Monday, March 13, 2017

1st Time Love - Dirty Down South Book #1- By Sapphire Knight



Tyler
Football is life.
Growing up, my family loved to cheer me on, and after my parents accident, I vowed to be the best I could be to honor their memory.
After a while, life starts to pile up, college, football, and helping out my brothers.
I just need a small reprieve, especially if she’s five foot five, brunette and has legs that go on for miles.
Fun is fun... Not like anyone’s going to fall in love.

Kadence
Star football player..... Check.
Spoiled brat..... Check.
Just when I think I have Tyler Owen’s all figured out; he knocks me on my ass, literally.
I wasn’t expecting him to help me up, or the little shock that I felt when we touched, but then I didn’t think I’d fall in love either.

1st Time Love is a complete standalone novel with a happily ever after and no cheating.


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GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27241167-1st-time-love

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Addicted 2 Romance Review:

* I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.*

This was a really sweet romance. Its my first time reading this author and I was really impressed. This is the story about the football player and the geek. The football player is Tyler and he is not just a football player, he is college student at Alabama where is the star of the team. Everyone knows and loved him. I honestly didn't really see him with Kaydence. But by the end of the story I felt they were perfect together.

K is a HUGE klutz and one day she literally runs into T and from that moment on T is smitten. There is no better word because K really tries to resist. But T is so romantic and sweet that I would not been able to resist him either.

This book is heavy on college life which is what I LOVE in my college age romances.It features the fun stuff and not so fun stuff. Like  the guy who rapes and blackmails girls. Luckily we never see that in the story. That really gave this book a more serious turn and explored what you can do if you know but no one else will admit it is happening and yet you have to play on the same team with the guy. Really a tough dilemma for a bunch of football players.

As to T's brothers, I adored them and look forward to their story.



About the Author

Sapphire Knight is the International Bestselling Author of Secrets, Exposed, Relinquish, Corrupted, Forsaken Control, Unwanted Sacrifices, Friction, Unexpected Forfeit, Russian Roulette, Princess and 1st Time Love.

The series are called Russkaya Mafiya, Oath Keepers MC, Ground and Pound, and Dirty Down South. Her books all reflect on what she loves to read herself.

Sapphire's a Texas girl who is crazy about football. She's always had a knack for writing, whether it is poems or stories.

She originally studied psychology and believes that it's added to her passion for writing.

Sapphire is the proud mom of two boys and has been married for thirteen years. When she's not busy in her writing cave, she's playing with her three Doberman Pinschers. She loves to donate to help animals and watch a good action movie. 


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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Love So Right - The Lawson Brothers #7 -by Marquita Valentine

Apple McCoy has given up on love. Preston Lawson has never given up on anything. For years Preston Lawson has loved the beautiful and unattainable Apple McCoy from afar. Now he’s determined to make her his and he’s not going to let her fear of falling get in his way… until she bolts the morning after he finally gets her into bed.

Apple refuses to let any man get too close and Preston is no exception. She won’t allow herself to be seduced by the sexy bartender’s flirtatious smiles and bedroom eyes, which is exactly why she skips town for a much-needed vacation… only to run straight into Preston.

It’s not until they’re in paradise that she finally lets him in, eagerly succumbing to his persistent charms. But what happens when they return to Jessamine and reality sets in? Will Apple shut him out once more, or will Preston be able to show her just how right they are together?

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Addicted 2 Romance Review:


I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I am a HUGE fan of this series and I have read all the stories in this series. Largely they stand alone. Though you will understand things better if you read the previous books. This book stars Apple, Lemon and Cherry McCoy so you will want to read their books at the very least and maybe even Caleb's and Brody's too if you are new to the series.

While the Lawson boys are mentioned, they don't really appear, as this is about their cousin Preston who has always had a crush on Apple. This is his story on how he gets Apple to have anything to do with him and date and fall in love with him.

Apple, who everyone thinks is slutty, isn't, its all an act. As is her tough girl act. She is really a big marshmellow inside and Preston has always known that. But she also has been hurt and has done some bad things and  while I knew she did, I have always had a soft spot for her.

I did read Caleb's book and I always thought what he and Iris did to Lemon was really crappy. So I pretty much sided with her on one of the biggest issues in this book and her history with the Lawson's. I LOVE that Apple takes a lot of convincing to give Caleb a shot.

In fact its a friends to lovers story and Preston is fanatastic. He wants Apple and their is absolutely nothing he won't do to get her. These two when they are together, they are so cute, romantic and sweet that I fell hard for them as a couple.


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Tuesday, March 7, 2017

A Cowboy for Mary - Hearts of Gold #3 - by Lizabeth Scott

From author, Lizabeth Scott comes the long waited for third and final book in the contemporary romantic comedy series, Hearts of Gold.

 Rose married the man of her dreams, Sheik Rashid, after a rocky start with a totally unexpected "special arrival." 

 Annie found her soulmate in the brilliantly talented music star, Carter Ryan.

 Finally, it’s Mary’s turn! 

 Mary is known as the determined and single-minded sister who always had her sights set on a career in New York City. That’s how her family knew her. That’s what they expected. Funny thing about expectations…

 Never in her life had Mary Gold met such a perplexing and utterly mouthwatering man. 

 Stranded in the blazing hot sun of Able, Texas, the swoon-worthy cowboy rode up on his golden steed and rescued her from becoming a puddle on the deserted road. The man of her dreams then turned into an insulting jerk at any and every opportunity! If her very existence irritated him, why did he keep coming around? And why did her day seem a little brighter when he did?

Ethan knew her type all too well–high maintenance and with an agenda that would end up costing him dearly. Been there, done that, and had the scars of betrayal to prove it.

 His little daffodil represented everything he detested yet he found her gorgeous and adorable and she smelled as good as all those silly flower names he called her. He should have dropped her off in town and never looked back, but he couldn’t seem to stay away.

 No matter how hard he tried, avoiding her wasn't working. There was only one thing to do; send her back where she came from, and take temptation far, far away! So, why did he turn in the opposite direction and take her back to his place?

The fly in the ointment ... appearances can be deceiving.
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GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34201619-a-cowboy-for-mary 

 PURCHASE LINKS


Addicted 2 Romance Review:


 * I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.*

 This is my first book by this author and I found her writing very smooth and things moved along nicely. The story is about sister, Mary and is #3 in the series. Being that it was the 3rd I felt it stands alone very nicely since I have not read book 1 or 2 . 

 I really enjoyed the story and characters. The first part of the book was different than what I expected. Ethan is a bilionnaire lawyer pretending to be a cowboy when he meets Mary in Texas.

 It is hate and love all at once at least on his side. He has just been used and cheated on by his live in girl friend who was only with him for money. He goes home to Texas where he runs into Mary. Mary whose car stalled in Texas, where she is on a business trip and who then thought "oh I will just walk to the next town." So when she collapses and is injured from the trek in front on Ethan, he pegs her as a rich, stuck up brat and while he takes care of her, he also treats her terribly and lusts after her all the same time.
Mary hates Ethan because of how he treats her, yet she lusts after him, while thinking he has a different woman every day. They both have big preconceived notions of the other and are not 100% honest with each other about who they really are.

 This story is about looking beneath the image people throw up and to see inside the person and that sometimes what we think we need, is not always what makes us the happiest. I really enjoyed getting to know Ethan and Mary. They really ended up having this very beautiful relationship and I really loved their story.

About the Author

Who is Lizabeth Scott? A voracious reader and a full-time writer for about 4 months!  Liz is a wife and mother of two grown children and the proud grandma of the sweetest little baby ever. She is the personal assistant to a terrier terror named Moxie who she occasionally takes to the drive-through for a burger. Liz is a Carolina girl who loves sand between her toes as frequently as possible. At the prompting of a friend Liz began living her dream of writing in 2013 and is now the author of The Royal Vow Series, The Hearts of Gold Series, The Dirty Ankle Series and The Love Kissed Series. 

 Liz loves to connect with readers and invites you to join her on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM. Be the first to hear about updates and get your hands on free bonus chapters by joining Liz’s NEWSLETTER. Be sure to stop by her WEBSITE and browse through all her books.


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Monday, March 6, 2017

UNWRITTEN by Jen Frederick


After years of trying to hit it big with his band, Adam Rees’ dream is finally about to come true. A new lead singer brings with him a hot tour invite, but with a catch—his sister has to come with them. 

 Despite an off-limits edict, Adam is instantly attracted the smart and beautiful Landry. But if he wants to claim his woman, it might be at the expense of all his ambitions. Landry Olsen has had success at every stage of her life, except when it comes to men. She’s put her heart on the shelf, but one look at Adam and she’s a goner. 

 The hot rocker heats her from the inside out, and she wants him as much as he wants her. The only thing standing in their way of their happiness is Landry's brother—she ruined his musical hopes before, and she won't do it again. Even if it means saying no to the one guy who makes her believe in love again. There’s no fruit more tempting than the forbidden kind…

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Addicted 2 Romance Review:


 *I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.*

 I have only read one book in this series but I am a fan of the authors football series. So this was the first time I met Adam and our heroine Landry. 

 BeforeI start talking about the plot, I totally LOVED this story. Landry, is a girl that has been hiding from life for an excellent reason and well I loved how  free she got in this story and not only that but she learned that she had power and how to fight back. This is definitely a girl power story.

Adam was hot, sexy and sweet. I LOVED how he waited for Landry in all ways. He truned into her best friend and he gave her space to know what she wanted and when she chooses to hide their relationship he even stands by that decision. He really teaches her to believe in herself and to realise that she is a strong, independant woman and I fell hard for him.

 From the second that Adam meets Landry he wants her, it is pretty much a case of instalove. BUT he also has a new bandmate and he is Landry's very protective brother. Landry meanwhile has/had a stalker and so when the band gets a tour of 5 months Landry goes along to escape the stalker and hang out with her brother and his band. 

 Thats pretty much the plot. Landry is a computer geek, she made millions selling her app that she created with her friend so she has a lot of freedom. With her parents away, her BFF traveling and her brother on tour, she decides she'd rather be with people than alone and she goes and has a blast. She really gets to know Adam and the whole band and she also gets to know who she is.

 This is a sexy and hot romance but also a story about her finding herself  while falling for Adam and him for her. I really LOVED this story and cannot wait for more from this author. I am totally hooked.



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Friday, March 3, 2017

Dare to Dream - Carolina Beach #1- by C.A. Harms


fter the sudden death of his wife two years ago, Darren Griffin has finally found peace. He has a good life, good job, two daughters he’d do anything for, and a beautiful home on the beach.

 Greer Monroe is grieving the loss of her father. It’s the final rung on the broken ladder that’s become her life—crappy job, no friends, and a cheating ex-boyfriend. At the insistence of her aunt, Greer decides to spend some time at her family’s beach house.

 When the glee-filled sound of children’s laughter dances through the breeze, Greer finds herself smiling again. The neighbor girls are carefree, depicting a life Greer has only dreamed about. Husband, children, happiness—a family. And their father, Darren, he’s everything a woman could ever want.

But it is, of course, only a dream.

 She can’t stay at Carolina Beach, no matter how much she adores Darren and his daughters. She has responsibilities at home, a mother who needs her. Where there’s love, there’s heartbreak, and she can’t go through that again. And she sure as hell won’t do that to those little girls.

 But Darren isn’t letting her go that easily. It’s been so long since he’s felt this way for anyone. Greer is his missing piece, a piece he never thought he’d find.

 Saying goodbye is hard, but sometimes starting over is even harder.

 Only when they dare to dream again, will they ever dare to love.


Links:



Addicted 2 Romance Review:

Addicted 2 Romance Review:

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.**

This was a wonderful book. It leaves you with a wonderful happy feeling and those are my most favorite books to read and review. This book starts out on a bad note. Greer's father has just died and she was blessed with the best dad in the world and while trying to find comfort she runs to her best friend and boyfriend to find him cheating on her.

Devestated by both events her family sends her to their cabin at the beach in North Carolina. There she meets Darren and his two daughters who have also suffered a huge loss. This story is really about all 4 of them finding out how to move on from loss.

I really loved this story and it was a fun, easy and despite the topic a light read as well. It is full of love, family and their craziness and finding love for a 2nd time. I LOVED Darren he is a beautiful man and well Greer is beautiful on the inside  as well.
I have read only one or two books from the author before, so this book was a wonderful surprise, how much I loved it. I hope to check more of her work because this book was beyond wonderful and so full of fun and romance that I really loved it.

The two girls in the story were adorable. To some it might be unusual that everyone was so happy and open to accepting Greer in Darren's life but it made me realise that they all had learned to never take life for granted and to enjoy the people you love because they might not always be around. It was really a great message and this is one you will fall in love with and want to re-read again.

Except:

Darren

“So who is the girl?” My mother’s question confused me, and the look on my face must have expressed that confusion. “The one the girls keep talking about,” she added unhelpfully. “Vivian said you were talking to a pretty lady today and she made you smile. The one from the blue house.”
I shook my head and chuckled as I finally understood. How could a friendly introduction between two neighbors be interpreted as anything more than it was? Then again, I was dealing with two girls that had their pushy, nosy, need to-fix-it-all granny fishing for any snippet of my nonexistent personal life.
The woman was hell-bent on me being happy, but I was happy. I had my girls, and I didn’t need anyone else.
“Just a new occupant in the vacation home behind us,” I said and got back to working on the pipe below her kitchen sink.
But she kept hovering. “Oh yeah,” she said dragging out the word a little longer than necessary.
“Yeah, Ma,” I said, ignoring her strange interest in nothing. “Just a simple hello, nothing more.”
“That isn’t what Vivian told me,” she said, her voice laced with humor.
Oh Lord, the woman either needed a damn hobby or she needed to focus on my brother, who was twenty-six and still living above her damn garage. He was the one who needed a push, not me.
“Vivian is four years old, and she still believes in princesses and dragons.” I leaned out from under the sink and gave my mother an exasperated look. “Gossiping with my daughter about my love life, or lack thereof, isn’t your style, Ma.”
“Yesh, it is.” I looked to my left to find Dean, my brother, talking through a mouthful of chips as the crumbs fell from his lips to the floor at his feet. “She doesh it all the time,” he assured me, still attempting to talk with his mouth full. I looked back at my mother.
She shrugged and gave me that innocent look she used to her advantage often, only this time I didn’t buy it. She was guilty.
Guilty of prying and using my daughter—or daughters, I had to assume—as her window into my life. 

The woman was evil.

About the Author:

C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.





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Switch By Adrian Locke - A Total Favorite!!


Mallory Sims is late for her first day of work. 

 After spilling her tea, she discovers she has no gas in her car. Add that her arm keeps sticking to her dress from syrup left on the console of her car, flustered feels like an understatement.

 Then she sees her new boss. 

 Graham Landry is the epitome of NSFW in his custom-fit suit, black-rimmed glasses, and a look so stern her libido doesn’t stand a chance. Being flustered is just the start of her problems. 

 Her punctuality is only the start of his. With a pink slip in hand, he’s been waiting on his new secretary to show up only to let her go. Then she rushes in with her doe eyes and rambling excuses, smelling like bacon and lavender. The termination paper falls to the side as she falls in his arms. 

 This is a disaster in the making. Not because of his pinpoint exactness or her free spirit, but because when they’re together, the sparks that fly threaten to burn the whole place down.

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Addicted 2 Romance Review:


 **I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.**

 I am a newer fan of this author but I totally LOVE this series. The Landry brothers and sisters I am a BIG fan of them. They are fun and sweet and all of them are quirky but they love each other while giving each other hell. Each book stands alone but its a super great series and so I highly recommend you read each one.

 Book 1 is about the single mother and the politician, Barrett and Alison and I think this is still my favorite of all three.

 Book 2: is about the baby brother and baseball player, Lincoln and the do gooder  he falls for, Dani

 Book 3: is about Graham, the CEO and former nerd and the family friend, Mallory, his new assistant.

 I really loved  this story alot. Well as mentioned I love them all, but I thought this books sex scenes were beyond HOT!!! I enjoyed the sex scenes in the other books but the ones in this book were beyond hot and I think its because its the story where the the Landry tries to fight his desire and well LOSES so there is a lot of hot sex and lots of alphaness.

 Beyond this being a great office romance this is also a story about two very opposite characters attracting. Graham is this HUGE control freak. At times he seemed to be very OCD about how he wanted things done and how messes drove him crazy. Even romantically he likes everything just in its place. He works hard and plays seldom and is a huge success professionally but not socially.

 Well things go wrong for him when his assistant Linda leaves and he goes thru 14 temps until Mallery is hired on a recommendation from his sister. (YES she is friends with his two sisters). Mallery is his total opposite. She likes to have fun, she teaches Yoga and knows how to relax, she is social, she lives in a mess and even her car is a disaster. Mallery doesn't even have a life plan, she is a college drop out and just broke up with a long term boyfriend. If anyone is Grahams opposite it is her.

 Yet she organizes his life perfectly and she drives him insane with lust. So he struggles to resist her. He knows if he gets involved with her, it will be very messy. I totally loved Graham and Mallery together. Beyond LOVED. She really was this sexy , cuddly bear and I loved that about her. She really softened Graham and he totally needed that. He also changes her too and I loved that about how the author wrote them.

 While Graham was not my favorite Landry, he is definitely a contender and I loved how HOT he was for Mallery.

Excerpt:

We both know we aren’t just talking about a moved stapler or a mishmash of files. As that really sets in, the air around us gets heavier. Hotter. Hazardous.
“Those things always lead to dangerous situations,” he says, his eyes trained on me.
I shift in my seat, the throb between my legs growing stronger by the second. “People do it every day and survive.”
“They may survive, but don’t things get messy?”
“Only if they do it right.”
His chair flies backwards and he’s to his feet and next to me before I know what’s happening. He doesn’t ask that I stand, but he doesn’t have to. It’s implied and my body reacts accordingly to his silent command.
We stand face-to-face, our breathing ragged. Our chests heave with the anticipation, the possibility, of what might come next.
“You are, quite possibly, the most dangerous of them all,” he says, his voice rough.
“Why is that?” I breathe.
“There’s no plan for you.”
“But you’ve already penciled me in, haven’t you, Graham?” I ask, finding the courage to play this little game with him. Being strictly professional is incredibly hard, and this is way too easy.
I can flirt with the best of them in a bar or on a college campus. But here, with him, it’s a game all its own. A level I had no idea I’d ever be a contender in. Maybe I’m not, but I’m going to play the hell out of it while I’m here … even though if I keep it up, I might not be here for long.

“What do you want, Mallory?”
“I want to do all the things you ask of me and do them better than you ever expected they could be done.”
A rumble emits from his throat as his eyes darken. My knees go weak and I grab the table with my left hand to ensure I don’t fall.
He licks his lips and flips his gaze to my mouth. I think I whimper as I lift my chin, waiting to see what he does next. My entire body is on fire for this man, my heart thumping so hard I’m sure he can hear it.
He moves so my back is pressed against the table, our food long forgotten. His hands are on either side of me, caging me in. Our eyes locked together, he leans in, a slow smirk spreading across his gorgeous face.
“Excuse me, Mr. Landry. Ford is here to see you,” Raza chirps through the line.
We exhale simultaneously, a giggle escaping with mine. There’s nothing funny about this, but the energy has to come out in some way.
“Mr. Landry?” she asks again.
“I’ll be right out. Thank you, Raza.”
“Oh, you’re so welcome, sir.” The line clicks off and Graham marches across the room and punches a button. The light on top indicates he’s not to be disturbed.
I busy myself with cleaning up our lunch, and before he’s at my side again, I have everything bundled up.
“Thanks for lunch,” I say like nothing just happened.
“Mallory …” He runs his hand through his hair, leaving one lock sticking up. Knowing what that will look like if we walk out together, I reach up, hesitating for a split second, before smoothing it out.
His hair is silky against my fingers. He jumps when I touch him at first, but doesn’t back away. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing went on in here. I refuse for it to look like something did. That’s the way rumors get spread, Mr. Landry.”
“Mallory, I …”
I get a final look at his face, reach up and straighten his tie as his eyes go wide, then turn towards the door. “I’ll send Ford in.”
“Mallory!”
“Yeah?” I turn to see him over my shoulder. He’s standing by the table, his hands in his pockets looking frazzled. When he doesn’t respond, I place my hand on the knob. “I’ll have that file back to you before I leave today. Thanks again for lunch.”

I walk out before I can change my mind. 

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

 She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket. 

 For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana's Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.


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Wednesday, March 1, 2017

A Broken Soul by Jessica Prince



He’s terrified of loving her.

Quinn Mallick already had his happily-ever-after, and in the blink of an eye it was ripped away from him. Now he’s content to walk through the rest of his life carrying the weight of that guilt on his shoulders. He’s convinced he doesn’t deserve a second chance. But when the town’s beautiful dance teacher turns her sights on him he finds himself questioning everything.

She’s terrified of losing him.

Lilly Mathewson’s once quiet, predictable life has been turned on its head. Feeling alone and adrift, she finds her comfort in the most unexpected of places. Falling for the town widower was never part of the plan, but there is just something about the temperamental man she can’t seem to let go of.


What started as two grieving people leaning on each other has quickly turned into something neither of them expected. Lilly is ready to take the next step, but how do you move forward when the man you love refuses to let go of the past?

He has a broken soul. She has a broken heart. And the only way for them to heal is if they do it together.


***This is Book 3 in the Pembrooke series, a spin-off of Wildflower. They are interconnected standalones.***


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Addicted 2 Romance Review:


**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.**

I am a big fan of the authors and this series. I have read the sub series and the Pembrooke series and I have loved all of them. Requesting to review this book- well I was very excited because I LOVED both Lilly and Quinn as they are both featured a lot in the 2nd book.

Lilly I beyond loved. Maybe I loved her too much because I really felt her pain. Lilly is very broken up about losing her father in this story. It is what makes her attractive to Quinn, that she is in this pain and can't figure out how to deal with it.

Quinn is the broken one in this story and he really doesn't believe anyone else can understand, until one night he sees Lilly dancing as tears drip down her face. At that point he gets interested in her. They start out as friends and then get more involved with each other.  And I really loved Lilly and Quinn together. And Quinn's daughter Sophie, well she was adorable. This author is very talented in creating kids and making them adorable.

I really enjoyed the writing and I really felt both Lilly and Quinn's pain. It was very real and I could really symphathize with how they both felt. But at about 70% Lilly gets fed up with Quinn and to be honest I did too.

What I did not understand is why he could not let himself be happy and why he kept hurting Lilly. Yes he felt alot of guilt for driving the car and then his wife dieing. And I am sure that kind of guilt never goes away, but why he could not commit that I did not understand and I kind of felt Lilly deserved much better. Luckily as I was feeling that way, so was Lilly.

I loved when she dumped him and kept turning away from him. BEST part of the story. Then finally Quinn sees the light and decides to fight for Lilly and thats when the book got really good again.

Did I enjoy this story? Yes. I LOVED Lilly. She put up with a lot. A LOT!! But in the end Quinn proved that he wanted her and loved her and he worked for it. So while he is not my favorite hero in this series, and at times he was a total jerk, he does come around and in a big way.


“So what about you? Have you always wanted to dance?”
Her voice went soft, her expression wistful. “Yeah. I’ve been dancing since I was about eight. I started a little later than most, but once my mom put me in classes, I was hooked.”
“You’re amazing,” I found myself admitting. “Why didn’t you go to New York or something like that?”
Her face flushed, and something told me it wasn’t from the wine this time. “You’ve seen me dance?”
“Yeah. Last week. I was getting in my truck after grabbing a coffee. The blinds to the studio were open and you were in there by yourself.” I stopped, thinking back to the sadness on her face that morning. “You were…”


“Crying,” she whispered, and although she still wore a smile, I could see the sadness had returned. “Yeah. You kind of caught me on a bad day.”
Suddenly I was aware of what I must have been putting my loved ones through, because even though I knew it wasn’t fair, I wanted to push her to talk about whatever was bothering her. Instead, I ignored that curious niggling in my gut and said, “You know, I might not be as good a listener as you are, but if you ever need to talk…”
“Thanks,” she smiled. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I just got some bad news the day before.” She stopped long enough to inhale deeply before she continued. “My dad’s sick. Cancer. I found out about it the day before.”
“Christ,” I hissed. “Lilly, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right. I was struggling with how to cope, you know? I couldn’t imagine…” Her voice cracked and her throat moved as she swallowed. “I still can’t imagine not having him, and knowing he’s going to die… it really fucking sucks.” When she let out a self-deprecating laugh, it took everything I had not to jump across the table and wrap my arms around her. I’d never felt more out of my element with a person before, yet, at the same time, I could relate to her better than most.
“I went down to the studio before it opened and put on the music and just… escaped for a little while. I’ve always used dancing as a way to escape. When I was little, I had trouble in school. I’m dyslexic and it took a while for the doctors to be able to diagnose it. I know it’s not really a big deal, but when you’re in elementary school and have trouble reading, well, let’s just say the kids can be real assholes.
“My mom enrolled me in dance classes and I discovered that when I was moving, when the music was playing, all the mean things those kids said about me just… disappeared. It was my escape, to this day it still is. So, to answer your question, that’s why I never wanted to pursue something like New York. It might sound weird, but what I do now, when I dance, even when I teach my kids, it’s all for me. If I tried to join a company, everything I did would be for them. Doing what I do now, I don’t have to answer to anybody. I don’t have to worry about the routines becoming monotonous. I get to leave my head for a while and not worry about the outcome. Does that make any sense?”


I hardly recognized my voice, the sound rougher, almost jagged as I said, “It makes perfect sense.” I had no clue what was coming over me, why I was reacting the way I was, but I couldn’t stand to see that heartache in her eyes any longer. Standing from my place on the floor, I held my hand out to her. “Come on. I want to watch you dance.”
“What? Now?” she asked incredulously. “You want to watch me dance right now?”
I gave a casual shrug and let my lips curl up in a grin. “Why not? You got other plans at the moment?”
“Well… no, but—”
“Perfect, so nothing’s stopping you.” She didn’t seem convinced, and for reasons beyond my comprehension, I wanted nothing more than to see this gorgeous woman dance. So, I pushed.
“Come escape with me for a little while.”

Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.

Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.

In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.

Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.
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He's A Mean One - Content Advisory #8 - By Lani Lynn Vale

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