🔖 REVIEW BLITZ 🔖 Just One Taste by Carly Phillips

Just One Taste by Carly Phillips

Release Date: November 29th 2022 by CP Publishing

Series: The Kingston Family #7

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

One grumpy billionaire.

One sassy-sweet supermodel.

Add in a tropical private island paradise.

What could go wrong?

As owner and CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits, thirty-three year old, Asher Dare has it all. Money. Power. Women whenever he wants. A private island retreat when he doesn’t. People he trusts? He can count those on one hand. When one of his best friends asks a favor—hide his twenty-one year old, supermodel sister, on the island until a scandal blows over—Asher can’t say no. But he doesn’t have to like it.

The daughter of a Senator and a Presidential candidate, Nicolette Bettencourt always acts with decorum. Yet through no fault of her own, scandal seems to follow her every move. When nude photos surface, the uproar puts her father’s campaign at risk. And forces her into hiding with Asher, the hottest—and grumpiest—billionaire she’s ever met.

Under soothing tropical breezes, Asher discovers that Nicolette is nothing like the spoiled brat portrayed in the tabloids. She’s warm, sexy, and a temptation Asher must resist at all costs—or he risks betraying his closest friend, bringing a powerful political dynasty to its knees… and losing the woman he loves. 

Kindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Amazon Print

My Review:

As the seventh book in The Kingston Family Series, Phillips’s Just One Taste is her latest off the charts romance that will leave you swooning and rooting for the characters until the very end.

The last thing twenty-one year old, Nicolete Bettencourt, wanted to wake up to was to be all over the news and not for a good reason. As a model, Nikki is used to getting her pictures taken, but the pictures that have her trending could threaten her dad’s potential presidential run. It’s yet another scandal that seems to follow her every movie, something her mother is not very happy with. Terrified and exposed, Nikki doesn’t know what to do. Her mother will only be angry and disappointed, so she can’t turn to them for help. Luckily her older brother steps in and suggests for her to spend time at his friend Asher’s private island retreat.

Nikki only remembers meeting Asher Dare when she was seventeen and not giving him a good impression of her. So she is surprised when he agrees to let her stay at his house, though neither of them expected for her brother to ask Asher to stay with her as well. It’s the two of them on a tropical island, what could go wrong? Nikki is hiding, away from the world with a very attractive man. Soon the two start to get to know each other and she starts to see that underneath all the hurt that he’s been through before, Asher deserves to be loved as well. But proving to him that they’re meant to be together is going to be tough, especially when their time on the island is coming to an end.

As the CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits, thirty-three year old, Asher Dare, has it all. His business is booming as well as the attention that he is getting from women around him. Yet, no matter how much attention he gets, Asher is always clear to point out that he isn’t looking to be in a relationship. After the environment he grew up in, Asher doesn’t have a good notion on love or being loved. His trust issues are also part of the problem, especially after how his previous relationships ended.

So when he gets a call from Derek asking to let his little sister hide at his island home, Asher agrees. Not expecting to be asked to watch out for her as well. It’s been a while since he’s seen Nikki, but he is all to aware of the scandals that keep following her around. He promises to watch over her, but he has his walls up, Asher is not willing to put his heart on the line again. Yet, after getting to know Nikki, seeing the kind person her parents refuse to see. Asher knows that he is doomed, there is not a single thing he isn’t willing to do for her. But there are other problems that could stop them from finding out if they are meant to be together.

I absolutely loved reading Just One Taste, Phillips did a great job making the characters lovable and relatable. Their sizzling chemistry is off the charts from the very beginning, though their age difference is just one of the problems that they need to face, they are able to lean on each other throughout the book. We get cameos from characters from previous books as well. They are able to help each other as a family and the ending was perfect for them. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and I would highly recommend checking out this book too! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

Meet Carly Phillips:

NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter (below) and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com. 

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🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 The Marriage Arrangement by Kim Loraine {REVIEW}

The Marriage Arrangement by Kim Loraine

Release Date: November 14th 2022

Series: Anything for Love #3

Pages: 239

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

I need a wife. NOW.

With this hockey season on the line, I can’t afford any distractions. And a dating reality show is one huge distraction. But there's a surefire way to get out of this dating show contract. All I have to do is get married.

Even with a reputation like mine–the Scottish bad boy of hockey–I'm confident I can find someone to play Mrs. Taylor Savage for a year.

Like Becca Barnes. The one who got away. Too bad she hates me. But that's why she’s perfect for this arrangement.

My contract is dissolved. She gets the bakery of her dreams.

Win-Win.

She just has to live with me and pretend she loves me in public for a year. No strings. No touching (unless there’s a camera). No messy heartbreak.

It’s sure to be a challenge because with the way I crave her, keeping my hands to myself might be harder than I planned.

But I can handle this. Being married to her will be easy. As long as I don't fall in love with her along the way. 

AVAILABLE NOW

My Review:

Not having read any other books by the author before, I didn’t know what to expect before reading The Marriage Arrangement. Needless to say, Loraine manages to deliver a swoon worthy and steamy sports romance that should definitely make the top of your must-read list!

As the bad boy of Seattle hockey, Taylor Savage has a reputation of attracting women left and right. Although he is the best at the what he does when it comes being out on the ice, being in a relationship is not something that he wants. But it’s due to his job that Taylor is able to attract sponsors and one of them is ready to sign him for a five-year endorsement deal. All Taylor has to do is use a dating app and then potentially be in a reality dating show after. With no time to lose, Taylor is set on to do whatever it takes to get out of the contract and that is to get married. He needs to find the right person to play his wife for a year, and he wastes no time going to ask the one person that got away to be his wife.

Ever since Taylor met Becca a few months ago on a ferry trip, it was their instant chemistry and her sass that attracted him to her. But things didn’t work the way he planned and they went on their separate ways. It’s ever since that he’s been waiting to get another chance with her and so they make arrangement. She will get the bakery that she’s always wanted in exchange for a year of being his wife. It all sounded too simple, yet the longer they spend together, the more Taylor is starting to fall for her. He just needs to convince her to give them a chance before it’s too late.

As a co-owner of a bakery, Becca Barnes has high hopes to make her business a success. The last thing she wants is to get distracted by a Scottish mystery man. He is attractive and has a dreamy accent. But it’s his fun personality that wins her over, until she finds out who he really is. Taylor is quickly set on taking her on a date, but that’s all she can give him. Love is not something she believes in after being surrounded by her parents’ failing marriage that turned for the worse when she was younger. She is quickly reminded that he is a player and they part aways. Only to be reunited again a few months later, this time with a proposal that would change their lives forever.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Marriage Arrangement, though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. I had so much fun reading the interactions between Taylor and Becca. He is a dreamy Scottish hockey player who is sweet and caring towards her throughout the book. I think they both made an impression on each other when they met and their chemistry just kept getting better as the book progressed. We have two completely different characters who are connected by the notion of not having the best examples of love growing up. Yet, it’s their marriage arrangement that ultimately brings them together for better or worse. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this book and I cannot wait to read more from the author in the future. :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author:

Kim writes steamy contemporary and sexy paranormal romance. You’ll find her paranormal romances written under the name K. Loraine and her contemporaries as Kim Loraine. Don’t worry, you’ll get the same level of swoon-worthy heroes, sassy heroines, and an eventual HEA.

When not writing, she’s busy herding cats (raising kids), trying to keep her house sort of clean, and dreaming up ways for fictional couples to meet.

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🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 The Prince's One-Night Baby by Juliette Hyland {REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!}

The Prince's One-Night Baby by Juliette Hyland

Release Date: October 25th 2022 by Harlequin Medical Romances

Pages: 192

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

The prince is shocked when he unexpectedly meets the beautiful midwife again, but he’s yet to find out the biggest surprise of all… Find out what happens in this captivating royal romance by Juliette Hyland.

A passionate encounter…

…with royal consequences!

Meeting midwife Calla on his flight home makes Dr. Kostas’s long journey far more exciting. Especially when their instant attraction leads to a red-hot layover! But Kostas can offer only one night of pure passion. Because, unbeknownst to Calla, he’s also a prince—with no intention of inflicting the pressures of royal life on anyone again. So it’s a shock to discover they’ll be colleagues at his new clinic…and an even bigger shock is heading their way…

From Harlequin Medical: Life and love in the world of modern medicine.

Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play

My Review: 

An unexpected meeting leads to royal consequences in Hyland’s latest release, The Prince’s One-Night Baby. This royal romance will leave you swooning and rooting for the characters until the very end.

For Dr. Kostas Drakos going back to his home of Palaio should have been exciting, but he knows what awaits him once he backs back to being a full-time prince. His family’s expectations as well as being thrust back into the spotlight is not something Kostas is looking for. As an OBGYN, Kostas has worked really hard to deliver the best care for his patients. He is happy to be away from his royal life and live a normal life in Seattle. But when his brother urges Kostas to come home after the island’s OBGYN retires, he accepts.

Little does he know that his life is about to change forever the minute he meets Calla Lewis on the plane. It’s their instant connection that draws him closer to her and an unexpected turn of events leads to them having a one-night stand. Not expecting to see her again, Kostas gets to his home only to find out that Calla is the new midwife that will be closely working with him. A part of him longs to give what they have a chance, but that didn’t worked out the first time and he is set to keep Calla away from the spotlight. Yet, it’s when that backfires that he realizes just how much he is willing to give up for the woman who’s stolen his heart.

Calla Lewis wasn’t expecting to get called back by the international traveling nurse program, but to her surprise she has been assigned to work for a clinic in the small island of Palaio. It’s the perfect opportunity Calla has to be able to earn enough money to pay the debt that she owes. Yet, it’s on her flight that she meets a handsome stranger. Kostas is nothing but attentive and charming. It’s their instant chemistry that pulls them together and she is sad to part ways. Then a twist of events happen and she comes face-to-face with non-other than the rebel prince. No matter how much distance he tries to put between them, it’s clear that they are meant to be together, if only he could see that too.

I throughly enjoyed reading The Prince’s One-Night Baby, the characters are magnetic and full of depth. It’s clear that they’ve both have been hurt in the past in different ways, but it all comes to trust and lean on each other. I had a great time getting to know the characters as well as the second characters, Kostas’s brother and sister-in-law. Is not just a story about their blooming romance, but also about their careers as well. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out the book. I cannot wait to read what Hyland comes up with next. :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating: 4.5/5

AUTHOR BIO:

Juliette Hyland believes in caffeine, hot drinks and happily ever afters! She lives in Ohio, USA, with her prince charming, who has patiently listened to many rants regarding characters failing to follow the outline. When not working on fun and flirty happily ever afters, Juliette can be found spending time with her beautiful daughters, giant dogs or sewing uneven stitches with her sewing machine.

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🔖 REVIEW BLITZ 🔖 Second Chance Mine by M. Robinson

Second Chance Mine by M. Robinson

Release Date: November 1st 2022 by M. Robinson

Series: Second Chance #6

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes an enemies second chance standalone romance.

You never forget your first love…

And I hadn’t.

Not her kiss.

Not her taste.

Not her touch.

Every stolen moment we had between us was forbidden.

She was off limits.

Especially to me.

I wish I could say I followed my own rules.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

I lost her trying to make her mine.

Because in the end…

She was always my brother’s best friend. 

AVAILABLE NOW

My Review:

Robinson concludes her last book in the Second Chance Series with Second Chance Mine. This best friend’s brother second chance romance will have you hooked from beginning to end.

It has been ten years since Adrain Drake has seen Paige Summers. After growing up together, her being his younger brother’s best friend kept her off limits no matter how much he desperately wanted to change that. Until one day they crossed the line of no return and gave in to their feelings in secret, then everything changed when Adrian broke her heart. Now fate has brought them together and this time, Adrain is determined to make her his once and for all.

As the CEO of ACE Enterprises, a fortune 500 company, Adrian has worked really hard to make his company a global success. Yet, he hasn’t been lucky when it comes to hiring his vision of the perfect executive assistant. When his friend offers her executive assistant for a few months, Adrian is all too happy to accept, but he wasn’t expecting to come face-to-face with the woman that got away. Paige is stunning and not so happy to see him. But if Adrian has learned something over the course of his career is to not give up easily. He will do whatever it takes to get Paige to agree to be his executive assistant and perhaps something more if she has him. The only thing is that something sinister is out to get Paige and now more than ever he has to protect her before it’s too late.

Paige has known the Drake brothers since she was 7 yrs old, ever since her parents’ divorce resulted in her and her mom moving to Florida. With her mom constantly working and her dad non existent in her life, Paige comes across her neighbors’ kids. While she met Adrain first, Paige quickly grew closer to his younger brother, Cade. Their friendship made Adrian off limits, which she was fine with, until the older she got the more Paige crushed on the guy she couldn’t have. Then he broke her heart and she moved on with her life. That is until she bumped into Adrain again a decade later. He is still as protective and demanding then ever. He wants her as his executive assistant, she refuses, but Adrain is not known to give up easily. Then her safety is put to the test and she has not choice but to agree to Adrain’s terms. Yet, the more time she spends with him, the more he starts to find his way to her heart again. Paige has been hurt once before and she is not about to let Adrain hurt her again.

I loved the overall idea of the story, we have two people who have not seen each other for a very long time brought back by fate again. There is a level of sexual tension between them that’s sizzling throughout the book. The story is told in dual POV and it also switches between past and present to help us get the full experience of what each character goes through. There is also suspense in the mix which made the story that much more appealing, but I wished it could be have been explored a lot more. It’s evident that they are destined to be together and we get to see them go through ups and downs to get their happily-ever-after. I highly recommend checking out the book and the rest of the series! I cannot wait to read what M. Robinson comes up with next. :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

Meet M. Robinson:

M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the "Queen of Angst" by readers around the world. Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more. She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.

When M isn't in the cave writing her next epic love story, you will find her shopping and living on a boat in Florida with her real life pirate, her lobster, her husband Bossman. Sipping on Starbucks and hanging out with their two dogs, a German shepherd mix and a gordito Wheaten Terrier reading a good book. Or spending time with her family, who she is extremely close with.

Above all, M loves her readers more than anything and loves to connect with them! She is on all social media platforms but you will find her in her happy place the most. Her VIP Reader Group on Facebook or her second favorite happy place, Instagram.

Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Reader Group, TikTok

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