readingromancehea's reviews
757 reviews

Step Alpha by Renee Rose

challenging emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

5.0

Rayne is the pack runt. She's the outcast in the pack. It doesn't help that she can't shift. Wilde comes home from school after being in jail to Rayne sleeping in his room. Wilde wants his dad and Rayne to suffer as much as he is. What happens when you can't stop pushing your step sister's buttons and slowly fall for her? 

I feel awful that the kids call Rayne "Runt". I do wish that Wilde called Rayne "Jelly Bean" a little more but I did like "Rayne-bow" too. It's so sad how Wilde sabotaged his whole career but I'm so glad he did. How sweet is it that Wilde gave Rayne driving lessons (he even buckles her in) even though they were only to get the "burden" of driving her around off of him. The whole birthday scene tugged at my heart. Rayne sticking up for Wilde was epic. The ending was absolutely perfect. It's just what I needed. 

This is such a good story. Very slow start but definitely worth it. 

Gifted to the Wolf: An Age Gap Rejected Mates Romance by Chase Meadows

1.0

The idea was great but wasn't executed properly. 

Tied Up in Him by Cassie Fairbanks

5.0

Harley’s ex is marrying her best friend Britt. Harley knows she didn’t really love him. He was just a safe option for her. No one compares to Britt’s dad Owen. Crushing on your best friend’s dad isn’t easy. There’s so much at stake. When Harley’s fantasy becomes a reality will she open up her heart or keep it locked away? 

I love that Owen calls Harley *Ace*. The meaning behind it is so cute. When your making heart eyes at someone else and not your man that should be a sign that you shouldn’t be together. The ride from the airport to Owen’s house is definitely awkward. The fact that he took her to get food when she got off the flight is epic. Working out in the gym can’t keep his mind of Harley. Especially when he goes to take a shower and hears her in her room. When Harley tells Owen that he makes her feel invincible made my heart melt. Their late night bourbon talks are adorable. 

This was a very good read. The plot was good and the spice was heavy. I will definitely be checking out more from Cassie. I love finding new to me authors! 

He Found Me by Joy Mullett

3.0

Katie is going through her mail. In an envelope is a wedding invitation... to her own wedding. Attached is a one way ticket. Years earlier she told her first love that she'd marry him when they were 30 if neither of them were already married. Would you take the ticket and go?

I love Leo's nickname for Katie.

Leo calls Katie- la mia ragazza 

The fact that Leo calls every night is the sweetest thing. The reason why Katie had to stop talking to Leo is heartbreaking. When I heard the story from Leo about how he went to find her I wanted to cry. I like that Katie has so much sass. She needs to knock Leo down a peg. I'm shocked at what Kaite does to get Leo's attention. I absolutely love how Katie knows how to speak Italian fluently and hides it from Leo. 

This was an okay story. It's set up as a standalone since each book is a different couple but it ends like it's a cliffhanger. 

The Good Girl by Nikki Sloane

1.0

This just wasn't for me 

Empire Of Pain by J.L. Beck

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

4.0

Empire Of Lies by J.L. Beck

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

This is the second book in the *Torrio Empire* trilogy. This trilogy must be read in order. It is NOT a standalone. 

Bianca has just been given some massive news by her dad. She feels like her whole world has come crashing down on her. All she wants to do is go to Callum but she also feels like she can't. There's trust issues now. Will she ever find out if her dad is right? 

I'm feel so bad that Bianca is stuck in the middle between Callum and her dad. I would take a day off work too if I found my dad binge drinking out of no where. The whole scene with the camera was hysterical. I was shocked that Callum used child locks to trap Bianca. Bianca's words in the parking garage hurt my soul. I'm heartbroken for Tatum. No one deserves what happened to her. I may love Bianca and Callum but I'm also obsessed with the friendship between Bianca and Tatum. It's the cutest thing.

This was better than the first book. There were more things that I didn't see coming so I'm happy about that. I'm going into the last book skeptical but we'll see what happens. 

Empire of Lust by J.L. Beck

4.0

This is the first book in the *Torrio Empire* series. This trilogy needs to be read in order. 

Bianca has had a crush on her best friend's dad Callum for years. When Bianca finds out her boyfriend cheated on her, her friend Tatum says that she can stay at her house but in a different wing from Callum. Tatum tells Bianca things will be fine. What Bianca doesn't know is that things will not in fact be fine. Not when Callum is involved. 

Callum calls Bianca- Little Bird

I felt so bad that Bianca found out Lucus was cheating the way she did. It's cute how Bianca thinks Callum will never find out what happened in the kitchen that night. It's funny how Tatum forgot to tell Callum that Bianca was moving in until right when she was about to leave. I was not expecting what happened in Callum's office to happen. I'm sorry but you can't run for the inevitable. I love how Bianca just wants to help Tatum and Tatum just wants to help Bianca. I didn't expect one twist at the very end but I did expect the other. 

This was an okay read. The spice was hot. There were so many twists and turns that I felt like I couldn't keep up. I'll be checking out the next book though because I'm curious. 

Tarnished Embers by Rosa Lee

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

TW: s3lf h@rm & SA

Ember lost her mom 5 years ago. Her dad Richard wrapped himself up in work. Ember comes home one day to Richard and his new wife Odette breaking the news to her that they're now married and she has 4 new stepbrothers. What happens when you find your stepbrothers attractive? 

I love all the nicknames Prince, Cas, Kit, and Oct gave Ember. 

Kit calls Ember- Pretty Thing

Prince calls Ember- Sugar 

Caspian calls Ember- Little Cinders 

Oct calls Ember- Little sis

I couldn't believe that the guys watched Ember for 6 months before they finally met her. It's great that the guys rooms matched them. I love how Ember can't resist the guys as soon as she meets them. I didn't think Ember was going to wake up the way she did on that first morning with everyone together. That first car ride was not what I expected. I did like the ending. As of the time that I'm reading this there is no TW page in this book so please go to her website or send her a message.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Sexual assault

Possession by BJ Alpha

3.0

Ellie comes out of Tommy's house ready to slap Rafael thinking he was someone else. This shocks Rafael. Then he sees Ellie playing with Oliver and knows that no matter what he has to do... Ellie will be his. How do you keep a girl? You make it hard for her to leave of course. 

I do like that Rafael calls Ellie "Little Doll". I almost screamed when Ellie came outside ready to swing at Rafael. It's definitely funny how shocked Ellie was when Rafael tells her that she is Oliver's nanny. The ice cream scene warms me heart. That was a turning point for Rafael. I couldn't believe how many people Rafael unalives when they get too close to Ellie. The spice is on point. I didn't expect that ending at all. Oliver is the cutest! 

Two of the twists made me furious. The first one knocked my rating down the four stars then the next one almost made me scream. I was so mad that I had to bump I down to three stars. I'm disappointed. It's not a bad story but I couldn't get past those two issues.