Batch Reviews #15

Defy Me (Book #5 of Shatter Me Series) by Tahereh Mafi (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: April 2, 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 368

My Review: I put off reading this for a few months because I knew I would devour it instantly and wanted to set aside time for myself to just savor it. I was able to read it all in one sitting and I'm already feeling the withdrawal and wanting the next book. I was a bit hesitant when Mafi announced the return of these books, but as I said in my previous review for Restore Me, I love this world and the characters that Mafi has created, so she can do no wrong in my eyes. This picks up after the insane finale from the last one, and I don't want to say too much to spoil, but you do get Kenji's POV now which is awesome. I loved seeing the other characters through his eyes. And if you thought you loved Juliette and Warner before, you'll love them even more in this book. The risks they take, the strength that they both have is simply astounding. I ship them even more (how is that even possible?) now, and I can't wait to see how it all ends next book. This installment was an easy 5 stars.

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Queen of Ruin (Grace & Fury #2) by Tracy Banghart (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: July 2, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336

My Review: **This is the sequel to Grace and Fury - you can find my full review here! Please proceed knowing that there are some slight spoilers** If you read my previous review for the first book, you'll know that I absolutely loved the first book. As someone who isn't reading as much YA fantasy as before, I loved this historical fantasy duology. It was such a strong feminist text in my opinion, so my expectations for the second installment were quite high. I'm happy to report that Banghart did not disappoint. The book opens with both sisters reuniting on the island, only to separate once again to do what was best for their loved ones. I loved seeing Serina kind of take charge of everything at Mount Ruin. I also really liked seeing her relationship with Val grow as well. She truly becomes a leader among all the women of Mount Ruin. On the other hand, you see Nomi teaming up with Malachi to deal with Asa. You also seeing her change as well, and how she adapts to wanting to guard her heart a little closer. I really loved this sequel and thought it was such a satisfying conclusion to the overall duology. It is hands down one of my favorite YA historical fantasy series and I can't recommend it enough! You've got strong female leads and really supportive male counterpoints, what more do you need?

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Hachette Canada in exchange for consideration/review. All opinions are my own.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 400

My Review: This was my first book by Tessa Bailey, and friends, I love her writing so much! I really did not know what to expect going into this book, but from the very beginning, I fell in love with it. It opens with Travis Ford hitting rock bottom after returning to his hometown because his baseball career has ended, and his best friend Stephen's younger sister, Georgie, comes over to give him a bit of a wake-up call. I knew I liked her right away, because she mentions "I just bought a house. My own house. I'm not a kid anymore, but even if I was? I'd have my shit together more than you do. And I'm a children's birthday party clown--let that sink in" (Chapter 1). She is such a unique female lead, but also super relate-able at the same time. Both Georgie and Travis are dealing with other people's perceptions of them, and certain expectations. They have both been pigeonholed a certain identity their whole life: child & a player. And they both want to be more than that. I loved seeing them fall in love with one another and just bring out the best in one another. Bailey's writing is funny, sweet, and incredibly honest and authentic. I loved that she was able to capture both of their inner struggles and anxieties in a way that made me appreciate the characters a lot. Her books are also quite steamy ;) Like I said, this was my first Tessa Bailey book, but it won't be my last. There is also another book to come which follows a character we were introduced to in this one, so I can't wait to get my hands on that one. This was the perfect summer RomCom and I would highly recommend you go out and get yourself a copy. It was so much fun!

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

[Blog Tour] All Grown Up by Vi Keeland - Review

ALL GROWN UP IS LIVE!

A Standalone Contemporary Romance

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Vi Keeland

[Excerpt Reveal] All Grown Up by Vi Keeland

Excited about Vi Keeland’s upcoming release, All Grown Up?

 Check out this SNEAK PEEK!

Most Anticipated Releases for Fall/Winter 2019 | Romance Edition

Hi everyone! So end of last year, I did a Most Anticipated Romance Releases list. The releases were primarily for books from January-July, so I thought I'd make a second post focusing more on titles that are due for release this Fall/Winter. If you want to see my previous list, you can click here! I love making these kind of lists not only to share with you what I'm excited for, but it also works as a kind of checklist/TBR for me to keep up with current releases. 

Making Up by Helena Hunting

PUB DATE: July 16, 2019 

PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository

Cosy Felton is great at her job-she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she''s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she''s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list. Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend''s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him. As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin''s motivations, there''s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn''t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off.

Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker

PUB DATE: August 6, 2019 

PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway. On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day. Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group, and coincidentally the first love of her life. The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counselors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name. Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is still alive and strong, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.

Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox
PUB DATE: August 13, 2019
PRE-ORDER: Amazon - Kindle - Kobo

The night we met in the dimly lit bar, she looked like a brunette bombshell, and I wanted to learn her deepest secrets. With sun-kissed skin and soulful bedroom eyes, she was pure temptation, and I was mesmerized. As one drink led to two, I craved more of her playful banter and taunting lips. Resisting her wasn’t an option, and we quickly became a desperate mess of tangled limbs and hot kisses. She tasted like the sweetest sin, but I was no saint. Once we caught our breaths, and it became obvious that meeting her wasn’t a coincidence, everything changed. Now I must deny her at all costs. Friends. It’s all we can ever be. After years of lying to myself and keeping her at a distance, I want to pull her close. Sophie’s on my mind more than ever as my instincts to protect her take over. Regardless of my attempts to help, she pushes me away and makes it clear she doesn’t need me. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to show her I’m the good guy, but one night takes a tragic turn for the worse when her boyfriend and I start throwing punches. And ends when I’m arrested for his murder.

Handle with Care by Helena Hunting 

PUB DATE: August 27, 2019 

PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL. Between his parents' messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he's been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother''s chagrin. But Lincoln's bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman. SHE'S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER. Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she's presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she's that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn't expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn't expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she's forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren 
PUB DATE: October 22, 2019
PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak. During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good. Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
PUB DATE: November 5, 2019
PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository

The first rule of book club: You don''t talk about book club. Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott''s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Welcome to the Bromance Book Club. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville''s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it''ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

What romance releases are you most excited for this fall/winter? Let me know in the comments below! 

[Chapter Reveal] Handle with Care by Helena Hunting

I'm so excited to share with you all this EXCLUSIVE chapter reveal from Helena Hunting's upcoming novel Handle with Care, coming August 27th, 2019! 

Batch Reviews #14

Huge Deal (21 Wall Street #3) by Lauren Layne (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: April 23, 2019
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Pages: 268

My Review: This is the final book in Layne's 21 Wall Street series, and follows the third boss of the group, Kennedy Dawson and his relationship with their assistant, Kate. You could sense a type of coldness between the two of them in the previous books. There was an undeniable attraction clearly, but there was something off. I was really curious about their story from the beginning, and based on how Layne described Kennedy in the previous books, I knew that I would like him best. I just loved his personality type. The cautious and structured put-together man. I really was curious about learning about different sides of him, and I'm so glad that Layne delivered that with this book. I loved the first two books in the series a lot, but this one was by far my favorite. There's a lot in this book, and in a way, I do wish it was a bit longer and some moments got stretched out, but overall, it was really good! We learn when Kate started feelings for Kennedy, and why she "stopped" having feelings for him. Emphasis on "stopped" ;) Kate starts getting close with Kennedy's brother Jack and it is only then that Kennedy realizes that he has always had feelings for Kate and when he finally decides to act on them, a personal tragedy happens to Kate. Even though Jack's character was merely a stepping stone for the real couple, I really did enjoy his moments in the book. The cheesy Titanic lines were just adorable. I also really liked how close Kennedy was with his brothers, Jack and Fitz, and it really showed in their support for him and Kate. Kate believes in love at first sight and she wants an all-in type of love story. But when something happens to her, she also sees the negative to an all-in type of story. She sees the risk and the pain that comes with when that person leaves your life. I loved seeing Kennedy attempt to win her over and show her that life is too short to dwell on things like that. Just LOVED seeing them fall in love with each other. Their story was so sweet, heartwarming, and sexy. In addition to the great love story, the story featured the friendship group again which I really enjoyed, and the backdrop of Ian and Lara's wedding. I'm definitely going to miss the crew of 21 Wall Street moving forward. If you like sweet and sexy contemporary romances with friendship groups (similar to the ones of early Christina Lauren books), I would highly recommend you check out this series. It will not disappoint. It gets better with every book!

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for consideration/review. All opinions are my own.

Risky Play (Red Card #1) by Rachel Van Dyken (✮✮✮½ - 3.5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: March 19, 2019
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Pages: 288

My Review: I've been a fan of RVD for quite some time, and when I heard she was coming out with a new sports romance, I was so excited. TBH, I mostly read hockey romances, so to see a soccer/football one is quite different. The story follows Mackenzie/Mack who was left at the altar and finds herself taking what would've been her honeymoon alone. On that trip, she meets Slade, except they go by different names as they are both trying to just let go and enjoy the moment. Slade ends up being her first, but on that same night, a family tragedy happens that has Slade leaving. He just vanishes, and Mack is left once again. Honestly, you really feel for her in these moments because it is one loss after another. Things are once again changed when they realize that Mack ends up working for Slade as a sort of PA, and of course, their real identites are revealed: Mack is an heiress and Slade is a famous soccer player. There's some animosity there because Slade holds a grudge for being with Mack when the family tragedy happened. This is the aspect that really didn't sit well with me. Slade was just really mean to Mack and some of the things he said, I don't even know if I can personally forgive. Even though he gets better and you see them come together again, it's really hard since in the beginning, when they first met he was so sweet. I'm fine with certain characters being jerks, but I think it is quite jarring for me seeing them go from nice to mean to nice. It's so much better when you see that someone who is mean can redeem themselves instead. The stuff that made the book for me was Slade's friendship with his agent, Matt, and of course, there was a dog featured! This wasn't my favorite RVD book, but it still had a lot of RVD signature elements like the witty banter, the cute moments, and the sexy moments. I also don't know if I would classify it as a sports romance, since while the main characters were athletes, not a whole lot was actually sport related. That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for consideration/review. All opinions are my own.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: May 14, 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 432

My Review: I love that every year now, we can look forward to at least a new CLo release. I love CLo so much because in a way, their books is what got me into reading romance books. This book sounded so interesting because it follows Ethan and Olive, two frenemies who are forced to take a honeymoon/trip together. Olive and Ami are identical twins, except Ami has always been the 'lucky' one, and Olive the unlucky one. Because of Ami's luck, she loves entering contests and sweepstakes. She ends up winning her entire wedding, but the seafood buffet ends up making her, her new husband, and most of the attendees incredibly sick. Except for Olive and Ethan, who is her husband Dane's brother. Because she doesn't want the trip to go to waste, she gives the trip to Olive and Ethan. They have shared a mutual dislike for one another (or so it seems), and they both figured they would have to only tolerate each other for two weeks while they get a chance of an awesome vacation in Maui. Upon departure, Olive also lands a job she has wanted for a while. It appears that with the seafood wedding fiasco, Olive's luck has finally turned around. She also realizes on this trip that Ethan isn't so bad, and begins to see him through different lenses. I kind of loved their little arguing ways, and how they would always call each other by the wrong names. I loved seeing them come together and really grow. Things do get complicated once they return, and both are faced with doing what is best for their own sibling. I liked seeing how their "holiday" life transformed into "everyday" life once they returned. It's another great CLo book with great banter, lots of LOL moments, and super sweet grand gesture moments. I do wish it was a bit sexier in terms of what CLo books used to be, but I think fans of CLo will still enjoy this standalone!

Available for purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's e-galley from Simon and Schuster Canada via Netgalley in exchange for consideration/review. All opinions are my own. 

[Cover Reveal] Truly Mine & Truly Yours by Kennedy Fox