Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

 3/5 Stars

Goodreads:

An ambitious intern. 
A perfectionist executive. 
And a whole lot of name calling. 

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard. 

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office. 

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other. 

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

My Review:

I really was hoping for more with this. It was 3/4 sex and 1/4 story. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my smut. But I also like there to be a story. The story really didn't get strong until towards the end. It was cute, but I guess I was more in the mood to read a story rather than erotica.

I haven't read 50 Shades but I've heard enough about it. This seems similar but much more tame. 

I liked Chloe and Emmett. Chloe was a spitfire and Emmett gave it right back to her. I just wished there was more character development. I wanted more of a story to balance out the hot sex. 

Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines

4/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came. The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

My QUICK Review:

I read this book in 5 hours. I just didn't want to stop reading. I don't know what it was that kept me needing to know the ending when most romance books are predictable. But this did have another element to it besides just the romance. (Side note- HOLY HECK hot sex scenes!!!)

I think I would have liked more about Woods. Just felt it was missing a little something hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

5/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

In her third novel, Alice Clayton returns to dish her trademark mix of silly and steamy. Banter, barbs, and strutting pussycats, plus the sexiest apple pie ever made, are dunked in a hot tub and set against the gorgeous San Francisco skyline in this hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

My Review:

I loved loved loved this book. The banter between the two were just perfect. I loved it so much that I was nervous it would end once they got together. It did lessen, but it was still there.

The characters were amazing. I loved how they had constant banter back and forth for so much of the book. That was really my favorite part. I loved how quick they were with each other. There were definitely parts that had me laughing out loud. This is one I will definitely read again because of how much I loved the characters, dialogue, and just the plot itself.

The only change I would make was that the last part with the cat wasn't in the book. I'm ignoring it which is why it's still a 5 star for me.

Amazing amazing read.

Thrown by a Curve (Play by Play #5) by Jaci Burton

3/5 Stars

Goodreads:

She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

My QUICK QUICK Review:

A cute read. Alicia was a little fire-cracker. The story line was light and made it a perfect beach read.

Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry

3/5 Stars

Goodreads:

HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

My QUICK QUICK review:

I really liked the interaction between Charlotte and Reno. Both are pretty stubborn which made some really cute parts. Overall a really cute beach read.

The Game Changer by Marie Landry

4/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies.

When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right.

During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?

My QUICK review:

I loved this book. The characters were real, the situations were real, it was all just real. I loved Julian's character and how the whole "just friends" played into it all. There were parts when my heart hurt, and when that happens I know that the characters, events, and plot are believable. Great characters and great plot.

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

1/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Sweet, bookish Neve Slater always plays by the rules. And the number one rule is that good-natured fat girls like her don't get guys like gorgeous, handsome William, heir to Neve's heart since university. But William's been in LA for three years, and Neve's been slimming down and re-inventing herself so that when he returns, he'll fall head over heels in love with the new, improved her.

So she's not that interested in other men. Until her sister Celia points out that if Neve wants William to think she's an experienced love-goddess and not the fumbling, awkward girl he left behind, then she'd better get some, well, experience.

What Neve needs is someone to show her the ropes, someone like Celia's colleague Max. Wicked, shallow, sexy Max. And since he's such a man-slut, and so not Neve's type, she certainly won't fall for him. Because William is the man for her... right?

Somewhere between losing weight and losing her inhibitions, Neve's lost her heart - but to who?

My QUICK Review:

I really really really wanted to like this book. It had the potential; the plot caught my attention, but... it was horrible. The author rambled on and on. I found myself skipping so much. I also was extremely annoyed with the main character. I didn't feel anything real from her. There were little parts here and there that I enjoyed, but overall... horrible.

On the Plus Size by Tabatha Vargo

4/5 stars

Goodreads:

Big girls need love, too, but at what cost?

Lilly is loaded, not only with money, but with weight. Both things she could do without. But even with her undesired millionaire status, she doesn’t hold on to false hopes of finding true love. So when a sexy stranger comes into her life dripping with seduction, she finds it hard to resist. The bigger they are the harder they fall and Lilly falls straight through the floor in love with Mr. Sexy. Too bad he’s there for all the wrong reasons.

The chance of losing it all will make you do some crazy things and Devin’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep his life together. All seems lost when out of nowhere he’s approached by a Millionaire Momma with an offer he can’t refuse. But even a womanizer like Devin has a heart and when the short, chunky girl with the carefree attitude breaks through his icy façade, he finds that losing everything takes on a whole new meaning.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.***

My QUICK Review:

I loved this book. This may be due to me being a plus-size girl, but either way, the characters were strong. Lilly was funny, emotional, and strong. At first I thought some of her emotions were a bit too much, but then I put myself in her shoes and realized they were real emotions. She puts herself down a good amount, which some people may say is annoying, but again, it's something a plus-size girl would do (I know not all would , but a good amount would). I wanted to hate Devin at first, but I just couldn't. He reacted to the "plus-size" girl the way I would think many fit, attractive guys would. What I loved were the moments when he started liking her and then feeling odd about it. I'll definitely be reading the series.

Slow Ride by Erin McCarthy (Fast Track Series)

4/5 Stars

B&N:

As a tribute to her late journalist father, Tuesday Jones is planning a career benefit, auctioning off racing memorabilia and meet-and-greets with drivers. Ex-racing star Diesel Lange has had his own brush with death, and is determined not to waste another minute of his life- especially when he meets Tuesday. He wants nothing more than to shift their romance into high gear, but he knows she's still grieving. Can Diesel do the one thing he could never do on the track and take it slow?

My Review:

I read this book a while ago but just forgot to post it. I love every book in this series. The author does an amazing job with the characters and their relations. It's a funny, sexy, quick read.

Great series.

Fools Gold Series by Susan Mallery

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Welcome to Fool’s Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There’s lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there’s just one tiny problem in Fool’s Gold: the men don’t seem to stick around. Maybe it’s the lure of big-city life, or maybe it’s plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.

Charity’s nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer — everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she’s not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he’s perfect just the way he is. But maybe that’s just what he needs — someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he’s just chasing perfect.

My Review:

This was a really cute book. The characters were well developed, and the author does a great job really bringing out the sense of humors with the characters.

Series:

Each book tied into the next introducing the different characters and their stories. The town itself seems like a really cute town with the issues that small towns have: constant gossip and constant butting into each other's lives.


Yes, each story was pretty predictable, but let's be honest. You don't read these types of books to "try and figure out what's going to happen". It's all about the easy reads and a way to escape.

Tempting (Buchanans Series #4) bySusan Mallery

3/5 Stars

B&N:
After three romantic flame-outs in a year and a restaurant career going nowhere, Dani Buchanan needs a fresh start. She goes looking for her biological father, but never expects to find a senator running for president. As his long-lost “love child,” Dani could seriously derail the election — something his handsome campaign manager Alex Canfield isn’t going to let happen. Dani isn’t about to let Alex run her life, no matter how tempting she finds him — and Alex isn’t going to allow Dani to melt his cynicism, no matter how close he has to get. The last thing either of them wants is love, especially with scandals brewing and family trouble on the way. But Dani and Alex are forced to trust each other, and when trust turns to passion, the potential for disaster is only a tabloid scandal away.

My Review:

Liked this one, too. Alex just seemed really cute. Dani is a decent character. It was interesting to see where the author took this last story in the series.

Overall, a good, quick series.

Sizzling (Buchanans Series #3) bySusan Mallery

3/5 Stars

B&N:

A spiteful article about the former pitcher and current playboy questions his talent in the bedroom. And the newspaper’s just the first bad news. Reid’s grandmother Gloria’s broken hip means she needs constant care — but Reid hired Nurses 1 and 2 for their bedside manner with him. So for Number 3 he chooses Lori Johnson, the first candidate who seems immune to his brand of charm.

Lori’s never wasted her time with amoebas like Reid Buchanan. So why are her well-fortified defenses starting to crumble under the force of his sexy smile — and the kindness he shows her at every turn? There’s only one explanation for the feelings flaring between them — chemistry. Chemistry so hot, it’s sizzling!

My Review:

Ok, I really like Reid, too! And the character of Lori is a little spit-fire. I love how she interacts with the grandmother (Gloria). Another cute story.

Irresistible (Buchanans Series #2) bySusan Mallery

3/5 Stars

B&N:
When ex-Marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers change a tire, he tells himself it’s just the neighborly thing to do. And when Elissa finds herself baking him a thank-you pie, she’s just returning the favor...right?

Both of them have sworn off dating — Elissa’s determined to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her taste for dangerous men...especially former Marines with dark secrets. Walker knows that he’s not cut out for hearth and home...his own crazy family made sure of that. But the sparks won’t stop flying between them.

Now the two are struggling to keep their relationship “just friends,” but with every kiss, their rules fly out the window...

My Review:

I liked this one more so than the first. That may be because I really liked the character of Walker. The author did a great job at showing his inner struggle. The grandmother character (who was in the 1st book as well) is just evil!

Delicious (Buchanans Series #1) bySusan Mallery

3/5 Stars

B&N:

Menu

Appetizer Cal Buchanan needs a top-flight chef to take over his failing Seattle restaurant, The Waterfront. He can afford to hire the best in town — the only problem is that the best happens to be his ex-wife, Penny Jackson.

Entrée Penny really needs this opportunity, but she doesn’t need the distraction of working with her ex. She’s sworn off romance — she’s even having a baby on her own. But before she knows it, the heat is on… and the attraction between her and Cal moves from a low simmer to a full boil!

Dessert The rest should be easy as pie, but a secret from Cal’s past could spoil everything. Maybe it’s true that too many cooks spoil the broth - or maybe two is enough to make it irresistible.

My Review:

Cute story. I liked the character of Penny. She was quick, and her interaction with Cal and the others had me laughing at times.

Exclusively Yours (Kowalski Family, #1) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe together forever.

My Review:

When I first read what this book was about, I didn't realized there were 3 books. You don't need to read them all, but the 3 books are all about the same family. I love when authors do that. This book is my favorite out of the 3. I just really liked the characters, setting, and plot. The whole basis on Joe having Keri join him with his family after years and years of not seeing each other was just great. It was funny watching all the different things that happened and really moving along in the story with the characters. A great read. I'll definitely read more from this author.

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly...

Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.

Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child...

My Review:

Again, the Kowalski men are just amazing fictional characters (yes, I unfortunately said fictional). I would put this one in 3rd place as far as the series goes. But, as I gave it 4 stars, it's still really good. The author does an amazing job at describing the characters and what they go through. A great, quick, easy read.

Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he's recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother's upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn't like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma's offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there's no chance he'll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he's not planning to call home.

Emma's not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his "pretend" kisses are...

My Review:

*Swoon* Sean Kowalski is just an amazing character. Too bad he's just that...a character. I really liked the interaction between him and Emma. The whole story was really really cute. I found myself emotionally involved just as the characters were.

Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:
When Grace Emerson's ex-fiancé starts dating her younger sister, extreme measures are called for. To keep everyone from obsessing about her love life, Grace announces that she's seeing someone. Someone wonderful. Someone handsome. Someone completely made up. Who is this Mr. Right? Someone...exactly unlike her renegade neighbor Callahan O'Shea. Well, someone with his looks, maybe. His hot body. His knife-sharp sense of humor. His smarts and big heart.
Whoa. No. Callahan O'Shea is not her perfect man! Not with his unsavory past. So why does Mr. Wrong feel so...right?

My QUICK Review:

I loved this one, too! I must say, I'm kind of sad that I've now read all her books. But anyways, I couldn't believe that the younger sisters started dating the ex-fiance! I was like, really?!?! I would have punched the younger sister. But then I was a little annoyed with Grace even thinking of him after he did that. But still, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the way Grace and Callahan interacted. And the who dating scene for Grace...funny stuff. I also really liked how Grace was so into history reenactments. Overall, a great read.

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Posey Osterhagen can't complain. She owns a successful architectural salvaging company, she's surrounded by her lovable, if off-center, family and she has a boyfriend—sort of. Still, something's missing. Something tall, brooding and criminally good-looking…something like Liam Murphy.
When Posey was sixteen, the bad boy of Bellsford, New Hampshire, broke her heart. But now he's back, sending Posey's traitorous schoolgirl heart into overdrive once again. She should be giving him a wide berth, but it seems fate has other ideas….

My QUICK Review:

I really really really liked this book. I found myself laughing at loud with some of the things Posey said. She has a great sarcastic sense of humor. And some of the conversations between her and Liam...priceless. Also, I really enjoyed hating her cousin with her. Overall, a fantastic, light, easy read.

Kristan Higgins' books

Ok- so I just posted a ton of reviews on Kristan Higgins' books. If you like quick chick-lit/romance reads that have great strong characters, are funny, are heart-wrenching, and don't involve details sex scenes, this is the author for you.


(Now, you want detailed sex scenes...Lisa Kleypas)