Reviews

My Full Reviews!

Review: Clutch by Lisa Becker


Adulting Is Not Easy To Do!

Clutch is a standalone, by Lisa Becker.

Suzanne Barbetta narrates.

HEA, NO Cliffhangers!

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Content Warning:
There is sex and some cussing, but this is more an exploration in being an adult than anything else.

Those that are overly sensitive to the “cheating” factor may not approve. To be clear, there is NO cheating, but it does take Caroline a long time to figure out what she wants which includes dalliances with many men.

 

This is an exploration of what it is to follow your dreams while also trying to find your heart’s desire for the “One”. It ain’t easy folks, and this story pulls no punches for the all too real awkward moments in life. Bonus though, you get to explore it through the wonderful realm of handbags!

 

“Find something you love and hold onto it.” — Aunt Mimi

 

Clutch is mostly about Caroline Johnson however, as much as she hangs out with Mike, he might as well be her sidekick. We get to follow along as she launches her business and in her attempts to find the “Perfect Clutch” of a man. The dates are very life like and I’m sure you will find at least one that you can relate to on one side of the coin or the other. For instance, I can relate to the single father, and how hard it is to date as a single parent. Telling a guy I have kids was an easy way to get rid of an unwanted suitor, seriously. Telling someone you want to stick around was a different story. I was fearful as hell to tell my now current husband when we were first dating. I could feel the guy’s pain for sure!

Michael “Mike” Frederick Barnsworth’s old money roots are far different than Caroline’s small town upbringing, but that never seemed to matter to him. Their first meeting is in grad school at Harvard, and by the time they leave they are BFFs. Mike wanted to ditch his family’s expectations and open his own bar like Tom Cruise in Cocktail. I love his idea of “research” while earning their MBAs, but I do have to disappoint him on the food side of things. I can honestly say that I have lived in L.A. and have NEVER had a Pink’s dog! I’m not standing in line for over an hour to get a hot-dog, sorry!

I was expecting there to be an explanation for each bag like in the blurb, but there wasn’t. Clutch is close to real life, as in, there are often no clear winners or losers. I felt a bit wrung out by the end. For those that like that kind of thing, you will love this story. One of my guilty pleasures is Bachelor in Paradise, and this story really reminds me of Wells, who is actually the bartender for the show now. If you don’t know who or what I’m talking about, I apologize, but to say anything more would be a spoiler.

 

Audio Sample

 

This is my first listen by Lisa Becker. The humor she infuses into her stories makes the awkwardness of life more bearable.

 
WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDriveInstagramGooglePlayScribdBooKBubItunesBarnes and NobleKoboPlaysterYouTube

 

This is my first listen by Suzanne Barbetta. She did great with all genders and ages. They really came through to my ears and my throat. I needed a cough drop after hearing her rendition of chain smoking Aunt Mimi!

 
WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonEStories

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

 

My Reviews

Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review


Review: The Billionaire Takes All (The Sinclairs #5) by J.S. Scott


Those Sinclairs Can Be So Cleverly Opportunistic!

The Billionaire Takes All is #05 in the The Sinclair’s Series by J.S. Scott.

Elizabeth Powers narrates.

HEA with No cliffhangers!

These are about the members of the Sinclair family. The characters are all involved in each others lives and stories so I would HIGHLY suggest you read them in order.

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Content Advisory:
There is sex, dirty talk, and lust fueled cursing. 👍

At the time of this posting, this title is currently available to Read and Listen for Free as part of the Kindle Unlimited Program.

The Sinclair cousin’s audiobooks are going in order from oldest to youngest, as the middle child is up next. Julian has been seeding his tale for a while now. Time-line wise, this starts during the Epilogue of the last book. Just know that even in real life, what happens in Vegas never stays in Vegas!

Julian Sinclair is the actor in the family. Despite having money and the ability to make connections that way, he refused to use any of it. He struggled and scrapped while hiding his identity so he could “make it” on his own merit. Why struggle when you don’t have to? It’s more about who you know than talent in Hollywood anyway. Don’t be obnoxious about it, but you shouldn’t hide it either. Julian has a lot of guilt over neglecting his family while he was hyper-focusing on his career. He would of been able to of seen his parents more than he did if he had used at least a little of his money to buy plane tickets occasionally. We all take it for granted that we have time for later, but you never really know. Today might be all you get!

 

Julian Sinclair ❤ Kristin Moore

 

Kristin Moore has been working at Shamrock’s Bar and Grill in some capacity almost all her life. Her mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while she was in grade school and she has been picking up the slack ever since. This touches me quite deeply as I too have MS. Kristin is going in the opposite direction as Julian. She doesn’t want to miss any time with her family, but it is at the cost of her personal life. She is conflicted in her feelings for Julian. Its a bit love, hate smothered in insecurities.

Everything between these two, up till now, has been four-play! There are lots of twists and turns for this pair, but it’s so delicious to watch it play out! As with previous titles, there is lots of set-up going on for Xander’s story. There has been a mystery surrounding their parents death, and I’m very anxious about the details. It’s been held for his book, which is next. This Series is so addictive!

 

Audio Sample

 

J.S. Scott keeps knocking it out of the park!

 

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDriveInstagramGooglePlayScribdBooKBub ItunesEStoriesPinterestKoboBarnes and NobleWorldcat

Elizabeth Powers has narrated all the titles in this series so far. At this point, she IS The Sinclairs!

 

TwitterAudibleAmazonGoodReadsScribdEStories

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It worked better for me.

 

My Reviews

Ebook obtained through the Kindle Unlimited Program.

Audiobook obtained through the Kindle Unlimited Program.


Review: Gull Harbor by Kathryn Knight


More Than Your Average Paranormal Romance!

Gull Harbor is a standalone, by Kathryn Knight.

Kristin James narrates.

HEA, NO cliffhangers!

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Content Warning: Sex, yes, but they get interrupted more than they get busy.
Mild violence and cursing.

 

This is more of a mystery than a romance. If you like ghost hunting shows, you are going to love this. It’s labeled as a standalone, but I wouldn’t mind hearing a story for Dan!

 

Claire Max

 

Claire Linden is a medium for hire. She talks to dead people, for reals! She was hired by the elderly Llewellyns to deal with an unpleasant presence in their home. I give Claire credit for putting up with the ghost’s down right mean deeds. And that was before she found out its age. Through a weird twist of fate she ends up in the same town of her MIA ex. I quite understand her moments of doubt.

Max Baron was the first person Claire helped. Well, it was his dad, technically. Max has never forgot about nor gotten over the love he had for Claire. He can’t believe she is back in his life and is determined to keep her safe if nothing else. The events of 5 years ago has left scars on both their hearts.

A lot of the story revolves around the the mystery of the haunting. I would of preferred more love story, but thats just me. The story was a page turner for sure, but all aspects were a bit too drawn out. On the love front of things, they obviously both never got over the other. Their mutual friend Dan picked up on it right away. (I hope that guy gets a story!) Fingers are pointed, but when it comes down to it, they both could of tried harder. The best stuff I can’t talk about without spoiling something, but I will say it’s worth the listen.

 

Audio Sample from Audible

This is my first listen by Kathryn Knight and I hope it won’t be my last. She writes great memorable characters that have you wanting more.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDriveGooglePlayScribdBooKBubItunesHooplaBarnes and NobleKoboPinterest

Kristin James did an excellent job at all the characters. I was completely wrapped up in the story from start to finish.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonOverDriveEStoriesHoopla

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

My Reviews

Ebook obtained through the library (Overdrive).

Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review


Review: Misadventures of a Backup Bride (Misadventures #4) by Shayla Black


Who is Fooling Who is the Question!

Misadventures of a Backup Bride is #04 in the Misadventures Series by Shayla Black.

Christian Fox and Lucy Rivers narrates.

HEA with No cliffhangers!

This is a Multi Author series, written as a standalone. You do not need to read them in order.

More information can be found on the official Misadventures Website.

Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins

Content Advisory: High heat
There is sex, dirty talk, and dirty thoughts. 👍

At the time of this posting, this title is currently available as part of the Audible Romance Package.

I’ve listened to several titles in this series and they have all been very steamy! The stories are page turners too, which makes them a win, win for me! The consistency as a whole has been great even though this is a multi author series of standalones. Most of the Misadventures can be found in the library as well as various subscription services so they are easy to come by.

 

Carson Ella

 

Carson Frost is trying to salvage the business left to him by his birth father, but his rash choices are coming back to haunt him. He took a deal with a competitor for the money he needed to keep the business afloat and the shiny coins aren’t shiny or even real coins anymore. In an effort to get out of the deal he hires Ella Hope to be the long lost love of his life that will get him out of his current engagement and then dump him at the altar … Simple, Right?

Ella Hope is a struggling actress. Her love life, as well as her bank account, have seen better days. She remembers Carson and how she would of been interested if she were not on a date with his friend. The call was welcomed timing. Spending time with the hot guy from the party while padding her bank account sounds like a solid plan. She is a professional she can do this … Simple, Right?

“Am I really waxing poetic about her damn knee?”
— Carson

 

It wasn’t Simple! Things heat up fast, and their well laid plans go out the window. As the outside players keep changing the rules, things get crazy. Well, more crazy, because things started there in the first place. Lies become real, while the real becomes lies. Don’t believe anyone till its all said and done! A good time will be had, and that is not a lie!

 

Audio Sample

 

Shayla Black is a go-to for racier reads with awesome characters. 😊 She did not disappoint with this title.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDriveInstagramGooglePlayScribdBooKBubItunesEStoriesHooplaDownPourKoboPinterestYoutubeGoogle+PlaysterBarnes and NobleBooklender

 


Christian Fox and Lucy Rivers narrate this title with alternating POVs. Both individually did a great job in their pacing and emotion. I do wish it would of been a true Duet though, because they end up, by default, competing with each other for who did the character better. It’s really hard to pick a clear winner.

Christian Fox

AudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDrivePlaysterScribdEStoriesHoopla

 

Lucy Rivers

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDrivePlaysterEStoriesHoopla

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

My Reviews

Ebook obtained through my local library (Overdrive).

Audiobook obtained through Audible Romance Package.


Review: Christmas Lovebirds (Have A Hart, #1) By Rachelle Ayala


Lovebirds Prove the Power of True Love!

Christmas Lovebirds is #01 in the Have A Hart Series by Rachelle Ayala.

Jennifer Groberg narrates.

HEA with No cliffhangers!

These are about the members of the Hart family. The characters are all up in each others lives and stories so I would suggest you read them in order.

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Content Advisory:
The author rates the Heat Level of this title as Sweet: Kissing and non-graphic foreplay, but before clothes come off, the door is closed and the scene is cut. 😐

At the time of this posting, this title is currently available as part of the Audible Romance Package.

This is very PG, but cute none the less. I really enjoyed the love birds! My personal experience with the little guys was not as pleasant as the ones in the story though. A friend’s family in high school had a pair and they were quite a terror. They would try to attack anyone that came anywhere near their cage. Maybe it was a territorial thing, maybe it was lack of interaction, I don’t know. From afar they were pretty and lovely to listen to, look at, and observe.

 

Melisa HartRob Reed

 

This story focuses around the youngest, and most overprotected Hart sibling, Melisa. She has had a crush on her brother’s best friend all her life, but his betrayal 10 years ago ruined it all. She has spent all the time since trying to hate him, but never truly succeeding. She seems determined to believe the worst, making her blind to what should of been obvious. But her brother Connor seems to be determined to prove that it runs in the family.

Rob Reed has been in love with Melisa Hart since the day they brought her home from the hospital. Seriously! He would sit near her bassinet and dutifully pick up her bonnet every time she tossed it over the side. Trying to help and protect his best friend in college cost him everything. It really was a stupid decision, but I’m sure we have all made those when we were young. There were better ways to accomplish the outcome that would not of been so harsh, but that’s why they say that hind sight is 20/20. Kudos to Rob for being a man of honor and never giving up the secret that was not his to tell. I would of caved after the 10yr reunion, if not before, if I had loved someone all my life. 

 

CassieCasey

 

Lets be honest here, Cassie and Casey is the love story that stole the show! They proved that love at first sight is REAL! That neither time nor distance can stop true love. And that deep love encourages one to step outside their old habits to learn new ones together. They were absolutely adorable!

 A lot of angst about bird care, particularly about clipping wings. The story doesn’t sugar coat the reality of the disagreements caused by differing opinions. Which is refreshing. Mrs. Ayala has birds of her own, so I wonder how close to home this hits for her. I have a feeling this is an argument she has had more than once in her life. I can feel the passion in the words seeping through the pages.


“Kissee, Kissee, Kissee.”

This family is a bit nerve racking. Bossy, nosy, and always telling the other members how they should live their lives. So basically like real life families. There are several side characters you will see again in their own stories. I hope Ella and Declan get HEAs too. They are not listed as main hero or heroine for any of the future titles so far, but its always a possibility they may be a sub plot as the series continues. Larry and Jenna are up next. Larry came off pushy and rude at first but once his details get filled in, you find yourself rooting for him to get a HEA of his own.

 

Audio Sample

 

Rachelle Ayala is great at adding heart to any story. 😊 Even ones that lack the naughty bits. 

 

WebsiteTwitterFacebookAudibleAmazonGoodReadsOverDriveGooglePlayScribdBooKBub ItunesEStories Barnes and NobleKobo

First time listening to Jennifer Groberg, and she did well. Her male and female characters could use some more distinction.

AudibleAmazonGoodReads

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

My Reviews

Ebook obtained through the Kindle Store.

Audiobook obtained through Audible Romance Package.