Finally back together, Ella and Reed can be happy. Wait, what? No of course they can’t! Book 3 and the final episode of the love story of Ella and Reed has so many more obstacles to overcome.
Living in the same house doesn’t seem to create any challenges for Ella and Reed. The biggest surprise is that Ella has retained her virginity. Yep, you heard it right! I’ve informed you of all of the sexually explicit scenes, and boy, there certainly are some doozy’s, but Ella and Reed have not done the actual deed itself. Kind of a nice surprise, right? But a good part of this book seems to be about how they will go about solving that problem and where. The more interesting part of that scenario is that Ella’s returned from the dead father does not want her dating Reed and creates all sorts of obstacles for them- one of them being moving her out of the Royal house. Ah the good old days of out smarting your parents. Fun!
Reed’s brutal nature of getting into fights down at the wharf and keeping the kids at school in line comes back to bite him in the butt. Despite having tons of money, Reed seems to be going down for the fall of a murder he may not have committed although he certainly wanted to at times! Ella, desperately trying to keep him out of jail investigates on her own and what she finds out is pretty shocking and makes for some great reading and a rather remarkable ending.
I really enjoyed these first three books in The Royals series. Paper Princess was still my favorite, but Twisted Palace did a good job of wrapping up some loose ends. I know the series continues but it shifts focus to Easton in book 4 which I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully his story matches his funny personality and is a little lighter. So far it’s been a pretty dark, drama filled ride!
If you haven’t read these books, be warned! There are some very sexually explicit scenes that I think aren’t appropriate for some YA readers. If you’re a mature reader, love soap opera’s, and romance- you will have a ton of fun reading these books! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Working as a clown at children’s parties brings her a joy she doesn’t find elsewhere, but Georgie is often overlooked by the adults and is still sitting at the kids table. When her older brother’s best friend Travis Ford retires early from the pro’s due to an injury and comes back home, Georgie knows two things. One, she’s not going to allow her childhood crush to sit and stew about his failures, and two she’s going to start being viewed as an adult and follow her life’s passions. One of which is Travis Ford.
Georgie is a really fun heroine. She’s witty, fun, and serious about being taken seriously. When she throws and old carton of ice cream on Travis’s MLB worthy behind I knew I was going to like this girl! She is the only person in town who isn’t afraid of telling it like it is and Travis needs that slap upside the head to get out of bed and start finding a new focus in his life. Pretty quickly, Georgie becomes that focus.
The brothers best friend trope is always tension filled. That hint of forbidden fruit in finding your best friends little sister sexy adds a dangerous element to their romance that is super fun to read. Stephen, Georgie’s older brother, is surprisingly stoic about the whole thing, especially since his buddy Travis is known for being a man-whore. His nickname is two bats for Pete’s sake! However, Travis has hints of vulnerability that help us connect with him beyond his hot exterior.
I love the current trend in cartoonish romance novel covers but I think they may misrepresent the adult nature of some more ‘romantic’ novels. Georgie and Travis’s sexy fun times are very adult and at times kind of naughty. Be warned I’d rate this heat index 10+! Sometimes a super sexy scene might annoy me by distracting from the story, but these scenes actually added to the growth of the characters (no pun intended!) and moved the story forward. Georgie was finding her independence and self confidence and Travis was showing a vulnerability (even while being kind of domineering).
If you hadn’t guessed, I really enjoyed Fix Her Up. I’m a sucker for women finding their inner power and Georgie was right in my wheelhouse. Her growing relationship with Travis was hot, but I also really liked how sweet he was with her and how he learned that needing people, and Georgie particularly, wasn’t a weakness it was a strength. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mercedes, Cora, and Noah were best friends since they were kids, but before Nora came there were just Mercedes and Noah. They had a special bond, but when they got older and Cora asked Mercedes if she were in love with Noah, Mercedes lied. She only lied because it was Cora that asked the question and because of that lie Mercedes had to step aside until the day it was up to her to pick up all the pieces.
If you are a fan of slow burn romance novels then you must read The Smallest Part. I read another blogger’s review and decided I’d give it a chance. I’d never read an Amy Harmon novel and I wasn’t sure if this synopsis appealed to me but I am so glad I picked up this book. It wasn’t at all what I expected and I really enjoyed how the story unfolded.
Cora was always troubled. She had a father who came home wounded from the war and committed suicide. Cora found the body and it left a lasting impression on her young mind. She always felt like she wasn’t enough and had very low self esteem. Even though she had two great best friends in Noah and Mercedes.
Noah was that male best friend that you always knew you loved. He was sweet, gentle and just an all around nice guy. He truly cared for both Cora and Mercedes and it wasn’t until he was older that his innocent feelings changed to something much more.
Mercedes was a hard worker, loyal friend, and was the backbone of their friendship. She would never betray a friend which is why she stepped aside when Cora declared her feelings for Noah. This book starts with Cora’s death and through flashbacks we see how their feelings were intertwined. How Mercedes and Noah always had just a little more feelings for each other and how that one moment deflected Noah towards Cora instead of Mercedes. It kind of killed me emotionally, but this was a really good book! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️
Happy Monday everyone! I ran across this post on Book Date and liked the idea of sharing what I’m currently reading, so here goes!
JUST FINISHED
Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet #1) by Jay McLean
First Sentence Read: “One minute you’re sipping on your first beer at your first bonfire party, wearing a hoody provided by a boy you’ve been crushing on for months.”
JUST STARTED
The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis
First Sentence Read: Without warning, the helicopter dipped sharply, and Brooke Lemon’s stomach went along with it.”
Both of those first sentences were pretty thrilling, right? Now that you know what books I’ve been reading, share…
After the Paper Princess cliffhanger Broken Prince starts right up with Ella on the run again. When she’s found and brought back home things have changed. Reed takes all the blame for Ella’s disappearance, his family no longer sticks by him, and his life is out of control. He does not give up on getting Ella back but she no longer trusts him and he’s got a long road ahead.
Broken Prince is just as riveting as Paper Princess, but the tone is a little more desperate. Because Reed no longer gives a damn his high school peers start to spin out of control. Normally a nasty bunch, they are downright evil now. Easton doesn’t have it in him to be in charge as he’s one of the kids spiraling downward, his only interest getting drunk and laid. The sexual activity in this book amps up to another level adding to the dark tone of the novel.
I really do like Reed as the hero. He’s doesn’t have the humor and charm of Easton being a guy who fixes things with his fists. His alpha male-ness gives his actions conviction and his single mindedness in winning Ella back struck a chord. I liked that the two of them were brutally honest with no gray areas. It fit the style of this billionaire high school novel. Even though none of it was very realistic (at least I hope not!) I found the book really hard to put down.
Did I like Broken Prince as well as Paper Princess? No, but only because I liked Ella’s POV as the poor girl who gets found and is thrown into the rich life. It didn’t change who she was and I liked that honesty in her. Reed is honest too, but he’s more brutal and is better in smaller doses. Really, the Royal who steals the show is Easton, every time, but I haven’t gotten to his books yet. I like knowing his story is out there and will be reading them soon.
The Royals series has a LOT of adult situations and sexually explicit scenes. The covers of these novels make you think you’re reading Disney princess books, but The Royals series is on the opposite end of that princess spectrum. Be warned! However, once you pick one of these novels up? You won’t be able to put them down until you are finished. They are action packed and like any good soap opera they leave you wanting more. Yep, another cliffhanger! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Opinions from around the Blogosphere
“Lots to love about this book, and definitely will carry on to the next. Um, how can I not with the two bombs… yes, that’s right… TWO bombs dropped on us right at the end. Wowza!” Nerding Out With Nicky
Maisy Harrison has one rule, never date a musician. When she meets Ryan De Luna backstage at one of his concerts she’s surprised at their electricity but is determined to follow that rule and gives him some sass instead of the love he is used to receiving. Intrigued, Ryan looks her up and see’s that she and her band Yesterday have covered one of his more popular songs and he comments on the link, giving their video a huge push into the millions viewed. When he tracks her down at watches them play at their gig he offers them the opening act on his current tour. Too hard to pass up, Maisy finds herself living in temptations reach, her resolve weakening.
From the synopsis above you’d think this was all sex, love, and rock and roll, right? It is, kind of, but it’s the heart and emotion that drive this novel, not the sex. #Moonstruck is a “slow burn” romance. Meaning, that the relationship is fully developed before love hits the pages. You really get to know both Maisy and Ryan and like them a lot before their relationship hits romance status. What’s truly different about this novel is that there’s a ton of backstory regarding why Maisy thinks she should not get into a relationship with a musician, and some it is kind of heartbreaking.
I really liked all of the characters in this book. There was something really wholesome about all of them, which is a complete departure for a rock and roll romance! The banter between she and her brothers (her other band members) were really fun and full of love. Maisy’s sass was one of the things I loved about her the most.
At times I wondered if this was an Inspirational Christian novel, and even though there was a lot of self inspection, it didn’t cross into religion at all. Maisy was just trying to figure things out, herself included and Ryan was patient enough to believe she was worth the wait. It was so refreshing!
If you are a fan of slow burners, then you should definitely read this novel. It’s my first by this author and I have to admit I’m intrigued. Are they all this good without bringing the act of sex into the story? I’m definitely going to find out! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Opinions from around the Blogosphere
“I love Sariah Wilson’s writing and her characters. I love that there is chemistry, passion and a fairly normal feel to the people within her books. I love that there are sexy men who do not instantly want to jump into a woman’s underwear (and that it doesn’t happen) and that her books are full of humour, witty comments and fierce women.” Book Addict Rambles
“#Moonstruck is delightfully entertaining with banter and sizzle. Sariah Wilson definitely dials up the heat and tension with this fake relationship. Ms. Wilson developed a great cast of characters in Maisy’s siblings and friends with a cameo of Zoe and Chase from #Starstruck. ” Harlequin Junkie
At seventeen Ella Harper has lived harder than most girls her age. She’s had to come up with unconventional ways to take care of her dying mother and pay off her hospital bills. Stripping is the easiest way to make a buck and she can still go to school for her GED. When a strange man shows up at school saying he’s her guardian Ella does what comes easiest and runs, but unfortunately for her this guys has a ton of money and tracks her down- hauling her out of the strip club she’s in and back to his home to live with he and his five teenage sons. Those teenage sons? Handsome, built, and angry that she’s been brought into their lives.
Paper Princess is so many things! It’s irreverent, fast paced, dramatic, sexy, and really just a lot of fun to read. The contrast between Ella’s poor upbringing and the spoiled rich kids she encounters at home and school makes this a compelling read. It would be so easy for Ella to conform and yet she remains the same girl despite the easy access to sex, drugs, and money. The Royal boys are the biggest obstacle to Ella’s happiness. They control the school and whether someone is accepted or not and they all look to Reed for how to treat Ella. Let’s just say it doesn’t go in her favor. At first.
My public school upbringing was nothing like what I read in this novel, it was really fantasy life at it’s best. The normal cliques you typically read about were present but over dramatized 100%. The mean girls? They didn’t just bad mouth her they stuffed her locker with garbage and used tampons. Most of these scenes were not true to life, well at least not true to my own life but a fun escape from reality.
The Royal boys were the most fun to read about. Reed was tough, mean, beautiful, and brutal. Easton was funny, sarcastic, over-sexed, and ambivalent. Sawyer and Sebastian (twins) were not as large a part of this novel, but they looked to their older brothers for how to act and react. There is also an older brother, Gideon, who is off at school and makes several appearances, but all the brothers seem to look to Reed as the leader of the group. Ella realizes this quickly and doesn’t even try to play up to him, instead antagonizing and remaining true to her roots, but deep inside she wants to belong.
I really liked this book and thought it was entertaining and fun, but when I think about how this is directed towards teens I cringe a little. Some of the references and situations seem a little adult and I wonder if young adults think this is how they should be acting? Of course it’s not, it’s a fantasy world, but I worry that it will be taken seriously by some too young to understand the authors intent. If you don’t take it seriously, it’s great fun to read!
I would advise anyone who plans to read this series that there is a lot of mature content with some pretty explicit scenes. Be warned!
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Opinions from around the Blogosphere!
“In general I don’t think it’s a bad book. I finished it in two days, it’s entertaining and very fast paced. I didn’t care much for the abuse and rudeness in the first part of the book, but I did began to like it when the relationship between Ella and the brothers started to lighten up and they treated her like a sister. ” My Bookish Rambles
“This series is geared for more of a mature audience because there are sexual scenes throughout all of the books. This was such a fun read and kept me on my toes through not just the first, but all of the books throughout the series. I would recommend this to anyone likes contemporary!” The Book Instruments
As one of the Seven, Ivar’s mission is to find a way to return to a hellish dimension to save his brother Quade before that world gets crushed. In order to find his way back he needs the help of Dr. Promise Williams, mathematical genius. He’s not the only one who wants her services and he finds himself fighting off the evil Kurjans before they can kidnap her to rescue their own from a similar dimension. With the help of the demon and vampire races he spirits her away so she can find the mathematical formula that will save the day. Spending time with the Dr. brings out Ivar’s alpha side and they soon find themselves creating sizzling chemistry that they both find irresistible.
It was easy to jump right into the story as this is the 10th novel in the series and the third or fourth in this most recent rehabilitation of the story. I wish I could say it was as easy to like these characters but I found it really hard! Ivar is recovering from being lost jumping from dimension to dimension and surviving some horrible physical injuries as well as being mentally wiped out. His character although alpha, seemed more boorish and I just didn’t find the same heart in his character that I did in the heroes of the earlier novels. Promise, also, had some serious warmth issues. For two such cool customers I found it hard to find emotion in their slam bam thank you ma’am sex life, and even less so in their rather stilted dialog.
I have been a fan of Rebecca Zanetti’s and love the earlier Dark Protectors novels, but once she returned to this series after venturing into other novels, she seems to be having trouble finding that magical ingredient again. I did enjoy her Realm Enforcer’s series, which inhabits this same world, but the last couple of books have been so-so and I’ll admit to disappointment. I might think twice before picking up another one of these novels for fear of finding them lacking again.
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I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest.
Maddie Hanson was jilted at the altar six months ago. Living in her hometown of Orion surrounded by her friends, she is spending her time trying to bring her bookstore to life while at the same time waiting for her first book to be released. When her publisher sends out ARC’s of her book, she reads a not so nice review by a blogger named “Silver Fox” and retaliates in anger at his questioning her lack of romantic experience. This comment spurs Maddie to look at her past decisions and the men surrounding her to try to find her own real life romance hero.
Dating By The Book is a trip down memory lane of several novels that I and other bibliophiles love. Each man in Maddie’s life representing a hero in one of the novels her book club is reading. A club that is in fact filled with men; her high school boyfriend Dylan, lifelong friend Max, and dependable customer Charlie. Each of whom could be a romantic interest in the likes of Rhett from Gone with the Wind, Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and Rochester from Jane Eyre. Let’s not forget about the mysterious Silver Fox who develops into an email pal giving solid advice about life, love, and plot points in her novel. I couldn’t help but picture Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan from You’ve Got Mail each time her mail chimed!
Maddie’s journey to find passion and love was intertwined with her need to get her second book finished in time. Each lesson she learns about herself is written into her book, reminding me that each author puts her heart and soul into their novel, regardless of how well that novel is received. Luckily, that’s not a problem with Dating By the Book. Even if it didn’t have all of the literary references to hold my interest the story itself made sense and took me on a journey. It’s one of those books that can be taken as a life lesson to the person who reads it, or it can be tossed into a bag for their summer vacation. Both to be revered and enjoyed.
If you have read Mary Ann Marlowe’s two previous novels, Some Kind of Magic and Crazy Kind of Love you will be happy to hear that she does also have a rock star in this book. Is he the man of Maddie’s dreams? Well, he has a lot of competition, that’s for sure! Even with that familiarity, I was happy to see the author try something a little different in this novel which reads more as a Women’s Fiction novel than a Contemporary Romance. Also, for those readers who are fans of a slow burn romance novel, you’re going to love how the relationship between our heroine and hero develops throughout this novel. By the time they get together you are so ready for it, and I mean that in the best way possible.
It’s summertime and there are so many good books out there to read and not enough time to get to all of them. My recommendation is that Dating by the Book is worth moving up on your TBR pile, putting in your bag when you hit the beach, or digging out of your purse sitting on the train to work in the morning. It’s fun, but it also makes you think about your own choices in life, love and literature.
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I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review and it was honest!
Opinions from around the Blogosphere
“What didn’t really jive with me was the overall chaotic feeling of the characters and storyline. There was just a bit too much going on for my taste. I never fully connected with the main character or any of her love interests and, because of that, there was no one I was rooting for her to end up with.” The Oxford Comma Momma
Recently I was looking at my NetGalley ARC’s trying to map out my reading schedule and realized I didn’t have any books I had to read for a July release. What?!! Immediately I wondered if I missed any and Googled Goodreads most popular list of July releases to just double check. There are some good ones on the list but surprisingly only a few that were on my radar. Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton being releases but I like certain genre’s and there are only a few that hit my sweet spot.
It’s kind of nice to know I can read for pleasure and maybe get a head start on my August ARC’s, cause you know, I over-requested for that month. Sooo many August releases this year! Anywho… here are some July releases that I’ve added to my TBR, and got in line for a few of them at my local library.
DEB’S TOP 5 RELEASES FOR JULY
5) Protect the Prince (A Crown of Shards #2) by Jennifer Estep
Release Date: 7/2/2019
Publisher: Harper Voyager (Harper Collins)
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
I loved the first novel in this series and can’t wait to dive into Protect the Prince!
Synopsis:
Everleigh Blair might be the new gladiator queen of Bellona, but her problems are far from over.
First, Evie has to deal with a court full of arrogant, demanding nobles, all of whom want to get their greedy hands on her crown. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an assassin tries to kill Evie in her own throne room.
Despite the dangers, Evie goes ahead with a scheduled trip to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari in order to secure a desperately needed alliance. But complicating matters is the stubborn Andvarian king, who wants to punish Evie for the deaths of his countrymen during the Seven Spire massacre.
Dark forces are also at work inside the Andvarian palace, and Evie soon realizes that no one is safe. Worse, her immunity to magic starts acting in strange, unexpected ways, which makes Evie wonder whether she is truly strong enough to be a Winter Queen.
Evie’s magic, life, and crown aren’t the only things in danger—so is her heart, thanks to Lucas Sullivan, the Andvarian king’s bastard son and Evie’s … well, Evie isn’t quite sure what Sullivan is to her.
Only one thing is certain—protecting a prince might be even harder than killing a queen…
Nora Roberts is sometimes hit or miss, but I do like her Romantic Thriller’s, and well she is Nora Roberts and always hits my TBR.
Synopsis:
For both Zane and Darby, their small town roots hold a terrible secret. Now, decades later, they’ve come together to build a new life. But will the past set them free or pull them under?
Zane Bigelow grew up in a beautiful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Strangers and even Zane’s own aunt across the lake see his parents as a successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making appearances at their children’s ballet recitals and baseball games. Only Zane and his sister know the truth, until one brutal night finally reveals cracks in the facade, and Zane escapes for college without a thought of looking back…
Years later, Zane returns to his hometown determined to reconnect with the place and people that mean so much to him, despite the painful memories. As he resumes life in the colorful town, he meets a gifted landscape artist named Darby, who is on the run from ghosts of her own.
Together they will have to teach each other what it means to face the past, and stand up for the ones they love.
Not sure how I missed this one because I really like this author and this looks so cute! If you like YA, you need to check this one out.
Synopsis: One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?
Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year’s Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.
Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn’t so bad after all . . .
Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.
I actually did ask for an ARC of this novel and got rejected… BOO! I love Berkley books but for some reason I only get about 50% of the books I request. Regardless, this author wrote one of my top funniest books The Garden of Small Beginnings, and I hope for a repeat every time and so she lands on my TBR again…
Synopsis: Meet Nina Hill: A young woman supremely confident in her own…shell.
The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.
When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They’re all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It’s a disaster! And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn’t he realize what a terrible idea that is?
Nina considers her options. 1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.) 2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee). 3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)
It’s time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It’s going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.
1)Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Series #4) by Ilona Andrews
Release Date: 7/16/19
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Fantasy
It is not a secret that I’m having a secret love affair with the writing team called Ilona Andrews. LOVE this series, and really any series they write. This date just dropped this week and I AM SO EXCITED! They release each chapter for free on their website, but I always wait for the entire book to release to read it.
Synopsis: Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers—a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors—so she knows that a simple life isn’t in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud—completely abandoned by his family—has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she’s sworn off all things vampire.
Except… In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can’t just walk away from Arland. It doesn’t help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman—a human, with a very questionable past—who’s turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won’t get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there’s a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.
The Reading Chick 
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