Review // Sacrifice, Wicked Beautiful, and Landon

I read these books a long time ago so they're not exactly new, but it was about time I shared them.
Have you read any of these?

Sacrifice by Adriana Locke

Contemporary Second Chance Romance, dual POV

My life changed forever the night my husband died.
I was left with a shattered heart, a heap of bills, and our daughter, EVERLEIGH. I don’t want to rely on anyone, least of all CREW GENTRY. He’s my first love and the man who almost destroyed me, the man who has let me down every time I’ve needed him.
But when tragedy strikes a second time, Crew just might be my only hope.

My life changed forever the night my brother died.
I was left with a guilty conscience, a pile of mistakes, and little else. I take care of JULIA GENTRY, my brother’s widow and the love of my life, and their daughter. I know she doesn’t want my help, but she gets it anyway. I owe her that.

When another disaster hits, I’m given the opportunity to make things right. I’m taking it. I'm willing to sacrifice it all.

Rating: ★★★★

Reading a book shrouded in grief is one of the hardest things to do. I got hit by the feels right from the start and the hits kept on coming.

This story is about Gage, Crew, Julia, and a sweet little girl named Everleigh. It's about family. It's about being lost and found. It's about coping and moving on. It's about second chances. And it's about redemption.

I'm not saying anymore about the plot. Read the book!!

I didn't cry. I could see why people did but I'm a tough nut to crack so...

I loved the relationships in this book the most. That of Gage and Crew and their brotherly bond, always having each other's backs. Crew and Will with their best friend/family thing. Julia and Ever were as sweet as can be. Crew and Julia finally finding their way back to each other. My most favourite of all was the relationship between Crew and Ever. Nothing touched my heart more than what he was willing to do for her.

In short, this book was amazing and definitely worth a read. All lovers of romance and second chances should give it a try.

Wicked Beautiful by J.T. Geissinger

Contemporary Second Chance Romance, dual POV

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again.

Drop-dead sexy restauranteur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

Rating: ★★★★

This was such a great book. From the intense looks (ice cold and fiery hot), the dramatics, the angst, the banter, the secrets... All of that was wonderful. I felt the (unnecessary) pain of both Parker and Victoria. They endured so much loss, hurt and distance because of his dad's bigotry. So senseless.

This book had all the makings of a 5 star rating, but... I felt that the secrets dragged on for too long. Victoria/Isabel had many opportunities to come clean and didn't. This frustrated me because Parker was being so open and honest. And when he was talking about his first love, what about that story made her think he was talking about anybody but her??? I wanted to bash her in the head with my iPad!! I get she wanted revenge. I get that she went through a lot. But obviously he wasn't a bad guy.

Also, the ending was bittersweet and I wanted more. Yes, they came full circle. Anddddddd...........

Landon by Scarlett Edwards

Contemporary Emotional Romance

Fearful of exposing the secret she's been hiding for years, Celeste Adams never lets feelings seep into her relationships with men. But when one sinful night introduces her to a gorgeous stranger she cannot simply forget, her resolve to remain unattached is threatened...

She resists the temptation to seek out more, while forging ahead plans to recreate herself as a graduate student at the University of Chicago. And she does just fine, until that very same stranger waltzes back into her life as the very sexy, and very unattainable...

Professor James Landon.

... Suddenly our lives are thrown together on a collision course of the deepest passions. Neither of us know how far this will lead. How powerful these feelings will become.

Or, that our love is doomed from the very start.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

I am literally sitting in front of my laptop writing this review and crying over this stupid book. I feel duped!! I am so mad at Scarlett Edwards that I could see myself throttling her. How dare you make me fall in love with your characters???? James was such an amazing character. His intellect, integrity, honesty, devotion, love, etc. made him the best person in this book. How he handled Celeste, right up until the end, was truly incredible. But I'm still mad!! Does this author not like HEAs???? And if not, why didn't anyone freaking warn me????

If you are interested in reading a book about two extremely interesting characters who fight against an impending and certain love, who fight the odds, who stand together against foes (Angela and Summer were scum. Summer in no way was redeemed in my eyes, regardless of how she was at the end), and has a messed up twist at the end that will frustrate and aggravate the sh*t out of you, then this is the book for you.