Salt Kiss by: Sierra Simone Five plus stars!

 

Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review (ARC provided)
Five Stars!
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I don't know what to do with myself now! I pick up my Kindle to start a new book and don't even want to. These characters are dominating my mind. I can't believe I have to wait until March to get the next book. I couldn't put this book down. I read it in a day. Prior to reading Salt Kiss, I read Salt In the Wound, which I'm glad I did. The prequel (although you don't have to read it) is amazing but gives you more insight into the situation.

Salt Kiss is told entirely from Tristan's (male protagonist) POV. Tristan was a war hero in the army and is hired by Mark, his uncle-in-law, to be his bodyguard. Mark is a very complex character; he is pretty evil, but every so often, you get a little softness. Mark runs a "sex club" and is ex-CIA; his job and activities are questionable, pair that with his money, and he needs to be protected.

I don't want to get into the story too much, but Tristan becomes obsessed with Mark and his activities, wanting to be a part of it.

Tristan is the opposite of Mark; he is innocent and sweet, and they have one thing in common: their demons. They seem to connect somehow because of that. Mark cannot love, but Tristan falls so easily.

"I remind myself that I survived a war. Four times. I can survive Mark Trevana."

Once again, Sierra's writing blew me away. She has a way with words, and her "smut" is so beautifully done, that you don't even realize how dirty it is until you are scorching. I can not wait to get more of this series.

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Out Now! The Way I Hate Him by: Meghan Quinn

 

The Way I Hate Him by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review (ARC provided)
Five stars!

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Meghan Quinn always has me craving food when I read her books, from donuts to grilled cheese and now pickles. Seriously if you like pickles, you will go to your refrigerator and grab a couple while reading.

I have said so many times that I’m not a fan of age gaps, and I’m usually not, but this is the second book I’ve read of hers with an age gap that I loved. I didn’t feel icky while reading it, and it just worked for these characters.

This book had a lot of heart; it had me tearing up a few times and laughing out loud.

Hattie has failed graduate school and is returning to her hometown to see her family and her long-time boyfriend. She has recently lost her sister, her role model, and the girl that practically raised her. She is having difficulty coping and needs to take some time off.

Hayes is back home and has some time off from touring. He’s ready to take a breather but just fired his assistant and needs help. Hayes has his own demons he needs to fight.

Hattie needs to pretend she has an internship to avoid her other siblings knowing she failed out of school; Hayes offers to help, but does he?

I absolutely loved the banter between the H and h, and then the chemistry that just keeps building and building until you, as a reader, are ready to combust. Meghan is the master of “edging” her reader; when the time finally comes, it is the perfect amount of spice. I loved every word of this book, and as always, M.Q. brought me exactly what I needed in a book. I can’t wait to read more about the adorable small town of Almond Bay.

“You breathed oxygen back into my lungs and made me feel when my entire body was living in a numb state. Because of you, I learned to love; I learned to fucking feel. My soul was woken up and nurtured…by you.” SIGH

 https://mybook.to/TheWayIHateHim

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Out Now!! Royally In Trouble by: Meghan Quinn

 

Royally In Trouble by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review (ARC provided)
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4.5 stars!

I couldn’t wait to start this book after reading Royally Not Ready; boy, it was not what I expected. This book is a definite page-turner and deals with real issues between this soon-to-be-wed couple. It has suspense, is packed with action, is very sexy, and funny but also serious. It kinda checks all the boxes. Meghan will have you rooting for this couple that you know are meant to be together but are having a rough go of it, between wedding planning and threats they don't even know if the wedding should happen, everything seems to be testing them and has them even second-guessing their relationship.

Lilly and Keller are explosive, probably one of the sexiest couples Meghan has written (in my opinion). She did such a good job of portraying their love and their attraction, but not only that the way she got into their thoughts made you feel like you were truly going through what this couple was, dealing with real-life circumstances as well as some far-fetched royal ones.

This book was heartbreaking and emotional and I couldn’t wait to find out how and if Keller and Lilly would get to the alter. This book took me by surprise but it did not disappoint.


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Out Now! Five Stars!!

 

Right Man, Right Time by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review (ARC provided)
Another five stars for Meghan!
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When I say I couldn’t put this book down, I literally couldn’t put it down. I was cooking with it next to me on the kitchen counter, I was brushing my teeth with it next to me, I was supposed to be watching tv with the family and reading it on the sly. I couldn’t stop laughing out loud through all of it. The story of how Ollie and Silas met had me crying. My friends know I don’t like age gaps, the trope is not for me, and I always put a ten-year limit on an age difference, in life and in reading. When I saw this book there was in fact an age gap between the H and h, but I had to suck it up because it’s Meghan Quinn and she's never disappointed me. I had to squeal a little when I found out the gap was ten years, it’s like she gets me. LOL

Ollie (h) is quite the old soul too, even though she’s only twenty-one and still in college she definitely knows what she wants. She still has her fun in college and likes to party, but her head is on straight and she’s very mature in her thoughts and the way she comes across to people. The only deterrent she has is her co-worker/peer that will do anything to make her life difficult, including dating her ex and assigning her to a project she would have no interest in.

Silas (H) is going through some term oil in his life, after a heartbreaking and bad breakup with his high school sweetheart he finds out she will be working with the hockey team he professionally plays on. He’s become very detached and closed off since their breakup and his teammates want to get him out of it and get the old Silas back.

“It all started with a surprising, soul changing kiss.”

Let's just say Ollie surprised Silas at the bar not knowing who he was by taking a chance and kissing him. He reciprocated and soon they came to a fake dating relationship agreement. They both agree to help each other, but as they get to know one another their emotions and chemistry are too strong to deny. The only problem is Silas isn’t ready to give his heart over and he definitely isn’t ready to trust again.

Ollie and Silas worked, they were a good team, and the age gap suited them. It didn’t bother me at all! The slow burn and chemistry were HOT and Meghan is the master of this. I have loved this series so much and I can’t wait to get more books about these hockey players.

https://mybook.to/RightManRightTime

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Blanket of Stars by K.K. Allen


My Review (ARC provided)
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https://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
Four Stars!

To say I enjoyed this series is an understatement. I have been invested in the Bexley’s since we met Silver at Camp Bexley. I couldn’t wait to get the final brother Cayson’s book.

Cayson was like the perfect man; pure, sensitive, shy, sweet, and very attractive, but totally not someone our heroine (Olivia) would ever consider dating. Olivia is used to the rock star lifestyle and can’t see herself with anyone other than a rock star, especially not the sweet boy next door Cayson. The only problem is something happens to her when she’s around him, but she won't admit it.

Cayson has an immediate attraction to Olivia, and from the first moment he met her he has been determined to ask her out, but Olivia wants to keep him in the friendzone. Cayson is trying to move on from his accident, heal and get out in the dating scene but the problem is he only wants to date one person.

Olivia thinks she likes the long distance and toxic, angsty relationships she's had in the past and that Cayson is so not her type, but she is willing to help him find someone and gain his confidence back. She will teach him whatever he needs to know. Will they be able to stay friends, or will her tutoring get in the way?

“He’s no tattooed rock star with a penchant for making me constantly question my place in the world. He’s still a clean-cut, straight-edged family man with a heart of gold who would never make me question anything. Where’s the toxicity? The angst? The complete unpredictability?”

I loved Cayson, but unfortunately, I didn’t love Olivia, she made me angry, and I found her selfish. I kept hoping Cayson would move on and then whenever he tried to, Olivia would get jealous and pull him back in. I loved their chemistry and their friendship, but I thought Olivia took advantage of him. I found it hard to believe she was that oblivious to how much he was into her. I’m so happy when the lightbulb finally went off and she realized how special Cayson was.

“Jealousy is an ugly, self-loathing emotion, and right now, I’m filled with it.”

Overall, I have loved this series and really enjoyed this book, I just wish Olivia pulled her head out a little sooner.





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