Tag Archives: Stand Alone

A Change of Pace (Northern Lights #3)

By Freya Barker

Synopsis

Once a man who lived by the letter of the law.

Newt Tobias will do anything for his little girl. Even take early retirement, sell his city home, and move to cottage country, hoping that the simpler life will provide a better balance for his troubled teenage daughter.

Yet, not long after they’ve settled, he finds himself toe-to-toe with a stubborn, fiery-tempered woman with pretty brown eyes.

Once a recluse preferring to live alone.

Working with troubled adolescents, Frederique Marchand doesn’t suffer fools and won’t put up with bullies. Especially handsome strangers like Newt who think they can run roughshod over her. She loves her work, but on her own time, she much prefers the company of her menagerie of animals.

But with the welfare of a teenager at stake, she must put aside rocky first impressions and work with a man who needs her as much as she’ll come to need him.

Review

A Change of Pace is now my favourite of this series, I did not think anything could top Book 1 but this Author has told such an incredibly heartfelt story with too many wonderful characters.

I simply loved the dedication at the beginning to motherhood – it sets the tone of the entire story. A woman can be a mother to a child without giving birth, love knows no boundaries.

The journey that Freddy and Millie take together was just inspiring and to see Millie grown as a young woman will melt your heart.

With sensitive subjects covered we are given moments of small-town humour and adolescent struggles. The story continues with so many rich layers of new families forming and solid friendships.

The menagerie of animals and children and the concept of different families strengthened the message in A Change of Pace of motherhood in all different forms.

These characters, in particular, the trio of Freddy, Newt, and Millie all had battle scars of loss. They all fought in their own way to want to live fulfilling lives and believe in love and second chances.

Newt’s love of his daughter knew no bounds and his desire for her to find herself again by trusting others. Jim and Jordan’s storyline is another I loved as father and son and what a surprise with Phyllis – loved that curveball.

Finally, the Epilogue gives hope and also wonderful closure for Millie, Newt and Freddy.

Quote: “Sometimes you need time to slow down so you can appreciate the wealth around you. Most days we just run past it”

A Change of Pace (Northern Lights #3)

My Rating:

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The Beast of Aubyn Hall (Bookworms & Alphas #2)

By Alex L Michaels

Synopsis

Meet Bookworms & Alphas!
Where men like to give orders, but women don’t like to listen.

The man they call the beast, sworn off love, meets the bookish beauty who thinks that love exists only in books.

When Bronte Beltran finds out that her next assignment is cataloging the famous Aubyn Hall library, she’s ecstatic. But when she finds out they call the owner the Beast of Aubyn Hall, not so much. A week in a dusty library should be right up her alley. But a wrong word at the wrong time and she might just find out what exactly is beastly about the Beast of Aubyn Hall.

Note from the author:
The Beast of Aubyn Hall is the second book in the series Bookworms & Alphas!
Each book is a standalone and can be read separately, although it’s recommended that the books are read in a suggested reading order.

Review

The Beast to Aubyn Hall is a slow burn with plenty of angst, drama and also surprisingly humour. The story concept drew me in as I love a book nerd girl finding her true love with an alpha male.

Bronte is a great character whom I immediately connected with and followed her journey through the two weeks she spends at Aubyn Hall. This is a slow build up and I admit by the end I was as sexually frustrated as both Bronte and Cain.

Cain was hard to connect for me, I found him so gruff and abrupt and also his actions gave me whiplash. One minute all alpha and the next he was like a sulking child which put me off a little.

Now a character I really loved was Magnussen his best friend, he actually softened Cain’s edges and allowed me to forgive his actions. He actually made Cain accountable and gave him the emotional support and enabled me to learn more and become attached to Cain.

Bronte’s work friends were strange, I actually thought they were not overly nice to her and I second guessed if they would have her back or not. They did provide humour again at moments to offset the burning sexual tension.

Now the ending, I loved how we finally find out how and why Bronte was chosen to work on his library. That moment actually brought tears to my eyes. I actually would have loved more emotion like that between Cain and Bronte but then in hindsight, they were both very careful with their emotional feelings.

Quote: I have set my mind on you … and I’m keeping you

The Beast of Aubyn Hall (Bookworms & Alphas #2)

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Doppelbanger

By Heather M. Orgeron

Synopsis

Doppelbanger; A person who bangs someone solely because they look similar to another person they want to bang.

At thirty-five, Gina Bourque is still playing the field. If he’s single, in his early twenties with dark hair and brooding eyes, there’s a damn good chance you’ll find him in her little black book.

Jeffrey Ryan never imagined that at nearly forty he’d find himself widowed and a single dad. But here he is—stumbling through this thing called life with two impressionable daughters watching his every move.

When Gina and Jeffrey meet while cruising the Caribbean, sparks fly and not in a good way. He’s too old. Too blond. Too stiff. Yet she’s still drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She’s too vulgar. Too sassy. Too wild. But she ignites something inside of him he can’t ignore.

We all know what happens when you play with fire. . . someone’s bound to get burned.

Review

I quite enjoyed DOPPELBANGER, which is the second book from Heather M. Orgeron that I’ve read.

“You burst into our lives like a bomb, when our world needed nothing more than to be shaken up.”

I liked Gina, who has a heart of gold but a mouth that gets her in a lot of trouble. I loved, loved, loved all the kids. Gina’s nephews⏤Landon, Lake and Kyle⏤were a handful and hilarious. Jeffrey’s daughters⏤Evangeline and Willow⏤were feisty and adorable. I loved the scene were Gina and Jeffrey meet, which was awkward and hilarious at the same time.

Unfortunately, Jeffrey wasn’t as likable. Some of the things he said to Gina were so hurtful and some were downright unforgivable. It was so disappointing to see a man—who loves his daughters and loved his wife—treat women so badly. That being said, he was a wonderful father to his two girls, and he did redeem himself in the end, but I still spent most of the book wishing I could kick him in the balls.

DOPPELBANGER is told in dual POVs and, while it has a connection to BOOMERANGERS, you don’t need to read that book to enjoy this one. DOPPELBANGER was very funny, but as with the previous book, some of the humor did feel forced. DOPPELBANGER comes with not one, but two epilogues, both of which were lovely and sweet and perfect ways to end the book. But the extended epilogue—set twelve years in the future—was my favorite one for sure.

Doppelbanger

My Rating:

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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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The Accidentals

By Sarina Bowen

Synopsis

Never ask a question unless you’re sure you want the truth.

I’ve been listening to my father sing for my whole life. I carry him in my pocket on my mp3 player. It’s just that we’ve never met face to face.

My mother would never tell me how I came to be, or why my rock star father and I have never met. I thought it was her only secret. I was wrong.

When she dies, he finally appears. Suddenly I have a first class ticket into my father’s exclusive world. A world I don’t want any part of – not at this cost.

Only three things keep me going: my a cappella singing group, a swoony blue-eyed boy named Jake, and the burning questions in my soul. 

There’s a secret shame that comes from being an unwanted child. It drags me down, and puts distance between me and the boy I love.

My father is the only one alive who knows my history. I need the truth, even if it scares me.

Review

THE ACCIDENTALS is the first young adult novel by Sarina Bowen, and while I don’t usually read young adult, I’ll read anything written by Ms Bowen. Told only in Rachel’s POV, we follow her as she mourns the death of her mother, moves to a different state, goes to a new school, makes new friends, loses old friends, and struggles with intimacy, all while she navigates a relationship with her father, who she knew about but had never met prior to her mother’s death.

Going by the blurb, I thought the relationship between Rachel and her father, Frederick, would be the primary focus of the story, but it wasn’t. There was a lot of other stuff going on, which for me was too much and detracted from what I was really hoping to read: a story about a teen-aged girl and her previously absent father. Rachel and Frederick barely spent any time together, and when they finally had their heart-to-heart, it was done so at the 93% mark and only lasted seven pages. This was where I was expecting to have my heart broken for Rachel. Instead I felt nothing for a scene that felt incomplete and left me wanting.

Overall, I did enjoy this story, but I didn’t love it, and I think that’s because I had expectations that this would be an emotional read, and for me, it wasn’t one. I also felt that some threads were left hanging and when the book ended, it was very sudden and again, felt incomplete.

I’m a huge fan of Sarina Bowen, so it pains me when I (very rarely) give her a not-so-glowing review. I think a lot of readers out there will enjoy THE ACCIDENTALS, but sadly it just wasn’t for me.

The Accidentals

My Rating:

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Sidney’s Triple Shot (Apache Crossing #1)

By Lori King

Synopsis

Sidney Rowe has been abused in ways that most people can’t even imagine. After a horrific miscarriage, she left behind everything she had to escape her ex-boyfriend. She finds refuge in the kindness of the three Dawson brothers. They give her a job and a sense of security in the small town of Apache Crossing.

Xavier, Tyce, and Noah Dawson have built their bar, Triple Shot, into a profitable enterprise. The three former Marines have also built a reputation for integrity in the community, but their sex appeal and charm are legendary. They enjoy their playboy status…that is until a jumpy, skittish Sidney stumbles into their lives needing their help.

Sexual tension explodes when the brothers decide they want to protect and share Sidney, but to have her they have to stop her ex from haunting her. Can they keep her safe and win her damaged heart?

Review

Loved this Menage romance, it had great suspense, humour and strong personalities from the four main characters. There is a solid build up with their romantic and physical relationship, it was not rushed and was allowed to develop.

The three men, Xavier, Tyce and Noah all brought their own individuality to the relationship with Sidney. I loved how they all in their own way assisted Sidney in moving forward from her previous relationship.

The suspense story that revolved around Sidney’s previous life provides great moments towards the end of the story. I would have loved for her story to end where it started but in a happy moment for her and the men, like a rebirth of such.

Sidney’s emotional state and moments where she falls apart are well written and show how the three men give her confidence. When she begins to stand up for herself, sing, laugh and enjoy moments with the men are my favorites.

The menage scenes were hot, steamy but also full of emotional attachment.

I do feel that the ending was slightly rushed and I have a few questions, perhaps they will be answered in the next book in the series. There are certainly many characters, their marine friends, that could have their own story.

Sidney’s Triple Shot (Apache Crossing #1)

My Rating:

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Rescuing Rayne (Delta Force Heroes #1)

By Susan Stoker

Synopsis

As a flight attendant, Rayne Jackson is used to cancellations, but she never dreamed her latest would lead to a whirlwind tour of London with a handsome stranger…or a life-altering night in his bed. One evening is all the enigmatic man can give her, and Rayne greedily takes it, despite suspecting it will never be enough.

Heading home after another extreme mission, Keane “Ghost” Bryson hadn’t planned to seduce someone during his layover, but Rayne is too sweet to resist. Being a Delta Force member means lying to protect his identity, which is unfortunate, considering Rayne seems made for Ghost, right down to the tattoo on her back. For the first time in his life, regret fills him as he slips away the following morning.

Both are shocked when, months later, they meet again—under the worst possible circumstances. Seems fate has given them a second chance…if they can survive the terrorist situation they’re in. If Rayne can forgive Ghost his lies. And if Ghost can trust Rayne to be strong enough to endure the secrets and uncertainty that come with loving a Delta Force soldier.

** Rescuing Rayne is the 1st book in the Delta Force Heroes Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

Review

I actually read and loved Rescuing Emily (Book 2 of the Delta Force Heroes) first and it was great to see that story overlap with this one. Emily and Fletch were wonderful characters and I loved their story.

Ghost and Rayne’s story takes place over a long period of time, they first meet and then reconnect months later. The initial meeting I really enjoyed, there were no expectations, they had fun and enjoyed their moment in time. Their one night stand was passionate and when he leaves broke my heart.

Fast forward and Rayne’s life being in danger, that was harrowing and I was begging for Ghost and his team to rescue her. Whilst she recuperated, their relationship deepens and we also meet more of the Delta Force team, they are all definitely alpha.

Rescuing Rayne is a very easy story, has great flow, moments of tension and in the end a great romantic journey with a HEA, all the elements to make you happy.

Rescuing Rayne (Delta Force Heroes #1)

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Hell Upside Down

By Mia Villano

Synopsis

Scarlett Ferguson wanted out of her dreary life in Cutler, Maine. Every day was only an existence living in poverty in a run down trailer with her dad and his girlfriend. Working a dead end job in a restaurant, Scarlett’s life changes the day Hugh Cruz walks into her world.

He is gorgeous, rich and charming, sweeping Scarlett off her feet after a few dates. When he wants to marry her in a rush, she thinks nothing of it, other than it is true love. That changes on the night of her honeymoon. The night Scarlett realizes, things are not what they seem. It doesn’t take long for Scarlett to become someone she swore she never would be, in a life she swore she never would want.

Heartbroken and confused, Scarlett realizes that the life she ran away from is the life she truly wants. Secrets unravel as Scarlett discovers the real reason Hugh came into her life. No one is who she thought they were and the people she trusted are soon revealing their true identity. Hell Upside Down is a dark, emotional standalone novel filled with suspense. Each page has you wanting more.

Review

Hell Upside Down I literally finished in a just a few days, I could not put this mystery romance down. The author begins her novel perfectly, we are given a taste of Scarlett’s life, we then go back to where it begins. The first half of the story we are heading to that pivotal moment in her future. I was simply on the edge of my seat knowing this and the hell she was going to endure. The pacing was perfect to me, giving me enough to keep turning the pages. The second half of the story is forging a new life for herself and this is where she simply shines.

Scarlett is such a strong and resilient character, she was my purpose to continue this often dark and dangerous tale. Her marriage and will to survive in an abusive environment was simply heartbreaking.

Durango did not disappoint, I had hopes for him in the beginning and he plays his part to perfection.

The most surprising of this whole story was all the mystery and players in the second half, this story is no way finished when Scarlett gets rescued. The story literally begins and we learn so much about all the people in her life. I never picked all the knights in shining armor that were silently there in the background nor the hidden dark players.

Hell Upside Down

My Rating:

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The Kiss Quotient

By Helen Hoang

Synopsis

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

Review

The Kiss Quotient is a beautiful story of the journey through life. This story was a story about relationships and how complex they are. Whether the relationships are between mother and child, siblings or even co-workers they all take work and understanding and this story expresses these relationships with sensitivity.

I love Stella’s character and how she approaches the world. Her uniqueness draws you to her. She has Asperger’s which makes relationships difficult for her. Her passion is definitely numbers. Her mind solves mysteries by the numbers but matters of the heart are harder for her to understand. She believes in lists. I loved the fact that she even had a list for her new teacher on how her lessons should go.

Michael is just a good person. He has a lot that he has taken responsibility for. This forces him to pursue a job that he isn’t so proud of. He meets Stella and knows there is just something special about her which makes him break all his rules.

I think this story is so special. I love Michael’s family and how they are like a real family. They get mad at each other but they are always family. I love Stella’s honesty. Her character had so many levels to her. She doesn’t realize how she affects the world around her. Stella and Michael work so well together. They make each other better and you can’t ask for more than that.

The Kiss Quotient

My Rating:

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Mogul

By Katy Evans

Synopsis

A brand new contemporary romance from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.

He’s my most delicious secret.
The hot Suit I had a one-night stand with one evening.
I didn’t know anything about him, not even his name.
Only that we shared a taxi, and he was staying at the hotel where I worked.
We met in room 1103. Where he commanded not only my body but my soul.
The next day he was gone and I only had a memory of him.
I could still taste his kisses, feel his demanding touch.
I searched for him for months. Daydreaming about him. Wondering if I’d ever find him.
Until the day I find myself staring face to face with his jeweled black eyes again.
He says lets keep it casual, and my heart knows that falling for this workaholic in a three-thousand-dollar suit is off the table.
Because he has a secret. One that’s a deal breaker for me.
My Suit has a name.
Ian Ford.
And this is our story.

*Mogul contains characters from Tycoon, but is written to be read as a standalone

Review

Mogul began with heat, passion and two characters, in particular, Ian who I immediately felt a connection to. I admit I struggled with Sara and by the end, I found her annoying.

This is mostly told from Sara’s perspective and when we were given moments of Ian’s thoughts it helped the story, perhaps if it had been more balanced with POV I may have connected more to this story.

Firstly by the end, I began skipping the sex scenes as it seemed that is all they did. I wanted more emotional moments between Ian and Sara as we built to the ending and we did not get that. The last few chapters I really enjoyed as finally, I saw the interaction between Cordelia, Ian and also Sara which created some drama.

I would have liked Ian to be more dominant, at the beginning I felt him and thought this was going to be a hot read and then he lost his fizz just like his whole divorce proceedings.

The terms of endearment like Dancer and Suit were classy and relevant to their characters. The other nicknames for Ian were awful and ruined the story for me.

Mogul

My Rating:

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