Lachlan in a Kilt {a review}

Lachlan in a Kilt is the brand new book from Anna Durand, and it is the kick off to her brand new Ballachulish Trilogy! And let me tell you, this book is full of romance, steam, groveling, and you get a HEA at the end.

When the story begins, we find Lachlan attending a club that is meant as a place for casual hookups. I know. Not exactly the setting you'd think we'd be in, but go with it. All Lachlan can think about though is Erica, his new temporary neighbor. So imagine his surprise when he sees her sitting at the bar. Erica immediately assumes Lachlan is someone else (the man she was supposed to be meeting). That being said, she is drawn to him, and he captivates her. The next day, Lachlan and Erica officially meet, and Erica assumes that Lachlan is stalking her. She doesn't realize that he is her new, temporary, neighbor. Lachlan is in America for only a month while his friend is back in Scotland staying at his house on vacation. Lachlan is attracted to Erica, and he cannot get her off his mind. So he convinces her to have a month long relationship. The only rule is that they can share no personal information. Seems simple right? Well this proves to be anything but.

Lachlan in a Kilt was a pretty decent story. I will say that it seemed a bit heavier on the steamy scenes than the story, but hey every once in a while those types of books can be appreciated. Now that's not to say that there wasn't a story going on, because there was. Erica clearly had things she was going through with Presley (her ex), and Lachlan was dealing with a divorce that kept stalling. Both of them needed to get through that, but it was proving that they both needed some assistance. I loved the bits of Gaelic that were thrown in throughout the story. I loved how Rory was helping Lachlan not only with his divorce, but with Erica's issues, and eventually on winning Erica back. The point of conflict was good, and I'm glad that it wasn't handled quickly. Sometimes it seems that the hero or heroine forgive too quickly, and things are just glossed over. That wasn't the case in this book. So I appreciated that. The reunion was wonderful and brought us back full circle. And can I just say, I loved Erica's dog. I have a thing for Goldens and oh this pooch! Such a good boy. After finishing Lachlan in a Kilt, I am now eagerly anticipating Aiden's story. Is it July 27 yet? I can't wait to see all that he goes through on his journey towards an HEA.

If you enjoy steamier books, ones that feature love at first sight, and/or a rich hero, then go grab this book. I've also learned that while this story is told from Lachlan's viewpoint, Erica tells her side of the story in Dangerous in a Kilt!  So I'm going to need to check that out to see what that's all about.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Lachlan MacTaggart is hot, Scottish, and dangerous — to a woman's heart.

I'm done with love. My ex-wife made sure of that. When my American friend offers to swap houses with me for a month, I can't say no. Chicago sounds like the perfect place for a holiday, until I find out there's a sexy American lass living next door.

Erica Teague is bonnie, clever, and as wounded as I am. But I won't ask her why. All I need is Erica in my bed for four weeks, no strings, just a summer fling. We won't talk about our pasts, our lives, or anything except sex.

That's the plan. But the woman who's too young for me is determined to crawl under my skin and expose everything.

Lachlan in a Kilt is the first book in The Ballachulish Trilogy, a brand-new series based on the first three books in the bestselling Hot Scots series, reborn and retold from the heroes' perspectives. Lachlan in a Kilt is coming soon in audio and will be narrated by John Hartley.

Download today from one of these retailers!

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add to your Goodreads TBR HERE!

Meet Anna

Anna Durand is a bestselling, multi-award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her books have earned bestseller status on every major retailer and wonderful reviews from readers around the world. But that's the boring spiel. Here are some really cool things you want to know about Anna!

Born on Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Anna grew up moving here, there, and everywhere thanks to her dad's job as an instructor pilot. She's lived in Texas (twice), Mississippi, California (twice), Michigan (twice), and Alaska--and now Ohio.

As for her writing, Anna has always made up stories in her head, but she didn't write them down until her teen years. Those first awful books went into the trash can a few years later, though she learned a lot from those stories. Eventually, she would pen her first romance novel, the paranormal romance Willpower, and she's never looked back since.

Want even more details about Anna? Get access to her extended bio when you subscribe to her newsletter and download the free bonus ebook, Hot Scots Confidential. You'll also get hot deleted scenes, character interviews, fun facts, and more including audio bonus chapters!

 

Connect with Anna

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | BookBub | Newsletter

Thank you to Anna Durand and Grey's Promotion for providing me with an advanced copy of Lachlan in a Kilt.

Forever After All {a review}

I just finished reading Forever After All by Kaylee Ryan, and ooohhh-eeeee, this was GOOD. If siblings best friend is a trope you enjoy, then go grab this one. Oh, you like friends to lovers? Well, then grab this book! Oh, it's small town romances that you like, gotcha, go read this book!

Forever After All is the story of McKenna (Kenna) and Rip. These two have known each other since McKenna was 7 years old. Back then Laramie and McKenna started their friendship, and thought they were destined to be sisters one day. It was about that time too that McKenna and Rip had their first marriage ceremony, AND shared their first kiss. Fast forward many years later, and McKenna is returning to town after graduating from law school. She is determined to take over her grandfather's practice, but first she just needs to pass the bar exam. First things first though, it's time to reconnect with her friends. And well Rip, is overjoyed that Kenna is back in town. He's also ready to act on the feelings that he's had for quite some time now. He fully believes that he and Kenna belong together. Now he just has to convince her through words, actions, and time together. Can these two friends have a happily ever after?

It's no secret that I love small town romances, as well as the best friends sibling trope. Add in friends to lovers, and just hand me the dang book. Chances are I'm going to love it. So when I read Forever After All by Kaylee Ryan, I was done for. I literally read this book in a day, and did not want to put it down. I found myself falling for the characters and wanting to explore more of their community. From the moment Rip and McKenna saw each other again, I was rooting them on. The history that they share. The friendship that they have. The connection that their families share. All of it is just so wonderful. Add in the fact that they both have crushes on each other, and just yes. YES YES YES. I will say the personal history that McKenna is still working through hurt to read about. Knowing her past broke my heart a bit. Thankfully her grandparents are an amazing support system for her. I loved everything about Forever After All. Everything. I swooned, I laughed, I cried, I was frustrated, and yes, I cheered. I just loved this book. 

So if you're like me, and you enjoy small town romances featuring the siblings best friend trope, and the friends to lovers trope, then please, please, please read Forever After All. I think you might like it.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

McKenna

I’ve always had a thing for my best friend’s older brother. In fact, I’ve been planning our wedding since elementary school. Then I grew up, moved away, and studying, and law school became my only focus.

Now that I’m back, the sexy cowboy is everywhere I turn. I shouldn’t mind so much as Rip Callahan is all levels of fine. My problem? His presence… his attention is sending me in a spin. And our reconnection? It’s fast and intense and everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

So why am I getting in my own way?

Rip

I didn’t know the first kiss I ever had would still play on my mind over ten years later. But with beauty and brains, McKenna Dawson is under my skin and very much off-limits.

Crushing on my sister’s best friend isn’t the worst part. That connection? I can’t ignore it. Should I fight it? Probably. Do I want to? Absolutely not.

A challenge among friends is all it takes for me to know she’s what I’ve been missing. That and one incredible trip with those same friends means there’s no going back. Not for me.

It was only supposed to be a weekend, but maybe we were meant to be forever after all.

Available now on Amazon!

US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ADD TO GOODREADS

Author Bio

Kaylee Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. When she’s not spinning tales of happily ever after, she’s reading or spending time with family. Born and raised an Ohio girl, Kaylee resides in Cincinnati with her husband and their son.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Thank you to Kaylee Ryan and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Forever After All.

The Princess I Love To Hate {a review}

 

The Princess I Love To Hate by Iris Morland is now available! I have been eagerly anticipating this book ever since finishing The Prince I Hate to Love back at the beginning of May! I needed to know how this love story ended! Especially with all those details that had been revealed. I mean, come on!

In The Princess I Love to Hate, we pick up shortly after the last book finished. That being said, in this book we alternate between current time and time past. So we're getting filled in on things that we missed. It was interesting but also confusing. I couldn't understand why we just didn't stick to current time and just begin the book from that time period. Does that make sense?

I would recap the book for you, but really it would just be full of spoilers, so I'm going to pass. Just know that Niamh's brother makes appearances, and it is worth it every single time. Also know that Niamh and Olivier experience communication issue, but in the end you'll get your HEA. We just have to work for it.

So here's the thing...I wasn't overly fond of this conclusion. Something about it felt off to me, and I cannot fully figure it out. Yes, there were somethings that made me happy, but over all, the book was just okay. Nothing overly exciting about it. I wish I could say that it was the best thing ever, but unfortunately it wasn't. Yes, I loved the HEA. Yes, I enjoyed how Niamh handled her dad. Yes, I loved how Niamh's brother came barreling into town. Yes I love how the scandal was handled in the end. But that's about it. Olivier just seemed childish at times. So did Niamh.  That frustrated me. Also the fact that Niamh was just supposed to know how to act in certain situations when she wasn't raised as a royal? Yeah, no.  I'm still glad I read the conclusion to the story, I just wish it had been a bit different.

I'm choosing to give The Princess I Love to Hate 3 stars. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Unsteady {a review}

Unsteady by Ashley Christin released on June 17, 2021, and this contemporary romance was spectacular! I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of the book, and read it during my down time last week (so when not outside working on the house). I could not put the book down! 

Unsteady features Rhys Wild who is returning home to support her best friend after a breakup. Shortly after boarding her flight, she meets the man who she will sit next to for the flight. His name is "Dave", and these two instantly hit it off. Things quickly become heated, but when the plane lands whatever was happening was done and over. Or so Rhys thought. That is until she and Tucker walk into Steele and Roxx. It is there that Tucker introduces Rhys to the man she thinks will be perfect for her. Hayden Steele is part owner of the bar, and it just so happens that he was sitting next to Rhys on the flight home. And this is their story.

This dang book had me laughing, crying, and swooning. There were many times that I was wiping away my tears, and my heart was just going through all the feels. Loved the meet cute. Loved the reintroduction they experienced. Loved how Rhys was there to help Tucker. Loved how Rhys explained that she was unsteady. Loved the relationship that you could feel between Rhys and her grandparents. Loved how she instantly fit back into her hometown after being gone for so long. Loved witnessing how the relationship between Hayden and Rhys continued to build. Loved the drama moment, even though it broke my heart. I just loved every single thing about this book. I am sincerely hoping that Ashley Christin goes back to write Kade and Tucker's story, because that deserves to be told. I want more of this town, and more of these characters. Loved it all, and it was a perfect introduction to the writings of Ashley Christin.

If you're looking for a book that will hit you in the feels, then grab this book. It is such a sweet romance, and it is also the story of healing for both of our characters. For Rhys it is also the story of coming home and rebuilding those relationships that were lost due to distance.

I highly recommend Unsteady, and think everyone should read it.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Traveling nurse Rhys Wild knows the consequences of choices.

 

After she lost the most important people in her life, she has vowed to herself to never make the decision to fall in love.

 

The only way to cope is to keep moving, to stay busy. To stop means to think. To feel. And feeling is a luxury she cannot afford.

 

Unless it’s Random Day.

 

The stranger on the plane ride home is the perfect distraction from her anguished thoughts about returning to the one place that will make her face everything she’s left behind.  

 

It was supposed to be a random bit of fun.

 

She wasn’t supposed to see him again.

 

But sometimes life makes the choice for us. And this time, Rhys must steady herself, if she is to live the life she thought was lost forever.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Free in KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR Here!

Meet Ashley Christin

Ashley Christin is a wife, nurse, and crazy dog mom. Like any other Texan, she enjoys long summer days, camping, and spending time with friends and family. 

If you're in the mood to laugh out loud and drink a few White Claws while jamming out to 90s alternative - we should be friends! 

Connect with Ashley Christin

Website | BookBub | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page   

Hosted By:

Thank you to Ashley Christin and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with an advanced copy of Unsteady.

Devil May Care {a review}

 

Oh my word! This trilogy. I can't y'all. It was just so phenomenal. I did not want to put it down, and I honestly binged it in a handful of days. I regret nothing. Except maybe not finding this trilogy sooner.

Devil May Care released last week and it is honestly a must read. Especially if you've read the first two books in the series. Devil May Care picks up right where A Deal with the Devil left off. We are still on that little island, and progress on the new ship is happening. Ashley and Poseidon are figuring out their roles, and honestly Poseidon is feeling a little land sick. He hates being forced to be on land, and this is just torture. Ashley is still working on recuperating from everything she's been through. It's as though she can feel that she's going to need her energy for something big. Poseidon is still reeling from that revelation that Ashley's father made. Zeus and Hades are on standby waiting to help Poseidon in any way they can. There's another battle brewing, and it's just a matter of when it's going to happen.

This was such an amazing conclusion to the Devil trilogy, and the story of Ashley and Poseidon. From the building of the ship, to the battle, to the resolution of all that, to the brothers stepping in, to the reveal in that little town, to all of it. It was just everything I could have wanted. Obviously the suspense is still there. It's not as much of a dark romance any longer. We are still learning bits and pieces of Poseidon's past. Poseidon is still an ass. But he also clearly loves Ashley. Even though she frustrates him on a regular basis. Ashley is keeping a secret from Poseidon, and gets help with it from his brothers and the crew.  I just loved it. I wish I could tell you more about the story, but since this is the conclusion, that wouldn't be wise. Just know that everything wraps up nicely. You'll get the answers. You'll get the HEA. And chances are you'll be researching other contemporary romances that feature pirates. Oh wait, maybe that's just me.

If you are a fan of contemporary romances that are a bit dark, have some suspense, are steamy, and have an HEA, then you need to go grab the Devil trilogy by Amelia Wilde. The fact that it features a pirate is just a bonus.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

What is a pirate without his ship?

Without the sea?

I sacrificed everything to save Ashley.

Now we’re hiding out while I build a new ship, a new life for myself. It’s paradise here on the island. Sparkling water and lush greenery. A beautiful woman by my side.

But the threat of danger grows closer.

The net tightens.

We’re at risk every second we stay here, but there’s nowhere to run.

Even the ocean won’t save us now.

Devil May Care is the third book in the Devil trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and A Deal with the Devil must be read first.

 

Now Available at these retailers:

Amazon | Apple | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Start the Trilogy Today!

Amazon | Apple | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Add to Goodreads HERE!  

 

About the Author

Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.

   

Connect w/Amelia:

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter

Thank you to Amelia Wilde and Candi Kane PR for providing me with an ARC of Devil May Care.