A Holly Jolly Ever After by: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone...four stars!

 

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My review (ARC provided)
Four stars!

What a fun read! If you want a sexy, witty, and intelligently written book, look no further. Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy really ran with this story. It was so silly and unexpected. I need to read the first book now because it somehow slipped by me.

This book will have you laughing, swooning, and on fire. Kallum is like a big teddy bear; you just want to squeeze him. Winnie is so sheltered that you want to help her find her way. Kallum is the absolute best person to help her. He is sweet, generous, and knows his way around the female body. Winnie needs his expertise, especially with the steamy holiday movie they are starring in together.

I’m not going to go into the synopsis; you can read it if you want. I had no idea what it was going to be about, and I’m happy I was surprised by it; it made the read that much better. I’m ready to start my favorite time of the year: curl up with some hot cocoa and read the other books in this series.


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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!
@tlbcgirls.read
https://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
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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!

@tlbcgirls.read
https://triciaciak.blogspot.com/

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)
@tlbcgirls.read
https://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
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!
https://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
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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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