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Slow Burn by A.K. Macbride – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Slow Burn (Breathing Hearts, #2)Slow Burn by A.K. MacBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nothing quite like an enemies to lovers romance to round out the summer with! A.K. Macbride does a wonderful job at painting a picture of what trauma does to people and how it affects relationships, specifically the one between Maddie and Adam in this novel.

This author is new to me, but this will not be the last book I will read by them! Now that I’ve read this one I plan to go back and read Instant Heat, but in reading this I did not find it necessary that I needed to read that book first, which was a plus! There are definitely a lot of unanswered questions that I have about both characters after reading this book, particularly addressing the family issues in Maddie’s life. Can’t wait to read more!

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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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No Way Out (Mafia Elite, #1)No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great read by Amy McKinley! The first book in her Mafia Elite series, the book is a bit slower of a start than the other books that I have read by her, but by the end I was hooked and excited to read more of the series!

Max has been tasked with protecting his mentor’s granddaughter Liliana, the daughter of a Chicago Mafia crime boss. Liliana is sceptical of the new bodyguard at first, but through a series of actions that he takes is able to begin to trust him. Does her father find out his secret motive in working him, or is he able to fulfill his mentors wishes, all the while falling for the girl he has been assigned to protect? You won’t know unless you read!

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Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew Book 1) by Vi Summers – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Ride For Me (North Shore Crew Series, Book 1)Ride For Me by Vi Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in The North Shore Crew series, Ride for Me by Vi Summers has you hooked from the very first chapter! The book started out a bit confusing due to the prologue being set four months in the future, but as the book continues everything slowly started to make sense and made me want to keep reading it more and more.

The perfect ‘opposites attract’ friends to lovers story, Lil and Gage have both dealt with heartache and loss, making an interesting spin on the story. There were definitely times that I was tempted to yell at my phone as I was reading it, getting frustrated with the men in the story. If you read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

This was my first read by Vi Summers, but certainly won’t be my last! I am excited to eventually read the other books in this series.

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A Divided Mind (The Divided Series Book 1) by M. Billiter – Review by Kayla Kearney

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A Divided MindA Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“All these rough patches you’re going through right now are all the years you’re going to learn the most about yourself. During the happy times, you don’t learn anything.” For anybody who has read this book, they know just how much this one quote from the daughter of Tara, the mother of the main character of the book, sums it up. At the point in this novel in which this line is said, Tara has reached her wits end, no longer certain on how to help her son Branson, who has been struggling with visual and auditory hallucinations.

In M. Billiter’s A Divided Mind, the reader experiences first hand what it is like to no longer be certain of what is and isn’t reality, helping them experience schizophrenia on a first-hand basis. This is one of the best novels with a focus on mental illness that I have ever read, right up there with J.D. Spero’s Boy on Hold and Boy Released that I read earlier this month. I knew from the moment that I read the description of the novel that I would enjoy this book, and boy was I right! I’m excited to read more from this author, and hope that I find myself reading more books like this by them in the future.

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Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew Book 1) by Vi Summers – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew, #1)Ride For Me by VR Baucke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in The North Shore Crew series, Ride for Me by VR Baucke has you hooked from the very first chapter! The book started out a bit confusing due to the prologue being set four months in the future, but as the book continues everything slowly started to make sense and made me want to keep reading it more and more.

The perfect ‘opposites attract’ friends to lovers story, Lil and Gage have both dealt with heartache and loss, making an interesting spin on the story. There were definitely times that I was tempted to yell at my phone as I was reading it, getting frustrated with the men in the story. If you read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

This was my first read by VR Baucke, but certainly won’t be my last! I am excited to eventually read the other books in this series.

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DATING THE INTERN by Natalina Reis – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Dating the InternDating the Intern by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have found yet another great summer beach read in Dating the Intern by Natalina Reis! Not the common romance novel I normally read, but definitely enjoyed the coworkers to lovers storyline. Natalina has written two very relatable characters in Ivory Towers and Li Qiang. This age-gap comedy will have you rooting from the very beginning for the two of them to find happiness with each other. You’ll just have to read to find out if they do! I’m very excited to read other works by this author.

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Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles Book 2) by CR Robertson – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Forbidden MateForbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden Mate is the second book in The Shadow Chronicles series by C.R. Robertson and impresses just as much if not more than the first! Robertson continues to develop the characters personalities as they continue the fight against the mysterious creature targeting both Lycans and Vampires. They also are in the ultimate fight to save their relationship, which causes bad blood between the Lycans and the Vampires. The thing I both hated and loved the most was seeing the storyline between Tasha and Levi wrap up, because I had grown very fond of the two characters. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series, there are a lot of unanswered questions I am curious to see answers to!

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Forbidden Wolf (The Shadow Chronicles Book 1) by CR Robertson – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Forbidden WolfForbidden Wolf by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden Wolf by C. R. Robertson places a spin in the classic Enemies-to-Lovers genre, making it an intriguing read. I’ve already started the next book in the series!

From the moment vampire Tasha and lycan Levi encounter each other in a near-death situation in the forest between their bases, their future is changed forever. After a memorable summer, their adult destinies tear them apart, and many years pass before they encounter one another again. But they find that one another has changed, and question their initial attraction to one another, until Tasha realizes something that Levi did years ago and their lives change even more.

Will the battle between the Lycans and Vampires and a mysterious new foe keep them apart, or do they drift together once again, proving that if you let the one you love go, they will find their way back to you if it is truly meant to be?

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Journeys Through TimeSpace (Journeys Through Book 2) by James Talisman – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Journeys Through TimeSpaceJourneys Through TimeSpace by James Talisman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Talisman delivers another great read in the second book in the Journeys Through series, Journey Through TimeSpace! As in the first book, the book is spread throughout the MultiVerse, though focusing on less characters this time around made it a much easier read. I also loved being able to watch some of the characters from the previous novel develop more, making me enjoy the novel even more than the previous one. It is the perfect novel for any SciFi lover or Marvel lover, containing adventures through space, time travel, and a cliffhanger at the end that makes the reader know that there is much more to come! I know I look forward to reading the next installment, and I think many others will as well!

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BOY RELEASED (BOY SERIES BOOK 2) by JD Spero – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Boy ReleasedBoy Released by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing follow-up to Boy on Hold! After finishing Boy on Hold, I was delighted to discover Boy Released, and instantly had to read it! I was not disappointed in the slightest, J. D. Spero once again perfectly painted how much mental health can impact people’s lives, Tyler being released from psychiatric care at the beginning of the book ten years after the murder of sally Hubbard. It also does a good job at showing the changes to Hen in the ten years that have passed since the previous novel, showing his struggles as a teenager about to inherit an entire estate and struggling to know what to do with it. It was also interesting to see the different dynamics between Marcella and Bernie after ten years had passed. Definitely happy I read it!

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Boy on Hold by JD Spero – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Boy on HoldBoy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the very first chapter, J.D. Spero’s Boy on Hold pulls you in! A fantastically written mystery written from several characters point of view, the author does a fantastic job at completely painting the picture. Spero dives deep into the brutal realities of mental illness, addiction and murder, showing how much each character is affected by it. I really enjoyed how well she was able to show how complex mental health can be. Boy on Hold was my first book by J.D. Spero, but it won’t be my last!

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Sign Steal Deliver (Gods of Thunder MC) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Sign Steal Deliver (Gods of Thunder MC)Sign Steal Deliver by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a huge fun of everything Greek Mythology, I really enjoyed Carrie Pulkinen’s second book in the Gods of Thunder MC collection Sign Steal Deliver, a collection of books that are each by a different author. I’ve enjoyed reading books with a MC focus in the past, and Carrie Pulkinen reminded me why I enjoy them so much!

In a not-so-typical romance novel, Hermes finds himself being targeted by a common thief, whose reasons to found me sympathizing with her and being an overall fan of hers from the very beginning. Hermes was a delight to read about, his character funny and his tricks making the book an easy read. Kat was a calico cat shifter, which was interesting to read about, as I had never read about an ability like that.

I have never read a Greek Mythology book with a focus on Hermes, so it was a refreshing new point of view on Greek Gods to see things from his perspective. I have only read one Greek Mythology romance novel before as well, and in reading this book have found a new favorite subgenre in one of my favorite genres. I definitely plan to go back and read the first book in the collection, and plan to read the rest of the collection soon!

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Journeys Through SpaceTime (Journeys Through Book 1) by James Talisman – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Journeys Through SpaceTimeJourneys Through SpaceTime by James Talisman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in the Journeys Through series, James Talisman’s debut novel is very well written! Never before have I seen a debut author so expertly weave through multiple storylines, give such in depth descriptions of many characters, or catch my attention as quickly as he did in Journeys Through SpaceTime.

Whether you are reading about a sword masters’ son or ‘ordinary’ college student from Earth, James writes a novel that makes you feel as if you are right there along with the main characters as they travel through the MultiVerse on an epic adventure. James does a great job of explaining the MultiVerse to the reader, which is what drew me to the novel in the first place. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the recent Marvel productions, which has also played on the idea of there being a MultiVerse.

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Taking Flight (Code of Honor Book 2) by Brooke May – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Taking FlightTaking Flight by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book in the Code of Honor series is just as electric as the first! Brooke May delivers another very well written novel in Taking Flight. Jody’s superstar twin sister Jilly has always been the center of attention for as long as she can remember. On a night where she is pretending to be her sister, she catches the attention of sexy Air Force pilot Holt, who spends the next few days thinking constantly about their memorable evening at the club together. Will a series of chance encounters bring the two of them back together, or does Jilly ruin yet another good thing in Jody’s life?

Brooke May has written yet another novel in which the characters are relatable and the plot is full of twists and turns with some steamy scenes thrown in here and there. It was very easy to read this book quickly. The only reason it took me a few days to finish was because of my busy schedule! I can’t wait to see if there will be more books in the series!

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Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Courage of UsCourage of Us by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For the second time this summer, I have found a new favorite author in Brooke May! The first book in the Code of Honor series, Courage of Us by Brooke May is a real page-turner, making it easy for me to finish it in a few hours!

Brooke May makes the characters relatable, the novel not only focusing on their budding romance but also showing the growth both of them go through as they work through their traumas from their pasts. May also does a great job at illustrating the struggle that many couples face when it comes to opening up about trauma and mental illness, which made the book pull even harder at the heartstrings. By the end of the book, both of the characters have gone through considerable character development, which made me love the book even more. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

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Sex on Fire (Naughty Neighbor Book 1) by Ashley Bostock – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Sex on Fire: A Quickie Read (Naughty Neighbor Book 1)Sex on Fire: A Quickie Read by Ashley Bostock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A short yet sweet read, Sex on Fire by Ashley Bostock is the perfect book to read if you love short stories. Most readers will be able to devour this during lunch breaks or to wind down prior to bed.

Turner is the sexy next door neighbor to Poppy that she can’t stop fantasizing about. Despite having his choice in women, Turner has his eyes set on his nerdy but adorable neighbor Poppy, and the rest is history. Ashley writes a good story, even with a bit of turmoil in there between the characters.

I am definitely excited to read the rest of her books in the future!

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Remember His Name (Remember My Name Series Book 2) by Laurencia Hoffman – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Remember His Name (Remember My Name, #2)Remember His Name by Laurencia Hoffman

Relatable characters and a suspenseful story seem to be Laurencia Hoffman’s speciality! Her second book in the Remember My Name series, Remember His Name was another quick read for me and for good reason. The attention to details that Hoffman shows when sharing Wren’s story with the readers makes it feel as though you are an empath yourself. Like the first novel, tears were shed reading this book. I do issue another trigger warning to those that have experienced untimely death and parental violence, but another overall very well written novel.

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Remember My Name (Remember My Name Series Book 1) by Laurencia Hoffman – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Remember My Name (Remember My Name #1)Remember My Name by Laurencia Hoffman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the very first page, Remember My Name by Laurencia Hoffman leaves you desperate to know what is going to happen next. One of the most suspenseful novels that I have read in a long time, the story of Shane Coulter leaves the reader eager to read more with the end of every chapter, especially the last one.

Shane Coulter is a master at keeping secrets from everyone he cares about, repeating over and over throughout the book that it is to protect them. Upon finding out the truth of his past in the end of the book, the writer ends it on a major cliffhanger. Needless to say, I will be starting the next novel within the hour!

This may be uncomfortable to read if you have ever experienced domestic or parental violence, as well as anyone who may identify as LGBTQ. Overall a very well written novel that I suggest to anyone who loves a good suspense novel.

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Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers Book 1) by Belinda Williams – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers, #1)Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Nice Guy by Belinda Williams is the perfect beach read this summer! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short read that can be finished in a short time. It was the first book that I have read by her and I plan to read the following books in the series.

Belinda has written a very relatable character in Chelsea, reminding me of how it felt to fall for a nice guy after dealing with so many bad guys in the past. Belinda also wrote an amazing character in Tom, making him easy for the reader to also grow attraction towards him as Chelsea develops her own feelings for the sweet and sensitive paramedic. The plot is captivating, with twists and turns in this not-so run-of-the-mill romance novel, that keeps the reader wondering if it will have a happy ending up until the very end of the novel.

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Moonlit Kiss (A Venice Romance) (Moonlit Destination Series) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Moonlit Kiss : A Venice Romance (Moonlit Destination Series)Moonlit Kiss : A Venice Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Her most recent novel, Moonlit Kiss by Amy McKinley has written yet another story that makes it hard to put down from the moment you start. Amy proves yet again in writing this novel that she can write all forms of romance novels, with a historical twist making the novel a quick and interesting read.

As soon as she arrives in the beautiful Venice, Gianna knows that something is amiss. Using foreshadowing and glimpses into the past, Amy hooks the reader in the very first chapter, with each chapter bringing additional confusion until all questions are answered in the end. The steamy connection between the main characters is an added bonus to the reader as well!

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Moonlit Mirage (A Cook Islands Romance) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Moonlit Mirage: A Cook Islands Romance (Moonlit Destination Series)Moonlit Mirage: A Cook Islands Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amy McKinley proves yet again that she is a magnificent writer that deserves to be on every romance-lovers to-read list with her second book of the Moonlit Destinations series. More suspenseful than the previous and leaving the reader wondering what will happen next, it is no wonder that I finished yet another one of her books in record time. Yet again, I find myself excited to read the next book in this series, and eventually read the series it is connected to, the Gray Ghost series.

The book reels you in from the very first paragraph, with a heart-pounding scene that leaves you questioning what just happened. When the lovers reunite later on, you can’t help but hope that the novel will end with a happy ending, despite many things trying to keep them apart. Another short yet sweet novel, readers will devour this quickly.

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Moonlit Whisper: An Irish Romance (Moonlit Destination Series) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Moonlit Whisper (An Irish Romance)Moonlit Whisper by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy McKinley strikes again! One of her shorter novels, Moonlit Whisper: An Irish Romance, this modern contemporary romance was good albeit too short for my liking, as I can never get enough of her writing! Amy is solidifying herself as one of my favorite authors the more I read of her, every book I read I finish wanting more of her!

A classic second chance at romance, Amy does a great job at giving backgrounds to each of the main characters, helping the reader to understand the character and romance between them. I devoured this book in mere hours, much like her other novels, and am excited to read more!

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Forged by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops, book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Forged by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops, #3)Forged by Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The third book in the Deadly Isles Special Ops series, Amy McKinley’s Forged by Secrets is a great ending to the series! An explosive first chapter made it easy to binge this book, finishing it within 24 hours of the previous novel.

A classic tale of opposites attract, the characters in this novel share undeniable chemistry from the very beginning. Through flashbacks, steamy scenes and heart wrenching moments, Amy does an amazing job at wrapping up the trilogy. Even though I am sad that this story has ended, I am excited to read more of her work.

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Bound by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops Series Book 2) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Bound by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops, #2)Bound by Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book in the Deadly Isles Special Ops series, Amy McKinley’s Bound by Secrets is the perfect sequel to an amazing first book! With relatable characters, a suspenseful story line, and an inability to put it down for very long, it didn’t take me long to devour this book.

Amy did an amazing job at picking up where the last book ended, albeit with the focus on two new characters that were introduced in the first novel. From the first paragraph to the last kiss, I found my heart racing, whether from the steamy encounters or the suspense over what might happen next. Amy also did a great job at setting the scene for the next book in the series, leaving the book on a cliffhanger that inspired me to download the next book right away.

After reading this book, I look forward even more to reading more of her novels, and suspect that I will be reading many of them sitting by the lake or on my porch this summer!

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Twisted Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops Book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kayla Kearney

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Twisted Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops #1)Twisted Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first book in the Deadly Isles Special Ops series, Amy McKinley’s Twisted Secrets has you unable to put the book down! Quite possibly the best book that I’ve read this year, this is the first book that I’ve read by the author, but it certainly won’t be the last!

Not your run-of-the-mill romance novel, the author does a great job of adding suspense, conflict, and depth to the plot and the characters, making it easy for the reader to feel a connection to the story and the characters themselves.

This book made my heart race in the intense moments, and a few tears were shed along the way as well. Amy does an amazing job of describing exactly what is happening, so that you feel as if you are in the same room as the character themselves, and every issue that they encounter, you encounter right along with them.

This book allowed me to escape my life for a while, one of the greatest gifts an author can have in their writing. I am so excited to binge read the rest of the series, as well as check out her other books!

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