ljamison01's reviews
1181 reviews

Hidden Roots by Clio Evans

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 third book in the Citrus Cove series. This book was the funniest, certainly most entertaining of the series. In this book we have Hunter who is the older brother, the green thumb gardener, the all around nice guy, and just a standup dependable man. Now Emma when she came to town three years ago they had an hilarious first meeting and from there they just avoided each other and became like frenemies. But, Hunter was always aware of her, in fact we was obsessed with her but, he knew if something happened and ended badly his whole family would be mad at him because they considered Emma one of theirs. So Emma is suddenly faced with her past when her ex-husband comes to town to tell her that her father has died and she decides that Hunter must be her boyfriend to protect her but, Hunter goes even further and introduces himself as her fiancée. The banter and antics between these two were hilarious. The grilling they get from his brother and her friends is priceless. Such a great story because of course fake dating leads to real feelings and great, spicy hot intimate moments. Whew! Small town guy Hunter really has the moves. This was such a great book but it’s best if you read all the books in order or you may feel a little lost. 

Unveiled: A Dark Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance by Jane Henry

dark emotional mysterious 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 Bratva Kings series. The two older brothers have found love and now we have Semyon. He’s the most analytical of the bunch. He’s a thinker. He is more inclined to process and reflect before acting. He’s cold, ruthless and dangerous. He was the best friend of Eli who is Anya’s older brother. Anya was always close to Semyon and she loved him. However, Eli has gotten into trouble over and over again and no matter how many times Semyon rescued him he dug himself deeper. Anya blames Semyon for all the trouble Eli is in and the death of her mother. Anya’s mother owned and worked in a bakery that Anya is trying to desperately hold on too. When she is just about at wits end she charges at Semyon and demands his help. Semyon decides to marry, protect her and help make the bakery solvent again. The story is wonderful it’s always great to have past characters return in new books. I thought the spice level was amazing but it took a while to get there. I haven’t read a bad book by Jane Henry and I loved the tease at the end concerning the next book in this series. Great book if you love mafia a definite read, however I suggest you read the books in order. 

Out of the Shadows by Christina Sol

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

3.5

I must admit I had a really difficult time getting into this book. Sabrina (Bean) is a computer hack, the best. She lives for her job. She doesn’t really take care of herself by eating healthy food or gettIng exercise. Her life is work and playing computer games. She works for Gavin who is the head of Hudson security. Sabrina had two fainting spells and the last one cause her to fall and hit her face on the side of a desk. This really sparks things because Gavin becomes worried and concerned about her and takes her to his home to feed and watch over. Now Sabrina and Gavin live near each other because their houses are on some sort of compound. Suddenly after 9 years of working together sparks are flying and there is an attraction. I liked the mystery and the suspense elements of the story more than their romance. There was banter and it was great, there was even some spice. I just thought Sabrina seemed more like a young twenty year old than a mature woman and whereas Gavin appeared to be a comfortable self assured man and I didn’t think they complimented each other. I do want to read the next book in this series. The story and the retrieval of their “package” is great and well worth the read. 

Midnight Butterflies by Angel Anders

dark emotional mysterious 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

The MFC Dove is a wildlife photographer. She lives on the mountains by herself and takes pictures. She lives to be alone and while on her mountain she comes across a man. There is an instant between them. They have great banter and seem to connect. However, after an intimate moment she runs away. Two months later her mother, who isn’t very motherly asks her to meet her new fiancé. He is one of many. Dove isn’t very close to her mother and although she wants to make her happy, she’s hoping for a brief dinner and a trip back to her mountain. Imagine her surprise when her mother’s fiancé happens to be the man she spent time with 2 months ago. This age gap, forbidden romance really surprised me when it turned into a suspenseful romance. I generally read just the blurb and let the book surprise me. I enjoyed the twists and turns. I enjoyed the forbidden romance. The book had some definite spicy moments. 

Tempted by Eden: An Enemies to Lovers Office Romance by Jade May

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

3.5

Cora met James and they had a magical one night stand. Now 5 years later, Cora is a struggling single mother who lost her job and her father is extremely ill and she is trying to take care of everything alone. She has been blackballed and getting a new job has been impossible. She is offered a waitress position at a gentleman’s club called Eden. Here she can make a substantial amount of money. Her first night she just hosts but on her second night she agrees to allow herself to be selected for the evening. Cora is selected by none other than James. However, she is humiliated and angry when he doesn’t seem to recognize her. So in the morning she steals all the money out of his wallet. Realizing she can’t go back to Eden because she may be arrested she is thrilled when she is offered a public relations position that pays well and what she is trained for. Now when James sees her working at his company he automatically thinks she’s there for more money or to blackmail him. He wants to immediately fire her but she was hired to improve the public image of the company. This was a great story. James was a little bit of a grump, and certainly distrustful of Cora and her actions. Cora did look for James to inform him about her son but wasn’t able to locate him. So can these two people get over their issues and find their way to a happily ever after? Can Cora and James find a middle ground where they can both be open and honest? 

No More Spies by Lexi Blake

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

3.5

This is a new recruits of the masters & mercenaries series. This is my first book with the new recruits. I admit I felt a little lost. There were tons of side characters and events that I didn’t understand. However, the main characters Kala and Cooper have know each other since they were children. Kala really liked Cooper and he felt the same, however he hurts her feelings and they separate.  Years go by and Cooper realizes that he needs her in his life. Now Cooper still feels guilty about the past and how he hurt her. But he also knows that he loves her. Kala is a strong, determined woman who stands strong and firm. These two have some great banter, the emotional interactions are definitely angsty. There is some great spice. The story has twists and turns and lots of action. I really want to read the previous books so that I don’t feel so lost amid the other story dynamics. 

Finn by Ashley James

emotional funny lighthearted 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

This is the first book in the Moore Men series. Finn is a rancher and a father of a four year old son. His nanny has decided to leave town and he needs a new nanny fast. His FWB Violet (although she thinks she’s his girlfriend) suggests her twin brother Ash. Ash has just lost his teaching job and in desperate need of money. When Finn and Ash first meet it really was a little awkward. Ash doesn’t think he would get the job but Finn is desperate. Soon after Ash moves in there is some settling issues. But, Finn is thrilled that his son Tucker loves Ash. Ash is cooking dinner for the family, packing lunch for Finn and sending Finn the cutest texts and videos of Tucker throughout the day. Finn has noticed that both of Ash’s nipples are pierced and when he discovers he’s pierced somewhere else. Oh my!!!  Finn is almost 30 and has always been heterosexual. He doesn’t fight the feelings but he is wary. Now Ash is just a downright tease calling Finn, daddy and taunting him with his “toys”. This is a very steamy book and I enjoyed the grumpiness of Finn learning to deal with and tolerate the happy sunshine of Ash. Amazing start to a brand new series. I cannot wait for the second book. 

Duke of Pryde by Mariah Stone

challenging funny informative 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 Seven Dukes of Sin series. This book follows Constantine, he is restrained, stiff, unflappable, and full of pride. Yet he has a secret that he will do anything to protect. He has a blackmailer and a young infant that is causing him all sorts of grief. So Constantine devises a way to thwart all. He will marry the vicar’s daughter in a marriage of convenience and raise this child. However, no marriage of convenience is ever easy. Modesty prefers to dig in dirt, rather than exchange niceties with others. Modesty would always do for others before herself. She would truly love to be an archaeologist. As with all previous MFC’S in this series each woman is unique and talented, skilled in some area in which women were traditionally forbidden from. I enjoy how the author uses these historical novels to explain and describe how women were trendsetters and paved the way for the future. Modesty and Constantine begin to enjoy each other and their family as the blackmailer looms closer and more dangerous. Constantine’s history really plays into how he will decide to handle things. Will he sacrifice his wife and family to keep his pride intact? I am truly enjoying these historical novels, not just for the romantic aspects, but the history and the wonderful stories. 

Obsessed with Her by D.A. Lemoyne

emotional 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

5.0

This is the third book in the Konstanidis family series. This a series of interconnected books about 4brothers. This book is about Serenity and Ares. Ares becomes Serenity’s ward after purchasing some of the stocks her previous ward/guardian owned. The Konstanidis brothers needed the stock to take over a company of a man that had caused their family irreparable harm. When Ares meets Serenity she is a 19 year old ballet dancer. He believes that he will do his duty from afar and keep her protected with bodyguards. However, Ares becomes obsessed with her. He knows that she is too young for him and that he has no staying power. He dates women for a week or two and moves on. Serenity is a special girl. Her parents died when she was very young and she spent her most formative years at a boarding school. Two years later Serenity is the Prima ballerina in a dance company in New York living one floor below Ares. Can these two resist each other? Serenity also has to contend with a stalker who wants to own her and keep her hidden away. This was another fabulous book in this series. Each brother is possessive and domineering yet oh so loving with their partner. Amazing book. I cannot wait to read about the last, most difficult brother Hades. 

Dance of Deception by Jagger Cole

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 first book in the new Darkest Dance series. This book focuses on a dark society made up of five men (The Black Court). Lyra our MFC has had an awful childhood and life. Her father was a horrible criminal and her mother an alcoholic and gambler. Lyra hasn’t had any love or guidance in her life. She is currently a dancer in a Russian ballet company rumored to be funded by the Bratva (there are many characters from previous books ). Lyra’s father left her and her mother with an incredibly large debt that they must pay. This forces Lyra a dancer and struggling med student to do something so unusual and dangerous. Lyra must dance with a blindfold on in front of a group of people for five thousand dollars. She is given the number by a dancer friend who also currently dances. Unfortunately, while dancing Lyra’s face masks slips and she witnesses something she shouldn’t have seen. Carmine our MMC is the future heir to the mafia. He wears a different mask in every room he enters. Carmine is unhinged, possessive, ruthless and dangerous. However, once he meets Lyra the attraction is amazing and the dynamics between the two are crazy. This book is much darker than his previous books you may want to check the trigger warnings. I thought this book was entertaining, engrossing and fabulous. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.