Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! Every other week I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a specific romantic trope or theme.
Today I'm sharing five Fake Relationship books I've read, reviewed and loved on the blog. Isn't it fun to know just where the romance is going, but enjoying the journey anyway? Love this trope!
If you've got a recommendation, please send it my way!
Ex Games by Stella Rhys
What’s ice-cold but hotter than hell? Rebounding with your ex’s older brother, of course. I enjoyed the characters, especially Mason and I thought I'd be grossed out by the fact that he was the older brother of the woman's ex, but I wasn't. So there's that :)
Find my review HERE
Safe Bet by Monica Murphy
Crazy how it only takes one week for two people to fall head over heels in love… I don't usually go for a new adult romance story, but this one worked. I think it helped that I had read the series that this book was a spinoff of. I love getting the chance to revisit favorite characters!
Find my review HERE
Magnificent Bastard by Lili Valente
F*ck Prince Charming. Sometimes, you need a Magnificent Bastard. I've read a few books from this author, but this one remains my favorite. Sebastian was amazing and the entire story is told from his perspective, which worked well because he was that strong of a character.
Find my review HERE
Fake Fiancee by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Fake engaged to the hottest quarterback in the country? SCORE. I guess this could be categorized as a sports romance too. Sunny and Max had a destiny vibe going on with their friend/relationship and it worked really well for the story. Again, I'm not usually a fan of new adult reads, but this one was a definite winner.
Find my review HERE
Lost in Between by K.L. Kreig
For the next four months I’ll be Shaw Mercer’s arm candy, his beck and call girl, his faux girlfriend. This is still my favorite story from this trope. In fact, the Finding Me duet is one of my favorite romance stories of all time. Shaw had so much depth and Willow was no slouch. She's getting paid to fake it, but what happens when what lies between them is all too real?
Find my review HERE
“It may take you a while to get settled into it, but you’re covered, April.
I’m not letting anything happen to you.
That’s a promise.”
I’m not letting anything happen to you.
That’s a promise.”
Winter Igniting by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating -
Standalone - Scorpius Syndrome #5
Release - February 20, 2018
Genre - Scifi Romance / apocalypse
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 374 pages
His only goal was survival until he met her...
With nothing to lose, former cop Damon Winter agrees to an undercover op, infiltrating a cult in the dangerous post-Scorpius world. After one look at his new partner, he knows she belongs far away from not only the cult, but from him. She's sweet and kind and has no business being in peril, but she's determined to help. Suddenly, the part he's playing as her man explodes into a passion neither of them had expected.
She hadn't purposefully faced risk until she met him...
April Snyder has survived loss, pain, and uncertainty. Now she's ready to live again. There's nothing left but to make a difference for others, so why not go undercover in the cult? Now all she has to do is keep it professional and ignore her handsome, deadly, overbearing partner, who's too sexy for her peace of mind. Intrigue, risk, and danger make for an irresistible temptation--until enemies close in, threatening everyone they've sworn to protect.
With nothing to lose, former cop Damon Winter agrees to an undercover op, infiltrating a cult in the dangerous post-Scorpius world. After one look at his new partner, he knows she belongs far away from not only the cult, but from him. She's sweet and kind and has no business being in peril, but she's determined to help. Suddenly, the part he's playing as her man explodes into a passion neither of them had expected.
She hadn't purposefully faced risk until she met him...
April Snyder has survived loss, pain, and uncertainty. Now she's ready to live again. There's nothing left but to make a difference for others, so why not go undercover in the cult? Now all she has to do is keep it professional and ignore her handsome, deadly, overbearing partner, who's too sexy for her peace of mind. Intrigue, risk, and danger make for an irresistible temptation--until enemies close in, threatening everyone they've sworn to protect.
There's something about the men in these books, who would risk it all to keep people safe, that really makes this series work for me. Survival is paramount, but along the way, these men are rediscovering their humanity and their hearts. The romance is definitely key for each story and Damon was no different.
He lost it all when Scorpius hit. His entire family was wiped out by the virus and he found a new one with the Mercs. He and Grey had turned a group of men just trying to get by into something really special. Now that they've allied with Vanguard, the goal is to lead all of their people and provide hope in this new world.
He and April are tasked with infiltrating the Pure church to make sure that all of the members are there willingly. Things didn't seem right with this cultish group, which was obvious in the previous books. It only became clearer here and I was actually really scared for what April might have to face. Thankfully Damon had her back. Their fake relationship for their undercover op turned into something real. April was understandably afraid because she had lost it all too. But what they shared was precious in a world full of loss.
There's talk of moving everyone to Wyoming and I'm guessing the plans and the actual trek will happen in the next book, which is for Marcus. Hmmm... that man is something else. Big and scary, he makes his brother Jax look like a nice guy. I'm excited to dive into his story.
Okay, so I did have an issue with this book and it almost made me stop reading.
In previous books and this one, Damon was described as a Shemar Moore lookalike.
The man on the cover looks NOTHING like Shemar Moore.
Is this because a black man was created for our reading pleasure by a white woman?
Do all black men look basically the same?
Can you not see the difference? The only thing they share is a strong jaw line. Even their color is different.
So yeah, this is an issue I typically have when reading a black character that wasn't created by a black author.
As a romance reader who happens to be black, it does bother me.
Previous books in the series:
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.
Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!
The clock was counting down on all of them, maybe on all of the world.
But here, in this moment, there was only the two of them.
Finally.
But here, in this moment, there was only the two of them.
Finally.
Blaze Erupting by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating -
Standalone - Scorpius Syndrome #4.5
Release - January 23, 2018
Genre - SciFi Romance / apocalypse
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - library ebook
Length - 125 pages
Hugh Johnson is nobody’s hero, and the idea of being in the limelight makes him want to growl. He takes care of his brothers, does his job, and enjoys a mellow evening hanging with his hound dog and watching the sports channel. So when sweet and sexy Ellie Smithers from his college chemistry class asks him to save millions of people from a nuclear meltdown, he doggedly steps forward while telling himself that the world hasn’t changed and he can go back to his relaxing life. One look at Ellie and excitement doesn’t seem so bad.
Eleanor Smithers knows that the Scorpius bacteria has and will change life as we know it, but that’s a concern for another day. She’s been hand-picked as the computer guru for The Brigade, which is the USA’s first line of defense against all things Scorpius, including homegrown terrorists who’ve just been waiting for a chance to strike. Their target is a nuclear power plant in the east, and the only person who can help her is Hugh, the sexy, laconic, dangerous man she had a crush on so long ago.
Eleanor Smithers knows that the Scorpius bacteria has and will change life as we know it, but that’s a concern for another day. She’s been hand-picked as the computer guru for The Brigade, which is the USA’s first line of defense against all things Scorpius, including homegrown terrorists who’ve just been waiting for a chance to strike. Their target is a nuclear power plant in the east, and the only person who can help her is Hugh, the sexy, laconic, dangerous man she had a crush on so long ago.
It was so different to still be knee-deep in the Scorpius crisis, but from another side. Hugh has joined the Brigade to fight against homegrown terrorists. He's the leading expert on the nuclear threat and there is definitely something to worry about. And while it was fun to watch these agents rush against time to save the little bit of humanity that is left, it was the romance growing between Hugh and Ellie that stole the show.
She had a crush on him in college and although he reciprocated her feelings, he wasn't ready for her. Ten years later, he's more than able to give into the passion that they share. The romance was rushed due to the circumstances (the world was ending after all), but I was still able to enjoy it and be entertained by the suspenseful and dangerous bits.
Damon's story is next and I'm excited to see this ex-cop's take on survival.
Previous books in the series:
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.
Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!
This was what she wanted.
Grey.
A deadly, strong, protective, wild man just for her.
Grey.
A deadly, strong, protective, wild man just for her.
Storm Gathering by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating -
Standalone - Scorpius Syndrome #4
Release - September 19, 2017
Genre - SciFi Romance / captive
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 306 pages
Even before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Greyson Storm was a lone wolf navigating minefields. As a kid, he learned to take a hit and find safety. As an adult, he joined the military and quickly learned how to protect and defend. When the world ended, he created a mercenary camp with military precision, no entanglements, and a promise to avenge a fallen friend. As part of that vow, he kidnapped Maureen Shadow, but now that he has let her go, her blue eyes and intriguing mind keep haunting him…
As possibly the only Biotechnology Engineer still living, Maureen Shadow might be humanity’s one hope to survive the aftermath of Scorpius, making her frighteningly valuable to both allies and enemies. Even after sexual tension explodes between her and Greyson, she’s not sure which camp he belongs to—friend or foe? Worse yet, survival may mean thwarting his prime mission, putting her in even more peril. When danger and seduction collide, there is no safety in this new world.
As possibly the only Biotechnology Engineer still living, Maureen Shadow might be humanity’s one hope to survive the aftermath of Scorpius, making her frighteningly valuable to both allies and enemies. Even after sexual tension explodes between her and Greyson, she’s not sure which camp he belongs to—friend or foe? Worse yet, survival may mean thwarting his prime mission, putting her in even more peril. When danger and seduction collide, there is no safety in this new world.
I think Grey might be my favorite hero so far in the series. Don't get me wrong, all of the men are strong and honorable, but Grey's sensitive side peeked through so much that I felt more for him than anyone else. He trusted no one and couldn't get past someone genuinely deserving of that trust. Except for Maureen, because he seemed to give her all his trust and his heart from the beginning.
There's something about the heroines of these stories that keep rubbing me the wrong way, but I've gotta say... I'm loving the way they effect the men in their lives. Maureen was desperate to find answers, for a food source and the future of mankind. I could get behind her goals and I'm hoping she gets those answers in the books to come.
There was plenty of action in this story too and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Grey was a dangerous man and I adored every instance the author took the liberty to showcase that. We get this deadly weapon of a person with a soft side. Who can resist that?
Previous books in the series:
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.
Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!
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