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This Chick Read: Uncharted (Survival Instincts #2) by Adriana Anders

Hot-shot pilot Leo Eddowes is asked to evacuate a man from the wilds of Alaska and eagerly jumps at the chance, despite some bad guys on her tail. Crash landing near his cabin, Leo realizes that she was led astray for the man she’s rescuing is non other than most wanted ex-agent Elias Thorne. Needing to rely on each other to survive they help each other outwit and out-survive the men who want to find them… dead or alive. While on the run Leo finds that Elias isn’t the dangerous man she’s been led to believe and she’s determined to help him rebuild the life he’d left behind. As soon as they get out of the Alaska wilderness.

It’s been a couple of years since I read the first novel in this series but what I did remember is how fast-paced the story was, and how each chapter held my interest. Uncharted was no different. It started off with a plane crash and even as our two main characters were getting to know each other they were doing it while running for their lives. Leo was a really great character. Not only was she a great pilot but she had a lot of hidden depths that were revealed as the novel moved along. Despite her own fears she had so much empathy for Elias that she let her emotions take over and went with her gut in allowing herself to develop feelings for him.

Elias surprised me as well. He had been living by himself for the last decade and had pretty much lost his way, living inside his own head about all that had gone wrong in his past. He saw Leo as too good to be true, but he didn’t fight his feelings very hard either and let the mountain man take charge. He was going to get her out of the wilderness even if it killed him. I loved how the two of them connected emotionally and just totally went for it. The danger of the moment pushed them a bit and probably because of that it didn’t seem too far-fetched.

Uncharted was a fun book to read. I really loved how they fought their enemies, feelings, and their environment and despite the danger you just knew they were going to come out on top. If you have not read Whiteout, the first novel in the series you don’t need to although the underlining story crosses through both books. I think you can get the gist by reading this novel as a standalone. However, Whiteout was really good too so if you have the time pick it up first. I promise that the time will fly by while you read these books! The stories are action-filled and the characters full of a passion for life and for each other. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Uncharted: A Scorching Hot Forced Proximity Romance (Survival Instincts, 2)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Fake by Kylie Scott

A-list actor Patrick Walsh stops in the restaurant where Norah works as a waitress once a month for a little peace and quiet. One day he’s followed in by his manager who accosts his quiet evening . Norah tries to run interference but ends up as a sidekick to their stupid plan of his dating an “everywoman”. Someone not from his life who would help him do some damage control on his rapidly eroding reputation. Norah’s bland manner in the face of his hotness makes her the perfect person to partner in this crazy scheme. She is totally unimpressed with him, or at least she makes him think so. Their perfect plan starts to unravel when they start to develop feelings for each other. Of course!

This is the perfect “I dated a famous actor” fantasy. Or it would be if Norah were actually dating Patrick. I loved how despite the script they were supposed to follow they actually liked each others personalities. Norah was low-key but didn’t have trouble saying what was on her mind. This was something that Patrick wasn’t used to which made her unique. He on the other hand wasn’t anything like the characters he portrayed in the movies. He was quiet and a bit of a grump, so much so that each time he smiled Norah considered it a win.

I have come to love Kylie Scott’s stories. Even if some of them are kind of silly like the plot in Fake, the reader ends up going all in, loving the characters and rooting for them to find their happily happily. This novel was no different. It was a bit of light-hearted fun, with a side of serious. Enough that the conflict (albeit kind of a minor one in this plot) brought the reader to a conclusion where they were satisfied, at least that’s how I felt.

Despite the fantasy plot, or even maybe because of it, I can’t think of a thing I didn’t like about this novel. I loved the characters, plot, and how Patrick and Norah grew together over time. It was a fun book to read, perfect for a vacation getaway or a long drive listening to your audiobook. I can’t wait for the next West Hollywood novel!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fake

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Audio Review: Firstlife (Everlife #1) by Gena Showalter

What if the life you were currently living wasn’t your only life? Tenley Lockwood has been sent to the Prynne Asylum, a prison for those kids who have not chosen who to spend there Everlife, Troika or Myriad. To factions who need to build their armies and who are fighting for control over the Everlife. Ten has a fascination with numbers and both Troika and Myriad are convinced that she holds the key in their war for dominance in the Everlife. They send two handlers to help convince her to choose their faction and she becomes close with both of them. As they fight to keep her alive and give her the chance to choose before her Firstlife ends she makes some discoveries about both that make her decision hard. A decision that may disappoint the one she loves.

Firstlife was a non-stop action adventure novel that luckily was easy to follow. Ten was the person that both factions believed they needed to gain dominance over the other. The reader was told the reason but other than surviving a bunch of attempts on her life she didn’t really show the reason why she was that special. She was pretty obstinate in not letting anyone push her to make a decision before she was ready, despite the life and death action that was going on around her. I’m going to guess we find out about her abilities a little more in the second novel? At least I hope so.

As with many YA fantasy novels, Ten is helped by two young men, both of whom she becomes close with but unlike the typical YA trope, only one she falls for. Without spoiling her choice I will say that she doesn’t let her feelings sway her decision on who the best faction may be for her which was pretty refreshing!

I listened to the audiobook of this novel and it was narrated by two people, Emma Galvin and Zachary Webber. I am familiar with Zachary Webber’s work and per usual he was awesome. Emma Galvin read from Tenley’s point of view which was the majority of the story and I thought she did a great job of displaying all of the emotions this character felt while being chased through the majority of this book. A tough read, for sure!

I am a huge fan of fantasy novels and have had this series on my TBR for awhile. I really enjoyed the narration and if you have the time would recommend your giving this book a try. If you read it instead of listen, I’d imagine the action would speed your reading along quite quickly. You’ll be surprised at how much this character goes through. It was kind of exhausting!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase! Firstlife (An Everlife Novel)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Deep (Stage Dive #4) by Kylie Scott

Ben and LIzzy have a secret friendship. They text and call each other but never take it any further despite their attraction to each other. Why? Well, Ben is the bass player for the world famous band Stage Dive, and Lizzy is his best friend and bandmates new sister in law. Who has been declared hands off, except for that one night…. When Lizzy finds herself pregnant their secret friendship is blown wide open.

Lizzy has had a crush on Ben since she was 19, when her sister started hanging out with Mal from Stage Dive. She would admit that she semi stalked him into being her text buddy and kind of friend. After she ends up pregnant Ben tries to do the right thing except he doesn’t know how. She goes on tour with them but isn’t “together” with Ben and his life hasn’t changed all that much. Except he doesn’t have any interest in one night stands anymore.

LIzzy and Ben were always just side notes to the other members of the band and their girlfriends and I’ll admit that this book felt like the author kind of kept that side note thing going. It took them too long to commit to their feelings for each other. Lizzy feels betrayed and Ben needs a friend of his to show him how he’s failed at being there for her before he figures out he needs to change his ways. It was slightly frustrating. I didn’t hate reading this novel because Kylie Scott is way too talented to leave me hanging out there too long but these two weren’t my favorite pairing of the series. The other band mates and their ladies were just too charismatic. Ben and Lizzy felt like it tried to hard to get that same reaction from the reader.

I’m kind of sad that this was the last book in the Stage Dive series and it ended on somewhat of a bummer note for me. I think I’m going to go back an re-read the other novels so that I remember how much I loved those characters. That may also give me a little more insight into Ben and LIzzy too. Although my impression is that they didn’t change all that much from their previous iterations. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Deep (Stage Dive Series Book 4)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere first met on a television cooking competition. No they weren’t both competing, Sylvie was, but Dominic was one of the judges. They loathed each other at first sight. When Sylvie opens up her bakery right across the street from Dominic’s they can’t help but be competitive, each striving to win the next big account. When Sylvie gets cast as one of the judges on the same cooking show where she met Dominic its the first time she see’s more than a few minutes of him. When the palace announces a royal engagement they end up working together to unravel a mystery. The more time Sylvie and Dominic spend together they see another surprising side to the person he/she thought they knew.

Full disclosure! I am a HUGE fan of both Lucy Parker and the British Baking Championship which their show is based off of, so I knew going in that I was going to either hate this novel or LOVE it. Lucy Parker’s writing chops wins again and I ended up falling for both of these characters. Battle Royal was “brilliant” as the British say, but it was also a ton of fun.

Sylvie Fairchild is all glitter, sparkles, and colors, and Dominic is staid, neutral, and elegant. Who would have thought that the two of them would strike a match? When they start researching a mystery about the royal house, they get glimpses of something in the other that strikes a chord in what they’ve missed through their entire lives. I really liked these two as a couple and even though they had a long journey it was totally worth the happy ending.

This novel had all of the fun themes of a fast paced story. A competition, evil characters, a historical mystery, and the behind the scenes drama of a baking show. A lot of characters had emotional journeys, not just our two main protagonists, and I really got involved in every sub plot. This novel was so much fun.

If you haven’t read Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series, please check them out. I think I read each one a few times over the last year because they made me feel good when I needed that jolt of happiness. Battle Royal is my newest addiction and you can bet I’ll be getting a copy in every format.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* Battle Royal: A Novel

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/16/21)

This past week saw my first foray back into an office environment. Although my company has opted for a hybrid setting, two days in the office and one day at home. It was good to see everyone face to face, although really we only see people’s eyes nowadays since we’re all masked up in person, but that camaraderie is hard to replace over a Zoom call. LOL. I don’t know about you, but I must be one of the few who enjoy working at home more than I do in the office. I relish the quiet and being able to make a business call without having 20 people listen in on my phone conversation. What does this have to do with what I read this week? Well, I used my audiobook to cut out the conversation around me and finished up a fun science fiction novel. Let’s get to discussing books!

JUST FINISHED

I previously read this novel but listening to it was a lot of fun too. It’s very fast-paced and our main character is troubled but has a great heart. She grew a lot in this novel, but having read the series I know that her future also has a lot of person growth which I love. There is also a romance component to this series, which adds some sizzle, but honestly the action scenes were what I loved about these novels the most. Check it out if you haven’t read it, this series is a blast!

JUST STARTED

This novel is falls into the romantic suspense genre, which was a perfect sequé from the action-packed fantasy novel I had just finished. I’m about 40% into it and the story starts out fast which our heroine under fire. I have recently discovered Adriana Anders with the first novel in this series and really enjoy her quick and easy style of writing! This is book two so look up the first “Whiteout” if you want to jump into the series. It’s good!

You can see I’m all about the action this week! What genre of book has caught your attention this week? Is it good? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Exposed (VIP #4) by Kristen Callihan

Brenna is out with a girlfriend having a drink and makes a confession. What she doesn’t realizes is that someone overheard her, her frenemy Rye, the bass player in the band she manages public relations. Rye approaches her and offers himself as that person who will be available for sex, comfort, and friendship. She is embarrassed and floored. After a little dithering, yes, she takes him up on his offer. This new relationship gives Rye and Brenna the chance to explore why they react to each other so strongly and that those feelings weren’t actually based on hate.

Kristen Callihan writes colorful and flawed characters. I love her novels and look forward to every release. Unfortunately Brenna and Rye, although flawed, don’t have a lot of depth and felt very two dimensional. I think part of the reason is because their union was just based on sex. She needed her itch scratched and he was doing the scratching. Their conflict was built on why they weren’t friendly with each other and well, the reason just wasn’t that interesting.

I can’t help but compare why one novel I can’t relate with and other novels I don’t have any trouble loving. It’s not the sex scenes, although this novel has a ton of them because that’s what the premise is based on so there were certainly a lot of them. I am drawn to characters who have a lot of back story which create depth. I didn’t really feel like that much time was spent on Rye and Brenna relating to each other. There is a miscommunication early on and then they just snipe at each other. Pretty soon, that’s just who they are, until wham, they are sleeping together and then in love. It’s just not enough for me this time. I hate that because I love this author!

Have you read the VIP series? If not, you really should go back and read them. Even though this was not my favorite and I really hate to end the series on a bad note, the other three are very good! Exposed, while not the best book in the world is definitely not the worst book I’ve read either and it did do one thing. It reminded me how much I love the series and want to read them again. ❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Exposed (VIP Book 4)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Wait for It by Jenn McKinlay

When Annabelle Martin takes her friend up on a job offer in her advertising agency in Arizona she leaves cold and dreary Boston for what she hopes will be the kickstart she needs. Moving into the guest house of recluse Nick Daire, Annabelle decides to push all his buttons and break all of his rules. She imagines him to be an elderly curmudgeon and is shocked to discover he’s young, hot, and in a wheelchair. Always a fixer she jumps in to change his world view and finds herself falling in love as well.

This had all of the plot points I love in a novel. Enemies to lovers, a feud with a co-worker, and a heroine who always comes out on top, so why didn’t I like this one more than I did? There was certainly a lot going on with the plot but in this case that probably helped move things along and kept me from getting bored. I just really didn’t feel the love between Annabelle and Nick. Yes, they were both attractive and attracted to each other, but there was just something missing for me and I can’t put my finger on it.

Let me tell you a bit about the characters. Annabelle is a graphic designer who has all the skills. Landing a job as Creative Director for her friends agency, she has to reign in her “always late” tendencies and start being a boss. When she finds that one co-worker who resents her getting the job she doesn’t fall apart or get mad, instead she quietly observes, which is good! That guy is truly rather dreadful and is an obvious villain in this novel. This plot point does allow us to see a different side of Annabelle. Not the sexy neighbor but the take charge boss who isn’t afraid of a little conflict. Annabelle shows that take charge attitude in going after her handsome neighbor as well, which is a smart move because he was never going to go there with his bad attitude. I actually thought her character was fun and bright. A great heroine in what should be a fun romance.

Nick is going through some health issues and has taken a hit to his self confidence. Having to rely on a wheelchair because he’s afraid his leg won’t hold him certainly doesn’t keep him from having sexy times with his new neighbor, but boy did he start out a grouch. As the author let’s us get to know Nick a bit we get a back story that has some rather unsavory things in it. Prior to his bad health he wasn’t a very nice guy. Without going into all of the details, I’ll just say that despite him showing remorse for his actions he doesn’t really do anything to contradict what we’ve learned. His long lost sister shows up and he doesn’t react well. The only good thing about this guy is how Annabelle makes him feel and his flashbacks to his love for his sister. OK, I think I just figured out why I didn’t connect with the book. I didn’t really buy into Annabelle’s feelings for Nick. He had his redeeming moment in the novel but it wasn’t enough for me to shelve all of his bad traits.

Jenn McKinlay is a wonderful writer and I’ve read many of her books that I have enjoyed before. This one just didn’t connect with me. It may be that it’s the perfect book for you though so please take my opinion with a grain of salt and if this sounds like your kind of novel, please pick it up and read it. I, however, can only give it a 3.0 rating.

❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalleyand the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Wait For It

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/9/21)

I was on vacation last week and had a chance to catch up on a lot of reading. I just finished an ARC for a book being released next month and also got in quite a bit of personal reading. It’s nice to choose my own books every once in a while! Today, I’m heading back to the office to start a hybrid office-home situation. Two days in the office is a great option but I’ll admit to being slightly nervous after spending a year and a half working from home. Wish me luck!

JUST FINISHED

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Alexa Martin’s new book Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes. This one falls firmly into the Women’s Fiction genre and is about the friendship between two women. Guys, it was so good! I really like how Alexa Martin writes, her characters feel so fleshed out. I’ll be putting out a full review on this in the next few weeks.

JUST STARTED

This is a novella from the Elder Races series by Thea Harrison. Every once in awhile she puts out stories about the two characters that started the whole series, Pia and Drago. This novel is about their moving to an alternate universe. I just started it so can’t really tell you how I feel about it yet but they are usually light-hearted and fun.

I hope everyone has a great start to their week today! I’d love to hear if you are still working from home or are back at work. What book is waiting on your nightstand for you when you finish your work day?

Happy Monday!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Devil in Disguise (The Ravenals #7) by Lisa Kleypas

Lady Merritt Sterling, widower, is running her husband’s shipping business when she meets Keri MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable but a lady must be careful not to tempt society’s voracious gossips. Despite that threat Merritt invites Keir to her home for dinner, but he is attacked and injured. When his life is again threatened the next day she realizes that someone is out to kill him and with the help of the Duke of Lancaster (Sebastian from the Wallflower series) they shuffle off to the safety of his estate on the coast while an investigation is underway. Devil in Disguise revealed a new favorite heroine and hero in what is one of my favorite historical romance series by this author.

Merritt is a woman who “manages” the people around her. Right from the beginning Keir see’s that managing and declares her a “wee bully” and he is charmed by her kind of toughness and is riveted by her passion. These two were engaging, fun, and very romantic falling instantly in serious like. The only hiccup being their different places in society and the fact that someone is trying to kill Keir.

As this is book #7 we do get to welcome a few of our favorite past characters into this story, which I always welcome. Funny enough, I started my love affair with Lisa Kleypas’ earlier Ravenal novels and have just gotten into the Wallflower series. Merritt’s mother is one of those previous wallflowers and it’s fun to see those characters in a different light. I had not yet read the Duke’s (and his Evie) novel but now can’t wait to dig in!

If you like historical romances you will really enjoy Lisa Kleypas and her novels and Devil in Disguise does not disappoint! This can be read as a stand alone, but I think you’ll be curious about some of these other characters and will seek them out just as I have. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Devil in Disguise (Ravenels Book 7)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

* Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads