Book Review: ‘Bonafide’ by Hazel Grace

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ perfect stars.

I received an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Omg! I don’t have words to describe how much I loved this duet! This story just got better and better as it progressed and pardon my language but holy Sh*ttt I couldn’t have thought that the secrets Lockwood carried were so sinister and complicated af. There is no perfect word other than ‘devoured’ to describe the way I went through this book. I literally couldn’t put it down! I was up late just so I can finish reading it and I don’t regret my decision. Hazel Grace is a talented author and her stories has a way keeping you engaged and remain with you long after you have finished reading it. If you haven’t read the first book yet I suggest you do it as soon as possible before diving into the second one.

Bonafide started exactly where and Catfish left off and I would be lying if I said I knew what was coming up next. Reagan and Wade’s already complicated story took a nose dive for the worse and it continued that way for a long long time. If you are not a fan of cheating or have triggers for certain things then please read it at your own risk cause this book came with trigger warnings but I can promise you that you won’t regret it. The constant pull and push between these two and their burning hot chemistry is some of the best part of this duet. This book has been a total rollercoaster ride with lots of ups and downs and imperfect characters. Wade is not your modern day prince charming and Reagan is nobody’s idea of damsel in distress. She is the personification of an ‘alpha female’ and in many cases was the rational one out of the two but that doesn’t mean she was perfect in any way. Some of her actions will definitely make you question her character but Wade was no saint either. I wanted to shake some sense into them more than once. We are also introduced to many new characters and some jaw dropping revelations. So buckle up for the ride cause Wade and Reagan are going to blow your mind (Lol I rhymed).

It is a long book with fifty something chapters but it didn’t make me bore at all. I really loved it and this book made me fall in love with Hazel Grace’s writing. She created two completely imperfect characters and made me fall in love with them. The second book is even better than the first one. I can’t say more without giving major spoilers but I can tell you that it will make you feel fifty shades of emotions from anger to heartbreak. This book is perfect for the political romance or romantic drama. There are lots and lots of drama for sure. I can honestly say that it’s a great book and I highly recommend it.

Stay safe and happy reading!

P.S. I heart Wade Lockwood. He can catfish me anytime he wants to lol.

P.S.S. There is a spinoff coming and I can’t wait for Marty’s story.

Title: Bona Fide
Series: Illusive Duet #2
Author: Hazel Grace
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Cover Design: Black Widow Designs
Release Date: May 19, 2020
BLURB

Wade Lockwood is a liar.
A fake.
A fraud in a suit with a smirk that overwrites everything I ever told myself to steer clear from.
But he wants me, and in all Wade Lockwood fashion, he doesn’t allow things to not go his way.
He keeps me locked into our agreement, daring me to put myself in one hell of a position to get myself out from under his thumb.
He wants forgiveness, but that’s the last thing he’ll ever get from me.
I could care less about what sins he’s committed against others or how he got to where he is.
All I’m concerned about is erasing him from my life, taking whatever means necessary to ensure I never have to see him again.
A plan that proves to be easier said than done when my mangled heart—that traitorous thing—still beats for him.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50610853-bf

BOOKBUB LINK:https://www.bookbub.com/books/bona-fide-illusive-duet-book-2-by-hazel-grace

PURCHASE LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/2zRWSSy
UK: https://amzn.to/2WhFBd3
CA: https://amzn.to/2KVuhOy
AU: https://amzn.to/2xwLMBE

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 Catfish

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UK: https://amzn.to/2Yr4p4V
CA: https://amzn.to/35pS6Ho
AU: https://amzn.to/3aUJI44

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Hazel Grace is an avid music lover and hardcore Oakland Raiders fan from the mitten state of Michigan. Her writing goals are “what the f*ck” storylines while enjoying her readers private messaging her to cuss her out.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel-grace
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hazel-Grace/e/B07CV99MDB

Cover Reveal: ‘Birdy’ by Dee Garcia

BIRDY (Upper Echelon Duet #1) by Dee Garcia
Release Date: May 26th
Series: Upper Echelon Duet #1
Genre: Mafia Romance/Romantic Suspense

Add to Goodreads:
http://bit.ly/BirdyUES1

Watch theTrailer:
https://youtu.be/11BS5lA2LJM

Blurb:
Come to the United States, they said.
Freedom and endless opportunities for all, they said.
So we did—made the ninety-mile trek overseas from Havana to Key West.
What they didn’t tell us was how hard these supposed opportunities would be to obtain when you’re an illegal alien. A fact that forced both my brother and I onto a dark path in an effort to help our family.
The difference between Tommy and I?
He didn’t get caught.
Had I stayed away from Arcángel—the illusive, faceless mastermind behind the Upper Echelon—I might not have gotten caught either.
Now, I’m paying the price, rotting away at the hands of the judicial system and facing possible deportation after serving my time.
Can’t get worse, right?
Wrong.
Enter Andrés Bala—the new C.O. at the Annex who fits the tall, dark, and handsome stereotype to a T. It’s clear the man wants me, and I don’t understand why.
Why I want him.
I’m a criminal…he strives for justice.
So wrong yet so right, we end up crossing the line, and after a sneaky, whirlwind affair, he vows to wait for me.
The question now is: can Andrés handle la Jefa outside the confines of her cage?

About the Author:
Self-published dark romance author Dee Garcia was born and raised in Miami, Florida.
A voracious fan of romance novels and long time lover of the written word, her mission is to craft unique, compelling, and deliciously dark stories that will give her readers a thrilling escape from the monotony of everyday reality. With fierce, headstrong heroines and sinful, possessive Alpha males weaved into her rousing tales, Dee hopes to leave her mark on the Indie world, one decadent plot twist at a time.

Connect w/Dee:
Website: https://www.authordeegarcia.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authordeegarcia
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/deesdevils
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15282344.Dee_Garcia
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2pfuWPH
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dee-Garcia/e/B01N44M7KW
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Book Review: ‘That’s the way I loved you’ by Carrie Aarons

Overall rating – 3.5 – 4 stars

I received an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Do you believe in second chance romance? A second chance at first love that didn’t get its happy ending. Well what can you expect from two teenagers from small town with big dreams and when those dreams burned out they realised may be their love was not enough anymore.

To be honest, I love second chance romance trope. There is something very romantic about two people who loved each other enough to try a second time even after the past heartbreak. This story is all about that. It starts with our female protagonist, Savannah, who is forced to leave her perfect life with her perfect boyfriend behind at New York and comeback to her hometown after ten years of zero contact all because of a life that she dreamt of living a long time ago. She is forced to face her past (namely her ex boyfriend Jason, her family and all of the small town) and had to think a lot about her future or specifically whom she wants her future to be.

This book has been a light read (for me) but it didn’t fail to give me butterflies everytime Savannah and Jason were together in a scene. It also had this southern charm about it. The small town vibe and to loving characters gripped me from the very start of the book. There is a lot of unfinished business laid out in front of Savannah and Jason too but there has been no flashbacks just little revelations from both of them throughout the story. I adored all the secondary characters and the story has been well executed. I have always loved Carrie Aaron’s style of storytelling and this book is no exception. It reminded me a lot of the movie ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and if you love small town second chance romance then you are going to love Savannah and Jason. It was sweet and charming story of first love and second chances with the best of big city and small town life in the mix. I adored this one and its unlike any other Carrie Aaron’s previous books. I think readers are going to love it. I certainly did.

Stay safe and happy reading!

💜 LIVE EARLY 💜

That’s the Way I Loved You by Carrie Aarons is live early! This book is a small town, second chance romance inspired Sweet Home Alabama, and it will give you ALL the feels!

Read it now: mybook.to/ThatstheWayILovedYou

BLURB

____________________________

Savannah

This town ain’t big enough for the two of us.

Which is why I left.

I was determined never to return to Hale, Texas. But when my new life in the Big Apple throws me a curve ball, I have to go back to tie up loose ends. One of those being him.

Jason Whitney was my first everything. Kiss, love, epic heartbreak. He shattered my world once upon a time, and apparently, he’s not done yet.

With old demons lurking around every corner, hightailing it out of my hometown is at the top of my list. Complete my unfinished business, and I get to leave any memory of my country existence behind.

Only, with each day I spend in it, with each moment I spend with him, I’m turning back into the girl who laid in the tall grass and swam in the creek all those years ago.

And I’m not sure that who I was is ready to let me go again.

Jason

We drew a line down the middle, and neither of us has crossed it.

That is, until Savannah Reese blew back into our hometown.

The day my high school sweetheart left, she took my whole heart with her. We promised each other forever, made plans that only teenagers could believe in, and crashed and burned on the grandest of scales.

When Savannah last saw me, I was a disgraced high school athlete. All washed up, I took it out on the only person who loved me. Then her world really fell apart, and I was too selfish to care.

Now she’s back, ready to sell the only remaining thing tying us to each other. I’ve been breaking my back for the last ten years not to think about her, not to be reminded of the love we shared.

But now that she’s right here, it’s impossible to forget how we used to be. Or let go of what we still are.

Author of romance novels such as The Tenth Girl and Privileged, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.

When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She’s a Jersey girl living in Texas with her husband, daughter and furry son.

Author Links
Visit Carrie’s website: authorcarrieaarons.com
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Cover Reveal: ‘Star Bright’ by Staci Hart

Oh my gosh–THIS COVER. I cannot even handle my excitement for this brand new series coming from Staci Hart! Star Bright will be here July 14, and I’m d y i n g to jump into the world of the Bright Young Things!! Preorder today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2z94C2f

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2QElROu

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3akNWm5

B&N: https://bit.ly/2W4isvy

Star Bright

Bright Young Things, Book 1

Release day: July 14

You are cordially invited to the party of the century.

There’s no greater thrill than in the moment a courier hands you the heavy invitation with those words etched on the front. Because you just joined the most exclusive group in New York.

The Bright Young Things.

Lavish parties. Irreverent treasure hunts. Every event is a spectacle, stalked not only by the media, but by the police commissioner, who’s declared himself the morality police, heading up a charge leading to raids and arrests and the constant threat of danger.

But that’s all part of the fun.

That, and the secrets.

Like, who sponsors these parties? The trail leads back to one mysterious name, an homage to the original Bright Young Things of a century ago: Cecelia Beaton.

And no one knows it’s me.

Everyone has secrets, and mine is safe. Until I meet him.

He comes out of nowhere, armed with ample charm and a tilted smile. Dark eyes promise to devour me—all I have to do is give him permission. And before I realize it, he finds his way into my heart, into my life, with dangerous ease.

Because he has secrets of his own, secrets that could bring down everything I’ve built.

Even the best kept secrets have a way of getting out.

And if mine does, I’ll lose more than my heart.

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 to three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, nor is she the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party–especially if she’s been drinking whiskey–and her favorite word starts with f and ends with k.

 From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north in Denver, where snow is magic and the mountains have become home. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, gaming, or designing graphics.

Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart

Cover Reveal: ‘Bonafide’ by Hazel Grace

COVER REVEAL
Title: Bona Fide
Series: Illusive Duet #2
Author: Hazel Grace
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Cover Design: Black Widow Designs
Release Date: May 19, 2020

BLURB

PRE-ORDER LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/2zRWSSy
UK: https://amzn.to/2WhFBd3
CA: https://amzn.to/2KVuhOy
AU: https://amzn.to/2xwLMBE

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 Catfish

US: https://amzn.to/2SJTIHd
UK: https://amzn.to/2Yr4p4V
CA: https://amzn.to/35pS6Ho
AU: https://amzn.to/3aUJI44

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Hazel Grace is an avid music lover and hardcore Oakland Raiders fan from the mitten state of Michigan. Her writing goals are “what the f*ck” storylines while enjoying her readers private messaging her to cuss her out.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel-grace
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hazel-Grace/e/B07CV99MDB

Book Review: ‘The Hunter’ by LJ Shen

Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Designs
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster
Cover model: Chase Mattson

Overall rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I have to thank Social Butterfly PR for a chance to read this book early. I still can’t believe it but I am very happy for the chance. So thank you very much.

I actually needed a moment after I finished this book in one go! Omg! I don’t have enough words to express how much I loved it. This one is, hands down, my favourite LJ Shen book. Ever! Dont get me wrong I love a broody, tall, dark and male protagonist as much as any girl but I just came to realise that I love a tall, blond and handsome hero in a Brioni suit a bit more. When a character is charming and funny and sexy but at the same time one hundred percent alpha who knows how to throw a punch or two for the girl he loves, that kind of hero has his own fanbase. There is something innately sexy about Hunter and it was kind of love at first-chapter for me. I can guarantee you that you are going to fall in love with him too. Hunter is different than any other LJ shen protagonist and he is the highlight of the entire story (at least for me he is). Don’t get me wrong ‘Sparrow’ was my first LJ Shen book and I have soft spot for Troy and Sparrow and by extension Sailor but Hunter kind of stole the spotlight. LJ created an imperfect character and gave him a lot of dept and insight in the span of twenty something chapters.

The book starts with Hunter’s sex tape scandal (at Vaughn’s going away party) and he is kind of in a time out with his parents. He was told to get his act together or be disinherited (kind of a go big or go home situation here). So daddy-not-so-dearest put him in a six month time out with a nanny. So imagine this, a sex addict in a detox with the one girl who is immune to his charm. We all can guess what happens next right? Wrong. This book is not simple as it sounds. There is a lot of character development along the way for both Sailor and Hunter. If I have to describe my experience, I would say ‘magical’ fits it perfectly. The writing is as usual fantastic or should I say ‘pretty grand’. All the characters had an active part in the story. We get go see lots of Sparrow, Sam and Troy Brennan here (Troy’s driving hasn’t changed a bit in the last couple of years lol) and both Luna and Knight have a special cameo too. We also get to meet all the Boston Belles and this female friendship is unlike I have ever seen in LJ’s books so far. It was pretty special and I can’t wait to read the upcoming books in this awesome blossom series. It’s safe to say that this series started with a bang and Hunter has set a pretty high bar. It remains to seen if his brother can outdo him. I have a lot of hope for our ‘Villain’ and I think Cillian’s story is gonna be a total blast! The chemistry between Hunter and Sailor is something more than scorching. Its freaking burning and could easily give you a third degree. These two was the perfect examples of opposite attracts. I can’t even describe how much I love them together! Their ‘arranged relationship’ reminded me a lot of Sparrow and Troy but even better. This enemies to lovers roommate romance is sexy and charming in equal measure and the banter between the two protagonists kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. There are lots laugh out loud scenes that had me giggling and swooning over Hunter just like Sailor did. It’s completely true that there is no dull moment when Hunter Fitzpatrick is in the house. He is the goofiest and the most charming of Shen’s heroes in a Brioni suit and looks mighty fine in it too. if you are to read one book this month or this year or at all, I highly recommend you to read this one. It was perfect from the beginning to the very end. Hope you fall in love with Hunter and his prey the same way I did. It comes out on May 11th and I can pretty much guarantee you a major book hangover.

Stay safe and happy reading y’all!

P.S. Hunter is my new book boyfriend. I am claiming him for myself.

This is the first alternate cover of the series designed by Letitia Hasser at RBA designs. I personally loved it.

BLURB:

Boston’s debauched elite is going up in flames, and it’s the Fitzpatrick family that set it on fire.

The Hunter, an all-new dazzling and delicious contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is coming May 11th and we have the stunning cover!

Hunter

I didn’t mean to star in a sex tape, okay?
It was just one of those unexplainable things. Like Stonehenge, Police Academy 2, and morning glory clouds.
It just happened.
Now my ball-busting father is sentencing me to six months of celibacy, sobriety, and morbid boredom under the roof of Boston’s nerdiest girl alive, Sailor Brennan.
The virginal archer is supposed to babysit my ass while I learn to take my place in Royal Pipelines, my family’s oil company.
Little does she know, that’s not the only pipe I’ll be laying…

Sailor

I didn’t want this gig, okay?
But the deal was too sweet to walk away from.
I needed the public endorsement; Hunter needed a nanny.
Besides, what’s six months in the grand scheme of things?
It’s not like I’m in danger of falling in love with the appallingly gorgeous, charismatic gazillionaire who happens to be one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors.
No. I will remain immune to Hunter Fitzpatrick’s charm.
Even at the cost of losing everything I have.
Even at the cost of burning down his kingdom.

Add THE HUNTER to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Qav1lR

Be notified FIRST when The Hunter is live: http://bit.ly/36MnmAQ

About LJ Shen

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to twenty different countries.

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

Connect with L.J. Shen
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1
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Website: http://www.authorljshen.com/

Book Review: ‘California Dreamin’ by Saffron A Kent

My Review:

Overall rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

This book has been ‘California Dreamin’ lol. I was so hooked up in Dean and Fallon’s story that I literally couldn’t put it down. I finished in in a couple of hours and it left me with a smile on my face. Totally worth my sleepless night if you ask me.

‘Medicine Man’ is my all time favorite Saffron Kent book. So you can guess my surprise (and delight) when I found out that Dean and Fallon are getting their own story but ofcourse with lots of twist and turns on their way. The plot is centered around Fallon and Dean’s road trip to New York and Fallon’s plan to finally let Dean know about her feelings for him (though she already proposed him when she was three. That’s still my favorite part of their story). You all will just have to read the book to find out how that turned out but I can guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed. It was totally worth my time. The plot was amazing so were Fallon and Dean. Plus we get to see a lot of Simon, Willow and Brendan here. Violet and Graham had a short Cameo too along with sweet Rosie which led to the start of something new. I don’t want to give any spoiler or get into specifics but if you are looking for a short age gap romance book with great characters and even better chemistry then I definitely recommend you to read this! Dean was a total dream boat in here (a perfect boyfriend material) and his chemistry with Fallon was off the charts. Their romance was equally sweet and streamy. I really adored them and hope you all do too.

Stay safe and happy reading!

P.S. This book focuses a lot on the subject of clinical depression and I loved the way the author represented it.

Blurb:

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
Saffron A. Kent

California Dreamin’ by Saffron A. Kent is LIVE! It’s 99c LIMITED TIME ONLY + Free in KU.

#1ClickHere:
Amazon US: https://bit.ly/CalDreamSaK
Amazon Universal: getbook.at/CalDreamSaK

Everyone thinks Dean Collins is too old for Fallon Blackwood. Her parents, her friends, even Dean himself.

In fact, he wants her to date guys her own age. But Fallon doesn’t care about that.

All she cares about is that she can’t take his eyes off Dean, her neighbor, her best friend, the guy who taught her to ride a bike and to climb trees.

All she cares about is that sometimes Dean can’t take his eyes off her, either. And that sometimes he looks at her like he wants to kiss her.

So it doesn’t matter that he’s thirty-two and she’s eighteen.

All that matters is that they belong with each other, and she needs to convince him of that.

Good thing they’re taking a cross-country road trip together, right?

California to New York; three thousand miles and a love story in the making…

*Featuring Simon Blackwood and Graham Edwards from ‘The Heartstone Series.’

**This is a STANDALONE NOVELLA. It was released as a part of Mixtape Anthology. Since then, it has been revised and expanded and re-titled.

Add on Goodreads:
https://bit.ly/2YeSR4E

Meet Saffron A. Kent:
Saffron A. Kent is a Top 100 Amazon Bestselling author of Contemporary and New Adult romance. More often than not, her love stories are edgy, forbidden and passionate. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After.
She lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, and a million and one books.
Connect with Saffron A. Kent

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSaffronKent

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaffronkent

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesaffronkent

Website: http://www.saffronkent.com

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ybw47r

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/saffron-a-kent

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16192760.Saffron_A_Kent