Top 10 of 2019: Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2020

Top 10 of 2019 is hosted once again by Kimberly Faye Reads, and this year she has a co-host Ginger @greadsbooks.   Today's topic was the easiest, because even though there are tons of books I'm looking forward to next year, there are ten that definitely stand out the most!

1.

Loved the original His Fair Assassin series, and the book that started us back, Courting Darkness, so I need this one soon!

2.

I really liked the first two in this series and have been patiently waiting for this one, has it been over a year?

3.

Christina Lauren books can be hit or miss on whether I am excited for what the book is about, but this one sounds perfect!

4.

Seeing as the first book in this series was on my top list for last year, it's probably obvious how anxious I am for this one!

5.

I've also mentioned how much I love Cletus Winston, so a whole series where he is solving mysteries?  Sign me up!

6.

I also can't wait for Jackson James to finally get his own HEA.

7.

No cover yet, but I am ready for the conclusion? or at least the third book in yet another series by JLA that I adore!

8.

Even though I don't think I picked the first book, The Haunted, on any of my other Top 10 lists, it was a really good book, so I'm eager to see where the author will take it next.

9.

So, I'm not positive if this is coming out in 2020, it says it is, but the author also mentioned that she is having a bit of trouble with it. But I hope it does, because I love this series!

10.

Now this one comes out in January, so I'm ready for it now though!  I love Hunting's hockey boys, new and old, and I love when she brings the older characters back in these stories as well.

Were any of these books on your TBR for 2020?  If not, I hope maybe I've given you a few to add to your list.

I always love doing these Top 10 lists every year, but kind of sad it's over.  Now on to determining what challenges I'm going to do for next year!

Also, while you're here, make sure you go enter into my weekly Cleaning Up My TBR Giveaway HERE.  It's open until this Friday until midnight!

L-L-L-Little Reviews: Three 5-star Adult Contemporary Romance Audiobooks

Not that far behind, at least in reviews, but that's because my reading is falling behind with the moving last month, lots of working at my part time job this month, and unpacking.  But let's get completely caught up!

Follow Me Back (Fight For Me #2) by A.L. Jackson:

Release Date: February 2nd, 2018
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars  

Working slowly through the audiobooks I purchased through Audible, as I've put my account on hold mostly.  Other than signing up for their new program of $2.95 a month for certain audiobooks that you can listen to, but aren't yours to keep.  But anyway, this one was really good.  This book had soooooo many emotions!  And so much steaminess.  I was yelling at the characters as I listened, but still loved it all the way.  I didn't understand exactly why his friends were such a big part at the beginning, but then for a while they were not really part of the story.  I felt that was kind of weird, but in the end, it all worked.  Great story.  Look forward to reading more in this series.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
The next seductive, unforgettable stand-alone romance in the FIGHT FOR ME series from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson...

Kale Bryant. Arrogant. Gorgeous. Commanding.
This ER doctor is married to his job.
His only vice is one-night stands and short-lived flings.
He learned a long time ago loving someone isn’t worth the risk.

Harley Hope Masterson.
Beautiful. Brave. Sweet.
The owner of a small coffee shop knows what it’s like to struggle.
Embroiled in a bitter divorce, she’s threatened with losing everything.

When Kale accepts a new position down the street from Hope’s shop, he begins to question every wall he’s built around his heart.
He wants her in a way he hasn’t wanted anyone.
One touch is fire.
One kiss, and he’s spinning out of control.
But taking her won’t come without consequences.

Hope is in for the fight of her life.
One neither of them saw coming.
Now Kale must decide if loving her is worth risking it all.

She will fight with everything she has.
But sometimes even hope needs a hero...


The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren:

Release Date: May 14th, 2019
Source:  Borrowed from the library as a digital audiobook download
My rating:  5 stars

I was excited for this one.  Heard good things, but also had one review that made me wonder if I'd like it.  In the end I loved it.  I kind of wish we'd had Ethan's point of view the whole way through, but I guess it totally worked this way.  I didn't see one of the little twists that we got thrown.  I love that when that happens!  It was another great book from this author duo.  I was worried about the narrator at first, because I think I've had issues with her in the past, but in the end she worked.  Then, I've never seen the movie or read the book Fried Green Tomatoes, so I was wondering if what they talk about is really in the book/movie!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime—even love—in this witty and swoonworthy romance from the New York Times bestselling duo who “hilariously depict modern dating” (Us Weekly) and authors of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating and Roomies.

Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Amy, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.

Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.

Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of...lucky.

With Christina Lauren’s “uniquely hilarious and touching voice” (Entertainment Weekly), The Unhoneymooners is a fun and charming romance that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt unlucky in love. 


Rebel Heir (Rush Series Duet #1) by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward:

Release Date: April 4th, 2018
Source:  Free audiobook download from newsletter which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars

Um, I'd almost give this 4.5 stars because of the cliffhanger ending!  A freebie that leaves you hanging and now to get a hold of the sequel so I can find out how it goes.  I kind of saw the twist about three-fourths of the way through, but then as we got closer to the end and it hadn't happened, I thought we were going to just get a nice wrapped in a bow HEA.  I didn't know there was a sequel, so man was I upset when that twist happened right at the very end of the book.  It did take me a bit to get over the smoking bit, I cannot stand cigarettes or smoking, but I was able to get past it since he was wanting to stop.  A steamy book, one that I really enjoyed and as I said, need book 2 NOW!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons:

Snag a gorgeous rental on the beach. Check.

Get a job at a trendy summer haunt. Check.

How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons:

Fall for the one guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the tony-looking crowd. A guy you can’t have when you’ll be leaving at the end of the season.

Check. Check. Check.

I should add - especially when the guy is your sexy, tattooed god of a boss.

Especially when he not only owns your place of employment but inherited half of the town.

Especially when he’s mean to you.

Or so I thought.

Until one night when he demanded I get in his car so he could drive me home because he didn’t want me walking in the dark.

That was sort of how it all started with Rush.

And then little by little, some of the walls of this hardass man started to come down.

I never expected that the two of us, seemingly opposites from the outside, would grow so close.

I wasn't supposed to fall for the rebel heir, especially when he made it clear he didn’t want to cross the line with me.

As the temperature turned cooler, the nights became hotter. My summer became a lot more interesting - and complicated.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.
 

L-L-L-Little Reviews: Five 5-Star Adult Contemporary Romances

I'm behind again!  And there is a book I completely forgot that I'd read and hadn't posted a review of yet.  So three of these will be audiobooks and two paperbacks. 


Intercepted (Playbook #1) by Alexa Martin:

Release Date: September 11th, 2018
Genre:  Sports romance
Source:  Purchased paperback
My rating:  5 stars  

This is a book that a my new bestie romance reader buddy at the bookstore where I work recommended.  Once I picked it up, I totally was hooked and knew what the fuss was about it.  I really enjoyed this look at the wives and girlfriends of professional football players and how they all interacted.  Knowing that the author has personal experience with this made it that much better!  I only had one issue and that was when she got upset with Gavin for him getting on someone who had insulted her in front of him, and she was mad because she was going to fight her own battles and didn't need him. That has nothing to do with someone fighting your battle, it has to do with standing up for someone you care about.  Anyway, can't wait to read the next book. We'll see when I get the money and time!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there's a new player on the horizon, and he's in a league of his own...

Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights.

Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation.

Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season. 


Midnight Blue by L.J. Shen:

Release Date: February 25th, 2016
Genre:  Rock star romance
Source:  Won paperback from author which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars  

This was one that when I first picked it up, if it hadn't been during the school year, I might have stayed up all night reading just to finish it.  It was so good!  At almost halfway through I reached that point in a book when you finally figure out what its title means when it wasn't necessarily obvious from the beginning.  This was such a sexy intense rock star romance story.  And I'm so excited to get to meet the author next August at Book Bonanza so I can gush over how much I loved it!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
It should have been easy.
I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.
I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.
The worst part is that I should have known better.
Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.
“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Guess what? I didn’t listen.
I signed the contract.
World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.
My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.
Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.
Then he took my heart.
Then he took my all.


Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers #1) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: July 21st, 2015
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars  

Now, I've read a few others in this series, so I seem to be going out of order.  But man did this book just make me so happy.  I listened to the audiobook and the narrators' voices were perfect!  The back story that we get for the characters is great. And then there are so many parts that just had me rolling with laughter. There was a whole bit where Cletus was talking about his sausage, and it totally reminded me of the episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon kept asking about his wood.  I decided I loved the way that Jessica described herself as being a "well-kissed goof", and that I want more than anything to feel that way again some day.  I think the male narrator on this is probably a new favorite of mine, and if he does more of the books, I need to listen to the ones I haven't read yet.  It was also fun listening to this on my trip to Branson, because I saw lots of bearded men that made me think of this.  Another author that I'm so excited to meet at Book Bonanza in August.   

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her advisory, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?  


Fluffy by Julia Kent:

Release Date: April 30th, 2019
Source:  Won audiobook code from Audible from author which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars   

Another super hilariously fun book.  So many funny bits, talking about the search terms used to find out about what happened and see pictures on line.  And then when the main character calls someone Hagrid's porn twin, I just about died laughing!  Listening to this on my drive home from Branson and it made the drive fly by.  I did get mad at the main character at one point when she was mad at her love interest for no reason, but as you've heard me say in past reviews, I know that is just how authors add the drama!  So much I loved about this story, and let me tell you what, while it wasn't a cliffhanger per se for how this ended, it definitely left me needing book two, Perky.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
It all started with the wrong Help Wanted ad. Of course it did.

I’m a professional fluffer. It’s NOT what you think. I stage homes for a living. Real estate agents love me, and my work stands on its own merits.

Sigh. Get your mind out of the gutter. Go ahead. Laugh. I’ll wait.

See? That’s the problem. My career has used the term “fluffer” for decades. I didn’t even know there was a more… lascivious definition of the term.

Until it was too late.

The ad for a “professional fluffer” on Craigslist seemed like divine intervention. My last unemployment check was in the bank. I was desperate. Rent was due. The ad said cash paid at the end of the day. The perfect job!

Staging homes means showing your best angle. The same principle applies in making a certain kind of movie. Turns out a “fluffer” doesn’t arrange decorative pillows on a couch.

They arrange other soft, round-ish objects.

The job isn’t hard. Er, I mean, it is — it’s about being hard. Or, well… helping other people to be hard.

Oh, man…

And that’s the other problem. A man. No, not one of the stars on the movie set. Will Lotham – my high school crush. The owner of the house where we’re filming. Illegally. In a vacation rental.

By the time the cops show up, what I thought was just a great house staging gig turned into a nightmare involving pictures of me with an undressed star, Will rescuing me from an arrest, and a humiliating lesson in my own naivete.

My job turned out to be so much harder than I expected. But you know what’s easier than I ever imagined?

Having all my dreams come true. 


Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren:

Release Date: September 4th, 2018
Source:  Borrowed digital audiobook from library
My rating:  5 stars

Another 5 star read from the awesome author duo of Christina Lauren.  It had barely started and I was already rolling with laughter in my car as I was driving and listening.     Now it took me a bit to get used to the male narrator's voice, it didn't really fit the character for me.  There were things in the story I didn't see coming, but then there were also times I was yelling at the characters to just tell the other person and save all the drama.  In the end I decided I wanted my own Josh some day.


Oh yeah, I got to meet the authors this past month when they came to a library about an hour away from where I live.  Here we are!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right? 

Lisa's Looking Forward To #14 - May 14th

Back to joining up with the Waiting on Wednesday Posts, and the Can't Wait Wednesday posts hosted by Wishful Endings.

From my ARC list for May 14th:

Gotta love that cover, right? And the story sounds great as well.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

Glossary and Pronunciation Guide

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

Unfortunately Christina Lauren books lately have been hit or miss for me as audiobooks.  I will have to wait and buy a physical copy of this one I think. But that will have to wait till after I move! 

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Amy, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.

Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.

Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of... lucky.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

This one sounds really good, and I was lucky enough to win an ARC from the author through the Spring Young Adult Scavenger Hunt.  Now I just need time to read it!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

As everyone at her Brooklyn high school announces their summer adventures, Olivia harbors a dirty secret: Her plan is to binge-watch horror movies and chat with her online friend, Elm. Olivia and Elm have never shared personal details, apart from their ages and the fact that Elm’s aunt is a low-budget horror filmmaker. Then Elm pushes Olivia to share her identity and sends her a selfie of his own. Olivia is shocked by how cute he is! In a moment of panic, assuming she and Elm will never meet in real life, she sends a photo of her gorgeous friend Katie. But things are about to get even more complicated when Olivia’s parents send her to the Catskills, and she runs into the one person she never thought she would see. This sweet and funny summertime romance is perfect for fans of Love and Gelato and The Unexpected Everything.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE. 



Final Thoughts:
 So, only one that I actually have a copy of, and now that it is past the pub date, it isn't on my priority TBR.  Have you read any of these yet?  Are they on your TBR?  And hey, while you're here, you should go try to win some of my ARCs from Cleaning Up My TBR Post HERE.  The US only giveaway is open till Friday at midnight.

L-L-L-Little Reviews: 7 Adult Romances

Okay, trying really hard to get all my reviews done for 2018 before it is 2019, so I've got a bunch to do today!  But after this one, and then a YA or two, I'll be done!  Here we go.

Pucked Off (Pucked #5) by Helena Hunting:

Release Date: February 21st, 2017
Genre:  Adult Sports Romance
Source:  Purchased physical copy 
My rating:  5 stars

I actually got this back in March, but didn't get around to reading it until this past October.  As with every other book by this author, I loved it.  So many fun terms for sexual things that then I need other people who have read these books so when we hear the words in other situations my snickering at them doesn't make me feel weird.  Like cookies, and beard conditioning.  Read them, you'll know what I mean.  I do have a friend that works at the bookstore with me now that we were giggling over Area 51 today.  But anyway, Lance is a sweetie, although man, he had some major issues.  I loved him though, just like all the other hockey boys Hunting writes.  This was a stay up all night reading story, unfortunately, I couldn't stay up, work and stuff.   While I did read it out of order, since I'd already read/listened to book 6, this series works okay to read out of order.  I did like Poppy and getting those moments we'd had with her earlier in the series pulled back into context with this story.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
***A Standalone novel in The Pucked Series***

I’m NHL defenseman Lance Romero, AKA Lance “Romance."

I’m notorious for parties and excess. I have the most penalty minutes in the league. I get into the most fights. I take the most hits. I’m a player on and off the ice. I’m the one women with no inhibitions want.

Not because I like the notoriety, but because I don’t know how to be any other way.

I have secrets. Ones I shared with the wrong person, and she used them against me. Sometimes she still does. I should cut ties. But she makes it difficult, because she’s the kind of bad I deserve.

At least that’s what I believed until someone from my past gets caught up in my present. She’s all the good things in this world. She lights up my dark.

I shouldn’t want her.

But I do. 

I should leave her alone.

But I won’t.  


I also want to share the picture I took with the author at Book Bonanza last summer!

Area 51:  Pucked Series Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (Pucked #4.1) by Helena Hunting:

Release Date: August 7th, 2016
Genre:  Adult Sports Romance
Source:  Purchased physical copy 
My rating:  5 stars



There were 4 little novellas/scenes in this book.  One I'd read before as an ebook, the Christmas story where Violet dresses up MC as Santa, and herself as the chimney for him to slide down.  I pretty much love all things Violet and Alex.  And then we get one of Buck's stories.  I love what a good guy he is with all the charity work he does, but man, does Buck have the worst luck.  And then we get my favorite guy, Randy Balls, and Lily.  If you have read their books, you have to read these short stories. They are just as much laugh out loud as the actual full length novels.  And only add to your love of the characters.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
From Pucked and Forever Pucked: 
An Area 51 breach on the kitchen table that was cut from the final draft, a holiday outtake including a special costume just for Super MC, plus a deleted scene and a sneak peek at Forever Pucked. 
From Pucked Up: 
Discover just how bad Miller's luck really is in these deleted chapters, and fall even more in love with the snuggly, reformed manwhore yeti. 
From Pucked Over: 
Revisit the sexiest, horniest couple with a series of outtakes and alternative POV's all from Randy Ballistic.  


Release Me (Stark Trilogy #1) by J. Kenner:

Release Date: January 1st, 2013
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Romance
Source:  Author gifted me physical copy at Book Bonanza, but my opinion was not influenced  
My rating:  4 stars

  
So, if you know me and have followed my blog, you know I wasn't a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey, and I'm  not the hugest fan of any kind of BDSM. So I never quite felt like this was my type of read.  However, when I met the author at Book Bonanza, after reading her Man of the Month series, she suggested that I needed to try the book that really started her going.  So I took the book, and finally got around to it in November.  And needless to say, her writing grabbed me right away.  Honestly it wasn't quite the BDSM I was expecting, and I really liked the way it all happened, and the relationship was very steamy.  I am definitely left needing to read on in the series.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms. 

He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist. 

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences. 

Of course have to share the picture of me with the author!

British Bedmate by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland:

Release Date: September 18th, 2017
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Romance
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars

This book had one of the best beginnings.  I loved the fish hook in the butt!  As I listened to this, it made me think about how I need to try to start any books I write that way if I want to get people reading.  So much that I could relate to, even though I'm not a single mother.  There was the part where she was set up on a blind date, and I totally know the feeling of walking in and from the very first moment having absolutely no attraction to the guy you're being set up with, leading to a sinking feeling.  Then there was the letter, yowza!  How embarrassing!  Then, I didn't see what came up about 70% through, but the way it was handled was realistic.  I was so scared Bridget would get mad at him for what wasn't his fault, something that a lot of authors add as drama, but that's not how it went, and I loved that.  Sweet, but steamy, definitely a great book!  Also, is narrator Zachary Webber really British?  He did the accent very well. 

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
From the New York Times Bestselling authors of Stuck-Up Suit and Mister Moneybags, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.

Dear Bridget,
I'm writing this letter because it's highly doubtful I'll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.
So, here goes.
We're totally wrong for each other. You're the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I'm just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.
But here's the thing... for some bloody reason, I can't stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.
I want you.
The only reason I'm even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don't believe it's one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we're joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.
So, what's the purpose of this note? I guess it's a reminder that we're adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it's to let you know that I'm leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you'd like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.
No questions asked.
Think about it.
Or don't.
Whatever you choose.
It's doubtful I'll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.
--Simon


Beneath the Truth (Beneath #7) by Meghan March:

Release Date: August 8th, 2017
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Romance
Source:  Digital Download checked out from local library 
My rating:  5 stars
 

So I was definitely sad to be finishing the last book in this series. There are so many great characters that we've met in the earlier books, and that the author weaves into each story so seamlessly.  Once again we had characters behaving realistically for the most part in their reactions to things.  But there were definitely twists and turns, things I didn't see coming, although felt I should have paid more attention once they came to light.  As usual the author writes some of the steamiest sex scenes, and makes me want my own Alpha when I read them.  I love so much how she did epilogues to fill us in on each of the couples from the other six books.  And when I wondered about a few of the other characters we'd met but hadn't gotten stories for, such as Rhett's brothers, I reached out to the author to ask if there would be any stories for them, and she mentioned where I might find them already.  I also found out that one of the "bad" guys in this story has his own series, and now I'll need to read that.  Normally I'm not a fan of stories about the bad guys, when they're really bad guys, like mafia stories, but for this author, well, I'll have to give them a chance.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
I used to believe there were lines in life you don't cross. 
Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't steal.
Until I learned people don't always practice what they preach.
I turned in my badge and gun and walked away from everything.
Then I got the call no one wants, and I’m back in New Orleans.
What I don't expect is for her to be here too.
Another line you don’t cross?
Don't touch your best friend’s little sister.
She's always been off-limits. 
Too bad I don't follow the rules anymore.

***May absolutely be read as a standalone!***  

Oh yeah, have to share my picture with this author too!

 

Unzipped by Lauren Blakely:

Release Date: August 8th, 2017
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Romance
Source:  E-galley from InkSlinger PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars

While this took a little bit to get into, about a third of the way through I was hooked and giggling as I read.  A lot of witty banter, and I loved all the 80s movies referenced.  Loved the quote about not having to take down a blowjob stand.  Loved her learning to do it with him, her description of how she'd been made to feel about her skills at that definitely was something I could commiserate with.  In the end it got really steamy, and I sped through the last 20% because I couldn't put it down.  I'd hoped to have it done in time to review for the release launch on December 14th, but I didn't get it done in time.  So here is my review, a fun book, and definitely one you should check out!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Picture this - I'm ready to win back the love of my life, and I'm going big this time. We're talking boom box, sing her name in the rain, let the whole damn neighborhood know I'm good and ready this time around. After all, if you're going to grand gesture the ever-loving hell out of a second chance, you need to pull out all the stops. 

There's only one little problem. 

My college girlfriend isn't the one who shows up when I play my "I'll do anything to win you back" tune. 

The woman who flings open the second-floor window tells me my ex doesn't live here anymore. But she'll help me win her back. Anything for romance, anything for a guy so willing to go big for love. And that's what I want at first. Until I get to know my new "romance coach" and discover she's funny, clever, and keeps me on my toes. And boy, do I ever need that. 

Now I don't want to win anyone else's heart. I want the woman who's been helping me all along. 

Trouble is - she thinks I'm in love with someone else, and when we take off on a road trip, everything I think I know about women is about to be unzipped and turned inside out.

  

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren:

Release Date: December 4th, 2018
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Source:  E-galley from Netgalley which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars


Once again Christina Lauren has blown me away.  I barely picked it up and could hardly put it down, not to mention laughing so hard!  So many times that I feel Millie should have come clean about being Cat, and I still feel that Reid maybe overreacted a bit when he found out it was her, but still, the hilariousness of the friends, the texting, instant messaging, all of it, make up for that.  The fact that there was a reference to the movie Caddyshack in this made it even more a book that I adored, since that is a movie I have memorized and quote almost weekly if not daily.  Love, loved this, funny, sexy, wonderful characters, a definite must read!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single.

So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Mille and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.

But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship...but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.  



While you're here, you should go check out the giveaways I've got going with my Top 10 of 2018 posts this past week:  Favorite books of 2018,  Favorite Covers,  Favorite New to Me Authors, Favorite Book Boyfriends,  and Top 10 Books I Meant to Read in 2018.