Tag Archives: friends to lovers romance

Feels Like Love ~ Just 99 CENTS!!!

I just wanted to belong…
Sadie had never belonged anywhere other than on stage. A soulful singer and musician, she left home at a young age and never looked back. No one missed her anyhow. Traveling the country with one no good boyfriend or another for work, Sadie settled in New Orleans until another d-bag boyfriend decided she wasn’t enough…and the slutty new bartender was.
She left for Mustang Prairie and the open arms of her half-sister Amelia…or so she thought

I just wanted to protect her…
Dylan Parker was retired at the ripe old age of 34. After catching a serial killer who’d tortured Chicago for a decade, he was ready to turn in his homicide detective’s shield.
Needing distance from his high society parents and their social climbing friends he packed up his truck and bought a bar in Mustang Prairie. Getting reacquainted with small town life would be an adjustment…until he met a copper haired amazon with a voice like warm honey.
Sadie was everything he wanted; a friend, a devil’s advocate, a sister, and a confidante. Theirs was a deeply satisfying friendship so Sadie and Dylan fought their mutual attraction.

Can Sadie & Dylan admit that their friendship feels more like love?

What people are saying about Feels Like Love:

Return to Mustang Prairie and get swept away by a sweet and spicy romance!

Meet Sadie Girl, the wanderer with a heart of gold and the voice of an angel. And Dylan, the blue-eyed stud who traded in his cop badge to be a small town bartender.

Both come from cold, unsupportive families. Both have reasons to flee from romance. But eventually these two best friends won’t be able to deny their sizzling chemistry, and the growing tension between them.

My favorite book in this series! You will LOVE these characters and enjoy revisiting the rest of the Mustang Prairie gang.

Feels Like Love (Mustang Prairie Book 3)
US: http://amzn.to/1KIICF5
UK: http://amzn.to/2etV2YN
AU: http://amzn.to/2dJmi7h
CA: http://amzn.to/2ei4CTs

 

Review ~ An Ex For Christmas – Lauren Layne

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ABOUT:

When a psychic tells spunky, superstitious Kelly Byrne that she’s already met her true love, she becomes obsessed with the idea of tracking him down before Christmas. Kelly immediately writes up an “Ex List” and starts contacting old boyfriends to figure out which one is the one. When her college sweetheart rolls into town, Kelly convinces herself that they’re meant to be. The trouble is, sparks are flying with someone she’s never given a chance: her best friend, Mark.

Mark Blakely has watched the guys on Kelly’s list break her heart, and he’s not looking forward to watching them do it all over again. Mark’s always been there for her, but the timing’s never worked out for their relationship to be something more. Now, just as Mark is ready to move on, the sexual tension between them is suddenly off the charts. With Christmas morning around the corner, he just hopes Kelly will wake up and realize that everything she wants has been right in front of her all along.

I really wanted to LOVE this story but it turns out that I only liked it. An Ex For Christmas is a good story but there were times that I wanted to strangle Kelly. Not that I have any problems people believing in or using magic 8 balls, horoscopes, tarot cards and any of that. But letting it rule your life? It grew a bit tiresome way before we got to Christmas Eve and Christmas.

This story was…odd. More than half the story is Kelly tracking down other guys with no mention of having feelings for or even an attraction to her best friend. At fifty percent I had to go back and read the synopsis because I thought maybe I’d misread it. But no, I hadn’t. Then finally something happened but by then I was really just ready to get to the HEA.

As a writer I understand drama and storytelling so I have to give Lauren Layne credit because my reaction to Kelly, at times, was visceral. I screamed “Oh. My. God.” At least ten times from sixty percent to the end. Don’t get me wrong, Mark was no angel either. I mean it was clear he had feelings for her, but not to her.

Did you hear me? Not. To. Her.

I loved parts of this story, the history of their friendship and how close they were, even sharing a dog. I just wished that two people who had such a great relationship, could have communicated a little better. I mean, seriously!

All that being said, Kelly and Mark were adorable together. It was clear they could be a great match if she’d let go of her complete reliance on the supernatural or mystical to guide her life. As someone who used to spend her high school years poring over every horoscope printing in the Sun Times and Tribune, I understand where she’s coming from. Except…I was in high school, not looking for The One.

An Ex For Christmas is good read, probably a great read if you don’t let Kelly annoy you too bad! That’s why I gave it almost 4 stars, let’s call it 3.75 stars.

Review ~ Worth The Wait – Jamie Beck

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Thirteen years ago, Vivi LeBrun was sketching a rooster and eating Oreos when she first met—and fell for—her friend’s brother, David St. James. Since then, her love for David has only intensified thanks to years of friendship with his family, who rescued her from a lonely, tumultuous childhood. As she travels to Block Island to vacation with the St. James siblings, Vivi daydreams about reuniting with David, hoping he’ll finally see her as his soul mate.

After his mother’s death, David distanced himself from his siblings, determined to hide a devastating family secret. Now, he’s brought a new girlfriend along to his homecoming—one who’s pushing for a serious commitment. The last thing he needs on his growing list of problems is his budding attraction to Vivi.

With tensions running high, David’s behavior triggers a series of events that might cost him the love he’s always taken for granted and Vivi the only real family she’s ever known.

The tone of Worth The Wait was somewhat…unexpected. As a romance involving the best friend’s older brother, one would expect fluff and heat and some substance. But this doesn’t read like your typical romance even though all the elements are there; a big beach house on an island, an unexpected but well known guest, a new girlfriend and heaps of tension. But despite all that, the whole time I read this story I had a major case of the feels.

Vivi has loved David since about five seconds after she met him, and years later not much has changed. Except everything else has, including David. Watching Vivi contend with the new, uncertain nature of their relationship along with the addition of the girlfriend who followed him halfway around the world, was heartbreaking. She put on a brave face, even when her best friend did her best to make it know how she would feel about a relationship between her best friend and her brother.

I don’t know, I thought Cat was a very selfish person aside from the drama with her boyfriend. She was probably my least favorite character, which doesn’t exactly bode well for me and the next book in the series, though I have doubts the other siblings’ stories could possibly rival Worth The Wait.

I’ve probably made this story sound like a big downer, but it isn’t. At all. The tone is different and I think that’s a good thing. Love isn’t always just chocolates and flowers and hot sex. Sometimes the journey is dramatic and painful and hellish, but you go through it to get to the prize at the other end…or you don’t.

I loved Vivi, I thought she was strong as hell despite all the crap life had heaped on her, and I think David did not deserve her love. He eventually earned it, in my opinion, but I still have doubts on whether or not he deserved it because she was great and there were plenty of times—over the years—he took advantage of that fact without acknowledging that she loved him.

I think Jamie Beck did a fantastic job with this story. I always love her stories and sometimes I dislike the heroine, but I always have a good time. If you love best friend’s older brother love stories, this one is just for you.

Review ~ Those Sweet Words – Kait Nolan

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ABOUT:

Good old, reliable Pru. Of the four Reynolds sisters, Pru is the natural choice to take on custody of the girl their late mother had planned to adopt. At thirty, suddenly becoming the mom of a teenager means big changes, but Pru’s ready to do whatever it takes to adopt Ari. Before she settles down, though, she wants one thing for herself.

Enter Flynn Bohannon, the sinfully sexy Irish musician in town for her sister’s wedding. He’s led the kind of free, vagabond life Pru can hardly imagine. Definitely not the kind of guy she should be dating, but he’s the perfect guy for a crazy fun fling before her life changes.

When Pru proposes a brief, no strings affair, Flynn’s not about to say no. But when unexpected complications endanger the adoption, the two find themselves in a phony engagement.

Now they have to convince a sharp-eyed, skeptical social worker, a teen who’s too smart for her own good, three dubious sisters, and one protective brother-in-law that Flynn’s willing to give up the gypsy life and settle down. But in convincing everyone that this relationship is real, will they convince each other as well?

Of all the sisters at The Misfit Inn, Pru seemed like the most settled when she was introduced in When You Got A Good Thing. I expected an opposites attract type romance since Flynn was so different, and I prepared myself to dig in with excitement because let’s face it, Kait Nolan rarely lets readers down.

But damn, did Flynn have to be so tempting? So delicious with his Irish lilt and charming words? Oh, hell yeah he did! I mean, who else but a guy like that could bypass Pru’s natural inhibitions? Sure, she had a lot on her plate with a new inn, a new business and oh yeah, adopting a teenager, but she found time for Flynn and though I’m not quite as glad as Pru, I can’t deny how much I loved reading Those Sweet Words.

I did have an issue with the way Pru assumed that Flynn was unsettled and against commitment because of his lifestyle. It was a little annoying, I mean if he’d spent the entire book hemming and hawing because she had a teenager we’d all think he was an insensitive jerk. But she got over it and so did I with his help, because when a guy like that is waiting for you, wanting you, you get the hell on board PDQ.

One of my favorite things, in general, about Kait Nolan is the heroes she creates. They aren’t those bullying alphas that everyone loves, they are really great guys. Good, solid men. You can’t help falling in love with a guy like that, which is the backbone of her stories. Flynn just amped it up by about a million and I’m still contemplating putting him at the number 3 spot of perfect male partners right under my husband and Pacey Witter.

I don’t know how many ways to say I loved this story, more than I thought. I still think the first one was my favorite—so far—but this one was a really good time.

A damn good time, in fact.

In case you’re wondering, When You Got A Good Thing is now #free on Amazon!

Review ~ Pianos & Promises Book 1 – Jennifer Peel

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ABOUT:

Doesn’t everyone say you should marry your best friend?

Jaime Seger has two goals in life: marry her best friend, the man that owns her heart and soul, and buy her very own grand piano. But Christopher McKay, who has no idea Jaime’s been in love with him since she was eleven years old, never gets the memo and marries someone else.

When Christopher’s wife dies, Jamie finds herself helping him raise his young daughter. A year later, she is on the other end of a very unlikely proposal, promising everything she thought she ever wanted.

But can their friendship survive a marriage of convenience?

After reading book one in the Pianos & Promises series, I think I am becoming a serious fan of Jennifer Peel. It’s no surprise to readers of this blog that I have a very hard time reading books written in the first person. I very rarely make it past the first few chapters and as soon as I started to read this one, I groaned. Oh no, not another first person story!!! But a funny thing happened, I kept reading. And I liked it.

I more than liked it. I f*cking liked it.

Many of my first person objections hold, but Pianos & Promises of Jaime and Chris was so emotional, such a sharp pain to my heart at times that I actually cried. Jaime’s heartbreak was visceral and though this is just a novella, it certainly didn’t feel like it. Jennifer Peel did a fantastic job capturing and bottling that emotion for the page. The characters had layers, such depth as well as a rich history that went back decades.

The premise of this story is right up my alley because I love a friends to lovers trope, and this one tugged on all the heartstrings. It was refreshing to see, for once, the hero working hard to prove himself to the woman, rather than her doing some very creative justifying in order to take him back.

This isn’t a new story but it’s been sitting in my Kindle for quite some time and I finally just cracked it open. I’m glad I did…because it’s a three book bundle, baby!

NEW RELEASE!!! Review ~ Eye Candy – Jessica Lemmon

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Jacqueline: As an adult woman–and the vice president of a marketing firm–I shouldn’t be waiting by my office window to ogle the mystery man who jogs by every morning at 11:45. Sure, he’s a gorgeous, perfect specimen of the human race, but I can’t bring myself to hit on a total stranger. However, my best friend-slash-colleague Vince Carson thinks I should do more than talk to the guy. In fact, he’s borderline obsessive about “getting me laid.” (His words.) But the more time we spend together, the more it’s clear: The one I’m falling for is Vince.
 
Vince: Jackie Butler’s got it bad for some pompous, over-pumped A-hole who struts his stuff past her window. That doesn’t bother me. I know she deserves nice things. What does bother me is that she friend-zoned me big-time last year, so I can’t ask her out myself. But what if I set her up with Mr. Steroids? Then, when he breaks her heart, I can swoop in and save her like the nice guy I am. Everything’s going according to plan . . . until we share a ridiculously epic kiss. And suddenly anything is possible.

I do love a friend’s to lovers story and Jackie and Vince’s story had me very excited. Although I’m not a huge fan of stories written in the first person I dove into Eye Candy and found the story engaging. Continue reading NEW RELEASE!!! Review ~ Eye Candy – Jessica Lemmon

Feels Like Love SALE ~ 99 cents!!!!

Just #99cents until JULY 5TH!!! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

💚🔥💚🔥💚🔥Welcome to Mustang Prairie💚🔥💚🔥💚🔥
I just wanted to belong…
Sadie had never belonged anywhere other than on stage. A soulful singer and musician, she left home at a young age and never looked back. No one missed her anyhow. Traveling the country with one no good boyfriend or another for work, Sadie settled in New Orleans until another d-bag boyfriend decided she wasn’t enough…and the slutty new bartender was.
She left for Mustang Prairie and the open arms of her half-sister Amelia…or so she thought Continue reading Feels Like Love SALE ~ 99 cents!!!!

Review ~ Coming Home – Kimberley O’Malley

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ABOUT:

Dr. Elizabeth Abbott Fitzgerald has spent the last ten years of her life running; from tragedy, from family, from love. But now her mother’s failing health calls her home to Windsor Falls, North Carolina; to the place where her past awaits. Sam Bishop can’t believe his eyes when the love of his life returns after ten long years. All he wants is to clear his conscience and get back the family he lost when Connor, his best friend and Elizabeth’s husband died tragically. Could it really be true that time heals all wounds?

Coming Home tells the story of ER doctor Elizabeth Fitzgerald and her journey back to the woman she used to be when called home to Windsor Falls. After back to back tragedies sent her running across the country a decade ago, her mother’s health scare brings her back where she belongs and face to face with her best friend Sam. All grown up and more withdrawn than she remembers, Sam Bishop has a few words to say to the best friend he lost weeks after he lost the other. Kimberley O’Malley has created a wonderful small town with lots of personality, but more importantly the story of Elizabeth and Sam is emotional and tender and real. I had my doubts that these two would get their act together but their journey was a pleasure to follow. Continue reading Review ~ Coming Home – Kimberley O’Malley

Review ~ A Tempting Friendship – Kylie Gilmore

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ABOUT:

Even Angels have their limits…

Widow Julia Turner is finally ready to date again after five years of mourning her husband. She confides to her longtime friend Angel Marino that she’s signed up for an online dating site and is shocked when it’s Angel that shows up at her door on the night of her first date. And the look in his eye is anything but friendly.

Angel has secretly been in love with Julia since college, and after fulfilling his promise to his deceased best friend to watch over her these past years, he can’t stand idly by and watch her date another man. It’s time to unleash the sexy for a seduction that’s been a long time coming.

 

 

I have kind of a hit or miss relationship with Kylie Gilmore’s books. I usually love them but the ones that I don’t love…I really don’t love. A Tempting Friendship falls somewhere in the middle.

I loved the idea of these two friends who secretly pined for one another until her desire to move on kicks them both into action. But there was so much more to this story and not all of it good. But I will say that both Angel and Julia were at fault for the years they could have had together. Angel could have stepped up and asked her out anyway instead of letting his friend have her. And Julia, girl! When it became clear she had feelings for both guys, it was time to step up and figure out what you want!

This is why I guess I judged Julia a little more harshly. Not because of her so-called sins but because she got married for a really crappy reason and then continued to punish herself for the way she felt. I thought she went a little overboard in her need for absolution. Forgiveness and all that jazz. A dead guy isn’t going to give you anything and if you need it that bad, you should ask yourself why.

Of course this is a romance novel so things go a little differently but I wish there would have been more Julia and Angel and not as much Damon and Mia. It took me out of their real story and honestly I just didn’t care for it that much, though it was steamy as hell!

Bottom line is that I liked this story but I didn’t love it. I wish there had been less hand-wringing. And I wish that Brad hadn’t died in such an honorable way because he deserved a great big smack upside the head! I mean a really good, Southern grandma style head smack. Though I do appreciate that A Tempting Friendship didn’t take the easy way out and make Brad a cheater or a bad guy. He did one REALLY bad thing but otherwise he was a good husband.

The story could have been a tad shorter but I’m not complaining. It was a good read that kept my interest.

Sadie’s Interview with Ropin Romance!

Check out my character interview with Sadie from Feels Like Love!

Feels Like Love (Mustang Prairie Book 3)
US: http://amzn.to/1KIICF5
UK: http://amzn.to/2etV2YN
AU: http://amzn.to/2dJmi7h
CA: http://amzn.to/2ei4CTs