OUR REVIEW:This series has been such a bright light in some rather sobering times and each book seems to come at just the time when I need it the most. While each novel has the Staci Hart experience: humor + romance, they each have their own thing that makes them stand on their own. In On the Honey Side, the characters, Daisy and Keaton, have got to be two of the most deserving of a happily ever after. Both of them have had up close and personal experiences with loss and grief and they each have quietly taken on shouldering family responsibilities without an expectation, or seemingly a desire, for anyone else in the family to take them on. They're genuinely good people, trying to do good things for others, and generally putting themselves last. Thankfully, their siblings provide little nudges and dropped hints, and with a little of Daisy's quiet boldness, the sparks of their romance, quickly develop into flames. I liked that Daisy was more of the pursuer; it fit their narrative nicely. I also really liked that the major conflict that caused the strife and tension wasn't something between them but something outside of them. This was exactly the sweet romcom that I needed and it has me looking forward to what will happen next, not only with Poppy, but with this small tightknit community.
No one can ever have Keaton Meyer. Least of all me. The brooding construction manager is a man of myth and legend, rarely seen in the wild. Once upon a time, he was the star quarterback, the smiling homecoming king, royalty in our small town. Until tragedy struck. And then he disappeared completely. Now he’s resurfaced, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. He’s an island surrounded by lava, bound by a desert and guarded by dragons. I don’t stand a sunshine’s chance in a hail storm. Our siblings disagree and are out to prove it, nudging us into each other in the hopes we’ll fall. But with our town in tumult and the two of us firmly in the middle, nothing between us is easy. And when he’s faced with an impossible decision, I learn the truth of what I already knew. No one can have Keaton Meyer. And I have the broken heart to prove it.
On the Honey Side by Staci Hart, a brand new grump sunshine, rom-com, is available NOW! This new release is the perfect weekend binge. Grab your copy today, available now on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited!
"On the Honey Side is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. It blends the humor of matchmaking with the heat of a slow burn for a cocktail I can't resist and will beg for time and time again. Sweet, touching, and subtly steamy, it was the perfect romantic comedy to get lost in at the end of a hectic day. An easy five-star and must read of 2022!" - bestselling author Kandi Steiner
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.
After reading Red, White & Royal Blue, I knew that I would be picking up whatever Casey McQuiston wrote next. One Last Stop was nothing like I expected it to be and I love that it surprised me. I really enjoyed the character of August. I liked her growth and her love story; I especially loved her roommates and that they became more like her family as the novel progressed. They were all so wonderfully unique and interesting, but most of all, they were loving and wonderful to and for August. Then there's Jane. Her whole story was also quite interesting and unlike anything I've read before (as far as the being stuck on the subway part went). While she wasn't our main POV, I found her interactions with August sweet and intriguing and I thought she was perfect for August.
I can't leave this review without commenting on how wonderful it was to read someone do Nola justice. So many times writers mix things up or just don't quite get it right, so it was cool to see all of the landmarks and understandings of the city and her history done correctly. I had no idea that Casey McQuiston was from my area, which explains it all and makes me hopeful that maybe one day they'll set an entire novel here.
For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.
But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.
Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. Jane with her rough edges and swoopy hair and soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things, after all.
Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.
I first came across Eva Leigh's historical romances in an anthology last year, so when I had the chance to try a full length novel of hers, I took it.
In The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes, our two main characters Celeste and Kieran find themselves in a predicament. Celeste has been "promised" to a perfectly nice titled gentleman who she feels nothing for. It seems that while she's resigned to having to marry this man (to maintain her family's standing in society because her brother really mucked things up), she'd much rather not. Meanwhile, Kieran's family has had enough of his (and his brother's and Celeste's brother's) shenanigans and has threatened to withhold all funding if he (and his counterparts) don't find a "good girl" in society to marry. Unfortunately for Kieran, his reputation is one of a rake and a rogue and unless he can turn that around, there will be no marriage for him. Enter Celeste. They come up with a plan that is truly what makes the novel sing, in my opinion.
It's the plan to reinvent Kieran's reputation and to give Celeste some life experience before she settles down that made this novel stand out. Their extracurricular adventures and the inevitable falling in love that comes with it were interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed everything leading up to the inevitable conflict and the unexpected resolution to it all. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of this crew finds their 'good society girls'; if this novel is any indication, I know there will be fun reading times ahead.
When Kieran Ransome’s latest antics result in a massive scandal, his father issues an ultimatum: find a respectable wife or inherit nothing. But as one of London’s most inveterate scoundrels, Kieran doesn’t know any ladies who fit the bill. Or does he?
Celeste Kilburn is a society darling, beloved by influential members of the ton. But keeping a spotless reputation leaves little room for adventure and she longs to escape her gilded cage, especially with her impending engagement to a stuffy earl. When Kieran—her older brother’s best friend and an irresistibly attractive rogue—begs for her help, Celeste makes a deal: she’ll introduce him to the right social circles if he’ll show her the scandalous side of London.
In between proper teas and garden parties, Kieran escorts Celeste—disguised as “Salome”—to rowdy gaming hells, wild fêtes, and sensual art salons. As they spend more time together, their initial attraction builds to a desperate desire that neither can ignore. But when someone discovers their midnight exploits, Celeste’s freedom and reputation are endangered, and Kieran must save the woman he loves… respectable or not.
Honestly, it's been years and years since I've read a novel by Mariana Zapata--not for any particular reason other than life happens so when Under Locke came across my timeline and it was crazy on sale, I bought it and quickly remembered why I enjoyed her previous novels. I truly think she's got to be one of the queens of the s-l-o-w b-u-r-n. I mean seriously. She gives us these two characters-Locke and Iris-and continues to throw them together. Builds all the tension. Drops all of the hints that things are happening, despite one of the characters being clueless. And just lets us simmer and simmer until BAM! They finally explode and it's glorious.
The premise is probably not all that innovative--there's a motorcycle club, a money situation, threats, violence, and danger--so it's really the characters and their reactions to things that drive you to keep turning pages. You want to see the resolution of the drama, the resolution of family matters, and an idea of how Locke and Iris will make it all work and you get all of that in a way that can be torturous in the slow burn but soooo satisfactory too.
This may be an oldy, but Under Lockeis definitely a goody.
He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widow, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.
--
After moving to Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly... even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time.
And the last thing they ever expected was each other.
But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop.
… she should have chosen the strip club.
--
“Babe, I’ve handpicked everythin’ and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want,” he breathed. “And I keep what’s mine.”
He was made for her, all she had to do was take the leap…
Taking the Leap, the all-new beautiful and emotional contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley, is available now! Read on for a peek inside this incredible love story.
Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on her co-worker, John “Rix” Hendrix for years. He’s her perfect man, she knows it.
She’s just not his perfect woman, and she knows that too.
Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe there’s a spark between them that, if she takes the leap, she might be able to fan into a flame This leads to a crash and burn, and that’s all shy Alex needs to catch the hint never to take the risk again.
However, with undeniable timing, Rix’s ex, who broke his heart, and Alex’s family, who spent her lifetime breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught together…
As a fake couple.
OUR REVIEW:
Taking the Leap is next novel in theRiver Rain series and it's one I've been very interested in reading. The sneak peek at the end ofChasing Serenity was enough to grab my attention and I'd been wondering how Rix and Alex would end up together after such a rough start. They were already having awkward exchanges in the small glimpses we saw in Chloe's book but dang the awkward was amped up even more so at the beginning of this one.
After the opening scene, we begin to learn more about both Alex and Rix and their stories were interesting--she's basically royalty and he's a former firefighter who is living a full life as a double amputee. Based on what you come to learn about her background, it's a minor miracle that she is so down to earth and it's absolutely no wonder her demeanor is what it is. As the novel progresses, though, what seemed like a lot of shy introvertedness shows itself to be more of a quiet calm and confidence. I could only wish to react as smoothly and controlled as she does in many a harrowing situation. She might be one of my new favorite KA characters (though I probably say about many of her heroines). Meanwhile, Rix is alpha --not too extremely alpha but he's definitely trying to prove a point at various times in this novel and...point received. He's not an obnoxious alpha (usually) and he definitely means well when he acts and reacts the ways that he does. But honestly, if alpha males offend you, I'm not sure why you're reading Kristen Ashley novels.
As per usual, I finished reading this novel in record time--is there any other way with a KA novel?! And I have lots of thoughts on who could possibly be the focus of our next book (and because there are many options, I hope this means many more novels to come.
Taking the Leap was exactly what I hoped it would be ....and more and I am eagerly awaiting what Kristen Ashley puts out next.
Fall in love with Rix and Alex! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BR8VKs Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TakeLeap Apple Books: https://apple.co/3l7nhQb Nook: https://bit.ly/3jWRxOw Kobo: https://bit.ly/3tr6xHf Google Play: https://bit.ly/3lbw6sp Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3yRqmZn
Excerpt
.
What kind of coffee drink do you like?
I could have lied, and when I saw him at the office, said I was driving when I got the text and that was why I didn’t answer.
But there was a part of me that was so excited to get my very first text from Rix, and that part was strong.
So strong, that thought didn’t even occur to me before I texted back with oodles of curiosity, Why?
Because I’m buying you a coffee, babe.
Another babe.
That was three.
Highly inappropriate, even infantilizing.
I said not one word about the “babe.”
Instead, I texted, Iced Chai.
Once I sent that, I texted, Mocha latte, iced or hot.
And on its heels, I sent, For just hot, flat white.
Then I got nervous that I might be sounding like a goof.
So nervous my thumbs couldn’t seem to stop tapping letters, and I therefore texted, I assume you want to know what I want right now, rather than all that I like. So just to say, I tend to be a coffee explorer, since I like coffee. And caffeine on the whole. That means the list is kinda long. But if you’re asking for right now, which you are, because it’s chilly this morning, flat white.
After I sent that, I realized that I was absolutely sounding like a dork in sending it, all of it, including the three before. As such, I watched in agony as Rix’s three dots cycled and cycled and then they did it some more.
Until I got, How much coffee have you already had?
This would have been funny if it wasn’t so mortifying.
Just one, I responded miserably.
Try to cycle down cuz you’ll have another when you get to work. Later.
I decided I’d texted enough, so I let that lie.
It didn’t lie for long.
Rix showed at my desk at River Rain (which wasn’t going to be my desk at River Rain for very long, it’d be my desk at Trail Blazer since we were moving the next day, Judge’s office furniture, mine, and some unused stuff they had sitting around was all going to the new offices for temporary use because the telephones and Internet were being hooked up that day and it was time to occupy Trail Blazer).
Rix set my flat white down while I valiantly attempted not to blush, he made no attempt whatsoever to hide he totally did not miss I failed at this endeavor, smiled a smile that I wanted to think was friendly, but instead it seemed sexy, this thought being exacerbated when he muttered under his breath so I almost couldn’t hear it, “Only you could make a rambling coffee order adorable.”
I sat frozen.
Rix winked at me and said in his normal voice, “Bottoms up, Alex.”
With that, seeing as he was in his chair that day, he wheeled away.
Since there was a lot going on with packing for the move and tech hookups and such, I only had to deal with Rix in passing for the rest of Monday.
However, Tuesday morning, I was shoving stuff into my bag at home, preparing to head down the mountain to dig into the move, when my phone chimed.
OK, I have ten minutes, explain today’s coffee order.
Yes.
Another text from Rix.
A startled laugh escaped from me because he was being funny.
I then texted back, You don’t have to buy me coffee.
To which he texted, I know I don’t.
Then I sent, I’m just saying, we’re good. We had a blip last week. But now we’re great.
We’re great?
Damn.
Why did reading those two words texted by him make my breasts swell?
Good. Great. I mean, things are fine. You don’t have to butter me up with coffee.
So coffee is a way to butter you up?
Oh God.
What was that?
Was it flirty?
Or was it just being funny and friendly?
Or was it just a kind of getting-to-know-you, valued co-worker, but in a jokey fashion?
Tell him what you want and stop texting, Alex! I admonished myself.
I did not stop texting.
Well, yeah. Kinda. Like I said, I like coffee.
You did say that, so maybe you’ll tell me what kind you want this morning.
Time to get beyond this.
Iced Chai.
That’s tea.
Oh my God!
Flirty?
Or jokey?
I’m feeling tea today, I replied.
Right. And then he sent, That only took five minutes. I’d fill the other five by asking you what kind of donuts you like, but we got a lot to get accomplished today. I’m sure I’ll enjoy your dissertation on that, but I’d prefer to sort out my office so I can start doing the shit I’m getting paid to do.
He one hundred percent did not need my views on donuts then.
Therefore, I noted, Good call.
He sent a smirk emoji, which shared the impossible.
Rix could even make emojis sexy.
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About Kristen Ashley Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books. Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.
Connect with Kristen Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FyJg18 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hl0A7e Instagram: https://bit.ly/33o8nfv Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ZtoKGz BookBub: https://bit.ly/3bYcTFl Twitter: https://bit.ly/35Kg6rh Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3mftcCt Website: https://www.kristenashley.net Stay up to date by subscribing to her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3mjJiLd
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