The 5 Duets I Read in 2022 {Bookmas}

Hello Bookmas Day 4! Today I am sharing the 5 duets that I read in 2022. 

All five shared two things: 1) I could not put them down, and 2) I whined when the cliffhanger happened. The cliffhangers in these books were torturous, but I survived. Obviously. 

There was one duet where I had to wait about 5 months for the second book, but the wait was 100% worth it. The author gave me everything I could have wanted in that second half of the story.

What were the 5 duets? Thank you for asking, I'd love to tell you. 

This Life and All The Rest by Brit Benson {a review}

She's heaven and she's hell. She's my reward and my punishment. She'll ruin me again. I know it.

Brit Benson broke my heart with how The Love of my Next Life ended. Then came the wait for This Life and All the Rest. Lennon and Macon's story stuck with me, and I had to know how their story ended. So when I received an advanced copy of This Life and All the Rest I immediately dove in. From the moment I picked it up, I struggled to put it down. There were so many emotions packed in this book. There was 4 years of untold happenings waiting to be brought up.

My rating for This Life and All the Rest:

I'm going to be intentionally vague on a lot of happenings in this book, as it is a continuation of the first. So please bare with me on that. If you want me to expand on anything, drop me an email. There's a content/trigger warning I want to mention, but it's also a spoiler. So I'm conflicted on that. Is it enough to mention it just being a content/trigger warning without going into specifics? I'm going with yes.

This was a spectacular conclusion to Lennon and Macon's story! The secrets that were revealed. The truths that were spoken. The friendships that were made. The friendships that were broken. The hearts that had been broken being healed. It was all so damn wonderful.

Book one broke my heart. Book two continued with the heartache, and thankfully by the end healing was happening.

Everything Lennon went through during her separation with Macon (and her family) was intense. The heartache and pain were radiating off of her, and she was trying to heal however she could. Thankfully she had Sam by her side when needed whether by phone or in person.

Macon's life hasn't exactly been easy since Lennon went to London, but he's definitely turned a corner. Yes he's still upset with Lennon, and he doesn't understand the reasons she's done what she's done.

Everything is about to be revealed. What Lennon experienced. What Macon went through. What happened with their separation. All of it. All of that is being told while we also have the other storyline happening. After all there is a reason Lennon has returned to town. (that storyline may have had me shed a few tears)

Absolutely loved this duet. Brit Benson wrote an incredible story, created these characters who haven't had the easiest lives, and found away to bring them together for an emotional love story.

I need Sam to have her story told immediately. It's only fair! Plus I can't wait to see who she ends up with.

Go read this duet. It is one of my favorite duets of the year. Hands down. I hope you'll pick it up.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

She thinks our story is over.
It’s just beginning.

Lennon Washington has been the star of every dream, every nightmare, since the day I lost her.

Since the moment I let my demons win, and she slipped through my fingers.

Her memory has haunted me.
Changed me.
Broken me and remade me.
And I’d all but given up on us.

Now tragedy has brought her back into my life.
My secrets are at her disposal,
Hers are unraveling quickly,
And every emotion we’ve tried to deny is returning with a vengeance.

But we’re not kids anymore.
We have changed drastically.
And with each new ache, I start to wonder,

Is there a place for us in this life,
Or will we have to try again in the next one?

Thank you Brit Benson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of This Life and All The Rest.

Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

 

Pull by Sadie Rose {a review}

Pull is officially available! We can find out what happened between Olivia and Roman, and see how they FINALLY achieve their happily ever after. If you do not know, Pull is the second book in the Devereaux Duet and it should be read after Push. It's worth it, trust me.

Since this is the second half of the story, I can't really recap much. What we know is that at the end of Push, Roman was trying to reunite with Ollie. She wasn't open to any communication from him. Roman had one last option, and so he went for it. And that is where the story picks up. Just know that a person from Olivia's past makes an appearance, and that person is causing all the drama. It's a lot.

When I finished reading Push, I was wondering what happened to Olivia's ex. He had gone quiet, and in the back of my mind I knew that he would make an appearance! I just wasn't sure what it would lead to, or if it would bring drama. When it was revealed though. UGH. GRRR. ARGH.

Olivia and Roman continued to draw me in. Their whirlwind romance was once again put to the test. I appreciated how Cade, Roman, and Madison stepped in to work through it all. Olivia was a trooper as well, and she didn't want her people to get hurt (or waste resources).

The conclusion though was exactly what I had wanted. All the storylines were wrapped up, and I felt content with the story being finished. I can honestly say that there wasn't a part of this story that I didn't enjoy. I was all in with this duet, and did not want to put it down.

Highly recommend that you read the Devereaux duet! Especially if you like billionaire romances set in the workplace that have a forbidden aspect to them, as well as enjoying age gap romances. This duet has it all.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I hope that you'll pick up the Devereaux Duet, and be captivated by Roman and Olivia.

Laura

Cover Design: CT Cover Creations

Heartbroken after her breakup with billionaire Roman Devereaux, Olivia Monroe can’t move on while still working for his company- no matter how hard she tries. A new job could mean a fresh start but her past keeps coming back.

Roman knows he ruined his relationship with Olivia, but his success has never been from accepting setbacks. He’ll fight to get Olivia back- even if he has to sacrifice the armor that has always protected him.

Grab your copy on Amazon!

US | CA | UK | AU 

Free in KU

Add Pull to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Sadie Rose

Sadie Rose is an American author who pens fantasy novellas and romance novels. 

When she isn't writing she enjoys spending her free time reading, watching television and traveling. 

She lives on the west coast with her husband, son and cat. 

Connect with Sadie Rose

Facebook | Instagram | Amazon Author Page

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Thank you to Sadie Rose, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with a review copy of Pull.

Push by Sadie Rose

Have you heard of the Devereaux Duet by Sadie Rose? Push is the first installment, and we find out how Ollie and Roman meet. Not only that, but we see how their relationship builds, and the conflict that pushes them apart. Let me just say this book was so good! Seriously. If you enjoy age gap romances that take place at the work place, and one of the people in the relationship is a billionaire, then you need to grab this book!

It was Olivia's first day at her new job. Before she went to the office though, she swung by the coffee shop that her boyfriend, Jeff, always frequents. Their relationship was having issues, so she decided to surprise him. She knows he always stops in, so it's a no brainer. That is until he walks in, and he's not alone. Olivia tries to sneak out, but runs smack into another person, and spills her drink all over herself. It is then that her boyfriend sees her, and heads her way. The man that Olivia ran into, jumps into action, and pretends to be her partner. And that is how Roman and Olivia (Ollie) met. But they would soon run into each other yet again. After all, Olivia is now working for Devereaux Industries. Little does she know that the Roman she met this morning is Roman Devereaux. As in the owner of the company! Of course Olivia doesn't only meet Roman that day. She also meets Raymond, and he is about to become one of her best friends. From the initial run-in with Olivia, Roman has become intrigued, and he is going to make his intentions clear. Can they have a successful relationship while keeping it separate from work? Or will other issues jump in their path and push them apart?

I loved seeing how Roman and Ollie's story began. From that initial meetup at the coffee shop, to the discovery at work and Olivia's introduction, to her blossoming friendship with Raymond, and her continuing friendship with Madison. It was all spectacular. Plus it seemed like Roman would just randomly appear where she was, and that forced proximity helped grow their attraction. 

Of course no romance is without issues. Roman and Ollie definitely had some moments that they needed to work through. The biggest being the secret that Ollie was keeping. Now did she mean to keep this a secret? Eh, not really. The right time to tell Roman what was going on just hadn't happened. So when things blew up, the blew up in epic proportion. One party may have gone a bit over the top, reaction wise. That conflict though was just a stepping stone though, and I have a feeling that bigger things are going to happen. Yet this issue did push them apart, so it will be interesting to find out how they reunite. But we do know who helps play a role in that reunification!

So yes, I loved Roman and Ollie's story. That's just obvious. BUT, I also enjoyed getting to know bits and pieces about Madison and Raymond. Those two seem like great side kicks. I am intrigued by both, that is for certain. Then there is Miller. He intrigues me as well. While he maybe doing protection work for Roman and Ollie, I sense there is more to his story, and I hope we find that out.

Thankfully I don't have to wait too long to see how this story ends, as Pull releases on February 25. Bring on the conclusion to this story. I am so ready!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Push. I do hope you'll give this story a read, and perhaps fall for the characters. I will tell you that it is a quick read. So if you're looking for a book that is under 200 pages, grab Push!

Laura

Cover Design: CT Cover Creations

 

Fresh out of college, Olivia Monroe has a new apartment and a new job living in San Francisco with her best friend. Hoping for a fresh start drama free, Olivia has a chance encounter with an attractive stranger who turns out to be more than she bargained for.

  
Now her fresh start is becoming more precarious by the day as she navigates work, love, and a secret she intends to keep.

One Click Now!

Add Push to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Sadie Rose

Sadie Rose is an American author who pens fantasy novellas and romance novels. 

When she isn't writing she enjoys spending her free time reading, watching television and traveling. 

She lives on the west coast with her husband, son and cat. 

Connect with Sadie Rose

Facebook | Instagram | Amazon Author Page

Thank you to Sadie Rose, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with a review copy of Push.

The 8 Duets I Read in 2021

We've talked about my love of series, but another thing I enjoy are duets. Especially when they are well written, and there isn't too much time between release dates.

In years past I haven't read a lot of duets (duologies), but in 2021 I managed to read 8. Technically Chase by Kacey Shea could be considered a series, but the author considers it a duet, so I am too. Then there is the Bennett Duet. While Beni and Chantal's story is complete, I am still holding out hope for a novella or spin off featuring Miko. If you know, you know.  

Here are the 8 duets that I read in 2021.

Fall {a review}

Fall, the intense and must read conclusion to the Rise and Fall Duet from USA Today bestselling author Grahame Claire, is available now!

Since Fall picks up right where Rise left off, I don't feel right recapping the story. The chances of spoilers happening are way too high. So we're going to jump right into my thoughts on the book.

You may recall that I recently read Rise, and I had mixed feelings about the story. I didn't vibe with Lincoln at the beginning of the book, and I was quite irritated with him. Yet as the story continued on, I was curious. I was drawn in. Lexie and Eric had me sticking around. Then the cliffhanger happened, and I found myself NEEDING to know what happened next. And what happened next, had me loving the story. Seeing how Lincoln and Beau took care of Eric, and wrapped him up in love, friendship, and respect just pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing how Eric was determined to have Lincoln as a part of his life was amazing. Seeing how Lexie was torn up about the situation that was keeping her away from her brother just about broke me. Witnessing Eric and Lexie reunite was everything. Then there was the storyline about Lincoln's financial issues, and how all that played out had my jaw dropping. I couldn't believe that I read what I did. I didn't even mention the storyline about Lexie's situation. But how all that played out, and how it was resolved? SO GOOD. 

At the end of the day, I found myself truly enjoying Fall, and in turn appreciating what I read in Rise. Now that I've read the duet, I enjoyed the story as a whole. I still say that they way Lincoln was introduced in Rise was annoying, and I didn't like him. BUT he had major character growth, and we were able to witness compassion, concern, and a desire to protect those he cares about.

Do I recommend the duet? I do. I very much do. As long as you know that you might not like Lincoln very much at the beginning of Rise, and you might find him difficult to connect with. Stick with it though, because once you're past that introductory scene, it gets better.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

I have one thing in my life more important than anything else.

Protecting my brother.

Lincoln Hollingsworth is the beautiful distraction who stormed into our lives without so much as a hello.

I thought I hated him.

He’s determined to prove me wrong, earning pieces of my trust and my heart with every step.

But I should’ve paid attention.

While I was distracted, my past made a move that could cost me everything.

I’m not ready to lose Lincoln or my brother.

But I can’t keep them if I’m locked in a prison cell.

Grab your copy today!

Amazon US | Amazon WW | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add Fall to your Goodreads TBR!

Start the Duet today with Rise!

Amazon US | Amazon WW | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

About Grahame Claire

Grahame Claire is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

A writer. A blogger. United by our love of stories and all things romance. There was definitely some insta-love. Hello? Books involved. A little courting. A lot of writing. The result…Grahame Claire.

Soulmates. Unashamed of our multiple book boyfriends. Especially the ones that rooted in our heads and wouldn’t leave us alone. Don’t worry. We’ll share.

Pleased to meet you.

Want to find out what we're up to?

Connect with Grahame

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Website

Thank you to Grahame Claire, and Social Butterfly PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Fall.

Rise {a review}

Happy book birthday to Grahame Claire! Today is the day that Rise is available, and reader friends, I think you'll enjoy this one. Well that is if you enjoy billionaire romance, opposites attract, and/or the siblings best friend trope. I mean I enjoy all those things, so maybe you do too.

Rise is the first half of the Rise & Fall Duet, so know going in that this book ends with a cliffhanger! And you'll have to wait until August 24, 2021 for the conclusion. At the start of the book it appears as though Lincoln has gotten himself into a bit of trouble with the feds. So much so that they are trying to arrest him. In public and in front of his family. This cannot be happening. His siblings are trying to stop it, and Lexie and Eric step in to help so that enough time is created for someone else to arrive. Someone powerful enough to stop this. His father. It is at this place though where Lincoln takes notice of Lexie. He enjoys pushing her buttons. He enjoys talking with Eric (her brother). He's enjoying all of this. Lexie on the other hand is annoyed by Lincoln. He has this vibe about him that just screams "stay away". Yet she can't. Or rather Eric can't. Her brother happens to think Lincoln is the best person ever. What happens next is their journey towards their HEA. It's definitely not going to be easy. Both Lincoln and Lexie have major problems that need to be resolved, and it is seeming like both of these problems could be out of their hands.

Two quick things. When I started reading Rise, I wasn't completely sold on the book. I didn't understand what was happening, and honestly Lincoln was annoying me. Second, I am trying my best to overcome this reading slump/block/what-have-you, and so I'm worried that may cloud my judgement a little bit. I actually put Rise aside for a few days so that I could come back to it with fresh eyes, and maybe break through the fog that I am in. It helped a little. Back to the book. When I picked it back up Lincoln still annoyed me. He was still this pompous jerk who thought he was better than everyone. Now I don't mind our main character being a bit of an ass, but Lincoln was almost too much. Still I continued on. I found myself curious about what was happening with Lincoln in the fraud/theft situation, and then when the secondary issue arose, that definitely had me even more intrigued. Then there's Lexie. She and her brother Eric grabbed my attention from the beginning. These two are working hard to make their business work. They're working hard to have successful lives. They're working hard to stay together. Then when their backstory was told, my heart broke a bit. And I understood them a bit more. The relationship between Lexie and Lincoln is slow burn at its finest. The attraction is there. The intrigue is there. These two are complete opposites with the exception of their work ethic. It's really interesting to watch their relationship/friendship/acquaintance situation evolve.

If you know me, you know that the siblings best friend trope is one of my top 3 favorite tropes. I also happen to enjoy billionaire romances, slow burn romances, and when the main characters are from opposite sides of the tracks (so to speak). I say that to say, there was something about Rise that didn't quite meet my expectations. It didn't give me what I wanted.  I have a feeling that had to do with the slow burn aspect. I was waiting for the love story to really kick in. I was waiting for the passion. I was waiting for the steam. And yet what I received was a few kisses. There wasn't really anything else in that regard when it came to the romance. Now the bromance between Lincoln and Eric? That was prevalent. I loved every single moment of that. I just wanted more between Lincoln and Lexie. I also wanted more of their stories. I wanted to find out what was happening with Lincoln's situation. Then when the cliffhanger happened, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe the story was ending like that. So now I will wait for August 24 to read the conclusion. I can't not read it, as I have to know what happens next. Not just in their romance, but in the situations that were occurring for each of them.

Let's talk rating real quick. I'm choosing to give this 3.5 stars. Part of me feels that could be a bit low, but then I also know that the book wasn't up to par with what I wanting or with what I'm used to reading. 3.5 isn't a horrible rating. It's a decent book with a potentially interesting storyline.

Now, do I recommend the book? Maybe. If you're not looking for a book heavy on the romance, then yes read it. Or if slow burn is your jam, then absolutely give it a read. If you're like me, you'll be intrigued by Lexie and Eric. I think you'll also be curious about Lincoln's situation. But if you're looking for a "typical" romance novel, then I'd say skip it.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,

Laura

I have it all.

As a titan of New York City real estate, there’s nothing out of my reach.

Money. Power. Success.

The rise to the top wasn’t easy, but I’ve overcome every obstacle in my way. Including the biggest one.

My father.

Then I met her.

She isn’t afraid to put me in my place. Doesn’t tip toe around me because of who I am.

And she’s there to witness the most humiliating moment of my life.

The thing about being on top is there’s a lot further to fall.

Someone wants to see me lose everything.

And they just may get their wish.

Because I can’t focus on anything except my sister’s best friend.

Grab your copy today!

Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add Rise to your Goodreads TBR!

Reserve the second book in the duet Fall!

Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add Fall to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet

Grahame Claire is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

A writer. A blogger. United by our love of stories and all things romance. There was definitely some insta-love. Hello? Books involved. A little courting. A lot of writing. The result...Grahame Claire.

Soulmates. Unashamed of our multiple book boyfriends. Especially the ones that rooted in our heads and wouldn’t leave us alone. Don’t worry. We’ll share.

Pleased to meet you.

Want to find out what we're up to?

Connect with Grahame

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Website

Thank you to Grahame Claire and Social Butterfly PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Rise.