Love You Better by Brit Benson {a review}

 Love You Better is a sweet and sexy standalone, best friends to lovers, second chance romance. Its got heart, heat, and an HEA sure to make you swoon. It is the first standalone in the Better Love series.

When I started reading Love You Better, I knew I was getting a friends to lovers romance. I was excited for it. What I was not expecting was the emotional journey that Ivy was going to take us on. I knew she had gone through something, but I wasn't certain what that something was. Well that's not 100% honest. I had an idea in the back of my head, but it matched up with what was revealed. Then there was also the couple of side stories happening, and those touched my heart as well.

That instant connection that Ivy and Kelley had when they first met, and how Kelley was determined to be her friend. Then watching them grow together as friends, realize there is an attraction there, and then doing whatever they can NOT to act upon it (until many years later), and seeing how it was just Ivy that Kelley befriended, but it was also her little brother, just had me loving it all.

Now that Ivy and Kelley are in college, they still have that close friendship, but things have definitely changed. Ivy has gone through a traumatic experience that continues to affect her life. Most days she's okay, but every so often memories surface. (cw: sexual assault) As for Kelley, after a rough couple of years where he lost his scholarship, he has changed also. He's grown up, and continues to realize that Ivy is his person. She's his forever.

This book isn't just about these two coming together, and finally getting their HEA though. Oh no. There is also a little side story regarding Kelley, and one of the students in the classroom where he is student teaching. That student's home life is not the best, and Kelley has taken him under his wing. Making sure that he has an adult he can talk with, be comfortable with, and know that they are there for him no matter what. Then there is the storyline for Ivy's family. It's just her, her mom, and her brother, and well mom has to work a lot to make ends meet, so it's taxing on the family. Throughout the book, you will see this pop up, and how it affects Ivy's life.

I absolutely loved this book. I'm looking forward to reading Bailey's story (she's Ivy's roommate), and reconnecting with the group.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read my thoughts on Love You Better.

Laura

Kelley Pierce is my person.

He has been since the 9th grade.

Passionate. Driven. Whip-smart and wickedly funny.

He gets me like no one else does, and I get him.

He’s the perfect…friend.

My best friend.

But Kelley is also totally gorgeous, magnetically confident, and tantalizingly tempting.

Or so I’ve been told.

None of that matters, anyway.

Best friends don’t notice those things.

Or at least… I never used to.

One chemistry-filled moment has the power to change everything, and soon old feelings I’d ignored and memories I’d tried to forget come crashing back.

I never prepared for falling in love with my best friend.

But after that kiss…

Who is this unbelievably sexy man, and what has he done with my best friend?

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Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

Better with You by Brit Benson {a review}

Better With You is the second interconnected standalone in the Better Love series by Brit Benson. This enemies-to-lovers new adult romance is sassy, sexy, and has a guaranteed HEA. As this is the second book in a series, I want to say that it is not necessary to read Love You Better before enjoying Better With You. That being said, Better With You will contain minor spoilers for Love You Better.

We first met Bailey in Love You Better, and now we are learning all about her, while witnessing her fall for Alex. If you're unfamiliar with Bailey, she is a college student who is studying to become an accountant. In her downtime she is a bartender, and she LOVES to bake. There's a contest coming up where the grand prize is $2000! Bailey is doing whatever she can to win. She needs to win. She needs that money. For Brandon. She made a promise. After work one evening, Bailey stops to pick up some ingredients and is in the process of deciding whether or not to get pure vanilla or the imitation stuff. In swoops Alex, and he is about to take the last bottle of the pure vanilla. Bailey puts up a fight, flirting ensues, and curiosity is piqued. Alex asks for her number, but all Bailey tells him is 31, and that he has to figure it out from there. (31 is part of the bar name where she works.) Alex is successful in his mission, and a night together is had. Which leads to another night. And another. Finally it is the day of the contest, and who walks in? Alex. Bailey is convinced he's there to cheer her on, until the moment she realizes he's a contestant. He's her competition. Oh, and his name isn't Alex. It's Riggs. And Bailey is crushed.

Full disclosure: I gave Better with You 5 stars. FIVE STARS! When I read Love you Better, Bailey caught my attention, and I was wondering what her story was. When her story was revealed, I was bawling. Probably even more so when she explained who Brandon was. Cue the tears. Bailey has been through so much, and I am so thankful that she has found a group of people who love her. Alex's life isn't all sunshine and rainbows though. He has some stuff going on also, and he is determined to bring joy to his mom's life. I loved how this story played out. From the initial meeting, to the dates, to finding out that Alex is also a baker and that his name isn't Alex, to learning about the woman who is with him, to the big competition that Alex has been offered to join, to the forced proximity with him and Bailey, to the meeting of Alex's mom, to the discussion about Brandon, and everything else that happened, I was all in. There was no putting down my kindle until the story was over. I had to know what was going to happen with Bailey and her family, with Alex, his "fiancee", and his parents, and of course what was going to happen with Bailey and Alex. Could they find their way back to each other, and get their happily ever after?

Better with You hit me in the feels. I sobbed like crazy. I laughed out loud a time or two. I fell for the characters. It was all so dang fabulous. Also, at the beginning when Bailey mentioned prince hair Harry, I knew immediately who Brit Benson was referring too. Then when Alex came back and mentioned long haired Harry, I was smiling like a fool. I freaking love Harry Styles, so naturally I loved that he was "mentioned" in this book.

long haired harry

prince haired harry

I highly suggest that you go read Better with You. Now of course I also suggest that you start with Love you Better so that you can get the backstory on Ivy and Kelley, but that's up to you. If new adult, college romances are a preferred read for you, then go grab this one. If you're an emotional reader, have the tissues close by.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,

Laura

Riggs Stanton is a thief.

He’s also a liar, a jerk, and a playboy jock.

Sure, I might have thought we had a connection.

I might have thought he was worth breaking my “no dating” rule.

He might have even given me the best orgasm I’ve ever experienced to date.

But it was a farce.

A trick.

Another lie.

And I don’t make mistakes twice.

Now he says he needs me.

One week of my help and I never have to deal with him again.

For ten grand, I can suffer anything for seven days.

Even Riggs Stanton.

Except…

The more time I spend with him, the more I get to know him, the more I question myself.

What if what we shared before was real, and it’s everything else that’s fake?

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Meet Ivy & Kelley in Love You Better!

Amazon | Goodreads | My Review

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

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Thank you to Brit Benson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Better with You.

Vindictive Blood by Jocelyne Soto {a review}

 
The time has come for the third, and final, book in the Flor de Muertos series to be released. Vindictive Blood by Jocelyne Soto is officially available! If you've read the other two books in the series, then be prepared, because Cami and Nathaniel's story is so good. There's an age gap (14 years), there is suspenseful situations, there is spice, there is family, and I loved it all.

Cami has headed to New York where she is applying to an art program through a local university. Shortly after showing her work, she heads to a bar to get a drink and some food. It is there that she meets Nathaniel. Curiosity is piqued, questions are asked, and after a conversation, a painting is underway. At Nathaniel's apartment. From there the two spend a weekend together before Cami heads back to Texas and her family. She knows nothing about Nathaniel except he's a detective. Nathaniel knows nothing about Cami, except that she's an artist who could very well end up as  a NY college student. Oh, and she's 14 years his junior. Eventually Cami returns to New York, and the relationship with Nathaniel picks right back up, and intensifies. Cami tells her sister a bit about the man she's dating, but never says his profession. Once that is discovered though, things get intense. Can their relationship survive the fallout? 

WHAT AN ENDING TO A TRILOGY! Oh my word, I loved it. Camila and Nate's story was so good, and had me hooked from the beginning. From their first encounter at the bar, I knew this would be an interesting journey. In my mind I wondered if Nate knew who he was sitting next to, and had the entire thing planned. I mean it would be one way to infiltrate the Morales family and get to her dad. Yet as their story built that thought left m mind. I was confident that it was just a random meeting. I loved that Camila was able to spread her wings in New York and not be forced into anything by her father. I enjoyed the connection that Nate and Cami had built. There was a level of trust built from the very beginning. When the big moment happened, I was on the edge of my seat. I had been waiting for this moment to happen, and oofta it was a doozy. In my mind I couldn't see how this was going to be resolved. I knew it would, but there was so much pain, heartache, and distrust, that I just couldn't visualize it. Can we talk about Ava for a moment? If you don't know she works with Nate, and they had a coworkers with benefits situation going for a bit. Everything about her had my curiosity piqued. I still feel like there is more to the story than what was shared. Is she just an agent/lover scorned, or is it deeper than that?

From the big dramatic moment, to the grieving and heartache, to Leo stepping in to help, to the reunion, to Nate sharing about his past and what lead him to the job he has, to the resolution, I loved it. Now there was one little tidbit toward the end that I didn't care for, but I can see how that probably couldn't be avoided.

The Flor de Muertos series captivated me from the beginning, and I'm not ready to say goodbye to the family! I need to know what Jocelyne Soto is writing next! Maybe just maybe the Morales family can make an appearance here and there. (Hey, a reader can dream!)

If you're a fan of mafia or organized crime romances, then please add the Flor de Muertos series to your TBR! It was fabulous.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,

Laura

Cover Design by Book and Moods PR

I had one job and one job only. 

Bring down the most notorious drug lord known to man. 

Dead or alive, that was it.

As I worked the case more and more, the lines started getting blurred. I made enemies where I wasn’t supposed to and friends in places that would get me killed. 

Then I met her, at a bar in Brooklyn of all places. She became the one thing in my life that was a constant, the one thing that made the dark hole I was in, as bright as could be. She was younger but that didn’t matter to either of us. I was starting to see a future with her. That is until I heard her cries of despair for her father. 

That man I’m supposed to take down? 

That man is the father of the woman I love. 

A federal agent falling for a kingpin's daughter never ends well. 

Order Your Copy on Amazon!

US | UK | CA | AU

or read for free in KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Start the series from the beginning!
(I love these covers!)

Amazon | Goodreads | My Review

Amazon | Goodreads | My Review

Meet Jocelyne Soto

Jocelyne Soto is a romance author  born and raised in California. 

She started her writing journey in 2015 and in 2019 she published her first book. She is an independent author who loves discovering new authors on Goodreads and Amazon. 

She comes from a big Mexican family, and with it comes a love for all things family and food.

Jocelyne has a love for her mom’s coffee and writing. In her free time, she can be found reading a romance novel off her iPad or somewhere in the black hole of YouTube.

Connect with Jocelyne Soto

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

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Thank you to Jocelyne Soto,  and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Vindictive Blood.

Project Announcement: Coming Home

Graphic Designer: Kari March

Let love guide you home.

Join twelve of your favorite romance authors next year for heartwarming (and spicy!) stories about what it means to come home.

One author a month will deliver a new story that will have you falling in love.

❤️

January – Cora Brent
February – Rochelle Paige
March – Grahame Claire
April – Melanie Moreland
May – Suzanne Halliday
June – Kaylee Ryan
July – Leslie Pike
August – Laramie Briscoe
September – Adriana Locke
October – Ella Fox
November – Brynne Asher
December – Layla Frost

 
Pre-order is available for these titles:

Ready for Moore by Rochelle Paige 

Shattered Secrets by Grahame Claire

Shelter by Laramie Briscoe

Join their new reader group for a giant giveaway and even more fun!

Announcement hosted by:

10 Bookish Stocking Stuffers

I don't know about you, but finding fun items to put in Christmas stockings can be a bit rough. Personally I'm trying to take a different approach to stockings this year. So I thought that I'd share what I would like to find in my stocking, and they are all reading related. For the most part. 

1) Longer Kindle Cord

The cord that comes with the Kindle is quite short. This one though, this is 5 feet, and perfect for when you want to read but the Kindle needs to be plugged in. Trust me, it's a thing, especially when the Kindle is used daily.

2) Extra Power Adapter

This just makes sense. If you're grabbing an extra long cord, grab a backup adapter as well. We all know adapters go missing, so toss an extra in your bookworm's stocking. (and then try your best not to "borrow" it.) 

3) Fun Socks

Now hear me out, the majority of the year I despise socks. I do. But in the winter time, and early spring, they are just needed. So bookish socks are a good thing to have on hand. My father-in-law gifted me a 3 pack of bookish ankle socks, and they are my go to socks. 

4) Stickers

Does this surprise you? Honestly I think everyone of any age can enjoy stickers! From kids to teens to adults, they are just fun. They are perfect to decorate water bottles, planners, notebooks, laptop covers, and the list goes on.  So trust me, stickers make a great stocking stuffer.

5) Bookmarks

These word wire bookmarks from Charlie and Crew are one of my favorites! Seeing as how I have that one from Charlie and Crew with my name, I also have my eye on this one:

I LOVE the Lord of the Rings movies, and my goal is to read the books. So why not branch into the books, and have a perfectly themed bookmark to go with it.

6) A Book Light

Any reader would appreciate a book light! This one just so happens to clip onto the book itself, and it is SO bright! When ever I am reading a physical book before bed (vs my kindle), I always have my book light going.

7) Pens and Markers

My favorite pen happens to be the Pilot Acroball (fine), and I use them all the time. These are the pens that I try to hide from my family members, because otherwise I will have NO pens. Trust me on that. As for Markers, I have my eyes on the Midliners from Zebra. As well as the Tombow Dual Brush Markers.

8) Favorite Tea, Cocoa, Coffee

This one seems pretty straight forward. If it were my stocking, it would include my favorite caramel cappuccino k-cups, cafe mocha k-cups, or some hot chocolate single serve packets. I'm not a tea drinker, but the other two would have me pumped. If you don't know their preferred beverage, a small gift card to Starbucks, Dunkin, or Caribou would be a great addition.

9) Page Flags

I'm not someone who annotates books, but I know there are plenty of readers out there who are! So to make it easier on them, toss in some page flags!

10) Gift Cards

My last suggestion is for a gift card to their preferred bookstore, or to their favorite author's merch shop! That way they can pick out that item they've had their eye on. My preferred bookstore is Amazon, because that is where most of the indie romance authors sell their books. I also peek at their merch shops from time to time to see if there is anything specific I want to grab. Right now there isn't, but I know that will change!

So there you have it, 10 stocking stuffers that I think any reader would like to have. Of course feel free to add in their favorite gums, lip balms, little lotions, etc to add to the fun.

What would you add for a bookish stocking stuffer?

Laura

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