{ARC Review} Jax by Vivian Lux

Title: Jax
Author: Vivian Lux
Release Date: November 23, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

He's JAX.

He's a rockstar. He's a screw-up. He broke my heart.

He's my new stepbrother.

Jaxson Blue is rock royalty: the son of one of the biggest names on the planet. He was my first...everything.

Then he broke my heart in the most public way possible.

I never want to think about Jax again.

Too bad his music seems to follow me wherever I go.

Now my hard-living roadie of a father is marrying Jax's rock star mother and the four of us have to co-exist in the same house for two weeks. Jax is still the same sexy, arrogant jerk I fell in love with, and I'm too weak to resist him for long.

So I make a deal with myself.

It's only until the wedding.

It's only a fling.

It doesn't mean anything.

I'm not doing anything wrong...right?

NOTE: All characters in this standalone novel are over the age of 18 and are not blood-related.

Review

When Vivian first approached me with Jax last week back when it was called Cocky, learning that it has a forbidden romance trope AND a rock star trope, I was so in. What a heady and delightful combo, right?

Jax and Lily had formed a friendship while their parents were going out for about ten years, before spending one passionate night together that tore them apart for a year, before their parents dropped the bomb of finally tying the knot. I think that's what I loved most -- a friendship going on before feelings developed and before their parents finally decided to get married. Being the son of a legendary rock star for a mom, and being a daughter of a long-time roadie, they both know what it's like being on the road and the ups and downs, the benefits and ugly side of the industry. While being on the road, they've made some life-long friendships along the way and have become some sort of uncles to them, ultimately becoming family. Having this family unit is so vital and such a joy to read about. They give some damn sage advice all the while shooting the shit with each other, all in good fun.

Another thing I loved was that both Jax and Lily both worked hard to build their lives, they didn't get to where they are by going the easy route from parental connections. Yes, Jax is the son of a music icon and he could've easily gotten a record deal through mom, but he didn't. He wrote his own songs, formed his own band, recorded an EP and all that jazz in order for him to score a label. And Lily, while she strayed from music, she put herself through school to get her degree, and worked to support herself in a tiny apartment. There's nothing more admirable than those who work for their dream and future.

I wouldn't necessarily say they grew up together per se, they didn't grow up in the same house, but they have spent quite some time around each other when their parents were dating on and off for ten years. That's enough time to get to know each other and learn what makes them tick. This is where the original title Cocky fits for Jax. His big personality and ego got to his head(s) often that he's become cocky through adolescence and into adulthood. I think that's Jax's flaw for me. A lot of the time throughout the book, his actions were a bit immature for a man his age. He's too old to be throwing hissy fits, even if he is a rock star. And the way he treated Lily the day after she gave it up to him that fateful night, lets just say that I was glad she left his ass in the dust and got the hell away from him. Take care of yourself and forget those fuckboys, we don't need 'em, girl. Suffice to say Jax finally owns up and gets his shit together to continue working his way up the charts and get his girl.

**I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review, however it does not influence my review, nor was I monetarily compensated**

Lust Factor

4 flames

{Review} Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

Title: Pucked Up
Author: Helena Hunting
Release Date: October 25, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth, and he was drafted into the NHL during his first year of college. After five years of deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies across the Continental US and parts of Canada, Miller is ready for a girlfriend. A real girlfriend of the non-bunny variety. One he takes on dates and doesn’t jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike Alex Waters, center, team captain and all round nice guy—who happens to be dating his step-sister—Miller’s manwhore reputation is well earned, and not blown out of proportion by the media. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about having a girlfriend. But he’s determined to make it happen.

What he doesn’t take into account is the amount of time and effort relationships require, or that constantly letting bunnies take selfies with him to post all over social media isn’t going to win him any points in the boyfriend department. Miller learns—not so quickly—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

Review

Pucked Up is Buck's time to shine with Sunny. Okay, bad pun, but you get it. So we first met Buck in Pucked as Vi's stepbrother, and Sunny as Alex's sister. They had a "thing" if you will that, guessing by the events in Pucked and Buck's rep, readers would question his motive with Sunny. In Pucked Up, we get to explore what his motives are and get to know more about them both individually and together.

Oh man, this book had me feel for Buck so hard. A series of unfortunate events kept coming for Buck and some of it impacted Sunny. It was like a domino effect; it was one thing after another after another and so on. It was painful to see but I also couldn't stop laughing (I'm sorry, Buck!). Poor Buck. Luckily he has a team of people by his side and a little Sunny sunshine to grace Buck with good luck, public sex and reality checks.

We all love cameos of characters from previous books and Vi and Alex makes a few in this one. You'd think it would be all dandy, but there are some bumps for the two, especially when they run interference with Buck and Sunny. I mean, it can't be easy having your stepbrother dating your boyfriends sister without a little drama. Vi....Girl, I couldn't even handle you. Vi was a force to be reckoned with as you can probably guess. She had me busting up non-stop with her crass and blunt personality that's just all up in your face. I loved it, and if readers loved her in Pucked, they will get a kick out of her in this one too. On top of Vi and Alex coming to the rescue for their respected siblings, they seem to have some bumps on their own that I hope will work out and get Vi's ass down the freaking aisle already. Just get it done and over with, girl, so the mother-in-law's can lay off the wedding drama.

I'm looking forward to Pucked Over featuring a surprising couple from Pucked Up. Can't wait to see how that all pans out. And I'm hoping for a Vi and Alex wedding in there, Helena!

Lust Factor

4 flames

{Review} The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

Title: The Hook Up
Author: Kristen Callihan
Release Date: September 7, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy, right?

Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…

Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.

That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

All’s fair in love and football…Game on

Review

I've heard a great deal of a hype for The Hook Up, and I finally got to get to it. There was a whole lot of circulation going on surrounding one Drew Baylor, football star, total hunk, ladies man. That might turn a lot of us off as much as it turns on the groupies, but there's this side to him that Anna really brings out in him. That side was fun, especially when it's directed at Anna in class. The playful banter and debating Anna's points just to get her to talk to him was highly entertaining.

It all started with their encounters in class that spiraled into a hookup. Anna is not looking for a relationship, especially not with the likes of Drew Baylor, so they make an agreement of hooking up. Those two together... phew! Someone get this reader a fan or something! Definitely scorching up the walls with their chemistry and sexy times. Then Drew realizes that he wants more than just a hookup with Anna.

Shit hit the fan. Pardon my French, but holy WTF, Drew! Something causes Drew and Anna get into this heated argument (to put it lightly) that brought a really hideous side of Drew. The things he said (yelled) to Anna was completely out of line, and half of that shit would so not fly with me. I remember reading that part while shopping with my family and I was brimming with steam coming out of my ears, I was so ready to scream and throw my kindle at something. I probably growled at someone. I know I walked into a mannequin and told it to "watch it." Yeah, it just really turned me off and pissed me the fuck off. Knocked a few notches off of Drew for me. It was just outrageous. But luckily Drew realized what he did and apologized in several different ways. In that, is where a lot of growth between them both together and individually really blossomed.

Gray Grayson... (yes, you read that right) is Drew's best bud and teammate. What I liked about him was that he seems to have a good head on his shoulders who looks out for the people he cares about, and that he calls Drew out on his BS. He's the kind of friend that Drew, or anyone, needs in their life. He was great, and I am so excited to see how things go between him and the owner of the pink Fiat he's borrowing, in the companion book The Friend Zone!

Lust Factor

3.5 flames

{Review} Never Never by Colleen Hoover + Tarryn Fisher

Title: Never Never (Part 1)
Author: Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher
Release Date: January 7, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Psychological Thriller

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen.

Complete strangers since this morning.

He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.

Review

I didn't know what to expect to find in this because the description didn't provide much (which is how I like it), but I thought it'd be dark judging by the cover and the authors. Jokes on me, I guess. Safe to say I spent a good portion of the book confused. I had a few theories running through my head, just like any other stories with this kind of premise Charlie and Silas find themselves in. It felt like having an out of body experience as they try to figure out what happened to them and to see if things go back to the way they were. Or at least to normalcy, whatever that was.

As the characters try to figure things out and learn about themselves through other people, there are mysteries to unravel and solve. There's clues that may be the key to the answers they're looking for. It's enough to throw things in your face right after another and keep you on your toes.

Silas was part adorable, part funny, part lost (understandably, given their situation), part swoon and determined to get Charlie to fall in love with him again. Kind of felt like a second chance at love thing, it was sweet. Then there's the sexual innuendos and a certain video/audio on one's phone *ahem* I found pretty awkward but funny. It's to be expected of teenagers.

The mystery, the friends to lovers to strangers and back again premise, going through the motions while confused about themselves and the life they live, searching for answers, Mardi Gras in New Orleans (this is me being biased), winning the girl back, made for a bit of an adventure that kept me engaged, guessing, laughing and swooning a bit. A lot of aspects that I like all wrapped into a neat little package. I literally flew right through it. Turns out, this is only 140 or so pages, but packed a lot in it. For it being so small, I was surprised that there was character development and growth so it didn't feel like it was missing something. Other than answers as to what happened to them, of course.

Colleen and Tarryn each brought something different to this story that was woven brilliantly and if you know me, I ate it up. Even though I thought these two writing together would be genius, I was also a bit skeptical about them co-writing together as I always am when there's multiple writers, but need not to worry because this one was well-written, developed and thought out. I just enjoyed. My kind of book, so kudos to Colleen and Tarryn. I want more sometime in the near future, if that's not too much to ask.

Lust Factor