What We Read | June 2020

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

How's everyone's summer going so far? Did y'all celebrate Pride in some way? We hope you're making the best of the summer season and staying safe as states open back up again this month! Please continue to wash your hands regularly - covid is still rampant, so don't let business re-openings let you put your guard down and potentially get you sick, or worse, risk someone else's life. And of course, cozy up to some hot romance books (and movies) as well. Make sure to bring a fan and a cool beverage to help you cool down. ðŸ˜‰


    

🎧 My Sinful Nights by Lauren Blakely | 
📖 Hard Place by Emily Goodwin | 
🎧 Big Swinging D by Tara Sue Me | 
📖 Neighborly by Katrina Jackson [reread] | 
📖 The Playboy Next Door by Sarah A. Sigfusson | 

    

🎧 Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey | 
📖 Together With Love by Kennedy Fox, Charity Farrell, Emily Goodwin, Piper Rayne, K. Webster, Jiffy Kate, Adriana Locke, Rachel Brookes | 
🎧 Timber by Frankie Love | 
🎧 One Night Only by Lauren Blakely | 
📖 Student by Jenna Rose | 

  

📖 Connected in Pain by Ryan Michele | 
🎧 Another by Fiona Cole | 
🎧 Wicked Whiskey Love by Melissa Foster [reread] | 

What We Read | May 2020

Sunday, May 31, 2020

We hope you're all managing this new normal the best that you can and taking care of yourselves. It's hard adjusting, but one thing that helps us stay sane at home is reading, of course. While we haven't been blogging/reviewing, we did get some reading done.


    

📖 What He Needs by Jenna Rose | 
📖 Fight Me, Baby by Fiona Davenport | 
🎧 Shy Girls Write It Better by May Sage | 
🎧 The Rival Roomies by Piper Rayne | 
📖 Carried Away by Tory Baker | 

    

📖 Flight Risk by Alexa Riley | 
🎧 Wrapped In Love by Lexi Ryan | 
📖 Mr. Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau | 
📖 Her Kiss by Willow Hawke | 
📖 Rock 'n' Roll Baby by Ella Goode | 


Have y'all read any of these mentioned above?
What did you guys read this month?

What We Read | April 2020

Friday, May 1, 2020

It has been chaotic and weird the past two months. We hope you're all hanging in there and reading some books to escape and relax. And it's okay if you're not. Do whatever that keeps you sane and happy and healthy right now. During the lockdown, we've been able to pick up some good reads.


    

📖 Maid by Jenna Rose | 
📖 Killer Love by Elle Goode | 
🎧 The Decadent Gift by Lauren Blakely | 
📖 From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout | 
🎧 A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting | 


    


🎧 Ruthless King by Meghan March | 
📖 A Love Like Ours by Tory Baker | 
📖 Dirty Rich by Amelia Wilde | 
📖 If You Were Mine by Jenika Snow | 
📖 Mr. Baby Daddy by Aria R. Blue | 

{ARC Review} Temper by Chantal Fernando

Monday, April 20, 2020

Title: Temper
Author: Chantal Fernando
Release Date: April 20, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, MC Romance


New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando returns to the Knights of Fury series with her most complicated hero yet. He may be the epitome of cool, but this MC president isn’t called Temper for nothing…

Every year, the hot, tatted biker comes into Abbie’s bar, orders whiskey and asks her out. Every year, Abbie turns him down. After all, dating a man that goes by Temper seems like a really bad idea, no matter how attracted she is to him.

But this year is different. Abbie’s different. Older, wiser and tired of being stuck behind the bar in a sleepy town. This year, she’s ready for whatever adventure the sexy but sweet biker has in store for her.

Or so she thinks…until an elegant candlelit dinner ends with a dead body.

Now Abbie finds herself on the ride of her life, whisked away to the big city in Temper’s protective custody. She should be scared, but—despite his nickname—it’s clear the last thing Temper would ever do is hurt a hair on her head. And when danger catches up with them, Abbie soon realizes that holding tight to her man while straddling a Harley may be the safest place of all.

**CW/TW: guns; murder; kidnapping; blood; drugging; off-page beating**

What We Liked


♥ Ya'know we love our MC romances.

♥ Sort of a slow-burn romance, as the H has been asking the h on a date once or twice a year for 5 years before she finally agrees.

♥ Date ends on an action-packed twist -- fights, guns, and a dead body.

♥ Impromptu road trip to LA (see: kidnapping) which leads to sightseeing adventures, making new friends, hiding under "witness protection" of sorts, and night life fun.

♥ Loyalty, family, and close-knit found family (MC).

♥ Girls night out turns into a whole group with the guys joining/babysitting, which ends with an attempted kidnapping, gun fights, running bad guys over with a getaway car.

♥ How the MC collectively pulls through for Abbie.

♥ An H who respects boundaries. It's always sexy.

♥ Age difference romance.


What We Didn't


  • How the H handled the situation after their date by kidnapping the h.
  • The use of the word "penis" during sex. Not sexy enough while we're reading a sex scene.
  • The H and h's first sex scene ended incompletely, before either of them even came, before the h rides the H's face like he told her to. We're committed -- let's see this through!
  • The h complaining about her mom's medical conditions in a way that she thinks of mental illness and disabilities are a burden. 


The Badass Ladies



Abbie // Hardworking, loyal, and self-sacrificing. She'll do anything for the people she loves, even if it means putting her goals and dreams on the back burner. She was definitely not expecting nor prepared for all the shit she went through since getting involved with Temper and his MC, but she prevailed and grew from it. There was a lot of growth from her, and how she humbled and softened Temper, and we were here for it.

Ivy // Abbie's younger sister. She was more understanding about how fast, vague and much their situation shifted since Abbie had to go to LA with Temper, as well as equally concerned for Abbie and what was going on. We kind of wished she was in it more, but hopefully we get more Ivy cameo's in the future or perhaps her own book?

Izzy + Skylar // These baddies/old lady's of Temper's MC members are loyal people and friend to Abbie. We loved their friendship with Abbie and how welcoming they were but still be fucking badasses not afraid to set you straight. They, as were the rest of the guys, were quite shocked at how Temper was like with Abbie around.


The Guys



Temper // Despite his road name, we luckily don't see him live up to it save for this one time when shit with enemies hit the fan. If you're lucky enough, you can catch him singing Disney songs. Taking over as the club's prez, he had a lot to take on, but was still persistent in taking Abbie out on a date for 5 years straight. Aside from a misguided impulse, he's mature, clearheaded, loyal and can handle most things well without bitterness, anger or arrogance.

Crow // He's probably the friendliest of the bunch, and will take you under his wing in times of fun or distress. He looks out for his brothers and family.

Chains // He's got a mean and mysterious demeanor, but he is loyal to a fault. It takes a while for him to warm up to people but once he does, he actually seems pretty cool.

Renny + Saint // Renny can be a scary ass killer but he's got your back. They're not as close to Abbie as Crow is, which may be why these two are not present/interactive as much, but they're loyal to the MC and their old ladies.


Lust Factor


3.5 flames

What We Read | March 2020

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

March was a great reading month, as it felt like we had the time to read more this month than in February, despite stressing/doing our taxes. We received a few review copies of upcoming romance books, which we not only appreciated but enjoyed as well.


   

   

Marco's Girl by MINK | 
Running From a Rock Star by Jami Albright | 
Love's Recipe by Mila Nicks | 
My Greek Island Summer by Mandy Baggot | 
That Night in Paris by Sandy Barker | 
Temper by Chantal Fernando | 
In Fury Lies Mischief by Amo Jones | 
Bad Boy by Willow Winters | DNF

{Review} Marco's Girl by MINK

Friday, March 6, 2020

Title: Marco's Girl
Author: MINK
Release Date: February 22, 2020
Genre: YA/NA Crossover, Contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance, Novella


Going to high school as the heir to a mafia family isn't as easy it seems. The prep school lifestyle leaves me cold, and I don't want to be a part of the lacrosse crowd or make time with the silly girls who think being with me is taking a walk on the wild side. I'm fine in my bubble until I see the new girl through the window. Shy, smart, and with curves that make my mouth water, Evangeline is an unexpected good girl in my bad boy world. Her innocence should make me back off, but I don't. After all, I'm a Davinci. When I see something I want, I take it.

A chance at going to college is all I need, and this new prep school is the way to do it. Grams took a maid job at a local estate just so I could attend prestigious Brightwood Prep, and I won't let her down. I'm focused and determined ... until I meet Marco. He's got bad boy written all over him as he sits at the back of the classroom, his eyes eating me up. And that's only the beginning. Marco isn't just bad, he's determined to make me his no matter the cost.

MINK's note: Marco's Girl stars Marco from His Virgin Queen. It's best enjoyed with a kitty in your lap and a steaming cup of coffee, or tea if you're feeling fancy, beside you. All characters are 18+, and an HEA is guaranteed. Enjoy.

**CW/TW: guns; some violence**

What We Liked


♥ This is a standalone follow-up to His Virgin Queen, which stars Sophia's younger brother, Marco. You don't need to read HVQ in order to understand this book, but we highly recommend you because we loved it so much it is our only 5 star read so far in 2020.

♥ Marco is Sophia's younger brother so this story takes place in high school, which is a stark contrast to His Virgin Queen. However, the characters are 18.

♥ The bad boy (Marco). Fights. Guns. Cops. Arrests. Bullies. Grandma's home cooking. Sexy times in the pool. It may be tamer than the first book but it still has plenty of action and angst and sexy times.

♥ Sophia and Nick cameos. Still doin' what they do: each other up to no good, but always there for Marco.


What We Didn't


  • Even though it's Marco and he has his own charm, we didn't really care to read about high schoolers getting it on in graphic detail. I mean, they're both of age and we know high schoolers have sex but we just didn't care to read it in explicit detail. Even at 18, sex isn't that good. How erotic it was just didn't seem realistic to us either.

The Gals


Evangeline // Evangeline might've come off as docile and fragile upon seeing her keep to herself, but don't underestimate her. I mean, she can handle Marco so that says enough lol jk Marco we love you. Her groundedness and softness compliments Marco's rough around the edges. They bring out some of their best parts they keep hidden out in each other.

Sophia // Sophia, ever the big sister. If you've met her in His Virgin Queen, y'all know how she is. And if you didn't, then you get a little peak of how she was and still is in this one. We still love her and her antics, and we're so glad she and Nick got a few cameos throughout this book.

The Guys


Marco // Marco is still protective as ever, this time not only over big sister Sophia but over Evangeline as well. Sophia was worried for little brother Marco after shit hit the fan in His Virgin Queen, but Marco understands and is willing to complete high school for her. He's young, brash, a bad boy, charming, impulsive, but most times he's methodical, protective, fearless, strategic and loyal. He's got a lot of growing to do but at least he's got his familia and Evangeline by his side.

Nick // Big bad mafia boss Nick, always there for the familia. The poor guy and the things he gets to deal with when it comes to Sophia (or Marco for that matter), but he loves it. The way he rescues Marco without a sweat just scores more points from us.


Lust Factor


   

Bookish First March Book Bingo

Sunday, March 1, 2020

We will be participating on Bookish First's March Book Bingo this month! If you don't already know, Bookish First has monthly bingo cards, and if you get a bingo, you get a congratulations shout out in their newsletter. Find out more here, and see below for the rules on how to play!


Here are the rules: 

  •  Each book you read can only be used for a single square on the board. 
  •  Each prompt is open to your interpretation. 
  •  You must complete a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row of squares.


[Image Source]

Good luck! We will post an update on our bingo card closer to the end of the month.



♥ Are y'all participating in book bingo or other reading challenges?
Let us know in the comments! ♥

What We Read | February 2020

Friday, February 28, 2020

Hope y'all had a wonderful month filled with love, chocolate, roses, sex and romance! A little update: in case y'all didn't notice, we changed our blogs color scheme to pink and hints of red this month to match the holiday of love that is Valentine's Day.

We didn't get as much reading in this month despite having a rare 5 days in a row off of work and an extra day (Leap Day) in February, which is a bummer especially since Valentine's Day was this month, however we still enjoyed the books we did read.


   
    


Wasted Words by Staci Hart | 
His Gift by J. L. Beck, C. Hallman | 
Happily Ever After: A Day in the Life of the HEA by J.A. Huss [RE-READ] | 
Five by J.A. Huss [RE-READ] | 
Mr. & Mrs. by J.A. Huss [RE-READ] | 
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa | 
Love Her Or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey | 
Watch and See by Jiffy Kate | 



You can probably tell we were fixing for a JA Huss (aka Five + Princess Rory) binge re-read because we just missed these characters. ;)


♥ What books did y'all read this month?
What were your favorites? ♥
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