Author: wrappedupinreading

BLOG TOUR – BOYFRIEND BARGAIN by Ilsa Madden-Mills

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“Who can turn down a sexy hockey star with a big . . . stick? Zack is hot hot hot, and Sugar is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy! Their chemistry sizzles in Boyfriend Bargain!”

— Melanie Harlow, USA Today bestselling author

Boyfriend Bargain, an all-new sexy and emotional sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is available now!

IMMBoyfriendBargainBookCover55x85_MEDIUM-new

Wanted: one hot guy with rock-hard abs and a big stick

Broke and desperate, Sugar Ryan has no use for arrogant, bad boy athletes . . . until she’s forced to bargain with the cockiest of them all.

If only he knew she was alive.

Her mission? Get on this hockey player’s radar any way possible.

Zack Morgan is the king of the ice and the bedroom—but nothing prepares him for the mystery girl who shows up everywhere he does—frat parties, his favorite bar, and finally his front door with an offer he can’t refuse. The only rule in her boyfriend bargain: no falling in love.

But after one (um, two) smoking-hot hookups, he’s done with pretending and vows to make their fake relationship real. Too bad she can’t trust a player with a reputation for breaking hearts.

Will this hockey star score his forever girl or will their Boyfriend Bargain end in heartbreak?

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Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/BoyfriendBargain

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ISsCe9

 

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF BOYFRIEND BARGAIN

 

Excerpt:

“We should kiss, just get it out of the way and move on,” I say, sure of the crazy idea as each second passes.

There’s a hitch in Z’s breath, and his eyes go straight to my lips. “Works for me.”

“But just one. None of that fancy tongue work.”

“Afraid of falling in love with me?” He grins.

Well. My eyes take in the broad shoulders and the dragon tattoo on his muscled chest. He’s definitely my type: pure, grade A male hotness—exactly what I don’t need. “I won’t fall in love.”

Another grin. “Liar.”


About Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Seven of her ten novels have placed in the Amazon US Store Top Six Best-seller List: Dirty English hit #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You hit #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things all placed #6 in the Amazon US Store.

The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, hit #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
Ilsa head shot-2

Connect with Ilsa

Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilsasunicorngirls/

Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilsamaddenmills/

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Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn

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REVIEW – SHARE ME by K. Webster & Ker Dukey

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SYNOPSIS

From international bestselling authors, Ker Dukey and K Webstercomes a steamy reverse harem standalone story from their KKinky Reads collection!

They have one job.

Keep me safe.

But none of us are safe against the allure we have when we’re together.

Control and professionalism used to be something they prided themselves on.

But now that we’re secluded and alone, lines blur and control quickly loses to need.

Someone is trying to snuff out my life, but they may not get the chance if I’m devoured whole by my saviors first

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****3 Stars*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Authors}

 

 

K. Webster happens to be one of my favorite authors. She can take my mind to some pretty dark places, but she also has written some fabulous romantic comedies. She tends to write a lot of seriously dirty erotic novellas and SHARE ME falls in the last category. I’m almost always automatically signing up to review her books. It’s like a reflex I can’t control. I saw a teaser but didn’t really pay attention to the blurb. I was expecting an MFM romance but instead, I found myself reading a reverse harem story. I’ve never read a romance between one woman and four men. Let me just say there isn’t much of a story to be had here, just some truly erotic and downright dirty sexy times.

 

 

 

I can’t even say this ever was a fantasy of mine and I’m not sure how a normal woman could possibly handle four men all at once. A porn star maybe. Is it even possible to love four men at the same time? What man would want to share one woman with three other dudes? Have any of these people heard of using a condom? There is never a mention of wearing protection and I don’t recall Clove ever saying she was on birth control. This was just an out of control, never-ending orgy.

I’m not going to lie, the sex is super hot but this really isn’t my favorite trope and there was a little journey into the MM side which I did not love at all! That being said, I ended up reading the entire story and my eyes might have popped out quite a few times. The book is entertaining but definitely, eye-rolling inducing as well. This is purely meant to be a guilty pleasure read and it does it serves its purpose!

 

 

Here are my overall ratings:

Heroes: 3
Heroine: 2
Plot: 2
Angst: 1
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Heroes & Heroine: 5

”SHARE ME” is currently available!

REVIEW – BOYFRIEND BARGAIN by Ilsa Madden-Mills

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SYNOPSIS

“Who can turn down a sexy hockey star with a big . . . stick? Zack is hot hot hot, and Sugar is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy! Their chemistry sizzles in Boyfriend Bargain!”

— Melanie Harlow, USA Today bestselling author

Boyfriend Bargain, an all-new sexy and emotional sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is available now!

Wanted: one hot guy with rock-hard abs and a big stick

 

Broke and desperate, Sugar Ryan has no use for arrogant, bad boy athletes . . . until she’s forced to bargain with the cockiest of them all.

 

If only he knew she was alive.

 

Her mission? Get on this hockey player’s radar any way possible.

 

Zack Morgan is the king of the ice and the bedroom—but nothing prepares him for the mystery girl who shows up everywhere he does—frat parties, his favorite bar, and finally his front door with an offer he can’t refuse. The only rule in her boyfriend bargain: no falling in love.

 

But after one (um, two) smoking-hot hookups, he’s done with pretending and vows to make their fake relationship real. Too bad she can’t trust a player with a reputation for breaking hearts.

 

Will this hockey star score his forever girl or will their Boyfriend Bargain end in heartbreak?

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

She’s everything.
She’s Mine.
She’s a symbol of me getting life right.
My Love, my hope. Always.

 

 

 

If you love sports romances about sinfully sexy and cocky as hell hockey players as much as I do, then BOYFRIEND BARGAIN by Ilsa Madden-Mills is right up your alley. Zack Morgan is the captain of his university’s hockey team and all-around big man on campus. He’s got a lengthy list of coeds looking to warm his bed but no one has been able to steal his heart. He’s plagued by some serious guilt over a tragic accident from a few years back and it’s bleeding into his everyday life and affecting his game.

Sugar Ryan, didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth like the rest of the kids who go to her university. She’s had to work her butt off to pay for her tuition and has her sights on attending Vanderbilt Law School after graduation. Sugar is on the wait list and thinks that with a little help from the biggest player on the hockey team, that she might be able to finagle an acceptance letter. The only obstacle is that she and Zack don’t run in the same social circles, but she’s determined to get his help.

They meet at a frat party and soon enough sparks are flying. These two have crazy chemistry. You feel it from the moment they find themselves within a few feet of each other. Sugar asks Zack to be her fake boyfriend for a while just so that she can impress Vanderbilt’s Dean of Admissions, but she’s not fooling anyone but herself. Zack and Sugar are 100% into each other and you feel it from the very beginning.

 

 

 

Zack is the epitome of a book boyfriend readers fall head over heels in love with. He’s funny, alpha, gorgeous, and just a bit broken. When he falls in love with a woman, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to win her heart. I think he just might be my favorite of all of Ilsa Madden-Mill’s Heroes. Sugar is a strong Heroine with an endearing sweetness to her as well. She is a challenge for Zack, who is used to women falling at his feet. I loved these characters and found their story to be truly addictive.

Here are my overall ratings:

Heroes: 5
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 5
Angst: 5
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++

BOYFRIEND BARGAIN is currently available and not to be missed!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DMnEuO
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/BoyfriendBargain

 

LIVE – SHARE ME by K. Webster & Ker Dukey

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Share Me

by K Webster & Ker Dukey
Publication Date: May 9, 2019
Genres: Reverse Harem Standalone

Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

From international bestselling authors, Ker Dukey and K Webster comes a steamy reverse harem standalone story from their KKinky Reads collection!

They have one job.

Keep me safe.

But none of us are safe against the allure we have when we’re together.

Control and professionalism used to be something they prided themselves on.

But now that we’re secluded and alone, lines blur and control quickly loses to need.

Someone is trying to snuff out my life, but they may not get the chance if I’m devoured whole by my saviors first.

 

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF SHARE ME

About K. Webster

K Webster is the author of dozens of romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter

 

About Ker Dukey

My books all tend to be darker romance, edge of you seat, angst filled reads. My advice to my readers when starting one of my titles…prepare for the unexpected.

I have always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be through lyrics or bed time stories with my sisters growing up.
My mum would always have a book in her hand when I was young and passed on her love for reading, inspiring me to venture into writing my own. I tend to have a darker edge to my writing. Not all love stories are made from light; some are created in darkness but are just as powerful and worth telling.

When I’m not lost in the world of characters I love spending time with my family. I’m a mum and that comes first in my life but when I do get down time I love attending music concerts or reading events with my younger sister.

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REVIEW – THE LYING HOURS (How To Date A Douchebag,#5) by Sara Ney

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SYNOPSIS

ABRAHAM DAVIS—Honest Abe to his friends—IS IN OVER HIS HEAD…

He’s a fixer and a do good-er. The all-knowing, resident “grandfather” on the wrestling team who everyone relies on to fix their problems. His teammates go to him for everything; advice, homework, or when they need a sober driver at three in the morning–whether he likes it or not.

Abe’s current mission is easy: mend his roommates broken heart by helping him find a girlfriend on the LoveU app–without getting caught in the lie…

SKYLAR GABRIEL. IS. OVER. IT.

Over her bad grades. Over her meddling older brother and his two best friends. And over dating douchebags. What she wants to know is: where have all the nice guys gone?

She longs for a handsome, sweet, and honest guy who can make her laugh. In one last ditch effort to prove that he exists—Skylar turns to LoveU.

On her worst day, Skylar has no filter (it’s a miracle she hasn’t been ditched mid-date).
On her best, she’s as wholesome, and sweet, as pie.
On Thursday? She matches with Abraham Davis’s roommate.

Skylar Gabriel is falling for the wrong guy—she just doesn’t realize it yet.

Why?

BECAUSE ABE DAVIS IS A LIAR.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

”The second I saw Skylar, it was like a punch to the gut. I knew I wasn’t going to make it out the other side without some collateral damage.” 

 

 

THE LYING HOURS is another romantic comedy that tries to put a new spin on the “Cyrano De Bergerac” story and even though it might be predictable, I can’t deny that it was wildly entertaining. I didn’t know what to make of Abraham Davis at first, but as soon as we find out he’s a huge reader and loves to spend quiet time in a second-hand book store, I was a goner for him. He’s truly a good guy, who might be a bit of a pushover, but his heart is golden.

Skylar is snarky and a little anti-social…my kind of girl. She’s not into partying and getting drunk. Skylar wants to be in a committed relationship but hasn’t had luck in the love department and so she signs up on a dating app after being convinced to do so by her bestie. She soon matches up with JB, and the two have great banter over the app. What she doesn’t know is JB is really Abe, who is chatting up girls for his roommate/teammate who is trying to get over a broken heart. JB is a true douchebag with absolutely no skills with the written word, so Abe agrees to help him find girls in hopes that his friend gets out of the funk he’s in. I’m beginning to realize that it’s the friends in these stories that are the douchebags and not the main characters!

Of course, when Skylar meets the real JB for drinks, it’s obvious that the two have absolutely no chemistry and JB pretty much screws it all up. Somehow Abe convinces Skylar to agree to another date with JB but this time it’s a double date which Abe and her Bestie, Hannah, will go on with them. It’s during this double date that Abe realizes the girl of his dreams is the one he’s been trying to woo for his buddy JB. How is he going to get the girl, when she’s supposed to be with JB? What will Skylar do when she finds out Abe has been deceiving her from the start? Makes for a pretty interesting plot, right?!!

Here are my overall ratings:

Heroes: 5
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4.5

”THE LYING HOURS” is currently available!

 

COVER REVEAL – THE REGRET DUET by Aly Martinez

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The Regret Duet, an all-new emotional duet from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez, is coming May 23rd and we have the gorgeous covers!

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Written With Regret

Releasing May 23rd

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Every little girl dreams of the fairytale. The one where the white knight rushes in to save her from the clutches of evil. They fall in love, have babies, and live happily ever after.

By that definition, my life should have been a fairytale too.

When I was eight years old, Caven Hunt saved me from the worst kind of evil to walk the Earth. It didn’t matter that I was a kid. I fell in love with him all the same.

But that was where my fairytale ended.

Years later, a one-night stand during the darkest time imaginable gave us a little girl. It was nothing compared to the pitch black that consumed me when I was forced to leave her with Caven for good.

At the end of every fairytale, the happily-ever-after is the one thing that remains consistent. It wasn’t going to be mine, but there hadn’t been a night that passed where I hadn’t prayed that it would be hers.

I owed Caven my life.

However, I owed that innocent child more.

And that included ripping the heart from my chest and facing her father again.

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2IOYdg5

Written With You

Releasing June 13th

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When I was fifteen, a single bullet changed my life. I spent the next decade trying to outrun the devastation of my past, building an empire that would shield me from whatever life could throw at me.

But all the money in the world couldn’t help me when I found a screaming newborn abandoned on my doorstep.

I’d never wanted to be a father. Passing the sludge that ran through my veins down to an innocent child seemed like a tragedy. But there she was—pink cheeks, red hair, and mine.

Somehow, against all logic, that little girl became the best thing that ever happened to me. It was impossible to stay lost in the past when I was the only one who could protect her future.

Which is exactly why, when her mother came back four years later, I was ready for battle.

If only I could stop myself from falling in love with her during the war.

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2DzFmBx

Covers Designed by Hang Le

Photography by Wander Aguiar

About Aly

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and olives. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

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Connect with Aly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlyMartinez/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyMartinezAuth

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2We92eT

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2V32S4B

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoralymartinez/

Website: https://alymartinez.com/

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COVER REVEAL – THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE by Claire Contreras

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The Trouble With Love, an all new, contemporary romance by New York Times Bestselling Author Claire Contreras, is coming May 15 and we have the stunning cover!

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Things on my wishlist:

1. Start a new, awesome job
2. Create the perfect dating app
3. Stop dating douchebags

Things that actually happen:

1. Got a job in my dream tech company
2. Created a workplace dating app for said company
3. Was matched Bennett, who happens to own the company and is also my brother’s best friend

They say when it rains, it pours, but this is some serious BS. It doesn’t help that Bennett was the man I had my one last night stand with. It definitely doesn’t help that he seems to want me just as much as I want him. The issue is, he won’t do anything about it, but then we’re forced to attend a tech conference in Vegas and I think it may just be what I need to turn this thing around.

New goal: get my brother’s best friend out of my system by all means necessary.

The Trouble With Love is a standalone contemporary romance.

TTWL AMAZON

Cover Designer: Hang Le

Text BOOK to 21000 for a release day text from Claire

Check out Claire’s FB page for a chance to win two ARCs (one for you, one for a friend)

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2J8qiyX

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About Claire:

Claire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages.

She lives in Miami, Fl with her husband, two adorable boys, three bulldogs, and two stray cats that she refuses to admit are hers (even though they live on her porch, she named them, and continues to feed them). When she’s not writing, she’s usually lost in a book.

Connect with Claire:

Website: http://www.clairecontrerasbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CContrerasBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Claricon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ClaireContreras/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ccontrerasbooks/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BgzLQ0

LIVE – ELI’s TRIUMPH (Reapers MC, #6.7) by Joanna Wylde

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From New York Times Bestselling author Joanna Wylde comes ELI’S TRIUMPH, a new novella in her Reapers MC series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About ELI’S TRIUMPH:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanna Wylde comes a new story in her Reapers MC series…

Peaches Taylor spent the last seven years slinging drinks and dodging drunks at the Starkwood Saloon. Some might call it a dead end job, but to her it was an investment—another six months, and she’d have enough money to buy the place.

Life would’ve been perfect if Eli hadn’t come home.

Eli King is ready to settle down. He stood by his brothers when they needed him, paying the price for their freedom with his own. Now it’s time to claim his reward—the Starkwood Saloon. He’s got the cash to buy the bar, the skills to run it, and just one person standing between him and his dream: Peaches Taylor.

She’s been driving him crazy since they were kids, and not in the good way. When she was six, she shoved a spider down his pants. When he was ten, he locked her in a closet overnight. Then she hot-wired his car at seventeen, and things got ugly…

They’re adults now, and the Starkwood isn’t a toy to fight over—it’s the hill they’ll die on. No prisoners. No compromises. No mercy.

Peaches Taylor and Eli King are going to war.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Grab your copy of ELI’S TRIUMPH today!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA

Download the Free Kindle App

 

 

 

EXCERPT:

“Eli?” she asked, sounding confused. “Why are we talking about Eli?”

“He’s been watching me.”

“Um, I think he’s just drinking a beer,”Megan said. “Maybe checking out your boobs a little, but that’s nothing new.”

Hmm… It couldn’t possibly be that simple, but it did give me an idea. Maybe it was time to create a diversion. I shifted my shoulders, expanding my chest.

Disappointingly, his eyes stayed on mine.

“Someday I’m gonna own this bar, and firing his ass is the first thing I’ll do.”

Megan giggled. “That sounded sort of super-villain-ish. Do you have a lair? I wish I had a lair…”

I blinked, caught off guard. I hadn’t realized that I’d said the words out loud. Eli smirked at me, gloating because he’d just won our little pissing contest. Dammit!

“I can’t believe I wrote to him in prison,” I told her, turning my back on the bikers. “Never should’ve been nice to him. He probably thinks that, deep down inside, we’re friends or something. We’re never going to be friends.”

“Didn’t he give you a ride home after work last night?” she asked, her voice light.

“Gus made him,” I snapped.

“And did Gus make him hug you the other day?”

“He caught me and gave me a noogie. And it hurt, too. It’s not a hug if it leaves bruises.”

“He left bruises?”Megan asked, startled. Shit. I might be able to justify a rumor about him not being able to get it up, but telling her that he’d hurt me for real…yeah, that probably crossed a line.

“No,” I admitted. “That was an exaggeration. But he’s still pure evil, so don’t fall for his shit. Or sleep with him. Every time a waitress sleeps with him, she ends up quitting without notice. Then I have to cover their shifts.”

Megan nodded, looking a little uncomfortable. “Okay, then… Um, I think I’ll go check the bathrooms. Make sure there’s no ugly surprises before things start getting busy.”

“Great idea,” I told her, and she scuttled off. Then I reached for a washcloth because I had lemon juice to clean up. Then I’d have to go back over there and check on them. See if they wanted more… Eli would, I could already tell. Not because he was big on drinking, though.

He just wouldn’t be able to resist an opportunity to order me around.

 

Learn more about the Reapers MC Series

Add to Your Goodreads TBR

 

 

 

About Joanna Wylde:

Joanna Wylde started her writing career in journalism, working in two daily newspapers as both a reporter and editor. Her career has included many different jobs, from managing a homeless shelter to running her own freelance writing business, where she took on projects ranging from fundraising to ghostwriting for academics. During 2012 she got her first Kindle reader as a gift and discovered the indie writing revolution taking place online. Not long afterward she started cutting back her client list to work on Reaper’s Property, her breakout book. It was published in January 2013, marking the beginning of a new career writing fiction.

Joanna lives in the mountains of northern Idaho with her family.

 

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LIVE – THAT SECOND CHANCE (Getting Lucky, #1) by Meghan Quinn

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That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1) by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

 

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42600605-that-second-chance

 

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW!!!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JlBhon
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2V0PBVg
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2J08Mgv
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2UVYI9D
Also available in paperback: https://amzn.to/2ZUnlY3

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF THAT SECOND CHANCE

 

Blurb:
USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn delivers a smart and cheeky romance about love’s power to lift hearts . . . and curses.

It was supposed to be an innocent night, celebrating my brother’s birthday. Nothing was supposed to go wrong. We’d vowed to be on our best behavior after all . . .

But it only took one rowdy night with my brothers to flip my world upside down. One unlucky encounter saddled us with a family curse and the promise of doomed relationships. I laughed it off immediately. “Yeah, right,” I thought. “A love curse. Ha!”

Boy, was I wrong.

Word spreads quickly in a town like mine; rumors about that night soon made us the most eligible yet untouchable bachelors in Port Snow, Maine. As a subject of endless gossip and speculation, I could kiss my dating life goodbye.

It would have stayed that way if Ren Winters, the new girl in town, hadn’t crashed into my life. Brave, beautiful, and smart—her vivacious thirst for a fresh start has given me hope that maybe, just maybe, I can have one too.

Everyone wishes for that second chance . . . but could this really be mine?

 

 

Excerpt:
I’m counting out our register drawer, trying to stay focused on the numbers whipping through my head, but it’s difficult with Reid’s constant small talk. I jot down another tally mark on the paper in front of me and set aside a stack of bills.

“Hello, are you listening?” Reid asks, sounding annoyed.

“No. I’m counting.”

“Well, I’m talking about you, so you might want to lend me your ear for a second.”

Huffing, I set the cash on the counter, knowing my very persistent brother won’t be quiet until I give him my full attention. “What’s up, Reid?”

Satisfied, he smiles. “You should ask her out.”

“Ask who out?”

“Ren.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen. “No.”

I go back to counting, but Reid starts snapping his fingers at me. “Hey, I wasn’t finished.” I look back up at him, not even slightly interested in this conversation. “I saw the way she was looking at you today. I think she likes you.”

“You’re confused. She was probably just being nice, since I’m the guy who pulled her out of the window of her car after her accident. And even if she does like me, which I highly doubt, there’s no interest on my end. So that’s the end of that.”

“Bull,” Reid and Jen both say at the same time.

Christ. My two most nagging siblings are ganging up on me. Just what I need when I’m trying to get home and relax.

“Can we not make this into a dissection of my personal life, please? I’m not in the mood, and I want to get this done so I can go home.”

“Griff, she’s pretty, she’s sweet, and she’s smart. She’s new to town and, I’m sure, could use a friend,” Jen says just as the door opens, its bell chiming through the space. Brig pops in, grease all over his shirt and a smirk on his face.

Uh-oh. There’s only one reason why he’d be smirking at me that way.

“What are we talking about?” He rubs his hands together and takes a seat on a barstool near the window. “If it’s about the hot new teacher in town, I want in on this conversation.”

“We’re trying to convince Griff to ask her out.”

Brig slow claps his appreciation. “Novel idea. I think they’re a perfect match.”

“I’m not asking her out,” I huff, giving up on the register and leaning against the wall behind me, arms crossed. There’s no way I’ll be able to concentrate on counting while these three are yapping in my ear.

“Why the hell not? She’s perfect for you,” Brig says, a little insulted at my rejection. “Before you even say no, you should at least get to know her a little. I told her today she could borrow your truck while her car is in the shop.”

I count to five before answering, tamping down my temper. “Why the hell would you do that?” Okay, maybe I didn’t tamp it down enough.

“Uh, because she lives three houses down from you?” Brig rolls his eyes as if I’m the stupid one in this conversation. “She needs some help, so be a knight in shining armor, dude. Help out the damsel in distress and then make out with her on the beach. Maybe cop a feel; get some for once.”

“I’m not doing that,” I answer, going back to the money, letting them know this conversation is over.

“And why not?” Jen asks.

“Because I’m not interested in starting or being in a relationship. I’m happy with how my life is right now, and I don’t need anything complicating it.”

“But she has heart eyes for you,” Brig says like a jackass.

“Don’t worry; there are plenty of Knightly brothers to choose from,” I reply.

“Come on, Griff, how fun can going home to an empty, lonely house really be?” Jen chimes in, concern evident in her voice.

I shift on my feet, my voice terse. “I like my house. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

Silence falls between us, an awkward air moving in like a fast-moving cold front.

“Is this because of New Orleans?” Reid finally asks, taking a seat next to Brig. Both of my brothers fix their gazes on me, waiting for an answer.

Why is this a thing whenever we talk about my love life? Can’t they just let it go? What happened was … hell, I don’t even know how to describe it. All I know is I don’t foresee love in my future.

Claire was the love of my life, and I lost her; in a blink of an eye she was gone. I’m not going through that again. Not ever.

Shaking my head, I turn away from my family. This conversation is over.

And with that, I take the cash to the back office, where I can get some peace and quiet.

Ask Ren Winters out on a date? Not going to happen.

And she’s not going to drive my truck either. I think that’s evident in the fact that she drove her car in between two trees.

Can’t blame a guy there.

 

 

About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

 

 

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REVIEW – THE BRIDE TEST by Helen Hoang

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SYNOPSIS

From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart…

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions — like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better— that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working… but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Berkley Publishing Group}

He could give her everything she wanted, a green card, real diamonds, his body, but love? Stone hearts didn’t love.

She knew why he couldn’t love her. She could go to school, change her clothes, and change her speech, but she could never change where she’d come from.

I didn’t think I could love Khai & Esme’s story as much as Michael & Stella’s, but I did! I’m officially fangirling hard over Helen Hoang! This was a story that I easily was swept away by. I completely lost track of time and obligations. That is what made this a phenomenal read for me.

I don’t know why but I really love when the romance doesn’t come so easy for the main characters. When a character faces challenges that most people don’t, it makes the journey infinitely more interesting. Khai is Michael’s (from “The Kiss Quotient) cousin. He too, has Asperger’s as Stella did from book one, but I would say they aren’t on the same spectrum. Khai’s mother goes off to Vietnam to find her son a bride. She worries that he will be alone for the rest of his life unless she steps in to play cupid for him. She meets Esme, by chance, and is so impressed by her that she offers her an all expense paid trip to San Francisco, where she will spend a couple of months trying to get close to Khai, which will hopefully end up with a wedding.

While Khai and Esme may have come from two different worlds, they really do end up being true soulmates. Khai is set in his ways. Likes his routines. He doesn’t think he needs a woman. Khai doesn’t believe he has a heart, and this stems from tragic losses from his past. He’s internalized a lot of his pain and having Asperger’s, doesn’t make it easy for him to understand his feelings.

Esme comes from very impoverished conditions. She works as a hotel maid in Vietnam, to help support her family. Meeting Khai’s mother and being offered a trip to San Francisco was almost too good to be true to Esme, but she has an honest soul and marrying someone just to get a green card to be able to stay in the U.S., was not something she could ever go through with. Her plan was to find her American father, who left Vietnam before she was born and gain citizenship that way. But, when she sees Khai for the first time, there is no denying her heart was beating for him. Poor Esme battles with insecurities. She thinks being poor and not having a college education, make her an unsuitable match for Khai.

Their relationship starts off awkward but eventually strong attraction takes hold and Esme is falling hard for Khai, but he truly believes he is incapable of loving anyone else, and so the angst ensues.

I loved the relationship between Khai and his older brother Quan, who was always there for his brother. He took it upon himself to help Khai maneuver through some challenges that he was not equipped to handle on his own.

You can’t help but root for this couple to find a way to overcome their challenges and end up in a happily ever after that they truly deserved. I was so sad when I got to the end of the story because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these wonderful characters.

Here are my overall ratings:

Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Plot: 5
Angst: 5
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5

THE BRIDE TEST is currently available! I highly recommend it, and ”The Kiss Quotient”.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ufba4q