ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Theirs by Mandy Muse

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Marriage in trouble is my absolute favorite trope. This book is about a marriage that was in jeopardy but the husband and wife decided to fight to stay together. In this book we have Camilla and Luke who are in the middle of couples therapy. The book opens on the day that Luke has admitted to Camilla that he would like to be dominated. Camilla is anxious, worried but willing to give this a chance. They get a recommendation from a friend of a woman that teaches classes on domination. Camilla and Luke attend the class and afterwards she tries to dominate him, not very effectively but she tries. Now Genevieve the instructor has just lost her two subs so she looking for someone to replace them but, she doesn’t want to be involved with them while they are in therapy, she doesn’t want to affect their marriage. This is a very emotional book. We have a couple struggling to for fill each other’s needs and yet still get what they want. Luke is a true cinnamon roll to me so sweet, loving and caring about how his needs may affect his wife. Camilla is a woman who grew up thinking her role was to be subservient to her husband and she is constantly apologizing. Genevieve wants to have a sexual relationship with them but she has a hard time connecting to others emotionally. A great book with some very steamy sex scenes. 

Illicit Temptation by Deborah Garland

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the third book in the Astoria Royals series. I don’t think you needed to read the previous 2 books to follow what’s going on but I would recommend you read them first. Trace and Shea have known each other because their families have worked together for various reasons. When Trace and Shea meet up in Vegas they have an amazing night where Shea drinks way too much marries Trace and then doesn’t remember in the morning. Unfortunately Trace was called away on an assignment so he isn’t able to discuss anything with Shea but he leaves her a voice message. So when Trace returns 3 years later wanting to reclaim his wife and telling her he’s her bodyguard. Shea isn’t exactly happy to see him. This was a good story. I loved that Trace fell first and he fell hard. Even though he knew her brothers would not be pleased that he married their sister. Shea is a tough girl and  she’s certainly independent and strong willed but, she’s no match for Trace and she really didn’t want to fight him anyway. This was a great mafia story with violence, a mystery and lots of spice. 

Gifted To His Dad by J. Wilder

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

If you like a short book with a mini plot but a lot of smut, this is your book. Cole has met and fallen in love with Eve. She is everything he could want, smart, sweet and sexy. Eve unfortunately has been brainwashed by her mother to think that she is a waste of time and a nuisance. So her self confidence is at all time low. Cole has bought her to his stepdads cabin for Christmas. But, Cole really has an alternative reason for bringing these two together. He believes that Eve is the woman, him and his stepfather Griffin can share and form a relationship with. Cole loves Eve and thinks she will make the two of them very happy. So this book is all about the seduction of Eve by these two big possessive, attractive men who are only interested in pleasing her and her happy. Lots of steam and smut, it’s so good. 

Wicked Desires by Cora Kent

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

As usual I started this book before reading the prequel and the first book in the series and I was completely lost. There was so much back story, that I didn’t know or understand what was going on. So I backtracked (because I happen to love Cora Kent’s books) and I read the prequel Simple Pleasures and that book explains what I needed to read this book. Saverio and Lucia have a betrothal agreement. Lucia’s brother humiliates Saverio’s sister and her family really hasn’t been playing nice. So Saverio decides he will take Lucia and make her used goods so that she is pregnant and unmarried. Now these two have a history together. When Lucia was at her prom she was embarrassed and her heart was broken so she called Saverio to pick her up. Saverio is eleven years older than her. As they drove around she poured her heart to him and eventually she convinced him to become intimate with her.  In this book Saverio really is a very ruthless, demanding, possessive man. He doesn’t really treat her the best at first since he is so set on getting his revenge but, by the end his love for her knows no bounds. Lucia isn’t a helpless woman. She can and does defend herself and she tries to stand up to Saverio and his demands. This book is dark and steamy. Please check the trigger warnings. I truly encourage you to read the prequel or you will be confused as I was initially. 

Tips and Trysts by Rebecca Kinkade

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Everett is a wealthy politician, Cora is a cam girl, these two should have nothing in common. When they first met Everett was very demeaning about her job. Now Cora is proud or at least she’s not embarrassed about what she does. As they get to know one another Everett starts to change his opinion of her, but now she’s going to make him work for the opportunity to be with her. The banter between these two is so witty and hot. This is an extremely spicy book but there are some aspects that may make people feel uncomfortable, so check the trigger warnings. This is the 2nd book in the Streams and Schemes series. This was a very enjoyable book with a great push and pull relationship that you can’t wait to see how it will be resolved. 

About Love and Revenge by D.A. Lemoyne

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

About love and revenge is the second book in the Lykaios Family book series. This book focuses on Odin whose family were brutally killed in a fire, although he was burned he survived. He was rescued by a man who stirred up the hatred that Odin had for the man who killed his family Leandro. He was raised to hate him and plan to destroy his whole life. So Odin studied and worked and became a billionaire and just as he has Leandro where he wants him, he runs away and leaves his daughter Elina. Now Elina and Odin had crossed paths as teenagers but Odin rebuffed her friendship attempt. Elina like Odin has a tough exterior they don’t let people in, they don’t let others know how they are feeling. But Elina was abandoned by her parents and had no money or way to support herself accepted a job offer from Odin to plan events for him. Odin is everything we like in a MMC, he’s tough, possessive, ruthless and very determined to enact his revenge. Elina is a very strong MFC, she has developed the ability to mask her emotions and keep her feelings to herself. She uses this as shield to protect herself. These two were meant to be together, two people who had terrible childhoods they were mentally abused and not given love. As they get closer to each other not just physically but mentally danger lurks around the corner and Odin still has to complete his revenge against Eliana’s father. This was a wonderful story, it moved fast. I loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. I enjoy when 2 damaged characters find themselves when they fall in love. These two people desperately needed love and acceptance in their lives and it was fantastic watching it happen. 

Meet Me in Wonderland by Angel Anders, Angel Anders

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the third book In the Carolinas series. I haven’t read the first two and honestly from reading the book I had no idea there were previous books. This book reads as a complete standalone. Ellie use to date Fisher’s son but after their breakup and she was having difficulty finding a job Fisher hired her as his assistant. So for the last few years that’s what she has done in fact so efficiently that Fisher doesn’t want her to be promoted. Well that and the fact that he is completely fascinated with her but he’s  worried because he’s 20 years older and he doesn’t want to have children. Ellie has been offered a much better job in a state where her father lives. She is reluctant to take this job because she is in love with Fisher and does want to leave him. On a retreat in North Carolina there is a rare and unusual snow storm that traps them in the same cabin and causes them to cancel the retreat. Before long desires are exposed and instinct and attraction take over. Now that these two have become intimate will they admit their love for one another. Will Ellie accept the job in a different state or will Fisher drive her away. I enjoyed this story. I was worried that because it was ex boyfriend’s father that the son who be present in the story brooding and making snarky remarks about their relationship. But that really didn’t happen. Sweet story of two people in love having to contend with a large age gap and the fact that he’s her boss. 

DECEPTION by BJ Alpha

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Rocco is by far the most interesting, kinkiest male character I have ever read. This is an age gap, teacher student romance. Rocco is the student and Hallie is his teacher. Although many times I felt like he was definitely schooling her. When he first saw her he was mesmerized and he was determined to have her. The things he does and the lengths he will go through have no measure. As with every B J Alpha book I have ever read I always have to pause, ponder and reread to make sure that I read that accurately. This book is extremely steamy. There is one scene that truly shocked me. I’m still stunned. Nevertheless I’m always willing to go on the ride and read any book by B J Alpha because it may shock me, enlighten me, but it always entertains me. Amazing book. 

Defensive Zone by Jodi Oliver

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the third book in the Chicago Thunder series, it’s a MM hockey romance. This was a fast paced extremely sweet, adorable angst, drama free book. Carter and Zach have known each other since then were young children. They went to the same college and then both went on to have professional athletic careers one in football and one in hockey. Zach has been in love with Carter for over 20 years but has remained just his friend. These two spend their off seasons together and travel and vacation together. However it is getting harder for Zach to keep pretending to be just his friend. Especially when Carter meets a woman and says “she could be the one. “ Zach decides it’s time t9 cut his losses and protect himself. He begins to pull away from his friend, dodging phone calls, finding excuses not to see him and refusing to respond to his texts. Carter knows something is wrong but is clueless but when an accident occurs suddenly everything changes. This book was so stinking cute. These two men were the mushiest cinnamon roll guys. So sweet, thoughtful and loving. I liked the fact that Carter was a POC but the author was very subtle about that and it really could have added a different component to the story. I throughly enjoyed this feel good book that just made me smile the whole time I read it. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but certainly intend to. 

Wild for You by Renee Harless

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Andrew works on a ranch with his family but he secretly competes in rodeos. He is able to keep these two worlds apart until he falls and injures himself really bad. His family has to get him from the hospital and bring him back home. Because of his injuries he can barely walk and needs constant supervision and physical therapy. Kelsey is a friend of Andrew’s sister now luckily for Andrew she is suddenly available to live with him in his one bedroom home and help him with physical therapy. Kelsey had her dream job working for a baseball team but unfortunately she was dating one of the players and she broke the fraternization rule. So not only did she lose her job but her boyfriend. Now Andrew is very grumpy and reluctant to accept help. Kelsey has a great way of cajoling him to cooperate and do his exercises. It was not long before attraction between them flared. Andrew really redeemed himself when he becomes the kind of man that Kelsey really needs. He’s reliable and dependable and so loving and thoughtful. I enjoyed this sweet small time romance with two people who were searching for something and found it when they fell in love. Great story. Now this is the fifth book in this series and as always I hate coming into a series late. Although it’s a standalone there are so many side characters that I was often confused about who was who. So this series is best read in order.