjoyed The Thing About Love. I don’t know that I could’ve picked a more perfect book to introduce me to Julie’s writing. It had everything — fantastic characters with insane chemistry, super sexy (and sweet) times and a little bit of suspense.

I enjoyed Jessica and John so much! I’m a sucker for a hate-to-love story, so I was down with this one before I even started reading it. These two gave great banter and sexual tension. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other and getting over their spotty past from when they were in the Academy. They made one heck of a team — in and out of the bedroom — and it made the book that much more fun to read.

I do know this much — this won’t be my last Julie James book. I have every intention of attacking her backlist ASAP.

FAVORITE QUOTES

There are few greater bonds than that between a man and the guy—or girl—who will be standing next to him if the shit hits the fan.

Although, for the record, she noted that his facial scruff was quickly approaching that fine line between dirty-hot and “MAN LOST AT SEA, SURVIVES ON KELP AND RAINWATER FOR THREE WEEKS!”

“Just to clarify, are you trying to get under my skin as much as possible, or is it simply an inherent talent of yours?”

“Why weren’t we doing this six years ago?”
“Because you didn’t like me six years ago.”

“I love when you’re on the edge like this. You’re so goddamn sweet. So mine.”

Irresistible You by Kate Meader
Series: Chicago Rebels #1
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: August 14, 2017
Publisher: Pocket Star
Format: eBook, 400 pages
How I got it: I bought it!
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
My rating:

Harper Chase has just become the most powerful woman in the NHL after the death of her father Clifford Chase, maverick owner of the Chicago Rebels. But the team is a hot mess—underfunded, overweight, and close to tapping out of the league. Hell-bent on turning the luckless franchise around, Harper won’t let anything stand in her way. Not her gender, not her sisters, and especially not a veteran player with an attitude problem and a smoldering gaze designed to melt her ice-compacted defenses.

Veteran center Remy “Jinx” DuPre is on the downside of a career that’s seen him win big sponsorships, fans’ hearts, and more than a few notches on his stick. Only one goal has eluded him: the Stanley Cup. Sure, he’s been labeled as the unluckiest guy in the league, but with his recent streak of good play, he knows this is his year. So why the hell is he being shunted off to a failing hockey franchise run by a ball-buster in heels? And is she seriously expecting him to lead her band of misfit losers to a coveted spot in the playoffs?

He’d have a better chance of leading Harper on a merry skate to his bed…

In Review: My Thoughts

I own several of Kate Meader’s books, but Irresistible You is the first I’ve actually read. That’s a mistake I’ll be rectifying soon, let me tell you. This one had my name basically written all over it, from when I first read the blurb. Hot Cajun athlete and female team owner butting heads and fighting against wicked chemistry? I just knew I was going to love this one… and I did.

Remy was smoking hot and sexy and sweet. His dirty talk, in that accent? It made me weak in the knees and I was just reading it. I have no idea how Harper fought it as long as she did. She was my favorite kind of heroine — smart, sassy and relatable. I fell hard for both of these characters separately and then cheered them on both on and off the ice. Their romance, mixed with the complexities of the hockey team and the politics that go with it, made for a really great read that was hot, sweet, funny and even delivered some feels along the way.

I’m already half in love with the Chicago Rebels series after just one book. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series! In the meantime, I’m going to be working my way through Kate’s backlist.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“I don’t take orders, Harper. I barely take suggestions.”

“I’m not a ‘quickie with my pants on’ kind of guy. A night in my bed is usually sweaty, deep, and very hands-on.”

The Beauty of Us by Kristen Proby
Series: Fusion #4
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: August 22, 2017
Publisher: William Morrow
Format: eARC, 304 pages
How I got it: Edelweiss
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
My rating:

Riley Gibson is over the moon at the prospect of having her restaurant, Seduction, on the Best Bites TV network. This could be the big break she’s been waiting for. But the idea of having an in-house show on a regular basis is a whole other matter. Their lives would be turned upside down, and convincing Mia, her best friend and head chef of Seduction, that having cameras in her kitchen every day is a good idea is daunting. Still, Riley knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass on. And when she meets Trevor Cooper, the show’s executive producer, she’s stunned by their intense chemistry.

Trevor’s sole intention is to persuade Riley to allow Best Bites TV to do a show on her restaurant. But when he walks into Riley’s office, he stops dead in his tracks. The professional, aloof woman on the phone is incredibly beautiful and funny. But can he convince her that he’s interested in Riley for himself? Or is he using the undeniable pull between them to persuade her to agree to his offer?

In Review: My Thoughts

I’ve enjoyed every book in Kristen Proby’s Fusion series so very much. With each new book, I get a little more of these characters I’ve come to enjoy and respect and the friendships I just love. The Beauty in Us was a fun and sexy read and a great addition to the series.

I liked Riley and Trevor and their story so much! They had great chemistry and with that came fantastic banter. It was wonderful to watch them grow from strangers to friends to more. The pace of their relationship just felt right, plus it gave me time to learn more about both of them separately before really shipping them as a couple. Add to that the prominence of some of my favorite characters from earlier in the series and I was one happy reader. This book was sexy, swoony and funny, with plenty of feels.

I can’t wait for the next book in the Fusion series. I neeeeed Mia’s story.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“Because this isn’t a sprint, sweetheart. It’s a marathon. There’s no hurry.”

“You’re so fucking incredible. I always crave you. Whether you’re with me or not, I fucking need you.”

Ready to Run by Lauren Layne
Series: I Do I Don't #1
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: August 22, 2017
Publisher: Loveswept
Format: eARC, 203 pages
How I got it: NetGalley
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
My rating:

Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: Luke Elliott, a playboy firefighter who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly . . . except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected.

Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to like her—and deep down, she’s starting to grow on him too. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In Review: My Thoughts

Y’all know I love me some Lauren Layne. When I found out she had a new series on the way, I was all over it. When I saw the ridiculously cute, sweet cover for I Do, I Don’t, I really couldn’t wait to read it. I don’t read nearly enough romance books set in small towns and I’m not sure why that is. It might have something to do with their tendency to be more … wholesome … and less … dirty … in the sexy times department. (I do not like fade to black. Sorry, not sorry.) Lauren’s writing and characters, combined with the small town setting and fish out of water trope totally worked for me. This was one enjoyable read!

Jordan and Luke’s story was fun and sexy. It started off with a bit of animosity, with her trying to convince him to be on her dating show, which gave it a bit of a hate-to-love vibe. I eat that up. I enjoyed their chemistry and the way things progressed with them. One of the things I like best about small-town romance is how the entire town seems invested in what’s happening between two characters — particularly when one of them is an out of towner. It’s a fun (and realistic) addition to a story.

I’m excited about this new series. I’m looking forward to more swoons and sexy times in the coming books.

FAVORITE QUOTES

The more they touched, the more they wanted, the longer they kissed, the harder it was to stop.

“You need to kiss the girl, Luke. The entire town knows it.”

This was what sex was all about. The tremor of impatient hands, the thrust of needy bodies… The strange fear and ecstasy that came from the quiet whisper in the back of your mind: this one.

Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey
Series: The Academy #1
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: August 29, 2017
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: eARC, 354 pages
How I got it: Edelweiss
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
My rating:

the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.

Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?

If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In Review: My Thoughts

I’m not even going to lie — I loved this Disorderly Conduct. It felt like a return to the Tessa Bailey of old, back when she was writing her Line of Duty and Broke and Beautiful series. Those will always be my favorite series of hers. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy most of her recent books… but those have a special place in my heart. I was a little nervous going into this new series, wondering if it would be more like the Tessa of old or the newer version. As much as I enjoy what she’s written lately, I’m incredibly happy to see her return to what I consider her roots — back when the characters were fun (and funny), the romance was swoony and the sexy times had plenty of dirty talk, but weren’t TOO over the top (for me, personally).

I’ve always enjoyed the friends with benefits trope — particularly how it just never stays that way. Charlie and Ever’s agreement to keep things casual obviously wasn’t going to work for long. They had tons of chemistry and, underneath it all, they both wanted more. They were just afraid to admit it. At least at first. I was left basically grinning from ear to ear as Charlie basically sabotaged Ever’s efforts to move on. Some might find it creepy and overbearing, but I found it pretty charming, for the most part. What can I say? I’m a sucker for when the guy goes “all in” for the girl. It makes me swoon all over the place. Charlie definitely delivered the swoons.

The Academy series is off to a GREAT start and I can’t wait to see what comes next. If the other books are anything like Disorderly Conduct, I’m going to love them all. So great!

FAVORITE QUOTES

She’s mine. I’m hers. We’re ours. Unofficially, of course.

She likes it down and dirty. Sweating, swearing, filthy-talking, come-to-Jesus sex that leaves nail marks on my back. 

“No one moves like us, Ever. No one talks to each other without words like us. Don’t you know that?”

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