Very Bad Things (Briarcrest Academy #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She’s perfect…

Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex. 

Then she meets her soulmate. But he doesn’t want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about...until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things

A Strong Four Stars

He stiffened. “Nora!” he yelled out as he came, throwing his head back, his blond hair falling into his eyes, his muscles body straining forward and undulating in a beautiful symphony of ecstasy.

I wanted to weep.

I wanted him to love me. 

Long moments passed and he recovered slowly, opening his eyes and blinking up at me. “What was that?” he ask weakly.

I picked up my purse and stood up on wobbly legs. “That was a lesson in clarity, Leo,” I said in a small voice. “I have a date tonight with a guy I’ve fucked before, a guy I once had real feelings for. Think about what just happened in here between us and how non-epic it was. Think about me doing that with someone else. Think how good we could have been.” 

**Smirks**

Excuse me, but I couldn’t help but lead off with one of my favorite scenes in the book. There was something about this scene, about this quote, that perfectly exemplifies how achingly frustrating this story was; frustrating, but hot. 

I simply needed to do the things on my list: get drunk, get high, and get laid. Get relief. End of story. 

On the outside Nora’s life seemed perfect. She’s smart, beautiful and rich. What people don’t see is that Nora’s life is anything but perfect. Her mother is a complete psycho control freak. Her father is pretty much absent from her life and her brother, well, that’s a whole other hot mess there. She’s tired of living this secluded, miserable life and she wants to break free. So what does supposedly little Ms. Perfect do? Sabotage her welcoming speech at school and decides to make a list of things to escape her perfect cage. 

Why did I want her so fucking much? Why couldn’t I push her away like I did everyone else? Why couldn’t I breathe when I saw her?

My heart new the answer, and I’d realized it at the movies. I…I think maybe if I let her in, she might get under my skin so deep that I’d never want her to leave. That terrified me. 

Aaaaaannnnnddddd…here we go. Everyone meet Leo. Leo is thefirst Hero that frustrated the fuck out of me. Normally the heroine is the one I want to bitch slap, but nope, not in the scenario and Leo is definitely the one I wanted to slap the fuck out of. If you can tell by the amount of obscenities I mean serious business. LOL. It’s no doubt that Leo wants Nora and wants herBAD. But does he make any moves? Nope. Why? Well, at first he convinced himself it was because she younger and too immature, but he more he gets to know her, the more he realizes its much more than her age. She might only be eighteen, but this chick has gone through a lot. But does that change matters? Of course not. He’s a stubborn, stupid man. 

Nora Blakely was everything I avoided when it came to girls. Her kind expected love and commitments, two things I’d run away from a long time ago.

But still I stared at her, now focused on her pouty, sexy mouth as it tilted up in a smile. Fuck. 

I have to give this book and the author credit for making this story memorable. It was angsty, frustrating and just plain ole infuriating; the masochist in me relished in its fuckedupness. I wanted to put it down, but I was too determined to get to the part where Leo finally got it. However, there were many other things that kept this story flowing. As much as Leo frustrated the fuck out of me, he was still one sexy Hero. As for Nora, I loved her. She was such a strong heroine and never wavered, no matter what an asshole Leo was. 

So yes, this book was super angsty and fucked up. But I did enjoy the ride and looking forward to the next book in the series. Speaking of which: Cuba, baby, I can’t wait to read your story (though a part of me was hoping for Sebastian’s story, but I’ll take Cuba.)

P.S. On December 2, 2013, the author released an extended epilogue. You can find it here:http://www.ilsamaddenmills.com/#!exce...

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Trouble by Samantha Towle

Mia Monroe is running. Running from a person she doesn’t ever want to find her. Running from a past she doesn’t ever want anyone to know. Desperate to find a future, that yesterday, she could only dream of having. 

Jordan Matthews likes easy. Easy women. Easy life. 

Then he meets Mia. 

She’s damaged, troubled and has more baggage than any person can carry. But the more Jordan gets to know Mia-for the first time in his life-he finds himself wanting to try hard for something … for someone … for her.

And then life isn’t so easy anymore. 

Jordan is everything Mia shouldn’t want. A whole bunch of dirty hotness, tattooed, cocky bad boy, who made his money at poker tables and picked his women up in bars. Yet, Mia finds herself falling for him. Then the past Mia was running from, quickly starts to catch up with her. Because that’s the problem with running … you have to stop sometime. 

And when you stop, you get caught.

Full length New Adult Contemporary Romance.

Recommended Reading Age 18+

4.5 Stars

It’s easy to be worthless to someone, but to matter to someone…well, I think would be harder. 

Wow. This was a nice surprise. I had this on my TBR, but was waiting to read it. However, after the urging of my one of most trusted book friends, I picked this up. I figured I was in for another angsty ride that involved a damaged heroine and an Alpha Hero. Nope. I was completely off. It wasn’t typical by any means and the story was much more than that. 

The story starts out pretty dark, but no worries, it doesn’t stay that way. When we first meet Mia, her physically and mentally abusive father just passed away. His passing brought her relief and freedom, but that freedom was short lived. She didn’t know it at the time, but when she started up a relationship with her first boyfriend, Forbes, she didn’t know what laid underneath his perfect exterior. Once his abuse started, she didn’t know how to escape. In fact, her fucked up brain convinced her that she was use to this behavior, so she endured it, until he crossed an even more unforgivable line. 

She had had enough and she fled. While on the road, she kept thinking about her life and especially about her mother. She recently found out she’s alive and wondered why she left her with her monster of a father. Her path lead her to the town she was last known to have lived. It’s in this town, and in it’s hotel, is where she met Jordan Matthews. 

She’s fucking amazing.

Everything I didn’t know I was looking for. 

I know I’m fucked. She has me now. If there were ever a chance of me going back after this one taste of her, it’s gone.

I’m gone for her. 

Mia instantly enamored Jordan. He didn’t know what to make of her, but what he knew is that he had never been struck like this before. Frightened it might be more, he initially thought it was just lust. Unfortunately, the more he got to know his little hotel guest, he realized it was much more. 

Everything about him screams male.

He looks like sin.

Like hot, dirty, incredible sex. 

Just what Mia needed: Another male in her life. She has every right to be leery about men, especially one that looks like Jordan. I mean, she’s been fooled before. But we both know there will be no denying their immediate chemistry. They keep trying to deny what they have, but how long can they keep up the charade? And what will happen when Mia’s past refuses to stay in the past?

I’d spent so long believing I was a bad person. And I couldn’t see beyond that, until her.

Sometimes that’s all it takes. Just one person to turn everything on its head. Remind you of the person you were.

Mia makes me want to be the person I was before all the shit. 

This was such an excellent read. Jordan reminded me a lot of my favorite book boyfriends with a touch of Alpha hotness. He wasn’t overpowering, but more along the lines of overwhelming sweet. Does that make sense? Also, how could I not love a man who loves to talk to his adorable dog Dozer? Some of my favorite scenes involved those Jordan and his dog. I just loved those two. 

Oh before I go, I have to mention a few more things:

One. Fans of Colleen Hoover’s Hopeless will absolutely love this. There was a bit of twist that I did NOT see coming plus Jordan reminded me a lot of Holder, which is NEVER a bad a thing. 

Two. Surprisingly the heroine did not annoy me at all. When I first read the synopsis, I was worried that the heroine would be stubborn or hard headed. Nope. I actually like her and was rooting for her happiness. 

Three. The beginning of the book is a bit dark, with snippets of abuse, but please don’t let that put you off. This is very much a worthwhile read. 

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Cover Reveal ~ Awaken (Spiral of Bliss #3) by Nina Lane

 

Title: Awaken (Spiral of Bliss #3)

Author: Nina Lane

Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+

Publication Date: January 7, 2014

Cover Design: Victoria Colotta of VMC Art & Design

Synopsis

“I love that you love me, professor.”

“I love loving you, beauty.”

Since their intense, passionate beginning, Professor Dean West and his wife Olivia have fought dark secrets and betrayal in order to save their marriage. Now reeling in the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Liv and Dean are driven further apart by a vindictive threat to Dean’s career.

Struggling to stand on her own for the first time in years, Liv is determined to defend her husband and prove herself. Then an unexpected letter dredges up old insecurities and endangers Liv’s newfound independence. As Dean fights for his professional life, he is forced to confront his worst fear when he discovers that he can’t protect his beloved wife from her own painful past.

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Follow the Awaken book tour from January 7 to January 17

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she loves traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Nina also spent many years in graduate school studying art history and library sciences.

Although she would go back for another degree if she could because she's that much of a bookworm, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer. Nina's novel The Erotic Dark hit #1 on Amazon's Erotica Bestseller list.

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 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Playing Doctor by Jan Meredith

When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?

Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust as a man was going to take more than medical school had prepared him for.

 

Five Stars

HOT Doctor Alert!!!

So, recently I've been thinking that I haven't read a romance with a doctor hero in while. This novella was the perfect remedy and exactly what I was looking for! Not only was Playing Doctor a feel-good romance, but it was also unexpectedly funny and scorching HOT!!! I was thoroughly impressed!

After tossing flirty, butterfly-producing glances at each other at a wedding, Beth and Dr. Gabriel North officially meet under urgent circumstances. Their chemistry is established right away which leads to a no-strings-attached hook-up. Really, I had no idea how steamy this story was going to get. This is the point where I insert the “HOT Doctor Alert” flashing sign! These two are compatible and insatiable together!

One of the aspects I loved about this story is that the author takes the time to flesh out a true communicating relationship for Beth and Gabriel. I loved how they shared parts of their lives during tender moments and afterward as they try to sort things out. That just made it more realistic for me.

Beth and Gabriel are both in their thirties, well established in their careers and widowed, so I just adored how these two get a second chance at love. Playing Doctor is fun, sexy, and in the words of Beth's best friend, a “lick-o-licious” quick read.

*A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Until November (Until #1) by Aurora Rose Reynolds

November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans. 

Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe. 

Warning 18+ sexual content and a strong Alpha Male.

3.25-3.5 Stars

“So the Mayson curse is real. Fall in love on sight and all that bullshit.” 

Ok. I’m a little torn as to what to rate this book. I really enjoyed it for the most part, but there were a lot of things that annoyed me. 

I normally don’t mind the whole insta-love thing, but I really didn’t get why the Hero had such a hard-on for the heroine. Honestly, I thought what’s-her-name, oh yeah, November, was just an okay heroine. I mean, her name is part of the book’s title for pete’s sake and yet, I still forgot her name. Umm, yea, she’s pretty forgettable as the heroine. 

I’m in an Asher fog.

Normally when I’m swooning over a Hero, I’m in a beautiful, blissful haze. Normally. However, the expression Asher fog was used WAY too much. I even decided to search the term on my Kindle and it stated that it was used ten times. Umm, are you sure? Cuz I swear it was used more than that. Ugh! Use a thesaurus or something. Asher fog, Asher fog, Asher fog… yada, yada, yada…**eye roll** You get my point. 

“All I have to offer you is stability and love. I have nothing else. If you left me tomorrow, some other guy would be there giving you the same thing I do. You’re beautiful, funny, smart, kind. And the se, fuck me, sex with you is off the charts. If you left me—Christ!” He closed his eyes, shaking his head. “If you left me, I would never be able to find another you. Someone who fills my life with the beauty that only you give me.” 

I do love Asher Mayson, our uber-possessive-protective-tattooed-Alpha. I’m such a sucker for Heroes like him, but like I said before, I just didn’t know what he saw in November. 

I really hate being harsh, but sometimes I can’t help it. However I do have to admit that I did like the story, but it just didn’t wow me like I hoped it would. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Asher, I don’t know if I could’ve finished this book. But please don’t let my review deter you. To each their own, you know? I see a lot of positive reviews and I can see why people would love this, but alas, I wasn’t one of those people. 

Oh! Before I go, I do have to say one huge positive thing: I CANNOT WAIT for the next book! It’s going to be Trevor & Liz’s story. We got a preview of it at the end of this story and I seriously want this story in my hands NOW.