ljamison01's reviews
1179 reviews

Mountain Boss by S.J. Tilly

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad 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

4.75

If you enjoy strong, big sexy mountain men, well this is the book for you. Courtney our MFC has had a tough life. She shows up to Black Lodge to assume the new maintenance position however her boss Sterling has no idea that she is a woman. Courtney desperately needs this job, she has 200 dollars to her name and all her belongings in her jeep. Although this is a three month position she’s hoping to save money and hopes that maybe it will last longer. Sterling is immediately attracted to this curvy woman. He’s attracted to her figure and crazy about the two braids she keeps her hair in. At the beginning this was a lot of miscommunication between the two because she was afraid of being fired so she said nothing. But, once they begin to communicate all the walls come down. This is a very spicy age gap, boss employee, close proximity romance. If you read anything by S.J Tilly you know what to expect and she doesn’t disappoint. This is the first book of her new mountain men series. 

His Temptation by Nicole Baker

emotional funny hopeful 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 first book in a new series. Lincoln is the CEO of an airline company. He has terrible luck with assistants, all of them want to marry him or date him. He has lost two assistants in the last week and by happenstance the person tasked with finding him a new assistant is talking about this in a coffee shop when Kylie overhears and asks for an interview. Now Kylie is hired for the position even though she is grossly unqualified for it. However, desperation on her part made her seek the position. Her parents unexpectedly disappeared and she is taking care of her younger brother alone. As these two navigate their professional relationship and attraction begins to grow between them. Kylie is like no woman Lincoln has ever dated or worked with. And Lincoln is this extremely, wealthy, handsome privileged man that she has no experience with. The lines between work and personal fade and they become involved but of course things become more tangled as family gets involved. Great story with interesting characters, great spicy scenes and just a touch of the unexpected. Looking forward to other books in this series. 

The Venom We Bleed by Lucy Smoke

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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 first book in this series Scorpion Kings. Juliet and Gio, Lex and Nolan all live in the same town but on opposite sides at first. Juliet is the rich kid who has everything wealth, popularity she’s living the good life until it all falls apart and her father is arrested and her mother leaves town. The men on the other side have been abused, neglected and coaxed into a life of crime to stay ahead. Suddenly these two worlds meet when Juliet must now attend their high school in order to graduate. The boys run the school and pretty much their side of town. Juliet just wants to lay low, graduate and get the heck of that town. Coincidentally the boys have made a pact to leave after they graduate but Lex who has been obsessed with Juliet for years wants her to come with them. Juliet is a tough girl, strong, defiant and brave despite being the towns scapegoat. Gio is the playboy, he loves women and he’s a little bit darker and more of a deviant. Lex is the hacker of the group, he’s a stalker and he’s silent but always watching and aware. Then there’s Nolan he is the leader, he’s determined to get out of that town and make something of himself and he’s going to drag his 2 brothers with him (Lex and Gio). The men had made a pact in the book to help each one escape their abuse but, will they be willing to carry it out. These four people make a fierce team. This book ends on a cliffhanger. This story has an amazing plot with a few subplots that keep you entertained. I believe this is my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. Please check your trigger warnings. It is a dark why choose book. 

Wicked Rivals by Kelliann Nelson

emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.25

I truly enjoy the mafia trope, because I love the possessive men. I love the self confidence, the swagger, knowing that this man will save and protect me. Well this mafia story was a little different from the usual arranged marriages. Valerie and Stefano knew each other when he was in college they met while she was working in a cafe. He was the spare child and therefore thought he would never be the mob boss. He dreamed of living the American dream of being a college professor with a wife and children. So he lied to Valerie about who he was and they became involved. Unfortunately his father and brother were both eliminated and he had no choice but to become the head of the family. Valerie was disgusted when she found out and the two ended their relationship. Now tens years later Stefano is about to be the biggest mafia group on the east coast after he gets married. But, someone doesn’t want that marriage to occur because Stefano finds out that Valerie has a son and he’s the father. Most mafia books don’t have a lot of angst because there is some much other stuff going on. But, these two have spent ten years pining for each other. It was so good. Great story with action, mystery, suspense, some spice and a cliffhanger. The book will be concluded in the next book Savage Enemy. 

Stolen Vows by Penelope Black

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.75

This is the third book in the Avalon Falls series. I have read all three books and I felt this one just moved a little slower than the previous books. I think the author was trying to really stress the fate idea or meant to be concept. The book starts with the two main characters bumping into each other at different time 10 years prior, 5 years later and present. Each time the meetings were brief between Francesca and Graham. These two often thought of the other and wondered about them. In fact Graham who owns a security firm tried to find her. In the present they realize there is an attraction but unfortunately outside elements affect everything. Francesca is still having her strings pulled by her family and Graham is having his own family issues. They come to the realization that if they marry it will solve both their problems. Having Ms sunshine marry Mr grumpy really makes things interesting. They have some great dynamics between them Graham is certainly possessive and gives those “my wife” vibes. This book has a minor mystery to enhance the story. Overall its a good story and certainly an enjoyable read. 

Deep Pockets by Nana Malone

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-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

I think this is my third or fourth book by this author and I must admit I’m committed to reading all the books in her backlist. I enjoy her writing and especially enjoy that she writes about black women. Women who are strong, confident, passionate about their beliefs and their goals. This book is about Morgan who is about to graduate and wants to be a fashion designer. Her father is controlling the purse strings and really isn’t happy with her choice of career. He would love her to work with the family. Morgan’s sister is remarrying her husband and wants Morgan to dance with Lance. Lance has always been attracted to Morgan but bro code is you do not mess with your best friend’s sister. So this dance has them pressed up close, stirring up all kind of feelings and emotions between the two. But the gist of the problem is Lance has a lot of secrets that he doesn’t want to disclose to Morgan, and Morgan has a lack of trust in men. So can these two work on these issues and find their happily ever after? This book had great banter, spicy scenes and an interesting plot. I am interested to read the next book in the Kings and Rivals series. 

Crossroads of Love by Kris Abbott

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense

• 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

I love second chances and I absolutely adore when it’s the deceased brother’s spouse. The book had me reeling. My two favorite tropes. Lena dated Gavin’s brother but they broke up. When Lena started attending the same college as Gavin, they met up, sparks flew and they were deep into it. However, Gavin’s father has told him that he cannot be with Lena because she belongs with his younger brother. So unfortunately Lena and Gavin have a miscommunication and they end their relationship. Years later Gavin returns home for his father’s funeral. Lena is now his sister in law although his brother has passed away. Lena is the Mayor of the town and mother to a teenager. Upon seeing each other those sparks are igniting once again. However, this time when Gavin tries to explain what his father had done, Lena doesn’t believe him and believes that he just didn’t love her enough. But, Gavin’s father left a surprise in his will that will cause lots of turmoil for all parties. I loved and enjoyed the angst in this book so much. The story really resolves around a lot of miscommunication (easily solved) but I didn’t care. I loved the characters and the spicy, dirty talk of Gavin and I’m eagerly awaiting book two in the Hick’s Creek series. 

The Saint by Penelope Sky

emotional mysterious sad tense 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 Fifth Republic series and the final book about Bastien and Fleur. This book picks up right where the second book ended. I believe of the three books this one is far more emotional. Bastien is facing down a group that wants to attack him for his previous actions, there is still the conflict with his brother Godric (please give him his own book his story needs to be told) and Adrian her ex husband is still in trouble. This book was action packed. There is on page violence. However, the best part of the majority of Penelope Sky’s books are her male characters and Bastien is an amazing man. He is tough, possessive, thoughtful, and very sweet and loyal to Fleur. Once he laid eye on her, he was gone. Their love story is truly so tender and sickening sweet. Every woman wants and deserves to be loved by a man like Bastien. I enjoyed the books in this series and eagerly await Luca’s story since he’s a much different man from Bastien. 

Save Your Breath by Kandi Steiner

emotional funny lighthearted sad 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 fourth book in the Kings of the Ice series and it’s the first one I have read in the series. In this book we have Aleks who is a bad boy. He plays hockey and is a big troublemaker. Now Mia and Aleks grew up together and have known each other forever. She’s a good girl pop star and doing great but the world believes she’s stuck in the past with an ex boyfriend. Mia and Aleks are opposites, opposites attract and these two have a secret thing for each other. Now her ex boyfriend is trying to ruin her reputation by doing awful things. So of course the people concerned with her image think that a fake relationship between her and Aleks will be ideal. So as these two maneuver through this fake relationship with very real feelings it’s incredibly cute, endearing and sad. I’m an angst lover and there was plenty for me to enjoy. Great story of two people maintaining a friendship and feelings for each other for such a long time. I plan to read the first three books of this series because I enjoyed this book. 

Serena's Grace: A Cowboy Ranch New Adult Romance by Siberia Johnson

emotional inspiring sad tense 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

3.5

This is the third book in this Lovesick series. It’s the only book I have read in the series and each book is considered a complete standalone. Serena is sent to Hollow Oak Ranch not as a participant in the program but as an employee. Serena has been getting in trouble and being led astray by a boyfriend so she is sent here to work for the summer. This place is in the middle of nowhere and she is a city girl. When she first arrives she is greeted by Grant another employee who has been there a few years and actually knows the place very well. Serena believes that her flirtatious ways will sway Grant and they will soon have some fling. However, Grant is just getting over someone and Serena’s tricks and manipulations aren’t really working. So when they finally start to meet in the middle, the story revolves around them working through their own individual stuff to be together. This was a new author to me and I enjoyed the story  and the characters.