Review: Franco by Kim Holden

Buy the Book 

Goodreads | Amazon 

Our Review

Shel: Maybe after Bright Side and Gus, Kim Holden must've known we needed something different, something lighter. Franco delivers on that; while there are some definite moments that caused me a little worry, I laughed and smiled more than anything. If Bright Side and Gus were soul searching, Franco was soul healing. Court: I think you're right, Shel. After the first two...we had no idea what this member of the band would bring us. I was really, really, really ready to cry is about all i do know. Franco is such a great guy, and he is an absolute delight to read, so I don't know why I was so worried! 

Shel: I enjoyed everything about the character of Franco--his general outlook on life, his care and humor, and how attuned he was to his friends. I also loved how he was with Gemma and how respectful he was of her feelings and her career and the circumstances they found themselves in. Court: He is an ultimate book boyfriend because of how awesome he was with her wasn't he! I absolutely enjoyed their "one night to friends to maybe more"journey, and was nervous every time they were apart. I mean...California to England is a BIG long distance relationship, so I never really knew how the book would turn out. And I liked that. I liked how much a role Gus played in the book, because sometimes when we have best friends the books block them out a little bit for the story development between the lovers, and I loved how much he was there with Franco and they truly were best friends. That was almost as great for me as Franco and Gemma getting to know each other! (What can I say...I'm a lead singer girl, and Gus is ah-mazing)

Shel: All in all, a really great "feel good" novel that just made me fall even more in love with this series and the members of the band. Court: YES! I am excited to see if the other two get their books, because they really could go in just about ANY direction because tbh, we don't really know a whole lot about what these two get up to in the books. A whole new world awaits us if we get them though, and I can't wait! 

About the Book 

Franco Genovese is the drummer for world renowned American rock band, Rook. He’s got it all. A killer smile. Tattoos. Talent. Razor sharp wit and humor. And a heart as big, and generous, as they come.
Life is good. Steady. Uncomplicated. Just the way he likes things.
Until one night at an unassuming L.A. bar changes everything.
Enter Gemma Hendricks.
She’s a successful young architect from Northern England with an adorable smile, sarcasm for days, and an unparalleled trusting heart.
The attraction is instant. 
So is their friendship.
It’s also temporary because they’ll both be heading home, thousands of miles apart from each other, in a few days.
Or is it?
There’s something Gemma wants more than anything else.
And when Franco propositions her to provide what she’s looking for, everything changes.
Will it transform friendship into love, or will it be their ruin?


(Note from the author: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is recommended for mature audiences.)

NEW: Hardball by C.D. Reiss

Release Date: March 29th Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance

Shel: About three years ago I kept seeing C.D. Reiss' Songs of Submission series everywhere--it seemed like it was on everyone's list and so I checked out the blurb, downloaded a few books, and before I knew it I'd disappeared into the world of Monica and Jonathan. Since that initial foray into the world of  C.D. Reiss, I've grabbed every single one of her novels and I always feel simultaneously satisfied and yet hungry for more. I've enjoyed the Drazen family immensely but I've also really enjoyed Shuttergirl and Hardball--they give me a little something different from Reiss. Court: Yes, it is so nice to see such a 3 dimensional side from her, and her writing. Her ideas are original and well thought out. I was excited about this one just as much as the ones before and especially because it involved a baseball player. Sucker for athletes...why, yes. 

Shel: Hardball has this wonderful sense of lightness. It's funny and sweet and sexy as all get out (y'all, this woman can write the hell out of some sex scenes). We first meet Vivian, a teacher (I'm a teacher and will now be forever in love for C.D. Reiss for having a teacher as a character), who feels a lot like many teachers I know--dedicated and exhausted; I could totally relate. I absolutely loved her personality--it was a mix of deadpan humor, honesty, shyness, awkwardness, and loyalty that was so very appealing (I could totally see us being friends). With Dash there was this sense of confidence and control and focus (on the field and off) that was so interesting to read when paired with something he chooses not to openly share with the public. I appreciated how Reiss put us in his head and helped us feel his frustration, his rationale for insisting on his routine, and how he processed what was going on in his life. Putting these two seemingly unlikely characters together was not only entertaining, it was refreshing and gave a sense of newness to a genre that sometimes feel so repetitive. Court: I was confused by the story mid way through because of his thoughts. They got more and more out of control, and when I realized it...it made so much more sense to me. He had a hard go of it, and sometimes his need for absolute control in everything...and how baseball superstitions on what made him play great really effected his every thought process...then Vivian. Their beginning, and where we see them end is so strong...and in the middle her thoughts get a little bit...scattered. I see that she was in way over her head, so even that made sense but from page to page she was so decisive and then changed her mind only paragraphs later. Not that it is all that uncommon...but! For her...who was so strong about having feelings involved in relationships...well, I was so glad when that smoothed out for me. 

Shel: The only problem with this novel is that it ended. I want more of those steamy texts. I want more poetry. I want more of Vivian's dad. I really want more of Vivian and Dash--I don't know what exactly, just more. I liked them so much that I hated to see their novel end. Who knows, maybe in our next Drazen book we'll see them on the screen in the background? Thanks, C.D. Reiss, for keeping it fresh and creating a whole new world of characters that I can't seem to get enough of. Court: I was very pleased with how things ended. Things get...real, fast in a hurry, and then I did what I do...shed some tears, and become so emotionally invested in these characters that I'm hitting my dang kindle to get it to scroll more...and more...and more...and it wouldn't! That's the worst. When the ending comes, and I don't want it to! I loved Dash for finally getting his head out of his rear, holy cow I wanted to smack him! And it was overall a beautiful book! 

Praise for HARDBALL:

“Dash Wallace is a dirty talking, sexy professional baseball player who falls hard for the girl next door, but beware... your heart will take a beating as you watch him struggle with sticking to all he's ever known at the risk of losing the best thing that ever happened to him. Hardball is one of those books that will suck you in and won't let you go until you devour every last, juicy bite.” — Sawyer Bennett, NY Times Bestselling Author “Fiery hot and enticingly realistic, CD Reiss's captivating writing, complex characters and explosive love scenes make Hard Ball an irresistible modern day romance.” — Katy Evans, NY Times Bestselling Author

Synopsis:

Perfect ass. Perfect arms. Perfect swagger. They call Dash Wallace the Diamond King. He’s the hottest commodity in baseball and in the bedroom. When he runs the bases, every woman’s eyes are glued to his stunning body and a smile that puts the night lights to shame. I’m no queen. I’m a regular girl with a regular job. I just watch him on TV and from the bleachers, season after season. Girls like me grab a guy like that one in a million times. My number just came up, and he is as spectacular in bed as he is on the field. But there’s not a woman in the world who can distract Dash Wallace from the game. Not for a moment. Not even me. Until the night I do. And everything changes. ----- Hardball is a SMOKING HOT, SEXY romance with a touch of angst and a ton of heart from CD Reiss. It's a fun, witty, full-length standalone meant for the over-eighteen crowd.

Hardball Links:

AMAZON | NOOK | iBOOKS | GOOGLE

Meet Dash Wallace | Goodreads

 

About the Author:

CD Reiss is a USA Today bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets. Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels. She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood. If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

Connect With Christine:

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram | Website

 

REVIEW: Last Call by Staci Hart

Once Rose Fisher makes a decision, that’s it. End of story.

Like when her ex, Patrick, dumped her out of the blue, then showed up with a super hot, tatted up sex kitten on his arm. Then it was over for good. The end. Poof. Dead to her. Except he was everywhere — down the hall, at the bar with their friends, worming his way into her dreams.

But with their friends paired off, they’re left alone more and more. Rose is determined to keep him friendzoned — doesn’t matter that he stares at her with a smolder that drops all panties in a ten foot radius. She’s over him, and she’ll prove it by getting back into the dating game, Patrick be damned.

Patrick Evans is no stranger to consequences. When your mother walks out, your dad drifts away. When you leave home, you’re on your own. And when you run away from the girl you love, you lose her. He finally has an opportunity to rebuild the bridge he burned, and it’s not one he’ll take for granted. But he’ll have to fight for her, even if it hurts. Even if it means he’ll walk away brokenhearted. Because deep down, he knows that she’s it for him. 

The trick will be to get her to admit she feels it too.

Publication: February 15th 2016

Source: Author

Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon

OUR REVIEW: 

Shel: I read Last Call when I should've been packing for Disney World and I was so pissy when I had to put it down that it's a wonder I actually packed enough of the right clothes for our trip. I read Last Call in the airport, on the airplane, and between flights. I read it on the shuttle from the airport to the resort and when I put my head on the pillow, I could smile because I finished it and it was the best travel companion ever. 

Shel: There are so many reasons to love Last Call and the most obvious and important reasons are Rosie and Tricky. I loved how much of a fight Rose puts up against Patrick; some may think I'm nuts but I love how hard and strong and fierce she was. I loved her walls and her stubbornness and I really felt like she put up a good fight. I know I'm a lot like Rose in my stubbornness and my prickly ways and I guess I recognized some of me in her (or some of her in me?) and so as much as I wanted her to find her way back to love, I also kinda liked how hardcore she was. Of course this wouldn't be much a love story if we didn't have love and romance, and Tricky knows exactly how to love Rose (even if she doesn't want to admit it). As much as I loved Rose's prickly exterior, I loved Tricky's willingness to resort to subterfuge and trickery to make his move. Watching these two dance around each other like two wary boxers in the fight of their life was entertaining and agonizing. On the one hand you know in the back of your mind that somehow they'll end up together and you're all "yay!". On the other hand, though, it's the sweetest agony to see how far Rose will go to NOT be with him. GAH. Shel: IT WAS AGONIZING! And the Lily in me was seriously all for the shenanigans that might mean that they got their heads out of their behinds and got on with it. And I really liked these two from the beginning of this series...and I knew their book would be last. And I knew that their plight would be harder than the others. They're artists, and they feel so deeply, and they just...are lone wolf types that we would be hard pressed to find people who love going their own way more. I just hate them as much as I love them, is all I can say because their angst just about did me in! But...Patrick being Patrick...kept me hanging on. 

Shel: Rose + Tricky are the obvious reasons to read Last Call but there are so many more:

• The funny dates--dude those were epic, and that's all I'll say Court: OH THAT WAS FUNNY!
• Joel--he needs a book and a love interest, STAT Court: Amen
• Seth. Court: Sad.
• Ellie and Lily and Maggie and their drunken romps Court: Ellie needs a book stat! Maybe her and Joel! 
• The bar scenes Court: I wish I knew of a place like Habits! 
• Wasted Words!! OMG I want to go there! Court: Dream job.
• The apology + the stubborn pride + the feeling of unworthiness Court: Being honest is so bloody hard. I felt their pain. 

Shel: Throw all of those things in and add the always funny banter, steamy sex scenes, NYC, and the ensemble cast and this book is a fantastic escape from the daily grind. This entire series has been a blast and it's so very evident how much Staci Hart pours into these characters; I can feel her affection for them on every page. I hope this isn't the last of this cast of characters because I am not ready to let them go quite yet but if this is it, I know it's because Hart has something even better up her sleeve.

Court: Amen. I really enjoyed these books because the friendships meant so much to them. Even as they fell in love, their group was so tight knight, and wanted to keep that. There were a few parts that stalled out for me in the 70%ish range, but that didn't last long. Next scene I was deep in the throws of serious talks and tears on my part, so the plot moved quickly after that. I can't wait to see what Staci brings us next! 

REVIEW: Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

Three knocks can change everything…


"She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead."


Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart. 


Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.


Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

Kindle Edition, 374 pages

Published February 10th 2014 by Entangled: Embrace

Source: Purchased
Purchase a copy: Goodreads | Amazon

OUR REVIEW:

Shel: I've been meaning to read Full Measures for a while and this weekend offered the perfect opportunity so I snatched; I'm so glad I did. Rebecca Yarros captured the details of living with family in the military in a way that was so authentic and precise that I just knew as a military spouse she'd lived or felt or wondered about some of the things she wrote about.  I think knowing her background definitely enhanced my reading experience and if you haven't read this series yet, maybe knowing that she writes from an experience many of us don't exist in will enhance your reading as well. Court: I thought her knowledge of the military enhanced the story, as well as her obvious understanding of loss. I don't have the former, but definitely the latter was experienced this year so it was nice to find another story that really helped improve the grieving process. I feel better by reading even a fictional outlook because it helps me think at things differently be it memories, or my perception of how other people are perceiving their grief...and how different everyone is with that. It is a tough road when you either want someone to snap out of it, or if one thinks someone isn't showing "enough" of their grief that you're mad at them for that too. Or just mad in general. So, having that in our young character helped me.

Shel: When I think about why I enjoyed this novel so much the first thing that comes to mind is my emotional response. I kept trying to imagine myself in Ember's shoes and her reactions felt so real. She covered a range of emotions from deep sadness to anger to guilt to happiness and her conflict at how she felt at various stages just rang true to me. Ember sometimes felt like she couldn't or shouldn't feel certain things because it wasn't the time or it seemed too soon to feel anything remotely good and she kept trying to feel or do what she thought she was supposed to and I think many of us do that in times of grief...instead of allowing ourselves to do or feel what the emotions, we put on the public face or are the strong one for a family member. When she finally gave in to what her heart and mind was telling her to feel, I felt relief for her. Court: Amen. Ember's journey is tough. She's definitely in the in between or what we know as New Adult phase of her life, because she's still very much close in age to her siblings but moving forward in a way that they aren't yet. So, seeing her try to help her mom, teen sister and kid brother was a good story to start with. Before I knew it half of the book was gone, and they'd gone through so much already. She was trying to find her way in college, but take care of her family too. 

Shel: As much as I liked all of her strength and authenticity, Ember drove me nuts sometimes. She kept denying her emotional response to Josh; she was so stubborn and insistent that she shouldn't be with him and it felt like as soon as they FINALLY started a relationship it stopped. GAHHHH. I had a feeling I knew what his 'secret' was and I was right. But you know what? The aftermath of those revealed secrets was much more painful and extended than I thought it would be and but before I knew it we were at the end and I was breathing easier ( and I'm happy to see the upcoming book in this series will return to Ember and Josh's story). Court: That was so difficult, too. Some things we could see coming a mile away...but the ending didn't feel bad for me. I enjoyed the story when sometimes the characters did things that I knew they were going to go off and do anyways. But, the genuineness and feel good times as they went on with life helped with that. Ember made things hard on herself, but I have to attribute that to her grief as well when she didn't do things that made sense.

Shel: Speaking of Josh--he was interesting. I loved how patient and he was willing to wait for her. I hated how he lied to her and I didn't really appreciate his poor reaction to one incident that involved Riley, especially when he insisted he was allll about her, but I suppose he couldn't be perfect, right? He needed some flaws, right? He had a few, but overall I liked him and I guess I understood why he felt like he had to withhold certain things. I feel like I don't know him well yet but I'm hopeful that their next book will give me more of his story. Court: I KNOW! I felt myself wishing that we had his point of view in several instances, or that "whoa this is too good to be true" right? He was a genuine guy who had some of his own secrets up his sleeve that I ALSO hope to know more about in the future, even in a small way. This is because some of his reputation seemed put on, because that isn't who he is now. So, sometimes that part of him was very hot and cold and didn't really fit the way we saw him be with Ember. True life for a 23 year old in college unattached, I suppose, but I would really like to see him be an adult and not so overshadowed by that if we get more of their story.

Shel: Ember's family was also and asset to this novel and their various subplots really seemed to add to the overall novel. Their actions and reactions to the grief they were feeling seemed so true and raw. Court: Favorite scene stealer for me was Ember's mom, June. Watch out for her. LOVE!

Shel: As I stated earlier, there are other books in this series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading them all. Court: Me too! Why? you ask...well, because it is so wonderful to venture into a new (to me) author that I haven't read before, and enjoy the experience....and more books are already out! So, my snail pace makes it so I don't have to wait for a story about Jagger. We're very excited about it, and would love to know if y'all hit this one up too.

Until next time; happy reading!

REVIEW + EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY: Built by Jay Crownover

 We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for BUILT by Jay Crownover! BUILT is a Contemporary Romance novel being published by HarperCollins, and it is the 1^st full-length novel in The Saints of Denver Series, a spinoff of her New York Times bestselling Marked Men Series. This amazing book releases on January 5^th!  

 

Amazon US ** iBooks ** Barnes & Noble ** Kobo

      

 

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series,Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel. Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior. But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.  

 

OUR REVIEW:

Shel: You may know Jay Crownover from her Marked Men series or her Welcome to the Point series. In this new series, Saints of Denver, we get a blend of seeing the characters from Marked Men in the background plus getting to know brand new characters.  Court: Which is great, because we were sad to leave those other peeps behind. So, having a few (even though I haven't read Rowdy yet..boo me) familiar faces was pleasing to me. 

Shel: As this is the first full length novel in the series, I'm very curious as to what the 'tone' of it will be. Is Built emblematic of the rest? If so, then you can expect the steaminess of the other two series + more character driven (less big action sequences or major angst) + very satisfactory and fleshed out endings. Court: I hope that is true, as I really was expecting the angsty beginnings that was all things Rule (that boy was a mess, wasn't he). Zeb was quite a surprise, as was his story and I was not disappointed by the way he approached his past one single bit. Sayer realllllly had some work cut out for her in that department, but once part of Jay's constant appeal and why we want to read her every book is that she gives us heroines who aren't the one in the relationship who has it all together and that to me is realistic and what I want to read about....a girl just like me just trying to figure it all out and have fun with her guy while doing it.

Shel: In Built equal attention was given to Sayer and Zeb and their internal workings. I got to know them, not so much from their interactions in public or with lots of other characters, but from their ruminations on what was going on in their lives and what they wanted to happen (or not) with their love interest. I'll start with Sayer and say that she was infuriating and impossible and when I wasn't trying to figure her out (I'm still not sure I have) and fuss at her for being so damn stubborn, I really did like her. Her heart was in the right place for everyone ...except herself. She was so insistent that she would be the ruination of others that she consistently iced herself out of anything that felt remotely good. I wanted to shake her and hug her all at the same time. Zeb was ...well...not perfect but pretty darn close. He did so many of the 'right' things. He took responsibility for his actions, he was trying to better himself and others, he didn't give up on Sayer, when many people probably would, and he continued to try to show her all of the good that life had to offer. I liked Zeb a lot--he seemed so warm and caring and like someone you'd want on your side. Court: He did the wrong things for the right reasons...(using a line from Dr. Doom there) and owned up to them without fuss. He kept right on doing it when life comes to try to knock him down again, and it opened up a new part of Zeb that was enjoyable, and a new aspect that I wasn't expecting. Sayer on the other hand starts out as quite an ice queen and it was hard to like her during that time when she was being soooo stubborn. 

Shel: Sayer and Zeb's story wouldn't be complete without Hyde. I thought Jay Crownover did a really great job of capturing a five year old's dialogue and thoughts. As a parent to a six year old, Hyde's character felt pretty accurate; I mention this because sometimes this isn't always the case but this novel nailed it. I enjoyed how Crownover made Hyde a major component of the story of Zeb + Sayer and all of the aspects that pertained to that storyline felt 'right'. I also liked how the secondary characters were included as well--Zeb and Sayer's families and friends fit into their narrative in a way that enhanced their story rather than distract from it. 

Court: Hyde...just in that name (as Jay always nails the names, so hard) was great. His story hopefully brings hope to the entire journey that Zeb, Sayer and Hyde are on, and I was honestly surprised how this one went. External factors on Zeb's part to the other side of the coin on Sayer's really brought the story together, and gave just enough push and pull forces to keep the plot moving, and the sexual tension almost killed me...but oh how sweet the will-they-or-won't-they turned out to be. This book is a solid start to a new series by one of our favorites, so I can't wait for y'all to check it out too. 

Shel: The next book in this series looks like there are going to be some explosive scenes and I honestly cannot wait to read it. Court: Indeed. I can't wait to find out what comes next! 

AN EXCERPT:

As though my intense and swirling thoughts had pulled Zeb into the vortex of self-pity I was struggling in, my phone vibrated in my hand with a message from him as I wandered aimlessly through the empty rooms.

              I shivered at the sight of his name and then silently scolded myself for having such a powerful reaction to only his name on the screen. His message was simple but for some reason it felt full of more meaning and emotion than the three words staring up at me indicated.

              Can you talk?

              I bit my lip and decided how to answer. I didn’t talk to my clients after office hours were done for the day and I was already having a really hard time keeping the professional and personal lines clear where he and this case were concerned. I sighed and tapped out:

              I can. Do you want me to call you?

              I had started this process as his friend first and it wasn’t fair to him that my heart was pulling itself apart because of his situation. He was probably nervous and scared about what was coming next week, and I was the only one who could put some of that at ease.

              There wasn’t a response for a long couple of minutes and I hated that all I could do was stare at my phone and pace back and forth while I waited to see what he was going to say. I was acting like a teenager and it was ridiculous. I snorted at myself and was headed into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine when the phone rang and made me jump. I wasn’t prepared for him to call me right that moment and had a bout of anxiety about answering the call before I told myself to man up and swiped my finger across the screen.

              “Hey. Everything all right?” I heard a car honk its horn wherever he was calling from, and he mumbled something that wasn’t directed at me before answering.

              “Fuck no.”

And don’t miss the previous novella in The Saints of Denver Series!

LEVELED

  About Jay Crownover:


Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.        

Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter

BUILT Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

 

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