Review-The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy

Publisher: Monica Murphy

Published: April 19, 2022

Genre: Romance

Source: E-ARC

Rating: 5 stars

See what other readers are saying about it HERE!

Blurb:

Everyone’s for sale, including me. One moment I’m the forgotten daughter of one of the most wealthy families in the country, and the next I’m the blushing bride in an arranged marriage. My fate is sealed in my wedded union with a complete stranger.

In public, Perry Constantine is the life of the party. Easygoing. Adored. In private, he’s brooding. Dark. Angry. But so am I. It’s a contest of wills to see who will break in the bedroom first, and while I try to remain strong, I find myself craving the very man I swore to hate.

My husband.

Review:

In. Love! The Reluctant Bride is a sexy and sweet romance between two equally amazing characters. To think that no one could hold a place in my heart after reading about Crew Lancaster! Well Perry Constantine has given him a run for his money. That being said, for those of you who don't know this story is about Charlotte Lancaster. The only girl in a band of brothers. She's also broken and alone. What I thought was pretty cool is that the Constantine and Morelli families aren't new; but they're knew to me since I haven't read their stories. Something I hope to rectify soon! 

Perry Constantine is the happy go lucky mama's boy. He always says yes to her... Of course that changes when he's told he would be marrying Charlotte Lancaster. Something he does NOT want to do. But ends up doing his civic duty to his family. Once he and Charlotte meet, the sparks fly. They're flirty banter is only the tip of the iceberg. The two quickly realize they may need each other more than they know.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm cool with it. I can't wait to see what happens next and get more of Perry and Charlotte. I also hope to get started on all of the books with the other characters that are in the series. So many books, so little time! I'm going to have a fun few weeks reading and catching up until the next book comes out.

*Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.

I also write contemporary romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

Sign up for my newsletter: https://monicamurphyauthor.com/subscribe

Hang out with me on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/monicamurphyauthor

Buy links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

Review-Gone Dark by Amanda Panitch

 

Published: April 12, 2022

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: YA Thriller

Source: Print ARC

Stars: 4.5 Stars

See what readers are saying about it HERE!

Blurb:

Dry meets Hatchet in this thrilling tale of survival following a teen girl who must lead her friends across country to the safety of her estranged father’s survivalist compound after a mass power failure leaves the country in chaos.

When seventeen-year-old Zara escaped her father’s backwoods survivalist compound five years ago, she traded crossbows and skinning hides for electricity and video games…and tried to forget the tragedy that drove her away.

Until a malware attack on the United States electrical grids cuts off the entire country’s power.

In the wake of the disaster and the chaos that ensues, Zara is forced to call upon skills she thought she’d never use again—and her best bet to survive is to go back to the home she left behind. Drawing upon a resilience she didn’t know she had, Zara leads a growing group of friends on an epic journey across a crumbling country back to her father’s compound, where their only hope for salvation lies.

But with every step she takes, Zara wonders if she truly has what it takes to face her father and the secrets of her past, or if she’d be better off hiding in the dark.

Review:

Gone Dark was a cool book to read. From the very beginning I just knew that it would be right up my alley. I always like to think about the "what-ifs" in life. Like what would happen if the world took a dark turn and the apocalypse was at our door step. I think about what I would do for survival. But let's face it, more than likely it won't happen. At least that's what I tell myself because the reality is too terrifying to even think about.

That's why I like reading books about it! Seventeen year old Zara knows all about the apocalypse thanks to her doomsday father. When she and her mother escape the compound they live in, Zara finally knows what freedom is. That all changes when the United States and the world's electrical grid are cute off. Now it's up to Zara's training is up to speed for survival. So many things go wrong and little goes right, but one thing is for sure, Zara is as amazing as they come! I loved reading her story and watching her grow.

 Overall, I enjoyed this book so much! Although the whole electrical grids going out hit a little too close to home for me. I guess this sort of thing did happen in February of 2021 and what I like to call the Snowpaclypse. We lost power and water for a few days and it was brutal! Snow is now tainted for me but I guess being Texan, we like our weather hot!

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Amanda Panitch spent most of her childhood telling stories to her four younger siblings, trying both to make them laugh and scare them too much to sleep. Now she lives in New York City, where she writes dark, funny stories for teens, kids, and the pigeons that nest on her apartment balcony. You can follow her on Twitter @AmandaPanitch, and visit her online at www.amandapanitch.com 

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby

 

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Published: September 7, 2021

Genre: Middle School

Source: Finished copy

Rating: 5

See what other readers are saying about it HERE!

Blurb:

Narwhal and Jelly meet The Bad Guys in this heartwarming, brightly illustrated, and downright hilarious chapter book about what happens when a very cranky chicken is befriended by a very cheerful worm.

Cranky Chicken is, well, cranky. With one cranky eyebrow, cranky eyes, and even cranky, scratchy feet. But then one day, Cranky meets a very friendly worm named Speedy who wants nothing more than to be friends. Young readers will love seeing the mismatched friendship grow over the course of three charming and laugh-out-loud short adventures as Chicken and Speedy become BFFs (Best Feathered Friends) and Speedy shows Chicken how to look on the bright side. 

Review:

I read this several times over the past few weeks. First with my own kids, then by myself, and a couple more times when I took the book to the school I work at. Everyone, including me, loved it! I totally relate to this cranky chicken and I loved how the worm, wormed himself into the heart of the chicken. It's a funny book that will have you and your child in stitches! 

Buy the book:

Amazon

Amazon UK

About the Author:

Katherine is the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of eleven picture books, including Trouble, Perfect Pigeons and the popular Squish Rabbit series, which have been published around the world. Her first graphic novel, Cranky Chicken, releases soon. Her books have had glowing reviews in The New York Times, received starred Kirkus reviews and have been shortlisted for numerous awards. She is regularly booked to speak in schools, libraries and at festivals and she is a passionate advocate for literacy and the arts. She currently lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her poet husband, their book obsessed baby and a wonderfully ridiculous dog.

Visit her at: www.katherinebattersby.com

New Release Review—Charmed (Willow Springs 3) by Laura Pavlov

 

⭐ ℕ𝔼𝕎 ℝ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝔸𝕊𝔼 ⭐

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐥𝐨𝐯 𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝! 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐬!

#1Cʟɪᴄᴋ: http://mybook.to/CharmedLauraPavlov

Crew Carlisle is enemy number one.

He’s also my new boss.

I need this internship as much as Crew needs an ego lobotomy.

He’s arrogant, cocky, and annoyingly good looking.

Our families have despised one another since long before I was born.

The man loathes me, and he makes no effort to hide his contempt.

But everything I thought I knew isn’t as it seems.

And Crew isn’t who I thought he was.

I’ve never fully given my heart away, and this is the last man that I should give it to.

But walking away isn’t as easy as I expected.

Crew Carlisle is my kryptonite.

And falling for my nemesis is not an option.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/CharmedGR

Review:

Charmed 

Let me tell you, this series has been the absolute best! Each book gets better and better. I love the character development of each girl. What makes this series the best though is the fact that it centers around female friendships. Healthy female friendships! Each girl gets a book about their personal struggles and of course falling love. 

This book is about sweet Maura. Maura’s family has always had drama with another family in town for generations. So much so that Maura doesn’t tell her father about where she is interning. With the enemies son, Crew. Crew is such a jerk upon meeting him! A big ole jerk that I could help but love. 

The chemistry between the two is on fire and it was only a matter of time before the two gave into those fantastic feelings. These books are so addictive; I devour them in just a day. I love how Maura gives as good as she gets. She doesn’t let Crew slow her down. 

Now I have to wait for the next book! Which I’m very excited for. 

*Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own. 

𝐶𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑢𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠:

Book 1 - Frayed - http://mybook.to/FrayedLauraPavlov

Book 2: Tangled - http://mybook.to/TangledLauraPavlov

 

 

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to a couple of crazy puppies. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

Website: https://bit.ly/3hoxrIL

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2M3MzRv

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3g4jroa

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2TKf5Zs

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3kVyWjk

Join Pav-Loves Readers: https://bit.ly/2XAK9vF

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NSnGcK

BookBub: https://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp

   

Review—Burn (Fuel Series 3) by Ginger Scott

 

★NOW AVAILABLE★

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧, the final book in the Fuel Series by Ginger Scott, is LIVE! This second-chance romance completes this angsty, steamy, new adult trilogy.

Purchase 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 (1) here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097TTSBN8

Purchase 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤 (2): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SBSX3J

Purchase Burn (3): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SCCH12

The Fuel Series link: https://amzn.to/3j5mQ7S

“The whole Fuel Series is one I rate alongside the best I have ever read. It’s one I will read over and over.” – The Saucy Bookshelf

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧

Dustin Bridge’s world is about speed. About the edge. His life has been carved by cutting corners and making moves, following impulsive decisions while weighing the facts at hand.

On the track, that has never steered him wrong.

In life, though? That’s another story.

On the cusp of greatness, the world’s up-and-coming racing star seems to be living the perfect story. A hero to his hometown. A partner to his best friend. A man poised to take the throne, to become the greatest, and to reap the rewards and attention that come along with it.

He’s been branded the track’s most eligible bachelor. And rarely does he cross a finish line without a dozen screaming, adoring women brandishing his name on glitter-covered T-shirts across their chests, just hoping he’ll break his own rules and take one of them to bed.

But he won’t. As loose as Dustin may be on the road, he’s become disciplined in life. He let love in completely—once. For one person. Hannah Judge. And she wrecked him.

And now, she’s back.

Review-

Wow. What a rollercoaster! I thought the ending of book two couldn’t change my mind or my opinion about certain circumstances that Hannah felt she needed to do. I didn’t think my heart could take what I was about to read in book three either! And I was right! My heart rate was erratic because all I wanted was too see our hero and heroine finally happy. 

My investment into these amazing characters lives was on point. I felt every emotion and the angst is perfectly done! Dustin and Hannah have such a long road ahead of them. But I knew that if anyone could make it, it would be them. Like most Scott books, I was sad to see it end. I fall in love way too fast and am always a little bit sad to say goodbye. Good thing I can re-read and go through that rollercoaster again!

*Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own. 

 

Add them to your TBR!

𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗙𝗧: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077726-shift

𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗞: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077746-wreck

𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077766-burn

Find more books by Ginger Scott here: www.littlemisswrite.com

Review—Wreck (Bk 2) by Ginger Scott

 

★NOW AVAILABLE★

𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤 is LIVE! This is the second book in the brother’s-best-friend, friends-to-lovers Fuel Series by Ginger Scott. Don’t miss this angst-filled read! 

★★★★★ "I’m just going to put and say it—Wreck totally wrecked me! Dustin and Hannah completely tore my heart into pieces.” – The Lovely Books

Purchase 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 (1) here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097TTSBN8

Purchase 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤 (2): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SBSX3J

Pre-order Burn (3): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SCCH12

𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤
When Dustin Bridges left Camp Verde to try to make it on his own, he left half his heart behind. A life with Hannah Judge was just too dangerous. A mountain of chaos and violence was always aiming for the target on Dustin’s back, and that made giving up the only person he ever loved feel necessary.

But impossible isn’t a word Dustin believes in. Defying odds is what he’s good at. It’s how he’s survived. And when fate calls him home, he sees it as his chance to take back his girl, to make his heart whole and to put his makeshift family back together.

Just one thing. That family? And more importantly, that girl? They want nothing to do with him.

When Dustin left Hannah without a word, he broke a promise. More than that, he broke a bond. He broke Hannah. The life she saw in her future was gone in a blink, and in its place she grew a heart of stone and a craving for danger.

But isn’t danger what Dustin Bridges is really all about?

 

Review-

“Because we’re real, and we’re forever. And even the fucking hands of fate with all their destructive power can’t undo our destiny.”

I’m just going to put and say it—Wreck totally wrecked me! Dustin and Hannah completely tore my heart into pieces. The ending! I’m glad we don’t have to wait too long until the conclusion. I don’t think I could take it. 

The book starts off four years later; after the ending of book one, we were all left heartbroken. Could these two soulmates ever find their way back to each other? Only one way to tell but so many things happen! Dustin and Hannah both have grown and changed so much. Yet, they’re both still the same. The feelings they have for each other can never go away. At least not for them. 

Overall, Scott hit the spot. My heart is heavy and not fully satisfied until I can get more of our main characters. I have to know asap how everything turns out! 

*Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own. 

*Burn completes their love story in their mid 20s. Coming July 30^th!

Add them to your TBR!

𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗙𝗧: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077726-shift

𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗞: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077746-wreck

𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077766-burn

Find more books by Ginger Scott here: www.littlemisswrite.com

New Release—Shift Bk 1 by Ginger Scott

 

★NOW AVAILABLE★

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭, the first book in 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 by Ginger Scott is LIVE! Buckle your seatbelt, it’s gonna be a wild ride!

Purchase 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097TTSBN8

Pre-order Wreck: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SBSX3J

Pre-order Burn: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SCCH12

“An adrenaline rush of a romance that made my heart race and my soul shake. So HEADY. So HEART-POUNDING. So HEARTFELT. So YES!!!” – Karen, Bookalicious Babes Blog

Shift

Dustin Bridges has always had two things he could count on—his fearless instincts behind the wheel and the support of his two best friends, Tommy and Hannah Judge. 

Dustin brought the speed. 

Tommy, the brains. 

And Hannah . . . she was the glue that held everyone together. 

Together, they were unstoppable. 

From the dirt tracks of their youth to the late-night drag races under a desert moon as teens, the Judge siblings pushed and watched in awe as their friend edged closer to his dream. Always racing, always running. That was Dustin’s gift and curse. And while his life at home was unbearable, his world with the Judges always seemed perfect. 

Growing up with people makes for a special bond. But sometimes life has a way of testing just how strong a relationship is. And falling in love with one of your best friends, not to mention your other best friend’s sister? Well, that can be the toughest test of all. 

Heartbreak doesn’t know what it’s up against, though, because when there is a prize to be won, nobody bets against Dustin Bridges. 

Review-

Ginger Scott books always leave me with a heavy dose of nostalgia. She writes the teenage years so well that it always takes me back to when I was that age. That teenage angst is no joke. The way this book ended makes me want to WEEP. But don’t let that scare you—because this story is so beautifully told. Plus, you don’t have to wait long for the other two books. They both will be out in July. 

Dustin and Hannah have a connection. One being the fact that Dustin is Hannah’s brother, Tommy’s, best friend. So yes, this is a brother’s best friend novel. One of my favorite romantic tropes. The two have always had a connection but have never acted upon it. See, Dustin is from the wrong side of the tracks. He has terrible parents and his only solace is the Judges. A wonderful family that treats him as their own. 

I loved that the story centered around racing. I’m not too familiar with it but it makes me interested enough to go and find one to watch. Dustin is good at it and wants to race after high school. Hannah is a grade younger. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. To say I need the second book is an understatement! I can’t wait to see how everything plays out. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own.

Wreck and Burn

(Books 2 and 3)

Wreck continues Dustin and Hannah’s story four years later, and book 3, Burn, completes their love story in their mid 20s. 

𝗔𝗥𝗖 + 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝘀: https://forms.gle/c25bCrziSQuPC2dPA

Add them to your TBR!

𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗙𝗧: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077726-shift

𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗞: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077746-wreck

𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077766-burn