Tag Archives: New Adult

Rebel (Rebel Wheels #1)

By Elle Casey

Synopsis

Teagan Cross, college senior, rebel, and wiseass extraordinaire, goes from princess to pauper in a single phone call. Overnight, her life of privilege becomes one of survival, and no matter where she turns, it seems like the world is out to get her. She’s not going to fall apart, though. She’s a rebel and she’s strong … determined to live life on her own terms … and nothing’s going to stop her from getting things done and making things right. But when a twist of fate brings her to the doorstep of a different kind of Rebel, she’s forced to figure out when something’s worth fighting for and when something’s worth letting go.

Review

Rebel is a Romantic Comedy with a suspense story simmering in the background which kept me intrigued until the end where it takes center stage.

Quin and Teagan have great chemistry as friends and many times caused me to laugh out loud. Their one-liners are just so funny and light-hearted.

Teagan has some emotional moments where I felt true heartache for her, but I loved her determination.

Teagan and Rebel, well some moments are great and others I struggled with.  However, once I knew his story I forgave and understood his silent treatment.  The relationship with the brothers I enjoyed immensely and how they became attached and protective of Teagan.

Now I have to admit I am unhappy with her dad’s story not being resolved.  I did find myself smiling at the conclusion about how Rebel stood up and took charge.

This is not a college romance, it takes place over college break.  There are some great passionate moments.  The verbal Diahorrea between Quin and Teagan will make you laugh, cringe and fall in love with their friendship.

Overall, I enjoyed this story.

Quote:  I was asking for Trouble. Instead, I got something special

Rebel (Rebel Wheels #1)

My Rating:  

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The Professor (Fox University – FU # 1)

By Luke Prescott

Synopsis

I’m Professor Drake Grayson. I’ve been teaching Psychology for the last few years at Fox University. It’s a great university, filled with a wide variety of students. Some eager to learn, some eager to get in my pants.

I’ve never crossed that line. I’ve never taken advantage of the power I have. I’ve never wanted to bend a student over my desk like I have with Emma Bower. She makes me want to forget I’m her professor and teach her things that she’ll remember forever. But is the risk worth it?

I’m Emma Bower. I’m in my last year of Fox University as a Psychology major. I can’t wait to get out into the real world and pick people apart. It’s been an amazing four years filled with memories that I’ll never forget.

Especially the penetrating stare of Professor Grayson. That man has been in every fantasy I’ve had since the day I walked in his class. I know he’s untouchable, forbidden, he’s my professor, my mentor. But what if his touches lasted longer and his eyes darkened with a wicked grin? What if the professor everyone wants, wanted me? Would the risk be worth it?

There’s only one way to find out.

Review

THE PROFESSOR is the first book that I’ve from Luke Prescott and it won’t be the last.

I really liked Drake. A professor sleeping with his student is scandalous, but you know that he has never done this before and that he fights his attraction to Emma pretty hard. He doesn’t treat her like he has power over her and he was not afraid of his growing feelings for her. I really liked Emma too, who was smart and very mature and not at all annoying like some college-aged characters can be. Though I did roll my eyes when she described being torn in half every time she and Drake had sex.

Speaking of sex, it was good. Some of the hottest I’ve read in a loooong time. Emma and Drake were damn hot together. DAMN HOT!

I really enjoyed this story, but there’s one big reason why I only gave this 4❤ instead of 5❤, and that reason is the ending. The epilogue is sweet but at the same time disappointing because the story felt unfinished. There’s no HEA or even a HFN, at least in my opinion, and the next book in the series will be about another couple. I’m really hoping that we’ll get updates on Drake and Emma’s relationship from the other books coming out in this series.

THE PROFESSOR is told in dual POVs and is the first book in the Fox University – FU series.

The Professor (Fox University – FU # 1)

My Rating:  

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Fox University – FU Series

The Chase (Briar U # 1)

By Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.

And that his best friend has a crush on me.

And that I just moved in with them.

Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates?

I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing?

He knows where to find me.

Review

THE CHASE is the first book in the Briar U series (a spin-off of the Off-Campus series, which is one of my all-time favorite series) and I won’t lie, I have been waiting for this book for a very long time. Almost two years to be exact and I’m very glad the wait is finally over. As with any book from Elle Kennedy, THE CHASE was a very enjoyable binge read that left me wanting more.

It’s hard to believe that two weeks ago I was excited about seeing Fitz.
Now I’m dreading it. My unicorn is no longer a unicorn. He’s a judgmental donkey.

I liked Summer and Fitz, but Summer was definitely my favorite character. She was a breath of fresh air and was so open and honest. A special mention also has to go out to Brenna, Summer’s new best friend and the daughter of the school’s hockey coach, who was just as ballsy and unapologetic as Summer was. Fitz was a good guy, but he did try my patience with how negative he could be towards Summer simply because her personality was different to his.

I’ve made more of an effort to be social, but deep down I’m still the guy who wants to remain invisible.
Summer is the most visible person I’ve ever met.

THE CHASE is most definitely an angsty, slow burn romance, with Summer and Fitz pushing and pulling each other for more than two thirds of the book, which for me was a very long time to wait for them to get together. I was left with a lot of questions relating to both Summer and Fitz, and if those questions don’t get answered in the following books, it will annoy me greatly. I was a little disappointed with the ending because it felt abrupt, came without an epilogue and came almost immediately after a very big scene had been played out.

THE CHASE is told in dual POVs and comes with a nice enough ending for Summer and Fitz. I’m very much looking forward to Brenna’s book, THE RISK, which is scheduled to be released in February 2019, and I’m desperate to know who her love interest will be. Will it be Hollis, Summer and Fitz’s roommate? Or will it be Jake Connelly, a rival hockey player from Harvard? Time will tell, and I for one hope time flies.

* Please note: This book includes talk about—and includes a couple of scenes of—sexual assault, so take caution if this topic is a trigger for you.

The Chase (Briar U # 1)

My Rating:  

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Briar U Series

Catching Callie

By Claire Woods

Synopsis

The Press labeled me campuses “DIRTY PLAYER.”

The scandal I’m caught in just made the national news, ESPN, & Sports Illustrated.

Forced to hide out in a small beach town until I can clear my name, the last thing I expected was to run into her.

Literally.

First she stole my breath, then my heart. But she wants nothing to do with me.

Even my killer smile, panty-melting grin, and cut abs aren’t reeling her in.

She ran.

Twice.

I have six weeks to find my mystery girl, get my reputation back, and prove to her I’m not a dirty player: I’m her prince. The football field is the domain I where I rule, but her heart is the next thing I’m going to capture.

Something tells me Catching Callie is going to be the biggest win of all.

GAME ON.

This is a standalone new adult romance. No cliffhanger, No cheating, HEA.

Review

Catching Callie is a sweet New Adult romance but with some extra heat thrown in to keep you wanting these two lovers to find their HEA.

Both Gabe and Callie have heartache and family dramas to deal with along with trying to give their new romance a true chance.  Many obstacles come their way and the author is true to their situation with the way this story winds up and the Epilogue, which I loved.

There are some great supporting characters, my favourite is Callie’s uncle who was simply such a great guy.

Surprising me was the emotion of both Gabe and Callie but considering what they are dealing with, the author gave them integrity and it felt so real.  The last quarter of this book will have you tearing up and struggling with emotions, especially for Callie.

This story is told randomly from their POV and it even has a couple thrown in from an evil character trying to manipulate their relationship.

Finally, I loved how the author allowed these two characters to follow their individual dreams to eventually find their happy ever after.

Quote:  “I don’t want to be that girl anymore – the one who gets left behind”

Catching Callie

My Rating:  

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Capture (Seaside Pictures #1)

By Rachel Van Dyken

Synopsis

Losing your ability to speak at the age of seventeen; it’s not normal or fair.
But trauma, has a way of throwing normality out the window.

Dani lives anything but a normal life.
Her sister is married to one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Her best friends are rockstar duo AD2.
And she has more love around her than most people experience in a lifetime.
But that doesn’t change the fact their parents are dead.
Or that it’s her fault.

It seems her new normal is being a mute, living on the inside, unable to actually communicate on the outside.
That is until Hollywood’s newest heartthrob Lincoln Greene hires her as his assistant for the summer.
He’s gorgeous, completely unavailable, and unobtainable.
But that doesn’t stop her from wondering…if things were different…would he want her?
If she was whole, would he be the other half?

Review

Capture was a story that drew me in from the first few pages.  Dani was a character that intrigued me and made me fall in love with her.  I devoured this in a few days.  To watch her grow and heal with the love and support of a beautiful male character was just what my soul needed.

I have not read the Seaside series and you do not need to in order to fully enjoy their romantic story.  You are introduced to many characters but they all have their place in watching Dani return to her family with the help of Lincoln.  A favourite character for me was Demetri and also Zane who provide great humour.

Dani’s story is sad but you can easily understand her way of dealing with her trauma, she lives within herself.  She wants to join the world and communicate and it was wonderful watching her draw strength from Lincoln and return.

Their age gap and physical connection between the two were well written.  I loved the moments of fragility between them and also the constant sexual tension that surrounds them.

The relationship between Dani and her sister was just beautiful and also her brother-in-law whose story is told in the Seaside series.  Capture has made me want to go back and read their love story.

Capture (Seaside Pictures #1)

My Rating:  

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Trusting Liam (Taking Chances #2)

By Molly McAdams

Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Taking Chances, From Ashes, and Stealing Harper, comes the new unforgettable adult romance Molly McAdams’ fans have been waiting for—the sizzling story of a young woman who must place her trust in the one man who can break through her defenses.

A night they will always remember…a connection neither can deny…a secret that could destroy it all…

When Kennedy Ryan moves to California, she never expects to come face-to-face with Liam Taylor—the intriguing man who has haunted her thoughts for a year. A man who led her to breaking every one of her rules for a single night of passion that ended up meaning more than it was ever supposed to. Accustomed to disastrous experiences with men, Kennedy shields herself before he can break down more of the carefully built control she’s clung to for the last four years. But every time she sees Liam, she feels her resolve weakening.

Liam Taylor has been asked to help socialize his boss’s nieces. But what he thinks sounds more like a babysitting job ends up leading him to the only girl who ever slipped away before morning—a girl he thought he’d never find again. And now that she’s within reach, Liam’s determined to never let her go.

But when a secret from her past tests their relationship, will they be able to cling to the trust Liam has worked so hard to build?

Review

Trusting Liam is a slow burn romance and unfortunately towards the end wore me down and lost my interest.

I had not read Taking Chances the first book in this series and honestly, you do not have to.

Kennedy became annoying by the end with her indecision and Kira just faded to the background for me.  Blown out of proportion were Kennedy’s issues and I became confused by her.

The danger to the girls just faded to the background and became a non-issue.  I was expecting her dad and uncle to play more of a part in this story.

Liam was a great character as were his family.  The family actually provided me with enough interest to finish this story.  The relationship Liam had with all the adults in his life was heartwarming and showed his great character. Liam, in the end, made me accept Kennedy in his life.

The epilogue for Trusting Liam was a wonderful surprise.  Upon finishing it had me wanting to know more about this twelve months.

Trusting Liam (TakingChances #2)

My Rating:  

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Misadventures of a Virgin

By Meredith Wild

Synopsis

It’s been years since June Bell shared a stolen moment with her girlhood crush, Kase McCasker. It’s been just as long since Kase’s father nixed the sale of the McCasker farm to expand the grounds of the Bell’s grand hotel. Now that Kase is back home for good, June might be the only person who can persuade him to reconsider the abandoned plan. But how can she face him again after he left her without a word?

Four years ago, unexpected news shook the foundation of Kase McCasker’s world. Escaping Falls Edge for college was the perfect excuse to chase his demons and bury his pain. Now, with a degree in hand and a void he can’t fill, he’s back in the little mountain town he thought he’d never call home again. Searching for purpose, he’s determined to put down roots and take over the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations.

Time and distance haven’t taken the edge off his preoccupation with June, the spitfire daughter of his father’s rival. He hasn’t forgotten their time together and all the things they did and didn’t do. One look at her has him reconsidering the future and making a dangerous deal to win her over. Is a chance at her heart worth risking everything else?

Review

Misadventures of a Virgin is a mix of new adult meets second chance.  I just love Meredith Wild’s style of writing.  It really makes me never want to put the book down.  Kase and June are so perfect for each other.  They both have difficult family histories that need to come out before they can move forward.

I really loved Kase.  He is so complicated but he has only had eyes for June.  Unfortunately the timing was off when they first tried to get together and that left June confused.  Fast forward four years and Kase is back and he has a plan.

June was a fantastic mix of innocence and driven determination. She believes in her father’s vision for the hotel and wants to see it through so she agrees to Kase’s plan.

There is almost a story within this story that revolves around their fathers. It really got the kids to this point in their lives were the could start thinking about the future. I really love how Meredith put this story together.  She definitely put the right blend of emotion into this story.  The pacing was perfect.  I didn’t want to put this book down.  The last few chapters were the best.  And the sex scenes were hot with the right amount of kink.

Misadventures of a Virgin

My Rating:  

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Rebel (The Renegades # 3)

By Rebecca Yarros

Synopsis

She’s Penna Carstairs.
The Renegade they call Rebel.
FMX-treme Magazine’s sexiest female athlete of the year.
There’s no rule in extreme sports she hasn’t broken,
No gender barrier she hasn’t demolished.

She’s the woman I met in a bar in Vegas.
The woman I illegally BASE jumped for.
The woman I spent one insane, incredible night with.
But now I’m screwed.
Or rather…not screwed.

Because the woman I can’t get out of my head is the one woman I can never touch again.
I’m Dr. Cruz Delgado—the youngest professor on this campus,
And Penelope Carstairs just walked into my class.

Review

As with the previous two books in The Renegades series, REBEL was an enjoyable read full of action and romance.

I’d never felt that kind of chemistry with someone before, and with Penelope I’d been a moth drawn to the flame she was—wild, beautiful, and hypnotically irresistible.

I really liked Cruz and Penna, and I liked that Penna found someone who was almost as adventurous as she is.  I loved the connection they had from the first moment they met, and how they both tried—and failed—to fight that connection when they discovered that Cruz was the new professor in Penna’s class.

While I did enjoy REBEL, I felt that most of the story moved a little slow for me, at least until Cruz left the ship.  Prior to that, a lot of the story was focused on Penna.  Penna trying to recover mentally from her sister’s near-deadly actions from the first book.  Penna trying to get her confidence back.  Penna getting ready for her world-record trick.  After Cruz left the ship, the story moved a lot faster, which was good but was also a bit of a shame because that’s where most of the action happened.

REBEL is told in dual POVs and while it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.  This is the final book in The Renegades series, and as such, we were gifted with a beautiful epilogue that takes place five years into the future and gives fans a glimpse of what’s been happening in the lives of the Renegades.  It was a perfect ending.

Rebel (The Renegades # 3)

My Rating:  

Buy Links:  Amazon | iBooks

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The Renegades Series

On A Tuesday (One Week # 1)

By Whitney G.

Synopsis

We met on a Tuesday.
Became best friends, then lovers, on a Tuesday.
And it all fell apart on a Tuesday…

Charlotte Taylor has three automatic strikes in my book: 1) She hates me. She also claims that I’m a “domineering jerk with a huge, overbearing ego.” (I do have something huge. It’s not my ego, though.) 2) She takes our mandatory tutoring sessions way too seriously. 3) She’s sexy as hell…And a virgin.

At least, those were her strikes before our study sessions started lasting longer than they were supposed to. Until one innocent kiss became a hundred dirty ones, and until she became the first woman I ever fell hard for.

Our future together after graduation was supposed to be set:
Professional football for me. Law school for her.

But she left me at the end of the semester with no explanation, and then she completely disappeared from my life.

Until tonight.

We met on a Tuesday.
Became everything, then nothing, on a Tuesday.
And now it’s seven years later, on a Tuesday…

Review

ON A TUESDAY was the read I’ve been looking for, for what feels like weeks.  While I’ve recently found several books to be quite enjoyable, nothing has really grabbed me like this one did.

ON A TUESDAY is a second-chance romance between Grayson and Charlotte, who originally dated in college and were torn apart by a person with cruel intentions.  In the flashbacks to their college days, you could feel their chemistry and I loved watching their relationship grow.  Seven years later and in the present day, you could feel their anger towards the other over their breakup, even though neither of them knew what really happened all those years ago.  When the truth finally came out, I wondered how the author was going to tie it all up because of a scene from the beginning, but she did a good job of putting all the pieces together and making the situation believable.

I loved Grayson, who you could tell really loved Charlotte because of how well he treated her when they dated in college.  He treated her like a queen and a woman deserving of respect.  I loved Charlotte too and how spunky she was in college, and she did a great job of keeping Grayson’s ego in check.

“I’m Grayson Connors.”
“I’m unimpressed.”

My only complaint with this entire story is with their first sex scene, which came after months of sizzling chemistry, but was over with way too quickly.  I was expecting more passion, more tenderness because Charlotte was a virgin, just…more, so I was very disappointed that it felt more like wham bam thank you ma’am.

ON A TUESDAY is told in dual POVs and is also told in past and present tense, with most of the story taking place in the past.  It is the beginning of a new series, and I’m assuming it’s a series where the books can be read as stand-alones because we got a lovely HEA for Grayson and Charlotte at the end of this book.  I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

On A Tuesday (One Week # 1)

My Rating:  

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UnPlanned

By M. Piper

Synopsis

I’m Lincoln West.

First sibling of three, and the other two couldn’t be any more opposite of me.
Single father extraordinaire to the coolest kid on the face of the earth, and I have parents that think the world of my son.
I’m a family guy. At twenty-two, I’ve embraced my fate as a lifetime member of the uncool single dad club. It’s the Lincoln and Carter show…until I meet Wren. That’s when everything changes. And I mean everything. More laundry in the machine, a third toothbrush at the bathroom sink, Cosmopolitan magazine next to the bed. More importantly, a home that feels full.

Complete.

Wren’s the beauty in my ugly days. She’s full of life, and talent, and she’s the exact mother figure my son needs. It’s surprising because she’s the daughter of two very shitty people. Pardon my French. Two people who taught her to hate herself because she didn’t follow their plan for her. Two people that drop a hell of a bomb on us. Right when we think the world’s stopped pitting against us, her family proves us wrong.

Now we’re out to prove that even though unplanned, our unconventional life is absolutely perfect.

Review

I stumbled across UNPLANNED because of its hot cover and, after reading the blurb, I quickly added it to my Kindle.

I liked Lincoln; he’s a great father to Carter, a good brother to his siblings, and a good son to his parents.  He’s a hard worker and cares deeply about the family business.  The only time I didn’t like him was when he confessed to sleeping with dozens of women in college without protection.  There’s a big difference between being wild and being grossly irresponsible.  I also liked Wren; she’s is a nice girl who has been dealt with the most awful family.  What they’ve put her through is truly terrible and your heart will break for her with how far they’re willing to go to protect their way of life.

I liked the characters and the story, but the telling of the story was a bit of a letdown.  I came across quite a few mistakes and inconsistencies that I can’t believe were missed by the editor and beta readers.  Several scenes didn’t flow very well and/or weren’t descriptive enough to explain how a character got from Point A to Point B.  Instead of ending the story with the HEA for Lincoln and Wren, it ended with Wren having an important discussion with her sister, which I thought was not the best place to put that scene.  I predicted the twist very early on in the story, and I’m not sure if it was supposed to be that way or if it was supposed to be a big surprise.  However, I must say that it was a very interesting twist and that the author did a great job in making that particular scenario believable.

UNPLANNED is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Lincoln and Wren.  Their siblings are all single, so maybe they’ll get stories at some point, but at this stage, UNPLANNED is a stand-alone.

UnPlanned

My Rating:  

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