ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Undeniably Married by J. Saman

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

3.75

This is the 4th book in the Boston’s Irresistible Billionaire series focusing on Sorel and Mason. This is a reverse age gap book but the age gap is only about 7 years, really not much. Sorel was at the aisle all set to get married when she decided to blast her fiancé by reading his text messages that he had sent to her college friend admitting their sexual relationship. After blowing up the wedding and escaping she runs into Mason outside the church because he was tardy to the wedding. Sorel wants somewhere to escape to until things calm down. They go to Vegas where after too many drinks they decide to tie the knot. When reality sets in they realize although they want to divorce right away that they should just maintain a marriage of convenience for a few months. Now Mason is in love with her so he’s trying to figure out how to get her to stay married and fall in love with him. Poor Sorel has been through so much  so she’s reluctant to give Mason a chance but she can’t helped but be swayed by how kind and thoughtful he is. This was a great story with some spice, surprises and some funny moments. 

Devil's Thirst by Jill Ramsower

dark emotional slow-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 first book in the Moretti Men series. This book focuses on Amelia and Sante, Amelia is a dancer who was once kidnapped by the Society and she also had amnesia ( now I’m not sure if this occurred in a previous book). Sante met her at time when he was very troubled and they connected through their mutual discontent with life. Now Amelia believes she’s being stalked and she has a dance performance occurring soon. Sante comes back into her life around this time but she doesn’t remember him. Sante is determined to be back in her life and get her to marry him but Amelia has a lot of secrets and withholds information about the society and the man stalking her. There were parts that were very confusing to me concerning the society and her not remembering Sante. The book is a slow burn and many times it dragged on. I felt myself closing the book and doing something else. It didn’t grip me like I want a story to hold me in its claws. I wanted to get to the resolution but I wasnt fully invested in this story. This is the first book in the series, the other may be better. 

The One by Marni Mann

emotional 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

4.25

I believe this is the 5th and last book in the Spade Hotel series. This book focuses on Rhett and Lainey and their relationship. The story is told mostly through Rhett and his memories of the past. Rhett and Lainey had a brief little thing as freshman in high school but then Lainey, her twin sister and her parents moved to New York. Three years later as seniors they return. Rhett hasn’t forgotten her and is still bat crazy for her. Lainey is still in love with him and all seems great. They resume their relationship and become intimate and plan to attend college together. However, Lainey’s twin sister Penn is involved in a tragic accident and that causes the breakup between these two. Cue the tears. Rhett pines and longs for Lainey even 15 years after the tragic event. The story is incredibly tragic, sad and emotional. Rhett had this undying, unconditional love for her, no matter what she said to him or how she treated him he was still madly in love with her. What woman doesn’t want this in her life? However, as things came to light and actions and events were explained I felt like I wanted Lainey to show Rhett that she too had this unconditional love for him. The story is great, the emotional roller coaster you experience reading this is wonderful but I wanted more from Lainey. 

Always Heated by Irene Bahrd

emotional funny inspiring 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

This book focuses on Cass and Travis. He is a firefighter and she is a nurse. The6 have two very demanding job with difficult schedules. Travis is her brother’s best friend and although he really likes her, he is afraid her brother will flip if he makes a pass at her especially since Travis is a real hound dog. One night they meet up at a bar and are very flirtatious and they agree to spend a platonic night together nude in the bed. Yeah strange right? But that just sets the scene for the type of couple they are. They agree to a 10 year marriage pact but Travis waits so long that Cass is dating someone else who proposes to her. How can Travis make Cass realize she needs and wants him? The cute, funny and sweet things he does to endear himself to her are enough to make you swoon. However, what I loved more than anything was the way they kept taking naps together. Sleeping with another person in your bed is a very personal and intimate. Sharing space while you’re at your most vulnerable is hard for a lot of people. Needless to say, I loved this book although it was a slow burn there were lots of suggestive innuendos. This is the second book in this Sapphire Lake series and I didn’t feel lost at all. But I definitely plan to go back and read the first book. 

Until Bax by Aurora Rose Reynolds

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

4.25

This is the 14th book in the Until Him/Her series, but this was my first book from this series. Bax is our nice guy who is approached and hugged in the bar by a very attractive woman, imagine his surprise when he realizes it’s his best friend’s sister. So although he was attracted to her nothing can happen. This becomes even harder when she moves into the house next door to him staying with her traveling nurse friend who is never home. I loved how Bax was such a caregiver to Olivia. She was torn about being back in her small hometown and with mysterious things happening around her it was great to lean and depend on Bax. This was a very sweet story with some steam and a little mystery. 

Star Maker by Jessa Nevins

emotional 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

2.5

Kit is our strong female character dedicated to making a success and Sully is her band frontman and her love interest. As a child of the eighties I could appreciate some aspects of this book and understand the large rock bands that existed. Although I really know none of the inside stories this book made me feel as if I was a part of that time. I enjoyed the highs and lows they experienced as a groups and the tribulations they faced. The book was slow moving in some parts and confusing in others. The premise was great and the musical direction was amazing but the plot was not the easiest to navigate. This is an enjoyable read if you love 80 music especially rock bands of that time. 

Seduced by Contract: The Greek and the Sugar Baby by D.A. Lemoyne

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? No

5.0

This is the first book in the Kostanidis family series. Zeus is the oldest sibling, and apparently the most jaded. He meets Madison and he is determined to have her however he can get her. Now Madison is a young girl (only 19) she is tough, and strong but her life has been really rough. She doesn’t have many pleasant memories in her young life. However, she realizes that Zeus wanting her is a great bargaining tool for her to use to get what she needs for her family. I loved Zeus and Madison together. They were completely open and honest with each other. The level of trust she had for him was amazing. The way she made him feel (since he is in his 30’s), the age gap felt irrelevant. The relationship Madison proposes is a Sugar baby and her Sugar Daddy (not my favorite term) but it makes sense in regards to their relationship. I enjoyed this story immensely and it seemed to fly at a fast pace.  I cannot wait to get the books on the remaining siblings. 

Mr. Broody by Piper Rayne

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? Yes

4.25

This is the second book in The Nest series, focusing on hockey players who live above a bar that’s surrounded by a gate to keep the fan girls out. I read and absolutely loved the first book in this series and I expected to love this one too because it featured Henry and his son Bodhi. Bodhi was mentioned a great deal in book 1 because he got attached to the MFC and wanted to share her with Rowan. Now in this book we have Henry and Jade who have known each other a long time and who were in love and dating all through high school and college but after Henry was drafted things went sour.  I must admit I just didn’t like Jade. At times she would redeem herself and then do something stupid. Henry was so in love with her that he has basically waited 8 years for her to return to him. He hasn’t been celibate but he hasn’t gotten into any long involved relationships. Henry does just about everything to get her to be his. I’m a sucker for a man who wears his heart on his sleeve but, I get annoyed at woman who don’t know when they have a good thing. This was a great story, very enjoyable and I certainly looking forward to the other men of the nest falling in love and getting their HEA. Just wanted to mention I’m noticing a trend in books where the children are getting their own chapters and expressing their own POV and I think it’s fabulous. As a reader I want to know what all my main characters are thinking and feeling and this includes their children. 

Manny by Mackenzy Fox

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

3.5

Manny is a MC romance between two men and one woman. This is only the third MC book I have ever read. I have to say every time I read one I learn a little more about the group and its culture. I think what prevents me from reading more of these types of books is all the lingo or jargon. I need a MC dictionary to understand certain terms or rules. Nonetheless this author did a great job of explaining some things to me but, I just really loved the story of Manny, Bandit and Lace. Here are three people who have trauma in their lives and they are just trying to survive. Manny has never felt as if he belonged until he became the cook for this group who loved and accepted him and his bisexuality.  Bandit is desperately fighting his bisexual thoughts  and feelings towards Manny while trying to start a relationship with Lace and raise his son. Lace has had tough interactions with most of the men in her life. There is some  danger surrounding her but she just wants to be loved by both Manny and Bandit. I loved Bandit’s awakening and his coming to terms with who he really is. Great story loved the simplicity of this MC book I didn’t feel completely lost it stupid and that because the author wrote it so that everyone even a novice could understand what was going on. 

Scorned Vows by Victoria Paige

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

3.5

This is the second book in the Scorned Fate series. This book is about Natalya and Luca. Their marriage was arranged because it would be beneficial for their mafia families to unite. Natalya’s father needed help and Luca and his family could offer that help. Luca wanted to remain distant aloof but he wanted Natalya to fall in love with him so that she would remain loyal. So at first Luca is loving and attentive until afterwards when he lays down the so called law and what his expectations are. Natalya being the strong independent woman she is does what she needs to do. I loved this story and the angst. Great romance between these two and a decent grovel as well.