L-L-L-Little Reviews: Five Adult Contemporary Romance Audiobooks

Ah!  I feel like I'm getting behind on reviews, while still staying ahead on reading books for scheduled reviews.  Possibly because most of the audiobooks I listen to are for myself, and not for any tours.  So they get put on the backburner until I have time to post their reviews. But today I'm going to get 5 of them out of the way.   Now, three of them are from a series that I had to listen to all in a row because of how the first two ended on cliffhangers that I had to know what would happen next!


Repeat by Kylie Scott:

Release Date: January 7th, 2019
Source:  Audiobook purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars

If you've followed me for awhile, you know that Kylie Scott is one of my favorite authors.  That she wrote one of my top 3 book boyfriends of all-time, Mal Ericson, from Play.  While I've loved everything I've read from her so far, her last book wasn't one that appealed to me, as I don't really care for the older man trope.  I've not read a lot of amnesia stories either, but I knew that I wanted to give this one a try.  And once again, I was hooked right away.  I mean I had just started the audio and I already was at the point where I didn't want to get out of the car and go in to a family get together because it was so good!  The story kept me wondering what exactly could be behind all the things that were happening to Clementine.  I also wondered what in the world happened to cause her and Ed to break up, and we were kind of kept wondering about that for a while.  In a good way, the way that would keep us listening and needing to go on to find out more.  I had so many theories that kept me hoping the author wouldn't do what it seemed would happen.  It was so addicting that I went home on my fourth day of listening in the car, and after work, I sat in my living room and listened to the last quarter of the book because I had to know. That is a good book to me!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
From Audie Award winning, New York Times best-selling author Kylie Scott comes an irresistible new romance - available in audio first!

When a vicious attack leaves 25-year-old Clementine Johns with no memory, she's forced to start over. Now she has to figure out who she was and why she made the choices she did - which includes leaving the supposed love of her life, tattoo artist Ed Larsen, only a month before. 

Ed can hardly believe it when his ex shows up at his tattoo parlor with no memory of their past, asking about the breakup that nearly destroyed him. The last thing he needs is more heartache, but he can't seem to let her go again. 

Should they walk away for good, or does their love deserve a repeat performance? 


Mount Trilogy #1-3 by Meghan March:

Title:  Ruthless King
Release Date: October 17th, 2017
Source:  Audiobook purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars
  
I have loved all that I've read or listened to by Meghan March so far.  I love her Beneath series.  I didn't think I would get into this, it is a lot darker, the title refers to a bad guy, Lachlan Mount.  We did meet him in the last book in the Beneath series.  He's the guy who everyone has to go through in New Orleans, the drug cartels go through him, he owns or pays off some of the police.  His reputation is not a man you'd ever think you'd want.  Or not the type of guy I'd want, I don't really like the bad guys usually.  I should have known though, after what the author did with the one really bad guy in the Beneath series, Rix, that she could find a way to make me like this bad guy.  But don't mistake Mount for Rix.  Mount is a really bad guy.  

This first one was really mostly about the sex part to me.  I had a lot of questions about some things, and how they would really work. I also was definitely unsure about liking one of the things he made her do.  I mean, there's a reason they say things like people walking around like they "have a stick up their ...".  We got some time with the characters from the Beneath series twice in this book.  I liked that, but wished for more.  There was a cliffhanger at the end, as I mentioned, and so I had to immediately get ahold of the second book. But I chose to get it from the library where unfortunately, I was put on hold.  However, it was a surprise when later that same night, it was available!  So really I didn't have to wait any longer than I normally would wait anyway to start a new audiobook.  My one complaint is how we didn't get the every other chapter between the two characters in this one. So much more from Keira's side. But I get the reason for it.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Get ready for the darker and dirtier side of New Orleans with a brand new alpha romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan March.

New Orleans belongs to me.
You don’t know my name, but I control everything you see—and all the things you don’t.
My reach knows no bounds, and my demands are always met.
I didn’t need to loan money to a failing family distillery, but it amuses me to have them in my debt.
To have her in my debt.
She doesn’t know she caught my attention.
She should’ve been more careful.
I’m going to own her. Consume her. Maybe even keep her.
It’s time to collect what I’m owed.
Keira Kilgore, you’re now the property of Lachlan Mount.

Title:  Defiant Queen
Release Date: November 14th, 2017
Source:  Digital download borrowed from local library
My rating:  5 stars
  
We got to start this book off with a chapter from Mount.   It was nice getting more from Mount's side in this book.  This book gave me a better look at who Mount was.  What his business was, and how he dealt with people.  It still kept Mount as a bad guy though, his actions and such still didn't make me feel any more like he was a better guy than we'd thought.   I did enjoy the part where Lucas Titan from the Beneath series showed up, and had some good advice for Mount on how to get the woman.  And I loved hearing about Titan and what he was doing for his woman, Yve.  Titan was someone it was hard to like at first.  Though he really wasn't a bad guy like Mount is.  

Got more sexy times in this one too, although I'm still going to have to go with a hard pass on anything to do with a ball gag.  Just no.  Then they had a trip to Ireland, which I loved that!  This one had another cliffhanger, a major one again.  So I was glad to be able to immediately check out the third and final book to listen to from the library.  I'd say this one was a bit longer than the first book, and the third was like double the length of this one.  

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

The Mount Trilogy continues with Defiant Queen...

I’m his entertainment. His toy. Payment on a debt.
I tell myself I hate him, but every time he walks into the room, my body betrays me. How can I want him and fear him in the same moment?
They told me he’d mess with my head. Make it go to war with my body.
But I didn’t realize it would be complete anarchy.
I should’ve known better. When Mount’s involved, there are no rules.
I will not surrender. I will not show weakness. I’ll stand my ground and make it out of this bargain with my heart and soul intact.
But he has other plans . . .

Defiant Queen is the second book of the Mount Trilogy. Mount and Keira's story concludes in Sinful Empire. 

Title:  Sinful Empire
Release Date: December 19th, 2017
Source:  Digital download borrowed from local library
My rating:  5 stars

So this one started up not exactly right where the last one left off, which would normally be frustrating seeing as how the last one ended on a cliffhanger.  However it wasn't, because we got some of Mount's background.  And that I loved!  I was able to learn more about him, and even though he was still a pretty scary guy, I was able to start to fall in love with him.  This book we see how the two really are starting to fall in love.  But there is so much else going on in this one.  We learn some things about how in the world Mount found out about Keira waiting that first night.  And all I could think was I needed more from the person who did lead him to her.  I kept needing to know more, and the author kept putting that off. Then something really  major happens, and finally Keira's family comes around. But all I can think as she keeps waiting and waiting for Mount is that he's decided to separate himself from her to keep her safe.  I'm so glad that isn't the case.  

This book has the fun of Keira kind of coming into her own and starting to order around Mount's employees.  Including V, I do love V.  By getting the background story of Mount, he might be a man I can fall in love with. A bad guy, but with that avenging angel edge.  What happens towards the end isn't what I expected, love that the author could still surprise me even as I knew something was coming. This one was much longer than the first two.  I will say that I've decided I'll read anything by this author now.  I will not let the tropes that normally turn me away, like mafia romance or dark romance, turn me away, at least not if it is written by Meghan March.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

The Mount Trilogy concludes with Sinful Empire!

What’s mine, I keep, and that includes Keira Kilgore.
It’s no longer enough to have her in my debt. No longer enough to own her body.
I want something more.
She can try to resist, but I’ll never give her up.
Nothing will keep us apart.
Not her. Not my enemies. No one.
Her debt will only be paid one way—with her heart.

Sinful Empire is the third and final book in the Mount Trilogy.


Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely:

Release Date: January 31st, 2019
Source:  Audiobook purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars
 
This was a short, sweet, and funny story.  I guess it kind of goes with some other books by this author, and I'll have to listen to them as well. But I loved our characters in this one, Kristen and Cameron.  I kind of agreed with Kristen's thoughts on dating in real life. However I don't see that online dating is much better.  At least I haven't had any guys actually spend much time talking online, so haven't had a good experience with that.  And then there's Cameron.  He's hilarious!  Not to mention Kristen's grandma, Jeannie, LOVED her!  The pranks in this story were so good.  It's almost like one prank after another.  And one of them I didn't quite get until we were in the middle of a date and Kristen was starting to figure it out. Although I was with Cameron, figured it out a little quicker.  Had an HEA, and maybe I would have liked a little more sexy times instead of the fade to black we kind of got, but it was a good one anyway.  And I know I have more to read with the related stories.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Kristen Leonard is done with setups. She’s not interested in your son or your nephew or your butcher or the guy who mows your lawn, thank you very much, grandma! After all, she’s a modern woman—she’ll take her chances on the algorithms of online dating to find her ideal man. Before long, she meets a man who might just be the one—he’s hilarious, quick-witted, and full of heart. And when she meets up with Cameron in real life, he certainly looks exactly like his profile picture…but something’s not quite right.

There’s really no telling what brought them together and all bets are off as to whether or not they can trust their hearts over their heads. After all, can you fall in love with someone you’re not sure you really even know?

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.