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The Nearness of You by KG Fletcher – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

The Nearness of YouThe Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Nearness of You by KG Fletcher is a standalone contemporary romance that will pull you in from page one and not let go until well passed the last. Following the story of Lauren Rose and David Randall. Lauren is such a strong character, her independence and ability to overcome adversity really draws you in. When singing at her regular gig in the St. Regis Hotel, she gets to see allot of high-profile guests, but none really caught her eye until she was courted by a British supermodel after her late show. While Randall and Rose come from two completely different worlds, this seems to draw them together. While things heat up behind doors, an attraction that they can’t deny builds around them. The more time they spend together, the end of their romance seems harder to believe. When life intrudes with David’s assistant, Lauren will have to find a way to work to show this woman that she loves David for more than his work. Will this woman be the reason these two love birds can’t find happiness? Can David rise above those around him to go for the girl that stole his heart with her voice? Fletcher made this story such a great read, pulling her readers in from the get go and creating an overall amazing experience. If you are looking for an author that will sweep you away with her writing than KG Fletcher is one that you need to pick this story up. I can’t wait to see where KG Fletcher takes us next.

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Beckoned, Part 5: Adrift in Costa Rica (Beckoned Series book 5) by Aviva Vaughn – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

BECKONED, Part 5: Adrift in Costa RicaBECKONED, Part 5: Adrift in Costa Rica by Aviva Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beckoned by Aviva Vaughn is the fifth part in her new serial that I just can’t get enough of. Throughout the series, I became hooked and made it so hard to put down until the very end. Beckoned is all about finding yourself and finding someone who understands and embraces the journey that you are on. Following the stories of Soren Lund and Elena Sol, you get a front row seat to a passion that can’t be tamed no matter the miles that separate these two. Soren is a man that who is trying to find his way in the world, and trying to right his world that was tilted on its axis from a heartbreak. In his journey he finds himself in a village in Costa Rica, where he meets Elena. Elena is so full of life, living on the edge as a professional surfer. While Costa Rica has always been her home she has always been a woman willing to do and go wherever to make her dreams a reality. Elena is a strong, beautiful woman, who has been hurt in the past and guards her heart against further pain. There is something about Soren that draws Elena in, but she is worried that he will attempt to change her or hurt her. Soren finds that he can’t get Elena out of his head, and is willing to take a leap of faith letting her in. The more that these two get to know each other the more that parting seems to be the worst thing. The sparks that fly between these two will leave you on the edge of your seat and attempting to catch your breath. Vaughn is a newer to me author but I am so happy that I picked this series up. I have loved every book so far and can’t wait to see how it will continue. While each of these books could be read as a single quickie read, I recommend reading them all in order as the characters will overlap and interact throughout each book. If you are looking for a great read, from a superb author, than this is one that you need to pick up today!

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Georgia Pine (Southern Promises Series book 3) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Georgia Pine (Southern Promises #3)Georgia Pine by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Georgia Pine by KG Fletcher is the third book in her Southern Promises series and it just keeps getting better and better. Following the story of Jessica and Tim, you get to see these two characters grow closer and start a family together. Watching these characters throughout the series, from books one and two, you get to see the story being told from their eyes and how their lives have changed since coming together. Having fallen in love with Fletcher’s work from her previous series, and then loving the rest of this series, I knew that I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to read this one. While each of these books are written in a way that they could be read as a standalone, I totally recommend reading them in series order, Georgia Clay and Georgia on My Mind, as the characters really came alive for me across the books. If you are looking for a fantastic series that will take you in and never let go than this is the series for you!

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Moments that Define Us (A Gray Ghost Prequel book 0) by Amy McKinley – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Moments That Define Us (Gray Ghost #0.5)Moments That Define Us by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moments that Define Us by Amy McKinley is the first story, a prequel if you will, to her Gray Ghost Series and what a great little backstory for her readers. Following the stories of Jack and Jenni as well as the five other men that are featured in their own books. While this is a prequel it is very fast paced and gives a great look at all the characters and where they all started out. Getting to see where all these characters started out as, getting to see them before each of them grow into their own full bodied character was great to see. McKinley is fantastic author, giving her stories a full bodied series to grow with and characters that her readers can get attached to. Having read most of the series prior to this I enjoyed getting to see all of the characters in such a well written and amazing series. I highly recommend reading this series in order, but each book can be read as a stand-alone. I can’t wait to see what McKinley brings to her readers in the future!

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26
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Hidden (An Ash Park Novel Series book #4) by Meghan O’Flynn – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Hidden (Ash Park, #4)Hidden by Meghan O’Flynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hidden by Meghan O’Flynn is the forth book in her Ash Park Series and this one kicks the series into a whole new level of sinister. Hidden takes place two years after Repressed and an old foe has resurfaced. When they fall into Petrosky and Morrison’s radar, but the stress of addiction, stress and guilt is weighing heavily on Petrosky. Could this be the end of the line for him? Will Morrison be able to save her partner or will this be Petrosky’s last case? This twists and turns in this book, and this series as well, will keep you on the edge of your seat from page one until the end. The personal tone to this book, compared to that of the other books was a nice change of pace. Getting to see the facets of each of the cahracters as they evolved really made this a great read for all of the series. Hidden will take you on a long emotional ride that is guaranteed to leave you more than a little raw as it stomps on your heart and then tries to piece it together just to go through the process again. O’Flynn does it again. While I felt like I needed to slow down on reading this book, I still couldn’t seem to put it down. This book will make you want to leave the lights on, and watch for what goes bump in the night. This book gets my highest of high ratings, I completely recommend reading this book in series order as the characters growth from book one until now really made this an excellent read and one that I can’t wait to dive into time and again. I can’t wait to see where O’Flynn takes us from here!

reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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The Catch (Eastern Shore Swingers Series Book 2) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

The CatchThe Catch by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Catch by Phoebe Alexander is the second book in her Eastern Shore Swingers Series and it just keeps getting better and better. Following the story of the secret club for those who like a taste of darkness with their nightlife, and this is where we find our main characters Paisley Parker and Calvin Mitchell. Paisley is new to Ocean City and loves working for the club, but didn’t realize just how much the club awakes something inside of her. There is a confidence booster that comes when she walks into the club, and the stares that she gets from the male patrons just makes her feel even sexier. When Paisley meets a man that is going to want everything from her, her heart and her history, will she be able to resist the temptation to lean on someone other than herself? Calvin is an all-around good guy, business owner, smart and hot as all get out. When he starts to pursue Paisley he isn’t shy about his intensions or about his ability to win over her body to get to her heart. The more that Paisley attempts to push him away the more that he stays with her, determined to get the girl that took his breathe away. When Paisley’s past comes back to get to her, she finds that he turns to Calvin for help and he is willing to risk it all to keep her safe. Is there a future in the cards for these two wounded lovers? Will Calvin be able to prove to Paisley that he is in this for the long haul? Can she trust him enough to fall for him? Alexander really knows how to pack a punch with this book! Her characters and storyline will pull you in from the very beginning and you will find yourself unable to get over these two long after the book ends. While this book can be read as a standalone I totally recommend reading the book in series order, as characters from other books do make cameo appearances. Plus you can never have too many books! I can’t wait to see how this series continues to grow!

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Wicked (Love In Lone Star Series #3) by Ashley Bostock – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Wicked (Love in Lone Star #3)Wicked by Ashley Bostock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wicked by Ashley Bostock is the third book in her Love in Lone Star series, and it has been another home run for her. Grace and Maverick’s story was fantastic to get to read. The connection between Maverick and Grace goes back for years, and so when they reconnect over a lost dog I got hooked from the word “dog”. Bostock has the best way of grabbing a reader by the pulling you and keeping you at the seat of your pants. Grace is forbidden fruit for Maverick and the more that he tells her no the less his resolve is to turn her away. And while Grace knows that her feelings for Maverick could cause a strife with her family, she is willing to risk everything to grab for the man that she has loved for a lifetime. I have loved this entire series, and was so happy when I found it. This series does have books that can be read as stand alones but I am a firm believer in reading the books in order, allowing for the back story of other characters to be understood to the fullest. Bostock was a new to me author and I am so glad that I took a chance on her series. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Trusting Him (Bromley Brothers Series #1) by Laura N. Andrews – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Trusting Him (Bromley Brothers, #1)Trusting Him by Laura N. Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Trusting Him by Laura N Andrews was supposed to be a sweet romance between two males, but what I read only came off as forced and pretty flat and unbelievable at times. The Bromley brothers are made up of two gay brothers and one who is bisexual, but each of these men acted more like teenage girls than men who were looking for something more than a hook up. I don’t normally read allot of gay romance genre mostly because it seems that most authors don’t have a good grasp on the dynamics of a gay partnership. I would have liked to enjoy this story more but I just had a really difficult time getting into the story or believing that these scenarios are even believable in the least.

 

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26
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You Can’t Hurry Love (A Cate’s Brothers Series book #5) by Lee Kilraine – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

You Can't Hurry Love (A Cates Brothers Book, #5)You Can’t Hurry Love by Lee Kilraine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You Can’t Hurry Love is the fifth installment in A Cate’s Brothers Series by Lee Kilraine. While this is the fifth book, it can be read as a stand alone and the story will be fine, but I am one who always says to read the series in order so all of the characters get their full spotlight. This installment focuses on Paxton and Jolene, two people who couldn’t be more opposite yet not one could be more perfect for either of these two. This story was such a page turner, that I ended up reading this in one sitting, foregoing sleep and activities to read this one. I actually bought all of the other books in this series just so I could reread all of the series for fun. Kilraine definitely has a new fan in me, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. If you are looking for a great contemporary romance that while in a series can be read as a standalone than this is the book for you. But be prepared to fall into a book hole, as it is such a good read that putting it down is near impossible to do.

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Tell Me Something (Something, #1) by Aubrey Bondurant – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Tell Me Something (Something, #1)Tell Me Something by Aubrey Bondurant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tell Me Something, by Audrey Bondurant, is the first book in a new series called the Something Series. Each of these books is supposed to be able to be read independently of each other so there is no need to worry about cliff hangers. Tell Me Something centers around Haylee and Josh, with a hot boss assistant romance. The story had it’s moments were I absolutely fell in love with it, and other times were I just wanted to scream at my e-reader. Bondurant is a new to me author, and even though her stories frustrated me at times, the relationships were real, and that made the stories that much better in the long run. There was quite a bit of lead up to some of the sex scenes, and not all of the lead up made allot of sense but as the characters reveal their back stories it all came together.

I am excited to see where this series goes, and I hope that several of the ancillary characters from this story get to have their own book. This is a must add to the TBR pile if you love real characters that aren’t anywhere near perfect, hot sex that doesn’t overwhelm the story and just enough BDSM elements to keep the story sordid.

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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Educate Him (Highland Park Chronicles Series #2) by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle – Review by Ashleigh Harrington

Educate HimEducate Him by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Educate Him, by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, is the second book in the Highland Park Chronicles. The story between Davis and Julia was very well written, showing a great relationship that built throughout the years between both of them. There were several points of turmoil between both characters, but that turmoil added to the story in very good ways. This story does have some touches of BDSM, including voyeurism and threesomes, but each of these do not detract from a great story. The characters from Salvage Him Highland Park Chronicles #1, play a big role in this story, making this a good follow up in this series, but the story is able to be read as a stand alone.
This story is a full on emotional rollercoaster, and it gave me all the feels. I couldn’t put this book down, and it all but burned up my e-reader. I picked up Salvage Him before reading Educate Him, and I am completely hooked. I can’t wait to see where Michelle takes this series next. This is a must read for anyone looking for a great author with a talent for great story filled with amazing characters with enough sexual heat to keep you wanting more.

Reviewed by @toxikcupkake26

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