Wednesday, May 4, 2022

The Comic Con by Dee Lagasse {a review}


The Comic Con is the brand new book from Dee Lagasse! This is the first book in the Suffra-Jette series, and it was absolutely fabulous. If you are someone who is into fandoms and/or comic books, then you need to grab this one. In many ways it gives off vibes of Fangirl, Geekerella, and Spoiler Alert. So if you've read any of those books, and enjoyed them, then I highly recommend The Comic Con!

Here’s what you can expect from The Comic Con: 

· A sassy plus size
comic book creator

· A hot AF Hollywood
heartthrob

· All the laughs and
just as many feels

· To feel empowered and
worthy (because you are!)

Hold on to your hats my friends, we are headed to the set of Suffra-Jette! Here we will catch up with the team behind Suffra-Jette, and the cast of the upcoming movie. We will witness them going through the filming process, bonds being built with fellow actors, and the budding relationship between Birdie and Atticus. What starts as a PR stunt quickly changes as feelings grow. But when things get rocky, can their relationship survive?

I freaking loved this book! It is wonderfully geeky, and every single moment of it had me unable to put the book down. I gave it 5 stars, and am looking forward to the next in the series. Plus that cover is stunning. I love the comic strip boxes in the background and the "simple" character art.

Atticus and Birdie are adorkably cute together, and while their relationship started off as a PR stunt, it didn't take long for things to change. Both of them were falling hard and fast. The big dramatic moment had the tears welling up, and my heart was breaking for our characters. I also found myself wanting to hug that puppy! Parker the husky stole my heart.

I loved how Atticus was determined to show Birdie what romance can be like with the right person. How he stepped up time and time again, as he woo'd her. From the dates they went on, to the volunteering, to him stepping up when it truly mattered. Not only that but hearing what he had done before filming even began, speaks to the man that he is. It's not all about him, and I love that. Birdie was equally as wonderful. She is a talented woman who has created this character that has touched many people. Not only that but she continues to give back to a cause that is near and dear to her heart. She loves her family and friends. She fights for what she wants. Yet at the same time, she goes off her gut and gets stuck there. That tends to backfire on her.

The dramatic moment had me on the edge of my seat! Watching all that unfold, and then the effects that were lingering days later, just tugged on the heartstrings. Then once the moment of conflict kicked in, I fully admit that I shed a few tears. My heart was breaking on behalf of our characters.

This series is one that I am going to keep my eye on, because I know I'm going to love each and every book that is created. All of the characters have me intrigued, and I find myself wondering what the future holds for each of them.

Dee Lagasse has created a wonderful book here in The Comic Con. From the characters, to the setting, to the storyline, I was all in. I was captivated, and could not put the book down. I've since read the short story called Nova, and loved that. It felt like a tease, but showed me how much I have come to love these characters in such a short time. I am looking forward to The Art of Us being released because I need to know what happens next for this team of creative women. Plus it will allow us to see Birdie and Atticus as side characters, which then gives us a peek into their life together.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on The Comic Con by Dee Lagasse. Obviously I loved this book, and I am hoping that you'll pick up a copy. 

Happy Reading,
Laura



Birdie Yamamoto has lived in a fantasy world for as long as she can remember.

When she was a young child, she buried herself in comic books. As a teenager, she created stories of her own. Now she has her dream job, as a series writer for Suffra-Jette -- her very own comic.

Atticus Cohen has perfected the art of pretending to be someone he’s not.

The rising Hollywood actor lands the role of a lifetime – a lead in the latest big budget superhero movie: Suffra-Jette. The rigorous workouts, grueling schedule, and relentless press are all things he expects when he takes the job.

What he doesn’t expect is comic creator, Birdie Yamamoto, to have an opinion about everything he says or does.

When word spreads about the trouble on set, fans of the beloved comic begin to worry about the outcome of the movie.

Birdie and Atticus may not always be on the same page, but they both want the movie to succeed. So when Birdie’s best friend suggests they pretend to date to save the movie, they agree.

After all, it’s just a publicity stunt to spin the bad press.

…Until it isn’t anymore.


Grab Your 
Copy Here

Free in KU


Add to your Goodreads TBR!



Meet Dee Lagasse





Dee Lagasse is a mom of three from New England.

When she's not writing, Dee can be found stalking The Royal Family, reading Marvel comics, or harassing her husband to reach something on the top shelf.



Connect with Dee Lagasse

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook Reader Group



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Thank you to Dee Lagasse, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Comic Con.


What Laura's Reading participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, and as an Amazon Associate I earn a commission through purchases made using my links.

Brawler's Weakness by Gina Azzi {cover reveal}


Gina Azzi has just revealed the cover for Brawler's Weakness!


This is the second book in the Tennessee Thunderbolts series, and I don't think you're ready! We get a sneak peak at these two in Hot Shot's Mistake, and you can already tell they are going to be an AMAZING couple!

Having read Hot Shot's Mistake, I know that this is going to be an age gap romance! I am so ready to get my hands on this book, and find out everything that goes down between Maisy and Axel.

Mark July 7th on  your calendar, because that is when the book will be released.

There’s only one woman I truly care about: my daughter. Until Maisy Stratford flounces into the front office of the Tennessee Thunderbolts with a heartfelt smile and a tray of baked goods.


As the Bolts’ newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.


Everything I’m not.


Known as Brawler, I’m a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven’t dated in decades. I’ve never been married and my daughter’s a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker. I don’t know how to talk about feelings or place my trust in the hands of a woman. Even one with a heart of gold.


With my daughter Lola egging me on, I finally ask Maisy out.


But I don’t want to be her rebound; I want to be her forever. Even if I don’t know how to tell her that. Even if she’s not ready for me.


If I’m being honest, I’m not ready for her either. 


Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!



Meet Gina Azzi


I’m Gina Azzi, a book-obsessed, coffee-drinking, globetrotting, mama of soon-to-be three! I write sweet with a dash of spicy New Adult and Contemporary Romance full of good men putting in work to win the hearts of even better women.

A total Jersey girl at heart, I struggle with insatiable wanderlust and currently reside in Ontario, Canada with my family. 

 

When I’m not dreaming up storylines or writing all the words, you can find me hanging with my littles, attempting to bake, or planning my next adventure.

 

Connect with me on social media or at ginaazziauthor@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Happy Reading!

Xo,

Gina


Connect with Gina Azzi

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Reader GroupTwitter | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page



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Tuesday, May 3, 2022

The MRS Degree by Sara Ney {a review}

From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sara Ney comes a new series about strong, single girls falling in love: accidentally. Today is release day for The MRS Degree! This is the second book in the series, and I have been anticipating this book since finishing The Player Hater!

If you read The Player Hater, then you've already been introduced to Penelope and Skipper. You also know how The Player Hater ended, and that may have piqued your curiosity. Well I'm here to tell you that The MRS Degree picks up just about where we left off. We back track slightly but it's worth it to build the scene where Pen sees Jack for the first time in about 8 years. It sets the stage for everything that is about to go down.

I knew that Penelope and Jack's story was going to be intense and a tad bit emotional, and I was not disappointed one bit. From that scene at the door, to the "secret" being revealed to EVERYONE, to the eventual reconnection, it was all just so good.

These two college sweethearts were separated out of fear. Pen thought that she was doing what was right based on a conversation she and Jack had. She was protecting him, and allowing him to follow his passions. At the same time she was running from a difficult conversation. Had they talked it through, the outcome would have been different. Now though they get their second chance at forever. This time with a sidekick at their side.

Penelope, Jack, and Skipper grabbed my attention, and I did not want their story to end. The characters were wonderful, and the storyline captivating. So glad to see them getting their happily ever after.

Jack is an amazing character. He was loving, caring, charming, all while being a genuine stand up guy. He loves hard, and he is a protector as well. You could see how the truth that Penelope revealed affected him. You could see him taking initiative to do whatever it took for his family.

As for Skipper, she's just an amazing kid. So full of energy, loves to talk, and loves her family with all that she is. The bond that she has with her Uncle is incredible. He's part of her support system. 

I loved how Sara Ney handled this topic. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Decisions had to be made. Feelings were felt. Truths were revealed. The world our characters knew was just flipped upside down. It shook them all a bit. 

I also quite enjoyed how we went back to Jack and Penelope's relationship in college. We were able to learn more about the connection our characters had, and the love they had was undeniable. Going back and forth between that time, and current time was something that helped build the book.

The set up for The Make Out Artist has me intrigued. I will definitely be adding that one to my anticipated reads list for July.

This second chance, single parent, secret child, sports romance was so dang good. Sara Ney has created a great group of characters. They draw in the reader, and at least for me, have me wondering what is going to happen next for them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on The MRS Degree. This book gave me everything I wanted. Highly suggest you pick up the Accidentally in Love series.

Happy Reading,
Laura




I never thought I would get pregnant in college.

When I did, I thought leaving Jack Jennings was doing him a giant favor—he had a bright future ahead of him as a football star—the last thing he needed was me and a baby standing in his way of his dreams.

Honestly? I figured he would eventually forget about me.

I would raise our child in secret and watch Jack on television, and the pain of what I’d done to him would heal.

The last person I expected to see on my brothers doorstep seven years later was Jack; obviously, or I wouldn’t have answered it.

A superstitious athlete, dreams were keeping him awake at night that were preventing him from excelling on the field—dreams he was hoping I could make…disappear.

He looked so good. So much older.
Kind. Handsome.

Turns out, he hadn’t forgotten about me either, and he hadn’t put our past behind him.

Grab Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Sara Ney


Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. 

Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced lattes, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British. 

Connect with Sara Ney


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Thank you to Sara Ney, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The MRS Degree.

Monday, May 2, 2022

Monthly Wrap Up


Oh what a month April was!


April was filled with birthdays, celebrating Easter, and of course being ecstatic that my Mom and Stepdad had returned from wintering in Florida. I am longing for warmer temps, and sunshine. In April we also took the kids to see two movies (Sonic 2 and The Bad Guys), and both were fun to watch. One of these years I'll be able to watch an entire movie in the theater without having to take a kid to a million bathroom breaks. Oh the joys of parenting. Another fun thing that we did was go to the carnival that our elementary school was hosting. My kids had a blast, and we stayed almost the entire time. Many memories were definitely made.

I mentioned birthdays up above, and that includes mine! As my brother pointed out, I've had as many years pre-2000 as I have post. Only he would think of that, and bring it to my attention. Gotta love your siblings. My birthday was very low key, and if you know me, you know that is 100% how I like it.

Enough about all that. Let's get back to reading...In the month of April, I read 21 books. I did the math and that equated to roughly 5,439 pages. There was a novella (Lucas by Amber Ford) that I read that wasn't posted on Goodreads, so I'm not entirely certain of the page count on that. But I did my usual calculation (location/20=page count) to get an approximation. 

I read 7 sports romances, a firefighter romance, one MC romance, a couple organized crime type romances, and so many other tropes/subgenres. This month I finished SIX series! What series were they? 


April was the month of 5 star reads too. This is quite possibly the most that I have had in a month since I started keeping track. In April, I had SIX 5 star reads! SIX! That's wild. What books were they? I'm glad you asked!



What was my favorite of the month? 
There were once again a few books that stood out above the rest, and so I had to sit and think on it for a bit. That being said, my mind automatically went to Caught Looking by Aven Ellis. Caught Looking is the fourth book it the DC Soaring Eagles baseball series, and I have been anticipating this one for a while now. Chase and Meghan are amazing together, and I loved every moment of their love story. I'm still working on finishing up my review, so that will be posted in a couple days. What I will say is that I love the characters and worlds that Aven Ellis creates. They are people I would want in my life, and I would love to live in their world as well. Every time I read one of Aven's stories, I always fall head over heels. Highly recommend all of her books.



Here are all the books that I read in April. If a review has been written (and published here on the blog), it is linked.

Bonds We Break by Paula Dombrowiak
Lucas by Amber Ford
Sinful Bodyguard by Emily Bowie
Second Shot with #76 by Piper Rayne
Only One Forever by Natasha Madison
Take Me There by JH Croix
Tight End by Lisa Suzanne
Sinful Vow by Emily Bowie
The Secrets to Heartbreak by Brittany Taylor
The Scorecard by Maren Moore
Fool Me Thrice by Lizzie Morton
Reason to Believe by Rebecca Yarros
Maxim by Samantha Whiskey
Baby Got Pack by Xavier Neal
Rule by Caitlyn Dare
The MRS Degree by Sara Ney
Caught Looking by Aven Ellis
The Comic Con by Dee Lagasse
Nova by Dee Lagasse
The Wrong Boy by Ashley Munoz

Tell me about the books you read in April! What was your favorite? Do you have any books that you're anticipating for May? I have quite the list!

Laura


What Laura's Reading participates in the Amazon Affiliate program. As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission through purchases made using my links.