Audio Review: THE V CARD by Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente

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the v card - audio

The V Card by Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente
Genre: contemporary, romantic comedy
Publisher: Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente Books
Pulication Date: December 13, 2017
Rating: ★★★✰✰

I enjoyed this book. I did. I’m a huge fan of Lauren Blakely and have read a couple books by Lili Valente, so I was excited to finally get the chance to dive into The V Card. But I’ll be honest here, I didn’t LOVE it. Maybe I didn’t really enjoy it because I was so hyped up to finally have the time to enjoy this book and had high hopes, but I ended up feeling a little let down after finishing it. It wasn’t bad, not in the least, but it wasn’t my favorite either.

I really liked the originality of the storyline and the initial relationship between the characters. Their shared history with each other made for an already strong connection between them that I found to be very effortless and enjoyable. The humor was fantastic, like always with these two authors, so that was a definite hit. But what I found lacking was the real “spark” between the characters. I don’t know…it just felt like their unique dynamic with each other felt off and forced in a way that didn’t mesh well the further the story moved along. I felt like their feelings for each other flipped too fast, making their intimate relationship the only focus on why the two of them were associated with each other.

Overall, the book was good. I have this feeling that if I had read the book instead of listened to the audio, I would have enjoyed it a lot more than what I did. I caught myself losing interest multiple times, having to backtrack and replay certain parts that I missed. Audiobooks are tricky for me; sometimes they can wow me with the narration and creative storylines, and sometimes they can fall flat. And The V Card, unfortunately, found itself right in the middle of the two. I won’t give up on either author, as I really do enjoy their books. But hopefully the next one I read will be a complete knockout.

3 Stars

~Kelly

Purchase THE V CARD today!
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Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36642888-the-v-card

Synopsis:
When you think about how easy it is to lose keys, phones, sunglasses and your dignity on social media, you might figure it’d be a cinch for me to ditch my V Card.

You’d be wrong.

At 25, I run a successful business, live in a fantastic apartment, and have fabulous friends to go out with any night of the week. And yet I’m still a card-carrying member of a club I don’t want to belong to anymore. Good thing I know just the man for the deflowering job—my brother’s business partner and best friend.

Graham Campbell is charming, smart, and, I’m told, oh-so-skilled in the sack. As long as I keep my eyes on the prize, there’s no way this pluck-the-flower project could possibly complicate matters.

***

Work and pleasure. As the CEO of a fast-growing company, I’ve been enjoying both to the fullest. What do I do when the board throws me for an unexpected loop so I can keep my business in my hands? I enlist the help of my best friend’s little sister since she holds a big stake in the company. But then I learn there’s another big stake she wants.

The one between my legs.

I can do this. Seven nights to teach her everything I know in the bedroom. There’s no way I’ll fall for her, even though she’s earning top grades in every single sinfully sexy lesson. And turns out I’m learning something too. The trouble is I don’t have the answer key to what to do when I fall hard for her.

And that throws a whole new hitch in my plans.

Review: WAR OF HEARTS by Julia Sykes

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War of Hearts by Julia Sykes
Genre: NA, romantic suspense
Publisher: self published
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Rating: ★★★✰✰

I’ll start by saying that I absolutely love menage romances. While, I loved the menage aspect in this book, the entire story fell a little short for me. I wish there was more action and danger and that we could have seen more of Marco and Ashlyn’s relationship. I would have loved it if there was a bit more struggle there.

The story was super hot and full of steamy smut. Also, Marco is quite possibly the hottest Dom ever. *heart eyes* Joseph’s transformation was pretty amazing, too. He was no longer the man who was hell bent on treating Ashlyn like a delicate doll. Dom Joseph is hot af and so damn kinky.

I liked this story overall it just didn’t hit the great mark I was hoping for.

3.5 Stars

~Sonal

Purchase WAR OF HEARTS today!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CF3Bv9
iBooks: http://apple.co/2hJmBQy
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Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37768794-war-of-hearts

Synopsis:
I was meant to be theirs: Joseph, my sweet first love, and Marco, his dark and dangerous best friend. After Marco steals me away one night, Joseph is waiting for me. They say they can’t let me go, or their enemies might hurt me.They both want me. Together. The three of us.

I know it’s dirty, and I know Joseph and Marco are dangerous men.

But being with them doesn’t feel wrong. When they hold me in their arms, I feel safe, cherished. If I give myself to them, can they protect me? Or will staying close to them put me in more danger than ever?

 

Review: COCKSURE by K.I. Lynn & Olivia Kelley

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cocksure

Cocksure by K.I. Lynn & Olivia Kelley
Genre: NA, contemporary romance
Publisher: Catastrophic Press
Publication Date: January 8, 2018
Rating: ★★★✰✰

Everly moves back home after catching her boyfriend cheating on her. Being back home after so long brings back memories, such as crushing on her brother’s best friend back in the day. Now when she see him for the first time after so long she realizes he doesn’t recognize her. So will one wild night with him hurt? I mean if he doesn’t remember who she is no harm no foul right? Oh how very wrong she was on that.

Things I liked about this story, NIKO! I found him amazing from the beginning, yes even when he was a manwhore. I was still drawn to him. He may have been a naughty man, but he had the patience of a saint when it came to Everly if you ask me. Another thing I liked, There were some laugh out loud moments for me as well.

Okay, here is the reason I did not completely love this book… Everly. I found her annoying and frustrating and because of that I had no empathy for her.

Overall, this book was okay-ish for me.

3.5 Stars

~Alison

Purchase COCKSURE today!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2maFDkM
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Synopsis:
A life altering lie, ten years, and one wild night later, the game has changed.

Niko

My life is great. I love my job, have awesome friends, and a great family.
Women love me, even if they know it’s just for a night.
I always thought love at first sight was bullshit. Then she came storming into my life. She tore through my every rule, rocked my world, and knocked me on my ass.
There’s only one problem…she lied.
Turns out my best friend’s little sister isn’t so little anymore.

Everly

I stole a night with my fantasy.
After ten years of not seeing each other, Niko doesn’t even recognize me.
So I take what I want from him, what I need from him. Without worry. Without consequence.
What I didn’t count on was the lingering need for him.
Once the truth is out, the game changes. There are consequences.
I should have known nothing in my life is ever simple.
My brother is going to kill his best friend and I have nine months to figure out what I want.

***NOTE – THIS IS A COMPLETE STANDALONE. ALL BOOKS IN THE COCKSURE WORLD ARE INDEPENDENT STANDALONES FEATURING A DIFFERENT COUPLE IN EACH BOOK***

Review: SCARRED by Willow Winters

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scarred

Scarred by Willow Winters
Series: Sins and Secrets Duets, book 4
Genre: NA, romantic suspense
Publisher: self published
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Rating: ★★★✰✰

If you thought reading Damaged was hard then brace yourselves because you are not prepared. I was waiting to see how Evan and Kat’s story played out and GOD OH GOD it turned out to be more emotional, raw and heartfelt than I thought.

The whole mystery/suspense worked perfectly with the story. I am just happy Evan and Kat got their deserved HEA.

I can’t wait to read more by Willow Winters.

3.5 Stars!

~Sonal

Purchase SCARRED today!
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Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36301053-scarred

Synopsis:
She made me a better man, but I still wasn’t good enough to keep her.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, with sleeve tattoos, ripped muscle and a cold-hearted stare, I am who I am.  The bad boy she knew to stay away from.

I knew we were never supposed to last.  But the way her lips tasted, the way her curves felt under my hands…  I couldn’t let go. I did everything I could to keep her.

I put on a ring on her finger and straightened out my life.  All for her.

I should’ve known better.

One mistake tore us apart and I don’t know what I can do to salvage what we once had.

I knew it wasn’t supposed to last, but if I could make her stay with me once…  I can do it again.

Watch me. I love my sweetheart; I’m not losing her again.

Although Scarred can be read as a standalone, it’s highly advised that you read the first book in the duet, Damaged, first.

Review: FOREVER YOURS by Liz Lovelock

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forever yours

Forever Yours by Liz Lovelock
Series: Letters in Blood, book 3
Genre: romantic suspense, thriller
Publisher: self published
Publication Date: November 15, 2017
Rating: ★★★✰✰

I couldn’t wait for this book to come out, I enjoyed the first two so much, they kept me on the edge of my seat. I have to be honest here and say I was a bit disappointed with this one. I could not wait to find out her the captor was and when I did find out I was underwhelmed.

The first two kept me captivated and interested, this one not so much. I felt like there were things that still were not answered.

I did really like the female character Eleanor, she had been through so much. She was a survivor and so strong.

3 Stars

~Alison

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Synopsis:
Dear Captor,

You show me you care, but then something changes. The brightness in your eyes shines through on your good days, but when you come to me on your dark days, the blackness has taken over.
At least I know what I’m in for . . . pain.

You’ve managed to crawl under my skin in the most excruciating yet sensual way, my darkest secrets are now yours, and the emotions I feel for you are something I’ve never felt before. This sensation is strange, yet exhilarating.
Do you feel the same?
If you do love me, please . . . let me go.

Forever yours,
Elenore

Review: SHOCK JOCK by A.M. Madden

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shock jock

Shock Jock by A.M. Madden
Genre: contemporary, romantic comedy
Publisher: A.M. Madden
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Rating: ★★★✰✰

So I’m going to be brutally honest here, as I think all reviews should be that way…

I couldn’t connect with this story.

As much as I LOVE A.M. Madden’s books, and I was highly anticipating this sexy new Lair’s story, I just had a hard time fully enjoying this book. There were a couple things that just didn’t sit well with me, but the major factor was that I was completely losing interest in the first 40-45% of the book. I found it to be slow moving and had no real focal point to where the story was headed.

Yes, there were aspects of the story that I very much enjoyed. The humorous dialogue and the mysterious “Apple” that was featured. But that was about it. The sudden “switch” that flipped for Vaughn didn’t seem that believable to me, and it seemed like the romantic relationship between him and Haven lacked a building of desire on his end.

I guess I’m just a little let down by this story. Okay, maybe more than just a little. And maybe the anticipation and excitement was built up on my part as I LOVE the author’s Back-Up Series (#LairLover for life!), and was hoping for this book to be more along those lines. But I will say that just because I didn’t care for this story, it will in no way deter me from reading the author’s future novels. This one was just a miss for me, unfortunately.

3 Stars

~Kelly

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Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34773839-shock-jock

Synopsis:
I’m Vaughn Lair.
You might have heard of my rock star cousin, Jack.
I’m on the radio for entirely different reasons.
My voice may not cause women to swoon through music and lyrics…it’s the content of my syndicated radio show that has them desperate to talk to me.
I’m a sex therapist who doles out great advice.
My doctorate gives me license to hold nothing back.
My listeners have crowned me the King of Romance.
I change relationships for the better.
I’m the SEXpert
The erotic shock jock.
The man with a plan.
Until one call on the air turns the tables on me.
A stranger suddenly has me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself.
And then an unexpected turn of events between my best friend and me only worsens my confusion.
I have all the answers, except when it comes to my own damn love life.
This man no longer has a plan.
This man is now the one needing advice.

This book is a contemporary stand alone novel from the male pov meant for mature readers who are 18+. It contains explicit language and graphic sexual content.