ARC - Book Review: Between A Fox And A Hard Place - Mary Frame

 Amazon  Released: 3rd June 2022, Kindle $5.99 & Paperback $20.89

She's determined to keep her family home. He won't let his friend down. Will conflicting interests shatter their chances of happily ever after?

Finley Fox refuses to give up her life's work. With her family's cabin rental business at risk of going under, the eldest of five has been laboring for years to care for the property, not to mention her now grown siblings. But when a New York billionaire makes a play for the ailing resort, Finley struggles to resist her attraction to the handsome man sent to secure the deal.

Archer Weston craves stability. With his best buddy since childhood in need of a favor, the lonely businessman heads to the mountains to convince the owner to sell. But his mission hits a hurdle when his heart melts in the presence of the hardworking, beautiful woman.

With debt and sibling drama piling high, Finley fears that leaning on her irresistible guest for support could end in her own heartbreak. But as their relationship grows and intensifies, Archer is caught between his long-term loyalty and his one shot at finding his forever…

Can this unexpected couple keep both their dreams alive?

Between a Fox and a Hard Place is the first book in the Fox Family romantic comedy series. If you like swoon-worthy men, witty dialogue, and enemies-to-lovers antics, then you'll adore this sweet and steamy tale.

Review.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place was such a delight to read; I sat and read this within four hours; I couldn't put it down; I loved it!

I really enjoy reading series that are based on siblings who will all end up with their own book and love story.

The family dynamics and heartwrenching history make for an emotional but uplifting story that tugs at the heartstrings; Jacob will break your heart; I can't wait for his book and for him to finally feel at peace and to find happiness.

Finley and Archer have such great chemistry and were great main characters that kept me thoroughly engrossed throughout.

I get quite excited discovering new authors which Mary Frame was to me and to discover her back catalogue as well, while I await book two.

I was sent this book to review from BookSirens; all thoughts are my own.

ARC: Book Review: Stone Cold - Winter Renshaw

 

Released: 14th May 2022

Amazon

The most humiliating moment of my life begins with an early morning message from my ex’s notoriously heartless best friend.

Jovie—

In no way does this mean my opinion of you has changed.

I’m reaching out because sometime in the middle of last night you tagged yourself in Jude and Stassi’s engagement photo.

I don’t care if you were drunk or it was unintentional. I suggest you remove it immediately since the wedding is in two months (which I’m sure you know since you were clearly FB stalking them). The damage is done, but no reason to make things more awkward.

You’re welcome.

Stone

I waste no time removing my accidental tag before the sharp-tongued novelist in me fires off a response to the man who harbored extreme and inexplicable hatred of me during the three years I dated his best friend in college.

Only I didn’t expect him to respond.

And nothing could have prepared me for what he would say …

… or for all the ways this gorgeous villain with cruel icy blues would become the biggest plot twist my life had ever known.

Review.

I'm hitting the jackpot this year when it comes to great five star reads; Stone Cold is no exception.

This was a fun, quick, contemporary romance that I didn't want to end; I loved Jovie and Stone, both together and apart.

I also really appreciated the dual POV'S, I wish every romance writer did that; I think this story needed it, especially with the flashbacks.

Stone Cold is one of those books that, if you're having a bad day it would lift your spirits; it's cute and sweet, with great characters and an intriguing storyline.

It had me reading till after two in the morning; while I could have finished reading it then and there, I made myself put it down so I'd still have seventy pages left for the next day because I wanted to delay getting to the end.

This was my first Winter Renshaw book, and it certainly won't be my last.

I received this book to review from Hidden Gems; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: Mirrors And Ashes - Cat Bowser

 

Releases: 27th April 2022

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall—because of you, a kingdom falls.

When Ember’s mother makes a deal with a fae, she betrays
her own people and puts a death mark on her daughter’s head.
Ember has nowhere to hide.
Her life falls on the kindness of dwarves.

But while she finds sanctuary with the underground folk,
her people suffer, and will eventually succumb to the painful
death that the price of magic demands—
where even the soil of the earth turns to ash.

Unless Ember can save them.

Armed with only the life lessons from her Dwarven family,
Ember must overthrow her own mother and discover
where true love and loyalty lies. 

Review.

I'm a big fan of fairytale retellings, so when I saw that Mirror And Ashes was a new Snow White interpretation, I was quick to grab a copy to review.

This story is a unique concept for a Snow White tale; I enjoyed the different takes of the characters we all know and some newly introduced to this story.

I did find that this book dragged a bit in some parts, and I did find myself a bit bored.

But for the die-hard Snow White fans, they should really like this version.

I received a copy of this book for review from Book Sirens; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: The Resurrected Queen (Nemesis #2) - Jayce Carter

 

Released: 19th April 2022

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Revenge is dangerous, but love is a far more lethal game.

Only one of the people who betrayed me is still alive—my father. Nothing matters more to me than making him pay and saving my sister from his influence. But my attempts to rescue her only made him paranoid, and now the sister I wanted to save is being forced into marriage with an associate of his, all because of me.

I tried to keep the Quad, the four men I can’t stop falling for, at a distance, but the temptation they offer is more than I can resist. I tell myself I can enjoy their bodies while refusing to trust them, but, as the days pass, keeping those lines straight becomes harder.

I’m in more danger than ever and my enemies are closing in on me. I don’t believe in happily ever after, and the further I go, the surer I am that this will end with me dead—this time, for good.

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of murder and attempted murder, violence and bloodshed, and a morally gray heroine. 

Review.

The Resurrected Queen was a satisfying end to the Nemesis duet series.

Continuing straight on from the first book's events, we return to Nem and her plans for revenge against her Father for arranging the murders of her and her Mother, with Nem being the only survivor and her plans to rescue her younger sister Kenzi.

With the help of the Quad, Nem's plans and purpose in returning finally come together in this conclusion.

While I definitely enjoyed this final instalment, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first book, 'The Corpse Princess'; I can't quite put my finger on why I just know that I prefer the first book more.

I would have liked an epilogue set a couple of years later, just to see what had happened to these characters after the events in this story, but I'll have to use my imagination.

All in all a fantastic series that I highly recommend.

I received this book via Booksprout for review; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: A Beautiful Liar (Hades And Persephone #1) - Beena Khan

Released: 8th April 2022

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I gave Hades a fake name at the club, and now, he's chosen me as his mate.

Once upon a myth...
I've always been sheltered by my overprotective mother, hence the nickname given to me by my tormentors. "The nun." As a geeky scholarship student at the ancient and prestigious Saint Eudora Academy, I craved freedom, so, I sneaked out into the nightlife for the first time to mend my broken heart. There, I met a pair of alluring blue eyes and our worlds collided leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

It was a single night, and we both wanted to forget someone. He said, I have six months before he returns. Six months to tell my old life goodbye. In my drunk state, I agreed, and he declared us as betrothed. The next morning, I ghosted him.

Imagine my surprise when I see him at my academy six months later. He's returned like a raging inferno to claim me.

The connection and recognition are still there. He was supposed to only be a myth. The man I meet now is different. He's tortured, dark, and deadly like Hades. A sense of danger surrounds him, trapping me toward him. I don't know what he is capable of until a favor from the reaper and a chilling murder forces us to bond.

I fear the unknown ahead of me when I finally unmask him. I'm entangled in a web of secrets and lies where money and power rule in his dark world. He says he collects souls, and now he is here to take mine.

Valerius Vitalli will never let me go.

Loosely based on the myth of Hades & Persephone. 

Review.

A Beautiful Liar is a Hades and Persephone based dark academia, mafia story set in an atmospheric world perfect for this kind of story.

What drew me to this book was the myth of Hades and Persephone; I'm definitely not someone that will turn down anything Greek mythology related.

I'm still not sure exactly how I feel about this book, I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it either; in saying that, I will read the next book so I can see how it all ends.

I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems; all thoughts are my own.

 

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Book Review: Savage Princess (Savage Kingdom #1) - Jennilynn Wyer

 

Released: 5th April 2022

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One strong-willed woman set on revenge.
Three childhood friends who are now her enemies.
Get ready for Alexandria to create chaos.

My name is Alexandria Donatella McCarthy, daughter of the don of the Rossi syndicate. Abused. Neglected. Underestimated. I'm about to unleash hell on this town. Keane Agosti, Rafael Ortiz, and Jaxson West don't know it yet, but I am the devil who will bring that hell to their doorsteps—and take my father down right along with them.

I was born into a life that showed me nothing but pain. A toy, a pawn, to be used by my father, Maximillian Rossi. My brother, Kellan, was the only bright light in my dark world. Then one day, he was gone. Taken from me. And it's their fault. My brother's three best friends. Keane, the leader of the group whose quest for power will be his undoing. Jax, the twisted psycho who lost his soul a long time ago. And Rafe, my ex-boyfriend who shattered my heart and left me when I needed him the most.

Now it's my turn to descend into the darkness. I will destroy them all, burn the Rossi house to the ground, and then rise from the ashes.

Are you ready for me, boys? This savage princess is coming for you.

Reader's Warning: Savage Princess is a dark, enemies to lovers, Mafia, reverse harem romance and contains scenes that may be triggering to sensitive individuals such as blood, violence, scenes depicting torture, foul language, consensual sexual content, and references to past sexual abuse/trauma. If you are not familiar with reverse harem romances, this troupe is where the female protagonist has more than one love interest and is in an intimate relationship with more than one man. Savage Princess is book 1 in the Savage Kingdom three-book series and ends with a cliffhanger. Recommended for mature readers.

Review.

When I was offered this book to review, the description sold me straight away; I wasn't expecting to find what may just be my book of the year.

What Jennilynn has written is so well done I couldn't put it down, but now I'm sad because I've finished and now I'm left desperately waiting for book two to be released, to return to this world that I've fallen in love with.

This book had amazing characters, a great plot, and twists; it was just fantastic.

One of the worst things for people who have no patience is reading a spectacular book that ends on a huge cliffhanger and then having to wait till July for the next book.

I think if I was being tortured by the Mafia to get me to talk, all they'd need to do was offer me the next book; I'd tell them whatever they wanted to know.

With all the twists, I have some theories, one that may be a bit far-fetched but I think would be a great twist is that Kellan is still alive somehow since Jax, Keane, and Rafe have a different story as to what happened; it just seems a bit iffy to me, I could be completely wrong, I could even be reading too much into it, but it's just a theory,

I'm also intrigued as to who Sarah's Mother is and why it was so hush hush; I just have so many questions; with two books still to go, I'm expecting many more twists and turns.

I cannot wait!

I received this review copy from Hidden Gems; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: Game Of Hearts - Viola Tempest

 

Release Date: 2nd April 2022

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My name is Roman Wright.

I'm handsome, smart, caring. The works.

Any woman would be lucky to be with me.

But I still find myself alone.

I'm picky, and I'm looking for that perfect woman.

It isn't until I discover that the porcelain doll I'd gotten for Sadie's birthday is alive that I begin to find hope.

Hope that the perfect woman really is out there, waiting for me.

Three cards. Three very different women.

Reliving three Saturdays in a row.

One of them has to be my ideal partner.

Right?

Game of Hearts is a fantasy romance short story about the woes of finding the PERFECT partner. 

Review.

Game Of Hearts is a short but entertaining story.

I found the plot interesting and wished that the book was a bit longer; I still had questions left at the end that I would have liked answered.

 As long as a novella, there was still a lot going on to keep me intrigued and invested in the final outcome.

Maybe perhaps a full-length novel; I'd like to explore this world a bit more; the concept was really something I could read more about.

Otherwise, I liked the idea, can one person be too fussy in picking their partner, can they compromise with what they want or are they bound to be endlessly alone.

If you're after a quick, one sit read, then pick this up. 

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: Memories Of Fire (Abandoned Gods #1) - H.R. Savage

                                                        Release Date: 29th March 2022 

                                                                    Buy From Amazon

Earth buckled under the weight of the anger of a few abandoned Gods.

Knox
The Greek Gods were something from history books as fiction. However the beings that abandoned Olympus and caused mass destruction across Earth were very much real. I've done everything I can to survive away from their reign.
Until her.
A flash of red hair and a lost, confused gaze and I was sucked into a black hole of heated desire and a need to protect.
Yet she could destroy me in a way that even the Gods couldn't.

Callie
Lost.
Confused.
Broken.
That's all I felt as I opened my eyes without an idea of who I was. Knox's no bullshit attitude challenged me to be more than an unknown. I was determined to make sure that "Callie" was not just the beaten girl lost in the desert.
Until my memories reveal more than what broke me...but how I could break them.

Review.

I was intrigued by Memories Of Fire as soon as I read the description and discovered that this book featured Greek Mythology; I will read anything to do with or about Greek Mythology so to say I was excited to pick this book up was an understatement.

What made this story unique was the setting like a post-apocalyptic world where Zeus and the other Gods have risen and, in doing so, set off a disastrous set of events that has destroyed the way humans live. Having to depend on trading items such as food and gasoline with other towns to survive.

When a young girl is dumped from a car, beaten and unconscious, Knox and his brother Eric reluctantly take her in. 

Callie has no memory of her name, who she is or what happened to her, and Knox being his grumpy, distrustful self doesn't believe her claims of amnesia, but despite that Knox finds himself falling for her, slowly bits and pieces of Callie's memories start to return, but once her full memory comes back will Knox be able to accept who she really is?

I was very surprised to discover Callie's true identity, it was an exciting twist, and I like the storyline it created.

The main characters' chemistry was well written, and I enjoyed this first book in this series; the ending has me hanging for book two, which I'm very much looking forward to.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: My Legacy (Men Of New York #1) - Samantha Skye

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Released: 22nd March 2022

Have you ever been in a stalemate with the head of the mob?
Me neither, until Sebastian Romano waltzed into my life.

I probably should have held my tongue that first night, but I’m used to alpha males and Sebastian is nothing I can’t handle.

He runs this city and gets everything he wants, but I would rather die than give him my art gallery.

It’s not just that it’s all I have left of my gran. The gallery is proof of my independence – a corner of this big city that’s all mine.

Problem is, negotiating real estate with a gangster isn’t exactly...fair.

I can ignore the intimidation, the deadlines, the threats. But when Sebastian starts poking into my private life, that’s one line too far.

So how come when my world is imploding—again—Sebastian is all I want to cling to?

And why do I feel safest with the deadliest man in town?

My Legacy is a suspenseful slow burn, enemies to lovers, dual POV mafia romance. Contains explicit sex scenes and violence – 18+.

Review. 

My Legacy was a great start to a new series.

I was thoroughly entertained the whole way through and was left wanting more, especially after the bonus epilogue that readers could click on at the end of the ebook; I need more information. Is the next book still going to be about Sebastian and Maddison or a different character?

There was never a dull moment throughout this story, I loved Sebastian and how incredulous he was when he first met Maddison, and she stood up to him, which no one ever had; it made for some amusing scenes.

I really appreciated having dual POV'S, I think most romance books should have them, I always enjoy knowing what both lead characters are thinking, and it significantly helped in this book so we could see Sebastian and his job as mob boss and what that entails.

It was steamy, action-packed and full of everything you want from a mafia story.

I cannot wait for book two, and I just discovered before writing this review that there is another series set before this one that features characters in this book; I'm certainly going to be checking those out.

A great mafia romance, I highly recommend that anyone who loves these books pick up a copy of  My Legacy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: The Corpse Princess (Nemesis #1) - Jayce Carter

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Release Date: 15th March 2022

Karma is a bitch—but then again, so am I.

Ten years ago, a group of men murdered my mother and thought they had killed me. I've spent every day since planning revenge against the man behind the attack—my father. As the head of a powerful crime family, he won't be an easy target, but nothing matters more than making him pay for what he's done.

Now, I return in disguise, only to end up on the radar of the Quad—the four most dangerous men in the city…men I've been desperately in love with since I was a teen. I have no idea if they were in on the plan to have me killed, but I can't stop myself from craving their taste, their bodies and their rough, domineering touches. Even though I know the risks, I keep falling deeper into our twisted relationship.

My plan is simple—find and get rid of the people who carried out the attack, kill my father…and don't fall in love with the men who might have betrayed me.

This world already killed me once—let it try again.

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of murder, attempted murder, and violence. It includes a morally gray heroine.

Review.

I can honestly say that I've never read a book like The Corpse Princess before, and goddamn did I enjoy it!

There was nothing about this story I didn't like (well except for the ending, I really hope April and the second book gets here in a hurry). from the cover to the characters and plot this was an A++ read from the start all the way till the very end.

This story was raunchy as hell, and I am here for it.

I really enjoyed Nem; she is one strong a** b**tch, taking her revenge by killing each and every person involved in her Mother's murder and her attempted murder one by one.

Add in the Quad: Rune, Colton, Dane, and Bray (as the sexy bodyguards who may or may not have had something to do with that night ten years ago), and you have yourself one very smutty, steamy reverse harem situation that will leave you hot and bothered.

I can already see that this is going to be one of my best books of the year; if you like smutty romance at all, then you need to pick this book up now!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: Not Mine To Love - Summer Cooper

 

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HIM
She's stalking me, I swear.
She's everywhere I go.
Not that I mind seeing her.
But it was a mistake when I said hello to her.
Now I'm starting to miss her.
Her eyes that sparkle everytime she laughs.
Her lips that are so kissable.
And her body that… nevermind.
I have to stop.
It's all kinds of wrong for me to think about her that way.



HER
Yep, I'm the other woman.
When you look like a Disney princess…
Men seem to have a problem telling you that they're taken.
They want a piece of you.
They just want a night of fun or a young trophy mistress.
But I'm done!
I've decided to stay away from all men. Period.
I must be stupid…
I'm always falling for someone who's Not Mine To Love. 

Review.

Not Mine To Love was a fun, sweet, cute and quick contemporary romance that I finished in one sitting.

Our heroine Becca is a PI tasked with photographing cheating spouses. She is hired to follow Julius by his future Mother-In-Law, who is not a fan; the feelings run both ways.

While on the case, she is hired by Julius to be the Wedding Photographer, and that's when the hijinks begin, there is a lot of chemistry between our main leads, and although Julius is engaged, you can't help but hope that these two find some way to be together.

I really enjoyed this story, the characters, the plot, just everything overall; I do wish this could have been a bit longer, though.

I will definitely be checking out Summer Cooper's other books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: The Never King (Vicious Lost Boys #1) - Nikki St. Crowe

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The stories were all wrong — Hook was never the villain.

For two centuries, all of the Darling women have disappeared on their 18th birthday. Sometimes they’re gone for only a day, some a week or a month. But they always return broken.

Now, on the afternoon of my 18th birthday, my mother is running around the house making sure all the windows are barred and the doors locked.

But it’s pointless.

Because when night falls, he comes for me. And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go.

The Never King is a dark retelling of Peter and Wendy. If you like your enemies to lovers romance with hot, ruthless, morally gray love interests, you’ll enjoy The Never King and the Lost Boys. You can expect hate kissing, fighting, bickering, and ‘touch her and I’ll unalive you’ vibes.

                                 Review.

The Never King is a dark, steamy smutty retelling of Peter Pan and The Lost Boys, these are far from the Disney characters you're familiar with, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

This would have to be one of the best retellings I've ever read, and I've read quite a few over the years.

I loved everything about this book. from the front cover to every word written inside.

I really can't want to have to wait for the next book, I desperately need to know what happens next after the ending left me hanging.

The Never King is a top contender for my favourite book of the year, it was just so good!

                                         

 

Head Stuck In A Book: ARC Review: Whiskey & Wine - Rebecca Gannon

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Released 4th March 2022.

I was sent to Breaker Estates to take over the annual Icewine Festival from my coworker, and while I was ecstatic to run an event on such a grand scale, I wasn’t prepared for the owner.

Ben Breaker.

Ex-hockey star. Broody. Rude. Hates every change I want to make. Hates publicity. And, oh yeah, is also 6’4” with a body that’s made for making women wish they could have a taste, paired with midnight blue eyes that hold everything he doesn’t say.

He drives me crazy.

I want to both hit him and kiss him half the time, but I can’t ignore the way my body reacts whenever he’s near.

I don’t know how I’ll make it a month working with him, keeping it strictly professional…
Oh, right, I can’t.

Review.

Whiskey & Wine is a grumpy/sunshine contemporary romance set around an Icewine Festival. Our heroine Leah the event coordinator and Ben, a  former NHL player who is the owner of the winery Breaker Estates.

This was a cute, feel-good, steamy romance with a likeable heroine and a gruff hero, which was a quick and enjoyable read.

Featuring one of my favourite tropes. and with an atmosphere that makes this a perfect winter read; I look forward to reading more from this author.