Her Halloween Treat (Men at Work #1) by Tiffany Reisz

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Her Halloween Treat was definitely a wicked delight in the best possible way. It was a sweet romance done Tiffany style, so it had a spicy kind of sweet feel to it that made it a pleasure to read.  I seriously can't even remember the last time a book had me laughing so much, but the friendship between Joey and Kira was just too cute for words. What I loved the most about this book though, was just how effortless the romance between these two felt. Yes, Joey resisted having a relationship with Chris given her current circumstances and what she thought she should be doing, but he was patient with her until she came around. I've always enjoyed a good friends-to-lovers story, but this has the added benefit of being a reunion one as well giving it an added bonus.  So all of this combined with impeccable writing, means this is one story you are going to want to read because I loved every moment of it!

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Tiffany, please head over to her website.

 

http://www.tiffanyreisz.com

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Outsider (Exodus End, #2) by Olivia Cunning

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Olivia's books are always some of my favorite reads. No question about it, the woman can write rock star books like no other.  She captured my heart with the Sinners series, and this spin-off with Exodus End hasn't disappointed me in the least. *blissful sigh* Who wouldn't want to revisit the dynamic relationship between these three characters? I mean, Trey is enough to make me want to read this story, but throwing in Reagan and Ethan it packs one heck of a punch.

I will caution that you need to read the previous book. I'll even go further and say that it would be even better if you've read the entire Sinners series as well to fully understand everything going on in Outsider to get the full enjoyment out of it. I couldn't help but love that so many of the previous characters are all present in this story, but that could be confusing to some given the backstory leading into Outsider. 

So in Outsider this sexy trio is faced with being publicly outed in more ways than one. Ethan is still hiding in the closet fearing rejection from his family. Reagan is hiding her sexuality in fear of not only her father's rejection, but also the world not taking her seriously as a musician as well. Then we have Trey. The poor guy is caught up with both of his lovers wanting to hide, and all he wants to do is proclaim to the world that they are both his. It's heartbreaking at times for this trio, and the press situation revolving around them doesn't help when someone close to them seems to have nefarious reasons for outing the trio. 

Overall, this was another great read from Cunning. The only spot I found issue with was that I wanted more resolution where the scandal was concerned. Having read many of Olivia's stories in the past, I'm sure she is building to a big reveal, but I just needed more resolution than I got there at the end. Other than that, this book was a great addition to my favorites list, and I just know you guys are going to love it as much as I did!

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Olivia, please head over to her website.

 

http://www.oliviacunning.com

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All the Wrong Places (Bluewater Bay, #14) by Ann Gallagher

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

The reason I will always read books from this author, is because she isn't afraid to step outside the box and I love how she writes what she wants without restraint. All the Wrong Places was another first for me because of this being my first asexual romance.  I've found that wrapping ones head around the concept of being asexual is difficult to say the least, but Ann does it in a way that makes you realize that there is no one specific way to have a relationship. It is more about two people and how they define it in a way that works best for them. I can't say enough how much liked the message there. Both characters in the story worked on building a relationship that was just about them without any preconceived notions about what their relationship should entail. It was a breath of fresh air in the best possible way. So I bet you are asking yourself why I only gave it 3 stars, right?

Well, I'm going to straight up say it wasn't the lack of sex happening, because there was none to be had. I just also didn't feel like it was a romance. Don't get me wrong here, I did enjoy that that these two built a relationship framework about what they wanted, but I still got a strictly friendship vibe from these two more than anything. I just didn't feel any chemistry that lends itself to being romantic beyond friendship. I know it can be there without the sex, but I just didn't feel any romance between these two. So while I enjoyed reading something new to me and the message making me think a bit more about who defines a relationship, I just wanted a bit more than what I got from the characters.

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Ann, please head over to her website.

 

http://www.gallagherwitt.com/

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To Live Again (The Distance Between Us #6) by L.A. Witt

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

To Live Again was one of those books that hit the middle of the road for me. On the one hand, I  loved that this book featured more mature characters with some life experience under their belts, and that their struggles seemed more "real world" based. We are lead to believe, at first, that Greg's divorce was just about two people falling out of love, but there is more to it on both sides of the fence.  Greg's divorce prompts him to explore his bisexuality when he's only ever been with his wife leading into this. On his first night out, he meets Sailo in the most adorkable of ways. The lust between them is instant and obvious, but the slow build of friendship between them is kind of endearing. Sailo is patient with Greg, and I loved how he was more than accommodating as a teacher. Neither guy wants a relationship out of this, but it's quite obvious as the story progresses that they both have feelings for one another. Greg's struggle to move on from his marriage is emotional and just so very real. Being married that long isn't something one just gets over, so I appreciated that element of the story.

But on the other, I regrettably didn't enjoy the conflict at the end of the story at all.  My biggest issue lies with Sailo. He was not only unreasonable, but his actions seemed out of character and out of left-field. It soured everything that had been built between him and Greg and I found the recovery of their relationship to be far too quick. I'm not even going to get into how I feel about the wrong person doing all the groveling at the end.  Suffice to say, it just didn't work for me at the end. Everything leading up to that point was enjoyable though.

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by L.A., please head over to her website.

 

http://www.gallagherwitt.com/

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Don't Tempt Me (Guthrie Brothers #1) by Lori Foster

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I really enjoyed this more gentle side of Lori Foster's writing with Don't Tempt Me. It takes a step away from her Alpha type males, and instead gives us a more "normal" type romance with the focus being on the relationship with a great cast of characters you'll want to read more of. That's kind of been a trademark for Foster, making secondary characters you can't help but want stories for, so I'm glad she is going to continue on with this as a new series.

It was emotional, and I couldn't help but admire Honor for her inner strength, although it does seem to be her weakness as well. Jason, along with his brother, Hogan, and nephew, Colt, overwhelm her with kindness in a way she has never known before, so I found it to be really sweet how she begrudgingly accepts their help in the most awkward ways. The relationship between Honor and Jason is slow to boil, but the intense attraction is there right from the start. It was well-paced and I loved that it wasn't rushed. Now Lexie's relationship with Sullivan goes at warp speed, so you kind of get the best of both worlds in this book. Overall, Don't Tempt Me just had a feel-good feeling to it. It was written well and I loved the sense of true friendship, family, and trust that was woven throughout it. It's a must-read for all you Foster fans out there!

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Lori, please head over to her website.

 

http://www.lorifoster.com/

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The Heart As He Hears It (Perspectives #3) by A.M. Arthur

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

This is my first read of A.M. Arthur's Perspectives series, and I'm happy to report that you don't have to read the previous ones to enjoy The Heart As He Hearts It. This made me one happy camper, because the blurb for this one definitely drew me in.  It was an emotional read that was not only endearing, but suspenseful at times as well. Now I must admit that those suspense elements didn't work for me, and they almost seemed out of place adding an unnecessary dramatic element to the story. I honestly believe they could have been left out entirely and we wouldn't miss them.

Despite that though, it was a well-written book with a compelling cast of characters and I truly adored both Jon and Isaac. Now, at first, I didn't believe it was going to work out between them given both of their immense amounts of issues, but friendship seemed to pave a way to help these two find a way to make it all work out.  I laughed, I cried, and I simply just enjoyed this book. I think I'm going to have to go back and read the previous two books in the series while I'm waiting for the next book.   

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by A.M., please head over to her website.

 

http://amarthur.blogspot.com.au/

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble