RISKING IT ALL by Jennifer Schmidt

Risking It All by Jennifer Schmidt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More of a Rom/Com with sex. Interestingly enough, as I read the book, I thought this book could be a really cute Lifetime Rom/Com if the sex wasn't involve.

I think I liked it more than I should have for a couple of reasons. Memphis and Kennedy had WAY too many miscommunications. Especially for two people who have been friends for 12 years, it just seemed implausible. They had moments of clear deep honesty, but then they would turn around and not say what they really meant but what they thought the other person wanted to hear, which was generally incorrect.

I also didn't like the idea that Kennedy was so desperate to have a man in her life that she would put up with the crap that Brooks dished out to her. I realize she had an unsupportive family, therefore, it was something she was kind of used to. But the author states early in the book that Memphis helped her spread her wings and do the things she wanted to do instead of what was expected of her.

I guess I kind of identify with that in a lot of ways. Having one parent who has supported my dreams and having others (friends and family) think I should get a real job and stop chasing my dreams. I just don't understand women who let men walk all over them just to have someone in their lives. Which is how she comes off even to Memphis.

With all these negative things, you would think I hated the book, but I though it was cute and sweet in a lot of ways. Like I said, if it was a Saturday night tv movie (without all the sex, because that wouldn't be on tv), I would watch.

View all my reviews

HOSTILE TAKEOVER by Joey W. Hill

Hostile Takeover by Joey W. Hill
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The only reason I read this book was because it was billed as being a book before its time. If you liked FIFTY SHADE OF GREY, then check this one out.

Although the relationship between Ben and Marcie seems on the surfcace as something that you can understand. He feels that because he's almost 10 years her senior and knew her as a teen, that he shouldn't be involved with her. Marcie, on the other hand, has always known he was for her and goest to almost any lenghts to get him. But it's almost too desperate. Now, I know nothing of the Dom/sub world, but it seems this contradicts everything that it's supposed to be about. She's very dominante in a lot of ways. She pushes and pushes to get what she wants.

Ben has a lot of issues other than her age that, are never really explored fully, that keep him from being with Marci and he treats her horribly. Now maybe I'm putting my own personal issues on this, but I would have walked so fast it would have made his head swim.

Also, unlike FIFTY SHADE and other books I'v read along these lines, the D/s relationship in this book was extremely intense and not really my cup of tea. Reading some if it made me uncomfortable. Not because it was being done, just because I would never allow it myself. But that's what makes the world go round. I didn't hate it and liked some of the story, mostly when Marcie gets pissed and does some of the things that make Ben crazy. I found myself laughing.

If someone gave me a book by this author, I would read it. Just not sure if I would buy it myself.

All of the recent books I've read are because I've gotten them from NetGalley. Not books I've purchased myself.

View all my reviews

GODDESS IN THE MIDDLE by Stephanie Julian

Goddess in the Middle by Stephanie Julian
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley for review and I have to say, this was one of the worst I've ever read. Not only did it go all over the place, there were times I couldn't even follow what the heck the writer was trying to say. Some of the sentences were just incomprehensible, where I would have to read a couple times, which wasted more time.

The storyline wasn't even clear. Yes, I get that Remy and Rom are there to avenge their family's murder, but after that happens, almost 50 pages into the book, the rest of it leads nowhere. We never really figure out why Charum is helping, whomever go after Amnity, why Charum wants Perrin, what the prophecy has to do with any of them other then Rom and Remy. It just made not sense to me.

I wouldn't recommend this book or this writer at all. I rarely give bad reviews like this. I generally find some redeeming quality about the material, but in this case, not even the sex seemed interesting to me.

View all my reviews

CONSENT TO LOVE by Abby Wood

Consent to Love by Abby Wood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Small town girl Ana Reynolds falls for Lakota Indian, Kane, who lives on the reservation, who doesn't believe living on the reservation with him is best for Ana when she's discovered as an emerging painter.

I didn't hate it, but it wasn't great either. I found myself skipping paragraphs because the writing seemed so simple an not interesting enough to read in depth.

Ana was so simple in a lot of ways, which bugged me. She never thought herself good enough for Kane, as a painter, as a woman as a whole. I don't like that at all. Everything she was was tied to him, once they got together.

I received this book as a free NetGalley book to review. The only good thing was that it was a quick enough read to not take too much of my time.



View all my reviews

IF I WERE YOU by Lisa Renee Jones

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I like that Sara is a bit of a tougher girl than our girl from Fifty Shades of Grey. She's older and smarter, but I think its a little ridiculous that she's the child of an extremely wealthy man, yet she's never been out of the country. That doesn't make any sense. Especially if he was rich enough to have a private chef.

There are a lot of things that don't make a lot of sense abou this character. She goes to the Gallery to find out more about Rebecca, but almost immediately forgets her quest when her dream job drops in her lap. And how she doesn't even guess that Chris could be the man that Rebecca was talking about in her journals, is beyond me.

Also, what the heck is the purpose of Ella other than introducing the storage unit? I can concede losing interest in Rebecca's quest a little, but for her friend to disappear in Paris or Italy, or wherever it is she's going and not try to reach her once Sara gets involved with Chris is beyond me. Who knows what happened to her.

I did like the mystery behind it. The way it ended was great. I'm not sure if I will read the next installment, but maybe.

View all my reviews

POINT OF RETREAT by Colleen Hoover

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Although not as good as the first, but very close second. I just think the first book had so many funny spots in it, I was expecting that to carry over into the second book. Don't get me wrong, there were hilarious sections, but not as many.

I liked that the book jumped a little over a year from the first book. Julia had passed away and Layken and Will were navigating how to be single parents, yet date at the same time. Their relationships with friends and family were explored as well as both boys, Caulder and Kel, growing up being raised by their older siblings. Brining the boys into the world of Slam poetry and preteen courtships. That Principle of theirs needs to be fired. She's a horrible person and I know there are people like that in the public school system, who shouldn't be working with kids.

I thought Will's ex, Vaughn, coming back into the picture was a little predictable and she gave up really easy when his friend, Reece returns from active duty. I also thought she didn't explore the selfishness of a person who would bring someone into your home when you explicitly told them not too. I was flabbergasted by his audacity.

I loved that just when you think the story is over and love has prevailed, the reader is blindsided by another heart breaking event in their lives.

Although I found a few more things wrong with the sequel, I still love Will and Layken's story and can't wait for the next book.

View all my reviews

SLAMMED by Colleen Hoover

Slammed by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although I found moments of it to be juvenile and I don't know how people can fall in love so quickly, which may be the reason why I'm still single at my age, but these are the only reasons I'm not giving it 5. There were moments of pure hilarity, where I cried because I laughed so hard and then there were moments that were so sad where I cried as well. I haven't laughed and cried while reading a book in a long time.

Layken and Will are brought together under very sad circumstances and it doesn't seem to get better for them for a long time. I think I may be partial to this material because I'm from Michigan and can understand the dislike of the cold. The fact that Will and Layken discover why they can't be together after their first date is genius. They try to stay away from each other but just can't for many reason.

I love the relationships between their brothers. They immediately connect like only little kids can.

I thought this book was really good.

View all my reviews

NEED by Sherri Hayes

Need by Sherri Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this one a little more than SLAVE. This next part of the story gives you more insight into what Brianna is going through and her blossoming into her own individual person, still broken, but an individual with her own thoughts an opinions.

Its fascinating that the author has written Brianna as someone who is very young and is starting to fall for Stephan, who is basically a much nicer version of her previous Master, Ian. I do find it interesting that Stephan is okan with basic sex given is momentary walk into his play room.

I feel that we have only scratche the surface. I kept waiting for her father, John to show up. And still don't quite understand Cal Ross' animosity towards Stephan.

I seem to have nothing but problems with both stories, but still I couldn't put them down and am really looking forward to the next installment, if there is one.

View all my reviews

SLAVE by Sherri Hayes

Slave by Sherri Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm actually somewhere between it was okay and I liked it. It was difficult for me because although I kept reading and really wanted to know what happened, I was torn by the feeling that Stephan should have gotten Brianna more professional help. And that was actually addressed by his Uncle who doesn't understand his Dominate/Submissive lifestyle.

The fact that Stephan bought Brianna in order to save her from a non-consensual situation is admirable, but I don't like the fact that he continues to treat her how he would treat a submissive.

I also understand that Brianna probably didn't have a regular upbringing due to her mother being ill and having to take care of her her last year of her life then going to live with a father she didn't know then ending up in a slave/master relationship, that wasn't of her decision or making. I can only assume that she's so broken that she can't seem to think for herself once things change.

I also don't like that Stephan wants to have sex with her and is so sexually drawn to her. He says his first priority is her safety and he does take care of her, I'm just conflicted with some of the things he does.

All this to say, I was riveted by the story and couldn't stop reading it. Something about the characters draw you in and the author does a good job of making you want to keep reading to know how things are going to turn out. She parcels them out piecemeal and it works. I also liked the alternation point of view. Mostly from Stephan point of view, but it was interesting to read what Brianna was thinking.

View all my reviews

SHARING HAILEY by Samantha Ann King

Sharing Hailey by Samantha Ann King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was an extremely quick read. I couldn't get a read on who any of the characters really were, basically because all I read was that they were all hot. Women couldn't keep their eyes off the men and men couldn't keep their eyes off of Hailey. Not much about who the were as people other than they'd known each other for 20 years or so. I also thought the two men were roommates until the all came back from their vacation. The way the author wrote the story, the men had talked about sharing Hailey in a very specific way and I don't know how you do that when all three people live in different locations. Not that they would share her by both dating her, but by sharing her and primarily being together as three people in one bed.

I liked the realism of how even a smart educated woman could find herself in an abusive situation. I wish there was more of Hailey sticking up for herself and working with Beth and other women to help them get through this type of difficulties in their lives. Hailey seemed to withdraw more and more and not believe that any type of therapy or dealing with her situation would work.

I haven't ever read a book with a menage a tios, and I was interested to read how it would be handled. Definitely interesting is all I can say without giving away too much.

I have to say that its difficult to believe that Hailey at such a young age would know that she doesn't want a traditional relationship or kids. But I did like it.

There were some grammatical issues, but for the most part it was well written to the point that it was a fast and easy read.

I would check out this author's work again.

View all my reviews