Audiobook #Review: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies Book 3) by Brenda Jackson

Book Title: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies # 3)
Author:  Brenda Jackson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance, Military Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Audiobook, Mass Market Paperback
Narrator: Brian Hutchison 

Audio Service: Scribd
Hours in Book: 4 hours 50 mins

Cost: $20.00

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: May 08, 2018
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Synopsis:

This Navy SEAL is on a top-secret mission of seduction ...David Holloway is used to hard assignments. Now he faces his most difficult yet: cozying up to the soft curves of Swan Jamison. He wants to know the island beauty ... in every way. But romancing Swan as part of his SEAL team's mission tests his honor, even as his feelings become increasingly real. Soon he must make a choice: duty ... or desire? (

Overall:
A military romance with mystery, intrigue, international espionage and sexy times. Where do I sign up?? Plus it's linked to the Westmoreland family sagas?? Yes, please.

Narrator:
Brian Hutchison. This is the first time I've listened to anything read by him and I enjoyed his narration. The story flowed and he was able to make each character unique enough for a distinction between them and I was hooked because of how he read the story as well. Well done!!

Story:
I grabbed this recently after being at home due to recovering after emergency surgery.  I didn't feel the urge to read but wanted something to keep me occupied while I was stuck in the bed. I decided I didn't want anything with crazy plot lines I wanted some good loving and great family dynamics and I was so glad I snagged this one.

Told using dual perspectives, we have the story of Swan & David. David known as Flipper to his friends is a Navy SEAL who is due for a vacation and is instead given the option for a top-secret mission., this mission is being asked of him by the top brass who he really respects and he decides to take the mission.  Swan owns a boutique in her mother's hometown, where she not only sells unique designs she makes herself but also rents out part of her shop to a successful tattoo parlor. Unbeknownst to Swan, she's being investigated for her part in the selling of US intelligence secrets to the Chinese.

David gets to the island to investigate and is surprised that when he meets Swan in the flesh he's beyond attracted to her. He has to keep this professional not just because her Uncles are his Superior officers, but because he can't afford to be distracted on the mission.

As with all Brenda's books, the chemistry was off the charts and the couple were hilarious together. Both were being cautious, Swan because she had learned the harsh lessons of the past from her parents' marriage and how they were treated by their families. While her parents had a happy marriage after what happens to them Swan has made the choice to never date military and to be extremely cautious about interracial dating.  David is trying to stay focused, finish the mission prove that Swan is innocent and get out of this mission without compromising his honor.

I really loved the story and it kept me intrigued, because not only did we have the mystery of who was selling the secrets if it wasn't Swan. I loved how they talked about what dating would look like and how they went slowly because David recognized that Swan needed the time and space to re-evaluate what was once on her never list. They are so many characters who could have been the ones responsible and some I didn't expect. Once we began to unravel the mystery and more information began to come out I was deeply hooked.

I enjoyed the mystery the romance and the final chapters. I loved how Swan reacted because honestly #Same, and I loved how Flipper got around her fears.

I skipped reading in order like I have been for the rest of the Westmoreland series, so I could read this. I didn't know all the characters David was connected to so I missed that "ahh" aspect when you read a series to the current books. However I still enjoyed the book, it wasn't necessary to know all the background of the characters as there was a brief description when needed. I loved this one especially because Flipper has such good friends. Now I'm going backward to go read those books.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Westmoreland series by Brenda Jackson
• The Protector Series by Brenda Jackson

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Blame It on The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3) by Naima Simone .@Naima_Simone #blackoutbillionaires

Book Title: Blame It On The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3)
Author:  Naima Simone |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
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Synopsis:

A dramatic chemistry-filled contemporary romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone.

She fell into his arms... now she’s falling for his trap.
Will a blackout change everything for these unlikely lovers?

It was a night filled with secrets, lies…and soul-stealing passion. And now the blackout that turned lowly executive assistant Nadia Jordan and start-up billionaire Grayson Chandler into insatiable lovers leads to a proposal Nadia can’t refuse. As she steps into Grayson’s privileged Chicago world, will his matchmaking mother and vengeful ex destroy her dreams? Or will her fake fiancé make those dreams a reality?

What happens in the dark never stays in the dark... Don’t miss the family drama, secrets and passion in the Blackout Billionaires series:
The Billionaire’s Bargain
Black Tie Billionaire
Blame It on the Billionaire

I was super excited to get this one. It's the final installment in the series and I wanted to know how Grayson's story would shake out.  I was so hooked to this story that I was almost late to an appointment and when I left the appointment I sat in the parking lot and read until I finished the book.  I was just so invested it was awesome.

We meet Grayson Chandler, the second son of the great Chandler family in Chicago, who with his best friend Gideon created a company that is making strides in the Tech world is at the same ball with Gideon and is currently trying to outrun his mother's matchmaking and his ex's machinations when he runs into Nadia Jordan, small-town transplant who happens to work for his company; she's at the ball on her day off because her boss an executive in Grayson's company needed a shirt to replace the one he spilled on. While trying to run the errand she runs in the CEO of the company and just when she didn't things could go more awry the lights go down and they are stuck together.  When the lights are out it gives them a chance to drop their masks and not hide. They share details they wouldn't share with others and spend a night of passion they normally wouldn't indulge in.

The characters are well done and even the side characters are as well. I loved that even though the story really focuses on the growing relationship between Nadia and Grayson that their friends and family are seen a bit. I loved the sibling relationships that were shared and that they were loving and even when strained still filled with love.   Both Grayson and Nadia where characters you could root for because they felt so real. When they faced issues they dealt with them realistically, even when it would hurt. I loved that. I loved the chemistry between them, and how even in the moments of passion neither took the other's consent for granted, but in fact enthusiastically sought and given.  Even though both of them bore the scars of betrayal they still without really meaning to seek it in the other, even after they warned each other that this wasn't real. Ugh, that is my jam!! I loved the way the POV went back and forth between them allowing us to see the motivations that they each had and of course progressed the story as some scenes only included one of the characters.

I absolutely love how Naima writes her stories, her characters are well thought out, charismatic and they just flow so well. The chemistry, the realness of the conversations they should be having?!!! Just *chefs kiss* beautiful. I love how strong and yet vulnerable they both are. When Grayson finds himself in a tough spot he backs them into a bit of a corner and even though Nadia knows she's not from the same social stratosphere as the people in her new social circle she refuses to be cowed by it. She doesn't need to be rescued, she's got her own escape plan, but a partner in crime would be nice.

This is a modern romance, with a strong but vulnerable alpha who knows his privilege and power and doesn't abuse it. He, in fact, makes sure those within his employ never take advantage they shouldn't. A strong, vulnerable woman who knows her worth and isn't willing to settle for anything less than what she fully deserves. I loved how the story circled back to sacrifice and how no matter the social status some families require it. And what should sacrifice and happiness look like?? I cracked up because when I was reading I kept saying the "effing patriarchy" because the solution was RIGHT THERE and then, of course, our good guy figured it out!!

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• The Billionaire's Bargain
• Blacktie Billionaire
• Blame It On The Billionaire

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Tempted by the Temporary Wife by Jayci Lee

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Grand Theft N.Y.E (Heist Holidays 1) by Katrina Jackson .@katrinajax

Book Title: Grand Theft N.Y. E ( Heist Holidays Book 1)
Author:  Katrina Jackson |Website| Twitter| 

Publisher: Katrina Jackson
Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook

Cost: $0.99

Pages: 161

How I got it: ARC from Author 

Purchase: Amazon |
Publication Date: December 31st, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Cleo Wright is just a happy scammer on a mission to rob a rich man before his ex-wife or the federal government seize all of his money and possessions. She's not expecting to meet another rich man who makes her want to use her nimble fingers for other, not thieving, things. But Robert Shimizu is just that man.

The two share a night of fast cars, expensive champagne and the best sex of her life. But Cleo is who she is and when Robert wakes up the next morning, she's long gone... with his car and a few other very expensive possessions.

It takes him months to track down the woman who stole his favorite watch and his heart, but when he does, there's fireworks.

Content Warnings: Mentions of parental illness and death

Y'all already know that I go into books blind. I absolutely love following Katrina on twitter, so when she put out the call for reviewers I ran so fast to join the line. I have already purchased Neighborly from her and plan to read that next and I'm going back into Pink Slip series by her to get some more info about the trio in the end but I'm getting ahead of myself.  First, I want to thank Katrina for having a content warning at the beginning because it gives you time to prep for what is coming, it doesn't spoil anything but it does make sure your shields are up and in force for when it happens.

Cleo is running a successful con when she meets a distraction she can't afford. However, once she realizes that the chemistry is mutual she decides to take a bit of time for some fun for herself.  From the beginning, this night is like nothing she's ever done before and it just keeps getting better. Robert has also never been so attracted to a woman and when he gets Cleo alone it's mindblowing and he starts planning how to get more time with Cleo. When he wakes up, Cleo is gone, so is his watch and his favorite jag, now he's on a mission to find her. Cleo ran when she woke up because Robert wasn't apart of her plans and he wasn't a mark, so she needed to leave. Once gone that night affects them both until they meet again in Miami. Whew that moment?!!! Get you a fan.

From the beginning, this story flowed well and I loved the personalities we got to meet and hope we get more from them in future books. Both Robert and Cleo were strong characters that I loved. Cleo knew she was bomb and acknowledged she needed more. When I was reading I kept hearing Trina's song with Lady Saw ('cause I'm Jamaican it had to be with Lady Saw & of course Trina reps Miami which is a location in the story as well). Robert POV is also shared in the book and I love that

Can I say that I was reading this while on vacation in Florida with family for the holidays and I kept finding places to hide and read? First of all, Robert can totally get it because OMG fine, I can totally feel the heat and steam coming off the pages while they were together. Chemistry on 10. Cleo was such a fun character to read, her reactions were so me, I loved her. I almost lost it when the fire alarm went off like DAMN IT!! This was gearing up to be a sweat your perm out romp. It totally kept me glued.

I absolutely loved this story. I loved how the timeline worked out so that it played into the story as well. With it all coming to a head-on NYE. Those final pages I wanted to savor and at the same time rush thru so I could find out what happened  I'm not sure how to explain that while I love the historical romances and the contemporary sprawling cowboy saga ('cause who don't love hot Black men in cowboy hats??) there is something about reading books about millennial women living with social media and using so much of today's lingo (like when her team overheard her conversation & said her "p*ssy be yanking". It grounds it in the here and now and just makes you feel like you would know the characters or have met them before. While I might not have Cleo's experiences that led to her lifestyle, the sister bond and the use of colloquialisms make her more like a girl I would have met and hung with.

I really enjoyed the story and wish we could have it in a physical form as well so I can have her work on my shelves. I loved the ups and downs (and not just the bedroom ones, which were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G) of the story and since it's the beginning of the series I can't wait to see who else gets a story. And how the other series will tie into this one. Now excuse me while I go look up the other books Katrina has that I don't already own, I see a binge in my future.

 ★★★★☆

Erotic Rating
 ★★★★★
5 ~ Extra Steamy: great story excellent plot, amazing sex scenes

Series In Order

• Grand Theft N.Y.E

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Beverly Jenkins Sexy/Dangerous  (for another thicc woman with hella confidence) 

Enjoy and Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Boy In Luv (In Luv Duet # 2) by Jay Crownover & Rebecca Yarros

Book Title: Boy In Luv ( In Luv Duet)
Author:  Jay Crownover |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Author: Rebecca Yarros |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Jay Crownover LLC

Genre: New Adult Romance

Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook, Trade paperback

Cost: $Free w/ Kindle Unlimited. 

Pages: 195

How I got it: ARC From Author

Purchase: Amazon |
Publication Date: October 21, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Distance sure as hell made his heart grow fonder… But it shattered hers into a million pieces.

Langley Vaughn knows she's never going to make the same mistake again.

Who falls head over heels in love in a week? Langley did, and she's regretted it every day since she handed her heart to a boy with too many secrets and too much baggage. Iker doesn't fit into Langley's world, and he made it clear he doesn't want to. He left before she even got a chance to try and change his mind or to prove to him how good they could be together. Langley's spent the last nine months healing her heart and making big plans for the future. Plans that absolutely don't include Iker… even though he's back, looking better than ever, and saying all the right things.

Iker Alvarez knows he made the biggest mistake of his life.

At first, the pretty blonde in the red dress was nothing more than a means to an end. But, she quickly became so much more. As soon as Iker walked away from Langley, claiming it was for her own good, he knew he screwed up. He left her so she wouldn't worry about him when he deployed, so she wouldn't waste her time waiting around for a guy who was never going to be good enough for her. Only, nine months and a deployment later, Iker still can't get Langley out of his head… and he totally underestimated the hold she has on his hardened heart. He's a guy who's not sure how love should work, or how to go about winning his girl back…he's about to get a crash course in both.

This one picks up right where Girl In Luv left off. It's been a few months since Iker made his move and since that fateful weekend, now he's been rotated home from his assignment overseas and he had realized his mistake in making the choice for them but will Langley???

As this story picks up a few months after the events of Girl in Luv and is being told mainly from Iker's POV.   We learn that pushing people away is a special skill of his.  Learning to navigate this world with Langley in it but not really in it, is hard for him. He realized too late that he was being very much like the people in her life in making the decision for her instead of with her. When he gets back Langley has shown that she's moved on and the news devastates Iker. He's proud of all her recent accomplishments bit when he realizes one of the decisions she's made without him means leaving him behind he's willing to fight to get what he wants.  Hr's not sure how to do this as he's never been in love before and he wants to protect her as he plans to remain in the military and he's always believed it to be too much to ask someone to wait for you.

Langley was devastated the morning after the wedding and finding that letter. She's pushed her way through her studies and is graduating. She's found herself the perfect opportunity to use her degree and it takes her away from town and from all the memories, except now Iker is here and she doesn't know how to navigate this space. She's always been open and trusting and Iker's betrayal showed her she shouldn't trust as easily even if Iker is giving her everything she had wished for, it's too late or is it??

It's funny to see the roles reversed here, int he first one it was Iker with a secret and now it's Langley. I loved that even though she missed him, she moved on, she made some changes and focused in on school. While her time with Iker had been brief he had made some lasting impressions on her. I loved that Langley was such a badass like she didn't breakdown, she just kept going despite the blow he'd dealt her.  I loved that her life was just as full as before and she's made changes that enhance it even more. I enjoyed the back and forth between them and the way in which Iker tries to regain the ground he lost when he made his decision in book 1.

I loved seeing his family in here and learning more about him and the people he'd been willing to date a stranger for.  Due to his family history, Iker isn't used to relying on others, he's always been the one to step up and to be vulnerable with Langley lets him learn about the gaps he'd created with his family. I enjoyed seeing both sides of their families, especially Langley's. The changes form book 1 were pretty good and even if it for me it's eff them bitches for life, I'm glad that there was a good resolution to it.  I loved the tension and how it's eventually resolved because for me it was touch and go there for a few. I didn't know if Iker was going to make it.

There is so much I want to gush about but I don't want to spoil you. Definitely read it and come back my loves so we can talk about it. It's a fantastic romance that talks about so many real things without trying too hard and becoming bogged down. It's a well done interracial romance that doesn't *other* the person of color and finds ways to wind his culture in without it being a glaring 'see we have a person of color in here'.  I loved when they talked about the differences between them from culture to socio-economic classes and how it affected them personally and as a couple. I loved that Iker was career military so that would impact who they became and what they could do.  And that it was a part of the tension in the relationship. It was well done and I loved the discussions they had to have because of it. Of course, it's not a Jay Corwonover romance if the sexual tension doesn't leap off the page and singe you when they are together.  Smoking hot tatted man and just to die for sex scenes?? It's the Crownover brand and I loved every second of it.

 ★★★★☆ 

Series In Order

• Girl In Luv  # 1
• Boy In Luv # 2

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Monica Murphy's One Week Girlfriend
• Monica Murphy's Second Chance Boyfriend

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: A Duke By Default (Reluctant Royals 2) by Alyssa Cole .@AlyssaColeLit

Book Title: A Duke By Default (Reluctant Royals 2)
Author:  Alyssa Cole |Website| Twitter|  Instagram
Publisher: AVON

Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance, Contemporary
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook, Mass Market 

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 384

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way…

New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice—and his attraction to her—but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

Ohhh my loves this is a friends to lovers romance that takes time. Listen I've mentioned before that slow burns are not my thing, but the way this one was done??!! I was all for it. I loved this progress of this story which started with Portia basically running from her life to take this apprenticeship in Scotland. She feels like she's a disappointment to her family and they don't help matters by insisting that the unconventional life she wants to live isn't a good one. They are business people and they only believe their way is the best. Ahh they must be Caribbean parents because they love to determine what you should do with your life and if you stray from that they let you know how they feel and how you're disappointing them, all. the.time. (Ok getting out of my feelings right now) Taking this apprenticeship should help her get a chance to figure out where she is going and what she wants from her life. Tavish is a grumpy silver fox who has not time for a socialite who he assumes doesn't know anything about swords. He likes his life the way it is, even if he feels like he could be doing more, how does he do that without disturbing those who rely on him??

I loved how the story came together, Portia is the best friend to Ledi and sister to Reggie. She's struggling to keep it all together and find what she wants despite what everyone things she should want. She decides to write about her adventure in Scotland for her sister's blog while she works this apprenticeship. While she's trying to get it all together, he sister sends her a few links that make her feel seen and understood and once she really begins to embrace the information in the videos her perspective changes.  She embraces the new life she's creating for herself and while doing so incidentally discovers that her reluctant boss is actually the son of a dukedom that is up for grabs at the moment. And then she kicks off a social media trend with #swordbae and life is just on a roller coaster after that.

Tavish isn't happy this woman is turning his life upside down, she's helping to create a social media presence for him, a man who can't even remember that he has a phone. He's fine with his life the way it is, even if he is struggling a bit to get it all together as well. Together they create a new social media trend and everyone is starting to go to his new and improved website, and now the orders are flowing and maybe she's not as incompetent as he believed before.  She's also disturbing him personally which he knows he can't act on as he refuses to be that guy.

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this story. The slow progression of the relationship was done so well, there were sparks from the beginning but both determined they couldn't do this for their own reasons. As they got settled into their friendship and realized that this person helped them navigate life with a little more ease then they gave in, but only because they wanted to. I loved and kept saying to my sister how good it felt to read characters that didn't have it all together and even when they had some parts of their lives figured out they didn't have it all perfectly together. It felt good to read from the perspective of a black woman who had so many of the same issues we have and it was so good. I loved her relationship with her friends and how she relied on them to help her when she stumbled. I couldn't get enough of her and her sister figuring it all out and man oh man when they had their come to Jesus moment?? Bawled like a baby. Her moments of fantasy and self talk?? So real. Loved it!!! The moments when we get their group chat?? Made me laugh cause yeah some of my group chats look like that.

This story pulled it all together, it wasn't just a love story (although that part was awesome), it wasn't just a her finding herself story, even though that was shared and the journey was so worth it. It had everything good relationships for both of them to fall back on, amazing sibling relationships, people struggling to find their place in the world and let's face it some sweet and raunchy sexy times. I loved that they felt human and like people I would know (ok maybe not the prince or duke but the rest yeah). I enjoyed that even though this was a slightly different world it still was in ours (kind of a different one in the multiverse, because she gave him the Ducal title that currently belongs to the Queens husband so yeah a slightly different world than our current one) & they had their brands of social media as well, which made this feel even more rooted inour world.

Of course the back and forth between Tav and Portia really made this story go from sweet to raunchy fast. I loved how they both tried not to just fall into bed with each other from the start. The attraction was off the way and Tav's internal monologue had me cracking up so many times. As the story unfolded and we learned about his family history and him having to decide if he wanted to repeat the mistakes of the past or embrace hsi own path.

Those moments when it all seems like it's starting to unravel for them. I was so heartbroken, then angry because I couldn't understand why someone would gaslight and harm someone so badly just to hang on to something that was never theirs. UGHHHHHHH. I became so invested in this story I shared about it ont he group chat so we could read it and discuss because my gosh I loved it.

It just felt so fresh and modern, I don't know how else to explain how seen I felt reading it. I loved it and now I'm going to marathon the rest.

 ★★★★1/2☆

Series In Order

• A Princess In Theory
• A Duke By Default
• Once Ghosted, Twice Shy
• Can't Escape Love
• A Prince on Paper 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: Can't Escape Love (Reluctant Royals 2.6) by Alyssa Cole .@AlyssaColeLit

Book Title: Can't Escape Love (Reluctant Royals 2.6)
Author:  Alyssa Cole |Website| Twitter|  Instagram
Publisher: Avon Impulse

Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2.6
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 192

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Regina Hobbs is nerdy by nature, businesswoman by nurture. She's finally taking her pop culture-centered media enterprise, Girls with Glasses, to the next level, but the stress is forcing her to face a familiar supervillain: insomnia. The only thing that helps her sleep when things get this bad is the deep, soothing voice of puzzle-obsessed live streamer Gustave Nguyen. The problem? His archive has been deleted.

Gus has been tasked with creating an escape room themed around a romance anime…except he knows nothing about romance or anime. Then mega-nerd and anime expert Reggie comes calling, and they make a trade: his voice for her knowledge. But when their online friendship has IRL chemistry, will they be able to escape love?

***Snippet Reviews: Called that because I don't want the review to be longer than the book***

I highly recommend this one and also recommend that you go on Alyssa's website and view the concept art for the manga series the book is 'based on'.

Reggie is the sister of Portia and the 'successful' twin who seemed to have it all together with a popular blog that she uses to help women geek out (I love that there are actually black geek websites that this reminds me of) called Girl With Glasses. She's a having a difficult time right now and she has never relied on anyone for anything and now she has to ask a 'stranger' to help her out.  She used to be one of the only viewers of livestream and now the owner has taken the archives down and she needs his voice to fall asleep. Using her skills she sends him a persuasive email requesting his help. when they start talking they discover that he needs help with a project for work that has to deal wtih her favorite anime. Like she's the biggest fan and even has all the paraphernalia throughout her home.

As the story advances the two get to know each other as not just two geeks who are sharing the love. Well really it's Reggie who loves the show and Gus who is learning what a romantic anime is about. I loved them together. I loved the rep that's in the book. I loved how they were both so strong in their careers but struggled with interpersonal relationships because #Same. There are so many different things tackled in this small story and really wish we had gotten more from them because I could totally read more about them for a few hundred more pages. It's a cute sexy romance that challenges your beliefs on those that are 'different' .

Also on a totally different topic, I need more publishers to print the ebooks, I love looking at my shelves and seeing these up there next to the book instead of just in ebook form. I know I might be in the minority but that's fine. I love them.

I highly recommend this one, especially because it doesn't just tackle the romance but has a great relationship between the sisters and them working to get back to being happy without their terrible parents.

 ★★★★★

Series In Order

• A Princess In Theory
• A Duke by Default
• Once Ghosted, Twice Shy
• Can't Escape Love
• A Prince on Paper

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: A Prince On Paper (Reluctant Royals 3) by Alyssa Cole .@AlyssaColeLit

Book Title: A Prince On Paper (Reluctant Royals 3)
Author:  Alyssa Cole |Website| Twitter|  Instagram

Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $5.99

Pages: 381

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…

Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.

For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.

Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after.

Oh my gosh, this was so awesome. I read this one a few months after reading the others and I'm so glad I finally got around to it. It was awesome. This is the story of Johan who is the stepson to the Prince of a small European principality, known as the playboy prince (even though he technically doesn't hold a title) he's in the paparazzi papers every single week for some wild exploit. We learned in A Duke by Default that Johan was more than he seemed to the average person because he was able to help  Portia when she needed a little help handling the press.

Nya's returning home after hoping that by leaving she would be bale to make the changes that prevented her from having that perfect life. However, once there NYC was a little too much, and going home isn't right either. When she returns for Theo's wedding she runs into Johan and has a few moments with him that make her look at things a little differently, especially when she starts to catch on that Johan might have a few hidden depths.

I loved the journey that both Johan and Nya go on. I loved that even though they didn't necessarily like each other they still helped the other out when given a chance. Nya's struggles were so relateable, wanting to be more but being imprisoned no longer by a physical person but by the words they have drilled down into you can be so daunting. It's a lot harder to break away from someone who is actively attempting to manipulate and keep you in line especially when you're vulnerable and seeking validation. I loved the lesson she learnt at the end of this especially about this particular person.   Johan has spent his whole life before the cameras once his mother fell in love with the Prince and went from an unknown to the Queen; and her death still hurts. He's spent the whole time doing what he can to make sure his brother doesn't have the same issues he has but doesn't realize that his actions form their own kind of prison.

I absolutely loved how Nya was when meeting his family and how accepting they were of her, especially his brother. Oh my gosh I hope we get the brother's story when it's time for that. I enjoyed how Nya shared how to make the connection without making them feel uncomfortable and it's certainly something I'm keeping in the tank for use. I loved that Johan casually thinks about his lovers without demeaning them to make Nya 'more' and at the same time owns his sexuality without it being a 'thing' and you know what I mean like how some authors write it in a way that totally others the character their trying to say they are being inclusive about?? Or being vague in the book and then saying it later that of course they were (I'm looking at you JK Rowling) I loved Johan's Grandmother, the way she called him to task, the easy way she shared her love.

 I really just fell in love with these characters and their journey. I found myself reacting the same way they were and LOVED that they became friends first then advanced their relationship. I loved how loving and slow and consent aware that Johan was and how he made sure that Nya knew whatever she wanted was fine with him.  I'm a huge fan of love stories and theirs was so awesome.  Listen, the girls that her friends?? Everything you could ever hope for in female friendships. Just everything. There were so many good moments and I just especially between Nya and Johan's brother, and the lessons she shared with Johan. Each of them had so much to learn about themselves and it didn't make their issues disappear but it certainly made them easier to bear. I loved that. Can't lie I also loved that this was a bit of a reunion book since everyone was together for the wedding. The wedding games had me cracking up.

I highly recommend my loves, especially if you haven't read the series, this one can be a bit of a standalone, the story will be great but the friends and the meaning they bring might be a little lost on you.

 ★★★★★

Series In Order

• A Princess in Theory
• A Duke By Default
• Once Ghosted, Twice Shy
• Can't Escape Love

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Xeni: A Marriage of Inconveinence" (Loose Ends 2) by Rebekah Weatherspoon.

Book Title: Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience (Loose Ends 2)
Author:  Rebekah Weatherspoon|Website| Twitter| Facebook| Goodreads

Publisher: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook

Cost: $4.99?

Pages: 

How I got it: ARC provided by the Author 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: October 4th, 2019
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Synopsis:

She just wanted to claim her inheritance. What she got was a husband…
Xeni Everly-Wilkins has ten days to clean out her recently departed aunt’s massive colonial in Upstate New York. With the feud between her mom and her sisters still raging even in death, she knows this will be no easy task, but when the will is read Xeni quickly discovers the decades old drama between the former R&B singers is just the tip of the iceberg. The Secrets, lies, and a crap ton of cash spilled on her lawyer’s conference room table all come with terms and conditions. Xeni must marry before she can claim the estate that will set her up for life and her aunt has just the groom in mind. The ruggedly handsome and deliciously thicc Scotsman who showed up at her aunt’s memorial, bagpipes at the ready.

When his dear friend and mentor Sable Everly passed away, Mason McInroy knew she would leave a sizable hole in his heart. He never imagined she’d leave him more than enough money to settle the debt that’s keeping him from returning home to Scotland. He also never imagined that Sable would use her dying breaths to play match-maker, trapping Mason and her beautiful niece in a marriage scheme that comes with more complications than either of them need.

With no choice but to say I do, the unlikely pair try to make the best of a messy situation. They had no plans to actually fall in love.

**This is a stand alone romance that can be read along with RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny. It features a woman sick to death of her family’s sh*t and a plus-size Scotsman who just wants to make sweet, sweet music. And love.**

I love following Rebekah on twitter, so when she put out a call for reviewers for Xeni, I jumped at the chance ( low key didn't think I would make the cut, because I don't give myself enough credit as a reviewer, but mama we made it). I had seen how everyone was raving about Rafe: a Buff Nanny I decided I needed to get in on her books. Xeni showed up in my inbox and I dived right in and OMGawd I'm so happy right now.

First and foremost I absolutely loved that at the beginning of the novel there was a content warning this is great for people like me who don't read the synopsis and just want to dive in, now normally I wouldn't care what's in the book but I appreciated the heads up. This was new to me and I kinda love it, Then we got to the story and I can't remember feeling so seen by an author or character. Xeni is a woman who has inherited a new home and a few other things from her Aunt who recently passed, but to claim that inheritance and to help the other person claim theirs she's going to have to marry him.

Xeni's grief, anger and sense of loss were so spot on, the desire to push it all down until she could deal with it another time was so spot on. I loved how Xeni has an amazing group of girlfriends she could reach out to when she needed them but at the same time needed her own space to deal because no one else can do the heavy lifting of dealing with your grief but you. Her anger was more than justified and I just loved how she descended into the levels of petty for a few because that's how we need to handle things sometimes. Xeni knew she was a badass and a woman worthy of love but wasn't sure how to get that without opening up herself to hurt, so like everyone who has watched Practical magic she made her list. *there's a little witch in all of us*

Taking place in a small town that is in upstate NY, surrounded by a farm that seems to be he the heart of the town, Xeni is trying to see how the changes being wrought here will impact her life. She's not handling the grief plus the job of cleaning out the house and making all the adulting decisions well; so she decides to embrace the inconvenient marriage she's in and get to know the thicc Scotsman who is in this deal with her.  She's feeling the sense of betrayal that comes when a long-held family secret is revealed and how do you handle it when one of the people is also dead??

I'm just going to be real here this is pretty much going to be a gushing review because I loved the book. I loved that Xeni spoke like me, that she talked about wrapping her hair up at night, that she tried to talk herself out of saying the weird shit floating around in her head when she was with Mason. ( HARD SAME) I loved Mason as a character, the way he was willing to wait on Xeni to figure stuff out and yet at the same time he also had to talk himself out of saying and doing all the weird stuff he had in mind as well. They were so cute together because of it.  I loved how causal the consent was, it wasn't forced and how both characters were able to acknowledge needing consent to continue even though they had it when they began. I loved the care that was given to make their sex not just hot and raunchy but sweet as well.

I loved the fact that they used memes the way my sisters and I do when talking to each other. I loved the side characters and the way they embraced and shared with Xeni and Masson their grief and their joy. I loved that race and the little things that people do to other you was acknowledged and dealt with accordingly. I loved the small-town feel but the diversity within that same small town. I loved that Mason was a big guy, I kept picturing a certain fitness guy as Mason there is just something about big men that hits the spot.

I read this in one day, luckily for me work didn't really need me today as it was a half-day and I just couldn't put it down until I was done. I loved their conversations, the fact that Xeni reveals herself but also had realistic expectations for herself and what she wanted. Mason was still trying to figure it out and I loved that he was so honest about that too. Mason's ability to embrace the changes and really find himself sharing and revealing more of who he was, just so good.

This is a grown folks romance (not because of their age, but because of their maturity).  Whew when Xeni talked about how despite her being grown some of the adults in her life still told her to stay out of grown folks business??? Lawd it's like she was at my family dinner last holiday season.

Of course, I went ahead and bought a few more ebooks to see what else she's got because she wrote the heck outta this story and now I need more!!! I'm highly recommending this one my loves,

 ★★★★☆
Erotic Rating:
 ★★★★★
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ~ This is awesome!! It's an add to your TBR Pile, asap.
5 ~ Extra Steamy: great story excellent plot, amazing sex scenes

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Collar (The Submissive Series 6) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Collar ( The Submissive 6, Partners in Play 2)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: NAL/ Penguin

Genre: Erotica, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 6
Format: Trade Paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 336

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 07,2015
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Synopsis:

In her seductive new Submissive novel, Tara Sue Me introduces a sizzling hot new couple into Abby and Nathaniel's world and explores the red-hot passion between Jeff and Dena that won't be denied ... Fans of E. L. James, Sylvia Day, Maya Banks and Beth Kery will be seduced by New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me's enthralling Submissive series.

Nathaniel and Abby West are struggling to navigate the challenging waters of their own relationship, when they get a surprising phone call from their partners in play, Dena and Jeff, who are in need of a helping hand...

Seven years ago, desperate for something exhilarating to help her escape the pressures of her carefully controlled life, lawyer Dena Jenkins joined a local BDSM club as a submissive. There she met brooding Dominant, Jeff, and, despite Dena's doubts, they couldn't stay away from each other. But as the years have passed, their blazing connection has proven difficult to maintain and resulted in a history they'd rather forget. To save their passion, Dena and Jeff will have to rediscover what it means to trust - and give themselves to each other completely...

Before there was the fan fiction that became Fifty Shades of Grey, there was The Submissive... Indulge in the series that started it all: The Submissive, The Dominant, The Training, The Chalet, The Enticement, The Collar, The Exhibitionist and The Master.

Hi my loves, and we are back into the world of the partners at play series. this is the spin-off of the Submissive series and while we do get to see Abby and Nathaniel, this isn't their story.  We again meet up with the Delaware BDSM group which includes Jeff Parks a Dominant who was there when Abby needed a bit of help and who has become friends with Nathienal. He's also a good friend to Daniel from the bridge book of Seduced by Fire.

I really loved this story as well. Tara's writing and exploration of BDSM and how it appears for different couples just hits it out the park for me.  In this one, we explore how a relationship can fall apart and how the participants can circle around each other for years without really healing or letting go.  Jeff Parks a dominant we met briefly in Seduced by Fire, and the submissive Dena who helped to clarify things for Julie are back and this is their story.  Jeff has a few hang-ups and these inhibit his life without him realizing how they impact his decisions.  Dena is a woman who came to the BDSM world as an act of defiance and found a place she was meant to be in.

In this exploration of who they are they hit it off really well and fall into a great relationship one that comes with a few surprises.  As they grow in their relationship they are hit with a challenge that they decide to embrace, right as they catch their stride as Dominant and submissive their world is rocked and their relationship implodes.  There was so much pain and grief that there was no space for them in the relationship. They split but couldn't seem to grow past each other. They remained within the group even though they never played together again. Not until Julie needed help.  Then all the unspoken things start to bubble to the surface and they have no choice but to face them, especially when it appears Dena is in danger.

My heart hurt reading this. I so understood what lead to their breakup and totally understood how much it hurt them to even see each other much less try to find each other and deal together with their grief.  It showcased that even within the community that uses pain for therapy and even though they know how much their emotions impact everything, they weren't able to see their way back to each other for years.

When they did play together?? My gawds their scenes and moments were hot. The banter, the moments when Dena bratted out to gain his attention and even the moments Jeff needs to get in the headspace as her Dom are amazing to read.  I loved that the story was told in two parts, going between the past and the present-day consequences of the past moments and then finally moving forward.  It's not an easy story, it's not pretty but it is amazingly sexy, raw and real.

It wasn't until later in this book that I realized that the descriptions of Jeff being "dark" was her way of saying he's black without saying he's black. It's one of the only times I realized why most people wouldn't realize it was when he described what happened to him when he moved to NYC.  Other than those moments and a few more when Dena blatantly mentioned the difference between them, him being black is never mentioned again. While I loved that she didn't make him 'other' by mentioning it all the time, or fetishizing it by describing him weirdly; it was odd that him being black is never mentioned in other ways.  While as a black woman my race isn't the only part of me, it is apart of my experience in daily life, maybe this was her way of saying that within 'fringe' groups like the BDSM community these things don't matter as much?? I loved when Dena brought it up within the group and it was touched on without making it weird. I don't know if I'm explaining it well but him being black wasn't made weird, but it also could have been something you read without realizing she was saying he was black because she described him as 'dark'.  It's being diverse without being too controversial or without alienating those who normally wouldn't read a romance with a black male character.

I absolutely loved how the story unfolded. The history and how it impacted their actions today made this story bittersweet and made me excited to see more from the group. I can't wait to read more each of the characters we already know and get to know the rest of the group as well.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Sherri Hayes Finding Anna Series 
• Lynda Aicher Wicked Play Series
• The Submissive Series 

Happy Reading my loves,