Friday, April 29, 2022

May Anticipated Reads

Happy almost May!

It's time to discuss my anticipated reads for the upcoming month! I'll tell you right now there are two that are standing out, and I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on them.

Can you guess which they are?

Let's jump in!

My Fake Fiancé by Piper Rayne {cover reveal}

Piper Rayne has just revealed the cover for My Fake Fiancé! This is the 8th full length novel in the Greene Family series that takes place in Sunrise Bay Alaska. Mandi Greene will be our main character in this installment, and I am curious to see where this goes. I think I know who her love interest is going to be based on previous occurrence in a book.

So if you are someone who enjoys small town romances, a large family who is all up in your business, and falling for your fake partner, then go preorder this book! I know I have!

Also save the date for August 23, 2022, as that is when My Fake Fiancé is releasing.

Cover Design: Hang Le Designs
Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography

I never felt truly desired by a man—until him.

My sisters are always the ones who catch a guy's eye at first sight. I'm used to attracting guys because I'm funny, or kind, or have a beautiful face. Never has my curvy figure drawn the attention of a man as hot as Noah.

But the second he stepped foot into my small town Alaskan inn, his gaze swept over me with desire, igniting a flame I thought was dead. He flirted with me, and I might've left two chocolates on his pillow at turndown, but that's where it stayed.

Over the years, he's floated in and out of town while a friendship developed between us. Which is probably for the best because I'm not a one-night stand kind of woman.

Which is funny because when he propositions me to be his fake fiancé in order to end a family feud, it turns out I am the kind of woman willing to pretend to be the one he's in love with.

Pre-order your copy today on Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo, or Google Play!

Coming soon to Audible!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Baby Got Pack by Xavier Neal {a review}

Baby Got Pack is the brand new release from Xavier Neal. This small town, opposites attract romantic comedy takes place at a family owned campground, and introduces us to some amazing characters. Be prepared to laugh and swoon, because Torrance and Fynn are going to take you on a wild ride.

If you know me, you know that I have read numerous books by Xavier Neal. Some I have absolutely loved, some that were just okay, and a couple that were just a miss. I went into Baby Got Pack with an open mind, knowing that it was going to be a rom-com. I've enjoyed her Hockey Gods series, and those are rom-coms, so I had high hopes. As I finished up reading Baby Got Pack, I had mixed feelings about the book. I went back and forth in my head about the rating, and ultimately settled upon 3.5 stars.

Moving on...

Friends we are headed to a campground that is owned and operated by the Harrington family. Their business is struggling a bit, and they have hired Fynn Fischer to turn things around. He will help breathe a fresh breath into the business. Or that is their hope. The Harrington's are also enlisting the help of their daughter Torrance. She'd rather not be there, but she struggles to say no to her family. So that is how she finds herself moving to the campground to help save the business, all while working her full-time job remotely. She was not expecting to meet Fynn, fall for him, and have him flip her world upside down. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows though. There are plenty of ups and downs that these two will have to work through, both from a business perspective and a personal one.

Let's dive into my thoughts...

The beginning of the book felt a bit strange to me, and it took me a bit to get into it. The elder Harrington's were rubbing me the wrong way, and I didn't care for how they were treating their daughter. That being said, once I was invested, I found myself absolutely loving Torrance! She is a character that I can easily relate to, and I found myself captivated by her. Her social awkwardness and her disbelief that a relationship with Fynn was even a possibility drew me in, and had me unable to put the book down. Not to mention her dislike of nature, and feeling like mother nature was out to get her. 🤣

Fynn confused me. Plain and simple. I could not, and cannot, wrap my head around how he's been able to do what he done. This life he's lived just does not seem believable. I was definitely doubting him. As I was reading, I was waiting for the truth to be revealed, and that it was all a dreamworld. I know, I know, this is a work of fiction, so his achievements could absolutely happen. But since it is a contemporary romance, it should be believable. Right?

Then there was Tor and her backpacks. Which is what I'm thinking the title of the book was based upon. (well that and a song lyric) I don't get it. We didn't really "see" that fascination appear all that much. I don't know I guess I had envisioned something similar to Hayley's obsession with kitchen gadgets in Squeeze Play from Aven Ellis.

As much as I loved Tor, I didn't 100% love her relationship with Fynn. And that's all me. I know it is. Fynn was too far out there for me, and not at all relatable. Don't get me wrong, I loved what he did for Tor, as well as her family business, but relationship wise, it wasn't there. It felt more vacation fling vs long term relationship.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Baby Got Pack. It was an easy read, which is what you tend to expect with rom-coms. All in all I enjoyed the majority of the story. I got a kick out of both Tor and GamGam. Those two made the book for me. Yet I found myself wanting something a bit different in Torrance's love interest, and how their relationship occurred.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Cover Designer: Dana L, Designs by Dana

Torrance

I like backpacks, and I cannot lie...

Now, people?

I can deny.

But whenever the consultant walks in with a smile on his face, encouraging me to find my place, I damn near lose a lung.

Ugh.

Asthma.

I swear, if I was an average lady, or if Mother Nature didn't hate me...then I might fit in, in the role I'm in, and the consultant would want more with me.

Fynn

One of my best mates tried to warn me...

That falling in love might be on my journey.

But with the business I'm in and the way I live, falling for a client just isn't my way.

Except I find myself wanting to hold her.

Make her bolder.

Let her lean on my shoulder.

See, she's not the average lady, plus her beautiful soul just drives me crazy.

This should've been a fling, yet now I'm looking at rings.

Because I'm ready to make this a forever thing.

Baby Got Pack is a standalone, opposites-attract, laugh-out-loud rom com from the same author who brought Hike, Hike, Baby and The Hockey Gods Series.

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Add to your Goodreads TBR!

About the Author

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.

Connect with Xavier

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Thank you to Xavier Neal, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Baby Got Pack.

Rule by Caitlyn Dare {a review}

Rule is the third, and final installment in River's storyline within the Red Ridge Sinners series from Caitlyn Dare. I'm not ready for it to be over, but thankfully Kat has her story coming soon! The other good news is that River and her guys are finally getting their happily ever after. So that is always something to look forward to!

Rule picks up right where Reap left off. We're jumping right into the action, and nothing is held back. Hold on to your hats, because this book is going to take you on a wild ride. There are going to be twists and turns that you didn't see coming, and you may find your jaw dropping like I did.

Rule was absolutely fantastic. all of the storylines were wrapped up, and there was no lingering questions when it came to this foursome. The journey toward their happily ever after was was something else entirely. Right when you think it's going to happen, here comes the twist. That twist also hits the emotions pretty strongly.

I want to say something about the moment with the Night Crawlers and The Sinners, but I can't. It would spoil things. But there is something that happens that just has you questioning everything. It was at this point where I was trying to solve the mystery by taking a look at all the possible suspects. Even The Sinners were not escaping my scrutiny. Once things were revealed though, it all made sense. That's all I can say on that without ruining your reading experience.

We get to meet Zach's mom in this book too. Prepare yourself for that, because she had me laughing. She wasn't afraid to ask the questions that many people probably wonder, and I loved her for that. It was the perfect comedic moment that this emotional story needed.

Now I've said since the first book that River's age was an issue for me. That holds true. I can't deny it. She consented though to everything, so I need to look at it from that point of view. Here's the thing though, I can't lie about the fact that I did enjoy the relationships that River found herself in. Each of those men brought out a different side of her, and in a way she brought out a different side of them. She helped these men to be vulnerable.

As for the suspense of the book? Hands down loved it. Caitlyn Dare has drawn me in with these MC romances, and I find myself gravitating toward them. I am excited to read Kat's story, especially knowing what I do about her love interests at this point. I'm curious to see how it all plays out, and what Diesel's reaction/response is to it all.

Oh, and if you're wondering, Diesel is my favorite. Daddy D has had my attention from the beginning.

One last tidbit I want to touch on is the fact that there are content warnings for this book. The majority pertain to Jax. We all know that man has been through some very rough times in his childhood that have scarred him to this day. If you need to know the specific content warnings, send a message on Instagram, Facebook, or through email and I will fill you in.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Rule. This MC romance trilogy was absolutely fabulous. Caitlyn Dare has created an amazing group of characters, and the storytelling is top notch. These books are hard to put down, and they just grab ahold of your attention. Everything is just background noise while reading these stories.

Happy Reading,
Laura

The truth is out—I’m in love with three Sinners.

Zach, Jax, and Diesel might want to make me theirs but there’s still too many secrets between us, ones that could ruin everything.

Ones that could break us.

They might rule my body.

Own my heart.

But ultimately, they have the power to break me.

Only it isn’t our future we have to worry about, because the past is about to catch up with us. And when it does…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

RULE is a full length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance. This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. It is book three in the series.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Free in KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Binge the completed trilogy starting with book 1 Ruin here!

Meet Caitlyn Dare

Caitlyn Dare is a Top 50 Amazon bestselling author of dark romance.

She writes angsty, gritty stories about alphaholes you’ll love to hate and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.

Her bestselling series include: Savage Falls Sinners MC, a dark high school reverse harem romance; and Rebels at Sterling Prep, a dark bully high school romance.

To learn more about Caitlyn Dare & her books, visit here!

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Thank you to Caitlyn Dare, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Rule.

Fool Me Thrice by Lizzie Morton {a review}

Fool Me Thrice by Lizzie Morton was just released. This romantic suspense book will have you on the edge of your seat at all the best moments. Put on your detective hats, it's time to figure out who is under that hoodie, and causing all the chaos for the Becket family.

Fool Me Thrice is the third, and final, book in the Fool Me trilogy. In the first two books we were following Michael Becket, and seeing how the hooded figure affected his life. That person also was affecting the life of his mom and sister. It was what caused them to be separated. Now in Fool Me Thrice, we are checking in with Josie. Because if you read Fool Me Twice, then you know how that book ended. It was intense. That scene will appear in this book as well, but first we need backstory. Not only that but we need to see how Josie and Evan meet, and all that ensues until the big suspenseful moment occurs. As this is an ongoing story, I can't say much more than what I have.

Let's dive into my thoughts...

OH MY WORD! This story grabbed ahold of me, and did not let go. From the very first chapter to the very last page, I was all in.

Simply put, Josie and Evan are amazing.

Josie is simply trying to live her life and make it as real as possible. Which being hid away, and having to use a fake identity, makes it a bit more difficult. She has her eyes set on college though, and she's going to do amazing things. Yet you can always see her holding herself back a little bit. She's guarded herself, and that is to be expected. It's hard to form attachments when you might have to run again.

Evan is 100% devoted to his job. This Becket case that he's been working on has taken a lot of his energy, but he's determined to see it through to the end. Yet once he meets Josie, he finds himself drawn to her. Which he should be avoiding at all costs! First she's his job (forbidden!), and second she's a decade younger than him (age gap!). Not to mention that his job can be dangerous, so it makes relationships tricky.

Their introduction though once the hooded figure make an appearance begins to change everything though. I loved how their connection built throughout the story. You could see Evan fighting this the best he could. Yet there was Josie fighting back, and going after what she wanted. I also loved how Evan would listen to everything Josie said. It was as though he was soaking it all in for his memories while trying not to fall.

I kept waiting for the "cat" to appear and make their presence known. Once they did, I kept looking for signs another appearance was about to happen. I was trying to figure out who it was, and how they always knew where Josie was. How was she always found?

How everything played out in the cat and mouse game was intense. It is romantic suspense perfection. I honestly did not figure out who was behind it all until closer to the end. There were plenty of candidates swirling around in my mind though.

Go start this series with Fool Me Once, and be prepared to fall for Lizzie Morton's writing, and her characters. Absolutely fabulous!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about Fool Me Thrice. This was a 5 star read for me, and the story absolutely captivated me. If you enjoy romantic suspense books that feature an age gap with a little bit of a forbidden relationship as well, then you need to check this one out.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Run, Josie, Run. Those are the words he wrote to me and that's exactly what I'm doing.

I thought I was saving all of us, I thought I'd fooled him thrice. The only person I fooled was myself. Trapped in the darkness, I wondered if losing would be the easy way out.

Until Evan.

Off limits. Dangerous. Everything I should stay away from.

The end was coming, I could feel it. But just when the odds were in my favour, the tables turned, taking me right back to where it all began, wondering who I could trust.

If any one.

Only one thing is certain in this game of cat and mouse: there can only be one winner.

I'm determined to make sure it's me.