mdb8199's reviews
1158 reviews

Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

After getting divorced and needing a complete change of life, Via decides to leave Ca and moves across the country to Maine. From San Francisco to a small town at that. Meeting Reid at a bar and going home with him on his birthday was something neither of them had done before. Going their separate ways Via takes back her life. Transforming her warehouse/apartment to an art studio she needs a contractor. Enter Derek. I really enjoyed Via’s sister. Getting her out of her shell and helping her heal in this. Derek happened to be Reid’s dad. Reid is the kind of guy everyone needs in your life. Even though he’s 11 years younger, he’s a lot older than most. This was a cute read of finding one self after a divorce, reverse age gap. This does have some TW. One was infertility which was a big one for me. But it was nicely done. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own. 

Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov

emotional relaxing medium-paced

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

4.25

Demi and Romeo clashed from the start. Well Romeo was the one that made their beginning difficult. Anything to do with her last name automatically put him against her. They own shops next to each other. One is a boxer and one is a coffee place. Enemies from the start. There is some TW so please look that up prior to reading with addiction. They started out as enemies, then two friends, and ended up as more. This was an amazing book and I am so glad I got to read it. It almost takes you back to Cottonwood. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own. 

Filthy Alpha (Dark Horse MC Book 1) by Hayley Faiman

dark 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

4.0

I always enjoy a book by this author and when I see it was a MC story… I was all in. Shawn is your naive younger cupcake baker. Her shop is struggling big time and she gets a break one day when Elvis aka King goes to her shop looking for a bar to collect his payment for his club but gets her bakery instead. Instant attraction for both. Like all MC romances they go to the next level 2 seconds after meeting one another. This book had spice and some action at the end with a small twist I honestly didn’t see coming. I’m hoping to see a 2nd book  as a series for Ryan as I want to know about that drama as well. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own. 

Mine To Keep by Natasha Madison

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Grace wanted to start fresh with a new job away from her family. Excited, she starts her first day as an assistant at Cain’s company as his assistant. Her first day did not go as planned. Cain is the epitome of what you would call grumpy sunshine. Almost making her walk out and quit the first day. The banter these two had was hilarious. Grace had awesome come backs to what Cain was putting her through. This book had some spice and when the spice was there it was there! If you’re looking for a single dad, grumpy sunshine, age gap and office romance this will be perfect for you. We even got to see characters from previous books in the series which I adore. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.

Hans by S.J. Tilly

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I’m sad to see this series end with Hans and Cassie. Hans is a bit of a recluse who is avenging his sister’s murder who is also a hired killer. He’s also a stalker to his neighbor Cassie who brings him cookies that are barely edible. Hes a sentimental guy who likes blogs and keeps post-its. He finds his perfect match in Cassie since she accepts pretty much everything he does. This book delivers just like the others in the Alliance series and I was here for it. This was faced paced with all the characters and especially the epilogues at the end made this a perfect close to the Alliance chapter. Couldn’t have been more perfect.

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.

Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

The youngest sister is Emma and she must marry someone she hasn’t even met before to marry and have a child with. She is the good sister. The one that is studying to be a doctor and wasn’t expecting this. Giacomo is the man she is set to marry and he is an ex MMA fighter and mafia Don. This had a slow burn for their love affair. There is an age gap between the couple and the spice is there. This was a great addition to the series. I’m hoping there is more!

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own. 

Tuesday Night Truths by C.W. Farnsworth

relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

This follows Friday Night Lies book with Cassia and Holden and takes place when they are 21 so some years later. Still having the same insecurities as they did in the previous book, they had to navigate this. I was kind of worried they wouldn’t make it through to get their happily ever after. Loved how all of the gang was back in the book for support. We got to catch up some. This was the sequel I didn’t know I really needed, but definitely enjoyed for the whole trip. I would suggest reading the previous book to get the full experience to fully understand what is going on in the story

In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak

funny relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

At this point in this series, it is hard to find your favorite book. But with Ash Kelly, I think you found your favorite book boyfriend. We meet him as he is practicing before a game and notices Bridget in the stands. She is with her boyfriend at the time And he tries to make him move. Not too hard though. Later that night, they see each other again at the bar where her boyfriend and her get into it a little bit. A little while later ashes hurt during the game and goes to the hospital, where none other than his nurse is Bridget. By this time, that boyfriend is now an ex. She is not looking for a new relationship so they remain friends. As they get to know each other the friendship  deepens and the man does it get spicy there. This was an excellent story and I really enjoyed the bonus scenes. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own. 

Flame by Adriana Locke

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

4.0

The last Carmichael, Foxx who is the grumpy sunshine type of character. The bodyguard who is hired to protect the heiress Bianca Brewer. His best friend who is also Bianca’s brother asked him to do this job. Just when feelings were starting to show up Foxx decided he needed to be transferred and Bianca was left wondering what happened and sad. Months later her life is endanger so she is once again back with Foxx as he is the bodyguard. This time however she has to be married and even her brother doesn’t trust anyone but Foxx. Feelings are still there. This is the fifth book in the series but could be read as a standalone. Reading the previous books will give you more of an understanding of the backstory of all the characters. Excellent story.

Make-Believe Match by Melanie Harlow

funny medium-paced

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

4.0

This is the third book in the series. This follows Devlin and Alexandra who enter a marriage of convenience. I always enjoy these types of books as I enjoy the drama that comes with it. Alexandra works for the Snowberry Lodge and Devlin works for the property management in Boston. In order to keep the lodge in the family, Alexandra or Lexi must marry. Devlin suggests marriage which is interesting since they shared a one night stand in the past. This was a great book for the laughs and overall timing so close to the holidays with it being a lodge and all. 

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.