Review: The Perfects - Rachel Van Dyken

The Perfects by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

The Perfects by Rachel Van Dyken is a standalone bully romance/ new adult book which looks at the characters Ambrose and Mary-Belle. Mary Belle is a foster child who is brought to live in Ambrose’s house when tragedy strikes. Ambrose seems to have the ‘perfect’ life, but not everything is as it seems and adding Mary-Belle to the mix just seems to add cracks to the facade that he is trying so hard to keep together. There is a lot of emotion going on in this book with both characters trying to be ‘perfect’ in an imperfect world with lots of things thrown their way which make them question who they are.

There is a lot going on with the characters in this book as they feel their way through tumultuous emotions. Boundaries are pushed, the angst is prevalent and there is enough suspense to keep you wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens. If you’ve read RVD before you know that she puts her characters through the wringer and this story is no different. I definitely don’t want to give too much away, so you need to pick it up and give it a read!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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New Release: Friend Zone Hell - Marika Ray

Title: Friend Zone Hell

Series: Hellman Brothers Book 3

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Small Town Romance

Tropes: best-friends-to-lovers, heroine with an illness, hero has that golden retriever + daddy dom energy (okay, it's not a trope, but it should be!)

Cover Design: Jennifer Olson

Release Date: October 6, 2022

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61985570-friend-zone-hell

Blurb: 

The town’s most eligible bachelor just saved my life. I paid him back by puking on him.

Callan Hellman. Mr. Nice Guy paramedic. My best friend.

He buys my friends flowers when he knows they’ve had a hard day. Who does that? Callan’s the guy every girl wants to date and take home to mama. Not me though. We’re just friends. Have been since elementary school. I was the weird girl who kept him laughing with my antics, even when his father abandoned his family and Callan hid those scars behind his smile.

But due to my sudden medical diagnosis at twenty-four, Callan insists I move in with him. I accept and soon regret it. Since when did he grow all those muscles, and why is he allergic to wearing shirts? I’m getting white-picket-fences-feelings I have no business feeling, and try as I might to suppress them, Callan makes a bold move that proves he’s carried a love-shaped torch for me for years.

Turns out, best friends make the best lovers, but when Callan’s daddy issues come between us, will his well-meaning brothers be able to patch us up and get our hearts beating together again? Or have I just lost the best friend I’ll ever have?

Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3f6mFuA

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3DGOAvx

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3Sjzyjg

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3Sk1Zho

Excerpt: 

“Say the word and I’ll back off forever, Cricket. All it takes is a simple no and I’ll never bring this up again, but I gotta tell you, I don’t want to back off. I want to taste your lips and feel your body pressed against me. Preferably with less clothing.” I leaned down and traced a kiss along her neck, seeing the way her breathing kicked up to that of a sprinter. “Tell me to stop, angel.”

She swallowed hard and every cell in my body froze, waiting for an answer. No matter how much it pained me—and good lord would it pain me for the rest of my life—but if she said no I’d honor that and never let her feel my disappointment. 

That moment in the kitchen the other night had shown me a tiny morsel of hope, that maybe, just maybe, Cricket felt the same heart stopping excitement when we were together. If there was even a small window of chance, I had to take my shot. Watching my older brothers find love had taken those feelings I’d harbored for Cricket over the years and given them an urgency I could no longer stuff down. 

Her blue eyes were eating me up, the flush from earlier turning into a forest fire on her cheeks. Her voice came out on a barely-there breath but I still heard it. 

“I don’t want you to stop, Cal.”

Author Bio: 

Marika Ray is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and sweet RomComs, spending her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking any beach she can find, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

 

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

 

Author Social Media Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/marikaray

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marika-ray

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16856659.Marika_Ray

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MarikaRayNews

Website: http://www.marikaray.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormarikaray

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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormarikaray

Review: Texas - Lila Rose

Texas by Lila Rose
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Texas by Lila Rose is book three in the Hawks MC: Next Generation series and tells the story of Texas and Maya. Maya has been in love with Texas since she was a young girl but was always relegated to ‘little sister’ status, that is until she is all grown up and Texas starts seeing her for the woman she is. When Maya’s life is put in danger, Texas realises that his emotions are more than friendly, but he needs to start showing Maya how he feels about her and help to knock down her walls.

Texas is a full out love story, full of emotion, an alpha male who knows what he wants and a young woman questioning her life but knowing that she has her man standing in her corner. Scenes between Maya and Texas were wonderful to read as their relationship develops from friends into something more. I also enjoyed reading how other family members and people in the MC saw what was in front of them before Texas and Maya did. Texas really supported Maya when life threw her a curveball, and he is super protective and sweet with her.

As always with Lila Rose books, previous characters pop in to share their own stories and witticisms, which help to create a great read about family and friendship. Overall, a great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Friend Zone Hell - Marika Ray

Friend Zone Hell by Marika Ray
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Friend Zone Hell by Marika Ray is a sweet, friends to lover’s romance. The book focuses on the characters Callan and Cricket who have been friends forever but there has been some unrequited love on both parts, both of them scared to take their relationship to the next level in case it ruins their friendship. But plans go awry when Cricket gets a healthcare diagnosis and has to move in with Callan and being in close quarters makes them both take a good look at each other.

This was a very sweet book with some serious undertones. Not only are we dealing with someone coming to terms with an illness, but we are also seeing how Callan’s relationship with his estranged father has shaped him and made him feel like less and how Cricket needs to stand up to her own overbearing father more. The biggest highlight in this book though is how the characters handle what is going on in their lives and how they work together and with other friends and family to get the love and support they need.

The relationship that Callan and Cricket have is sweet and steamy. Both characters have a great group of friends who also add their opinions when needed and the banter between both Callan and Cricket keeps you wanting to turn the pages to see what is going to happen. I would say this is a low drama, sweet read and overall, a really great book set in a small, gossipy town. If that’s your cup of tea, then this book is for you.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Into the Storm - Rachel Grant

Into the Storm by Rachel Grant
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Into the Storm is book one in the ‘Evidence: Under Fire’ series by Rachel Grant and boy is it action packed. The story focuses on Audrey and Xavier who shared a passionate night together, only for Audrey to be betrayed by Xavier in the worst possible way. Now he is back in her life and even though they both have some mutual distrust going on they have to work together to survive and save Xavier’s SEAL team whilst trying to stay alive themselves.

This was a really great military suspense book/ romance. Audrey loves her job as an archeologist and even has feelings for Xavier, even after everything that he has done. She is harbouring some secrets of her own though, but she is a strong character and isn’t going to be strong armed by Xavier. Xavier on the other hand is pure alpha male and although he doesn’t trust Audrey initially, he knows that he has to work with her in order to survive and get his team to safety. At the beginning of the novel, he was quite arrogant, but he does develop as the story moves along.

The suspense is great in this novel and keeps you wanting to read on well into the twilight hours to see what happens to the characters. The setting in the national park is also wonderful too and you feel like you are taken on a thrilling ride whilst reading. Overall, a really good book.  

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Cover Reveal: Friend Zone Hell - Marika Ray

Title: Friend Zone Hell

Series: Hellman Brothers Book 3

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Small Town Romance

Tropes: best-friends-to-lovers, heroine with an illness, hero has that golden retriever + daddy dom energy (okay, it's not a trope, but it should be!)

Cover Design: Jennifer Olson

Release Date: October 6, 2022

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61985570-friend-zone-hell

Blurb: 

The town’s most eligible bachelor just saved my life. I paid him back by puking on him.

Callan Hellman. Mr. Nice Guy paramedic. My best friend.

He buys my friends flowers when he knows they’ve had a hard day. Who does that? Callan’s the guy every girl wants to date and take home to mama. Not me though. We’re just friends. Have been since elementary school. I was the weird girl who kept him laughing with my antics, even when his father abandoned his family and Callan hid those scars behind his smile.

But due to my sudden medical diagnosis at twenty-four, Callan insists I move in with him. I accept and soon regret it. Since when did he grow all those muscles, and why is he allergic to wearing shirts? I’m getting white-picket-fences-feelings I have no business feeling, and try as I might to suppress them, Callan makes a bold move that proves he’s carried a love-shaped torch for me for years.

Turns out, best friends make the best lovers, but when Callan’s daddy issues come between us, will his well-meaning brothers be able to patch us up and get our hearts beating together again? Or have I just lost the best friend I’ll ever have?

PreOrder Links: 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3f6mFuA

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3DGOAvx

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3Sjzyjg

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3Sk1Zho

Excerpt: 

“Angel, please.” I whispered, cupping her face and stroking my thumb across her cheek. She finally shifted her gaze so that she was looking directly into my eyes. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you. I’m sorry for causing a scene. I’m sorry for stepping in your business. I just couldn’t let him disrespect you like that.”

Cricket’s eyes closed and when she opened them, I knew she’d forgiven me. “I know you’re sorry. And I know he deserved it. I just…” She sighed, the sound laced with disappointment, discontent, and whole layer of something I couldn’t identify. “I just wish I’d been the one to do it.”

“Why, Cricket, that’s mighty violent of you.” My lips tugged into a smile I hoped she’d reflect.

I wasn’t disappointed. “I would have kicked him in the nuts, but the nose was good too.”

I chuckled and she did too, letting me pull her into a hug. Her blonde head fit in the dip right between my pec muscles. “Dance with me.”

She didn’t answer, but her hands slid up my chest and onto my shoulders. My arms wound around her waist and held her to me, letting me relish the scent of her perfume as it surrounded us. I couldn’t live with myself if Cricket was mad at me. 

She kept her cheek against my chest, her fingers playing in the hair that met the collar of my shirt. If I closed my eyes, I could get lost in this moment. Get lost in her. I could imagine dances just like this in our kitchen as we aged together. Our children growing up watching their parents dance to an imaginary song, too in love to care there was no actual music. I could envision a whole life with her.

“You’re such a good friend, Cal. What would I do without you?” Cricket whispered, her words instantly and painfully dissolving the vision in my head.

Good friend.

That was all I’d ever be with Cricket, and I’d do well to remember it.

Like a criminal stuck in a life sentence on Alcatraz, I was firmly imprisoned in the friend zone.

But if that was all Cricket could give me, I’d take it and be the most grateful man on the planet. I loved her, and that meant giving her what she wanted: her freedom to love someone else.

Author Bio: 

Marika Ray is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and sweet RomComs, spending her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking any beach she can find, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

 

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

 

Author Social Media Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/marikaray

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marika-ray

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16856659.Marika_Ray

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MarikaRayNews

Website: http://www.marikaray.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormarikaray

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarikaRaysofSunshine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormarikaray

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marikarayauthor

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormarikaray

Review: Wild Wicked Obsession - Layla Frost

Wild Wicked Obsession by Layla Frost
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟stars

Wild Wicked Obsession by Layla Frost is a hot, can’t put it down book and is part of the Hyde series. The story looks at the characters Joss and Lars. Joss is working at a bakery and as a Kindergarten teacher, trying to make ends meet when she finds her fiancé in a compromising situation, leaving her to pay for a mortgage on her dream house whilst it drains all of her money. The upside to her circumstances is Lars coming into the bakery. The broody, quiet man is everything that quiet Joss wants, but she continually second guesses herself after being burnt once. But sparks continue to fly between these two characters, and it isn’t long until a move is made and the come together in some combustible chemistry.

Lars knows that he isn’t the right guy for Joss, she is too nice and pure for a guy who has done time and is manager of a strip club. But he can’t seem to keep away from her and makes every excuse he can to see her, even if that means eating a lot of cookies. Like Joss, there seems to be a lot of miscommunication and mixed signals before they both get together, but once they do, there is no stopping them…if only someone else didn’t have their eye on Joss too!

This was a really great addition to this series. I loved the chemistry between both Lars and Joss as well as seeing other characters form previous books and how they are doing. There is a little bit of drams in the book but also lots of good times with some family and friends thrown in the mix too. If you like alpha males and sassy heroines. Then this is the book for you!

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