Book 7 of the Carter Brothers series is AVAILABLE NOW!
Find it here: https://amzn.to/4ea331D
Find it here: https://amzn.to/4ea331D
YOLO by Lani Lynn Vale
Rating -
Book 7 of Carter Brothers
Release - November 1, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / instalove
POV - dual 1st person
Heat - explicit
Source - ARC provided by the author (Thanks GiveMeBooks PR)
Length - 268 pages
Garrett Carter knew the moment he saw her years prior that she was the one.
His one, however, had a fiancé. And she was rich. She also lived out of state.
So what other option did he have but to let her go?
Years later, he sees her again at her worst.
Her husband-to-be has stranded her on a hiking trail with a head wound, convinced she’s faking her blindness.
Garrett takes one look at the injured Bindi Howe and knows there’s no way she’s faking it.
Rushing her to the hospital, he gets her there just in time to save her life.
During the craziness, Garrett has no clue it’s her—his one.
He leaves her there with her family and goes back home to his lonely life.
Only fate intervenes for him a third time, and it’s then that Garrett decides that he’s going to go for it.
But, like always, life intervenes, and he’s forced to leave her behind once again to keep her safe.
As luck would have it, fate gives him one last shot, and brings them together one last time, and Garrett refuses to let her go, despite Bindi’s fiancé coming back begging for a second chance.
His one, however, had a fiancé. And she was rich. She also lived out of state.
So what other option did he have but to let her go?
Years later, he sees her again at her worst.
Her husband-to-be has stranded her on a hiking trail with a head wound, convinced she’s faking her blindness.
Garrett takes one look at the injured Bindi Howe and knows there’s no way she’s faking it.
Rushing her to the hospital, he gets her there just in time to save her life.
During the craziness, Garrett has no clue it’s her—his one.
He leaves her there with her family and goes back home to his lonely life.
Only fate intervenes for him a third time, and it’s then that Garrett decides that he’s going to go for it.
But, like always, life intervenes, and he’s forced to leave her behind once again to keep her safe.
As luck would have it, fate gives him one last shot, and brings them together one last time, and Garrett refuses to let her go, despite Bindi’s fiancé coming back begging for a second chance.
I loved this book so much!
There was a serendipitous nature to their relationship and it came off as so endearing.
The author gives us more than a glimpse of how their bond evolved from friendship to romance and it seemed so organic that I couldn't help falling in love with both of them as they fell in love with each other.
Garrett had a healthy fear of bringing danger to Bindi's life and she feared making his life even more complicated. But they complemented each other so well that their move from friendship to even more seemed so easy. The drama was there, as expected, but they were solid in what they had together that I had no worries about how they would handle anything that came their way.
Again, I loved this book. I loved ALL of the characters (aside from the obvious bad ones) and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from this author.
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information.
The Sugar Bowl series is a contemporary romance with a revenge theme.
The author lists it as romantic suspense, but I think differently.
It's dual perspective with explicit content. Be warned that there is an assault trigger for those who prefer to avoid those.
Hopefully my reviews of these books inspires someone to give them a try.
Sugar Daddy
Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.
The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.
Rating -
I love a good revenge plot and while Sela's plan was absolutely nuts, I was ride-or-die. We'll go down together, girl!
There was something special about the relationship that grew between Beck and Sela. I don't know how she was able to do it, because anyone in J.T.'s orbit would be off-limits for me, but I guess the vengeance fire was blazing hot within her, blocking out the discomfort and fear.
Beck's blindness to everything that was J.T. drove me crazy. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.
The cliffhanger was predictable and although Beck's reaction was very dramatic, I couldn't blame him.
I love a good revenge plot and while Sela's plan was absolutely nuts, I was ride-or-die. We'll go down together, girl!
There was something special about the relationship that grew between Beck and Sela. I don't know how she was able to do it, because anyone in J.T.'s orbit would be off-limits for me, but I guess the vengeance fire was blazing hot within her, blocking out the discomfort and fear.
Beck's blindness to everything that was J.T. drove me crazy. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.
The cliffhanger was predictable and although Beck's reaction was very dramatic, I couldn't blame him.
Sugar Rush
After posing as an escort for the Sugar Bowl online dating service, Sela Halstead is looking for one thing: payback. She's closing in on the site's heartless founder, Jonathon Townsend, and she needs Beckett North, Townsend's business partner and her lover, by her side. She'd thought that their intimate nights together had forged an unbreakable bond, but after a shocking betrayal, Sela begins to doubt the brilliant bad boy. When push comes to shove, can she trust Beck to do the right thing?
Now that he understands the truth, Beck will stop at nothing to secure the reckoning Sela deserves. But between his desire for her and his disgust for JT, Beck doesn't exactly have a lot of control over his emotional state. Left with no other choice, he must summon all his discipline to maintain JT's trust and pretend that they're still friends. But how far will Beck go to prove his loyalty to Sela? He nearly lost her once. To keep her, Beck might have to kill for her.
Rating -
Aww Beck. That immediate regret was real. I love how he humbled himself and got on the right side of things, despite the history he shared with J.T.
The truth of his relationship with J.T. kind of devastated me and I wish that it was explored more.
Was I the only one who still wished that Sela followed through with her original plan?
The ending conflict was well done and I don't feel terrible about it at all. It was about time! I just hope Sela can get out of her own way so that she and Beck can find some happiness on the other side.
Aww Beck. That immediate regret was real. I love how he humbled himself and got on the right side of things, despite the history he shared with J.T.
The truth of his relationship with J.T. kind of devastated me and I wish that it was explored more.
Was I the only one who still wished that Sela followed through with her original plan?
The ending conflict was well done and I don't feel terrible about it at all. It was about time! I just hope Sela can get out of her own way so that she and Beck can find some happiness on the other side.
Sugar Free
For years Sela Halstead dreamed of revenge, but the quest for payback has been anything but sweet. Now, once again, she finds herself at the mercy of Jonathon Townsend, his hands crushing the very breath from her body. And even though she escapes with her life, Sela fears she may never recover. In desperate need of shelter and comfort, she runs to the one man she can trust. Beckett North has stood by Sela since the beginning. But can he handle the brutal truth?
Beck will do anything to protect what is his—and make no mistake, Sela belongs to him, heart and soul. The passion between them runs hot, even as their world begins to unravel. With the legacy of his ruthless business partner hanging in the balance, Beck stands to lose everything: his fortune, his family, his freedom. But each touch of Sela’s mouth on his skin, her nails down his back, makes it harder to let her go—and it might not even be his choice to make.
Rating -
Please save us all from Sela's foolishness. At least I was entertained.
Beck really stepped up in this book and I'm in love with the man he has become for Sela. He was so strong for her, being her ear and her protector. He was just so amazing!!
I'm not a huge fan of the ending, though I did appreciate how much of an ending we got. It's great that they got a happy ending (thanks Dennis), but it fell flat for me. It was like a quick wrap up to the dangling bits when those pieces needed a bit more time.
Or maybe I'm just greedy.
Please save us all from Sela's foolishness. At least I was entertained.
Beck really stepped up in this book and I'm in love with the man he has become for Sela. He was so strong for her, being her ear and her protector. He was just so amazing!!
I'm not a huge fan of the ending, though I did appreciate how much of an ending we got. It's great that they got a happy ending (thanks Dennis), but it fell flat for me. It was like a quick wrap up to the dangling bits when those pieces needed a bit more time.
Or maybe I'm just greedy.
Please Note:
I read this series back in 2016. I read and reviewed books differently back then so please take my words and recommendation with a grain of salt.About the Book:
“The best sex is hotel sex…”Welcome to the Rexford, the most luxurious hotel in town. My internship is a dream come true – until I walk in to my first meeting and discover my one-night stand at the head of the boardroom.
Controlling billionaire, Dominic Rexford: CEO - and the man I was secretly hired to seduce.
Now, I just want to keep my head down and stay out of trouble, but Dom has different plans.
He wants a repeat of our wild night together – and he’ll do whatever it takes to get me back between those 700-thread count sheets.
I’m in trouble now…
The Hotel Part One
FOUR STARS
YES!! I got what I was looking for. I just read a novella series that was sorely lacking in the chemistry department, but this made up for it. Thank the scribes!!
23yo Juliet kept making me think of that R. Kelly song 'Bump and Grind'. Lol. "My mind's telling me no... but my body... My body's telling me yes!" When everything else is telling her to stay away from arrogant, controlling, dominating, sexy as heck Dominic, she just can't.
Although it's a classic tale of resistance, the writing style was refreshing and therefore saved it from being stale or redundant.
The only way this would be better for me is if I got Dom's POV.
The Hotel Part Two
THREE 1/2 STARS
Geez, I kept wondering when Juliet's truth was coming out because she kept getting upset with Dominic for not telling her everything.
Frickin hypocrite.
Yes, there were certain things she deserved to know (like Dom being married), but then again these two were involved in a relationship based on manipulation.
Please remember that the only reason they're involved is because she arranged to meet him and seduce him as per the PI's order.
In my eyes, Dominic is the innocent party in all of this and this poor man is surrounded by deceit.
She feels betrayed??? Wtf?!
The Hotel Part Three
THREE STARS
This book was jam-packed with so much information and I felt a wee bit rushed to finish the story. The pacing was off for me.
There was a great suspenseful plot towards the end but it was wrapped up too quickly for my liking.
Cancer (Dominic's bro) and Juliet almost lose their lives and within a couple of pages the story is over. What? I wasn't in the car but I got whiplash from how fast this was.
And don't get me started on how Lillian (Dominic's exwife from hell) became a staunch ally.
I know this is make believe, but can it mimic real life for a moment?
I guess Dominic and Juliet got a HEA. I think it's inferred.
I just think there was great potential for this story and someone dropped the ball.
Dark Thoughts is a STAND-ALONE SciFi Romance. The hero might be tall, dark, and scarred but don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s truly a monster. This story is not for readers with delicate sensibilities.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
Dark Thoughts by Cynthia Sax
Rating -
Book 1 of the Refuge series
Genre - Scifi Romance / assassin
POV - dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Amazon ebook
Length - 232 pages
The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
This was such a great read! It was darker than I'm used to from this author, but I loved every moment I spent with Kralj and Dita.
Kralj was a unique being, possibly the most deadly being in the universe, and he thought he was destined to live his long life alone, protecting those in his refuge with a code of honor and deadly intent. Then Dita makes her presence known, constantly crawling up the wall of his oasis, a human assassin determined to keep her word and take revenge against three men who reside in the refuge. She's immune to his most lethal power and suddenly his life doesn't seem so lonely.
I enjoyed both the dark and light elements of their relationship. The author did a wonderful job of capturing their lethal beauty and their vulnerabilities. My only real complaint was that I wanted to spend more time with these two.
Knowing Zip
dual pov, explicit heat, 42 pages
Knowing Zip is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Seeking Vector. It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Surrounded by his brethren, their females, and their offspring, all Zip wanted was a female of his own. A future like the ones he had to bear witness to. When he finally finds her after diligently searching every database he had access to, he immediately sets off to find her. Lucky for him, Ryssa had always dreamed of being kidnapped by a cyborg. This book definitely had tons of instalove vibes and with an edge of danger, it was very entertaining.
___________________________________
Dark Arsenal
dual pov, explicit heat, 65 pages
Dark Arsenal is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Taking Vengeance. It is also a Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Arsenal has seen himself as disposable. He's got no female, no offspring, no future. He signs up for dangerous missions, taking risks that those with families should avoid, and almost invites death. His future starts looking up when his latest mission brings him in close contact with the one woman meant for him. Vicuska is beautiful and determined and the perfect match for him. Their adventure together was scary and fun. I wonder if the Nora A.I. will feature in any other books?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons