Courtney Reviews: Best Man with Benefits (Wedding Dare #4) by Samanthe Beck

Series: The Wedding Dare #4

Series: The Wedding Dare #4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: 6/9/14

Format: eARC

Pages: 229

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

 

 

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade arrives at his best friend’s wedding overworked and in desperate need of a vacation, only to discover his best man duties have been…expanded. He must coax Colton’s sister out of her shell, or risk her hiding in her room all week. Logan figures he can handle one introverted bridesmaid, but he’s not expecting how much he enjoys “handling” Sophie…or how much she enjoys being handled.

Socializing has never been web designer Sophie Brooks’s strong suit, but she’s determined to shed her wallflower image and embrace the “New Sophie”—a feat made easier with the supremely sexy Logan McCade tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies. If she’s not careful, she just might fall for the best man.

Sophie’s sweet, sexy, and delectably awkward demeanor brings much-needed calm to Logan’s hectic life. With the nuptials only days away, Logan is forced to face the possibility that his favor to a friend might have become something else entirely…and that he’s not willing to let Sophie go. Ever.

 

Courtney's Review

Best Man with Benefits is the 4th installment of The Wedding Dare and I LOVED IT!!!!

 I am in awe of these authors so far (having read two parts if it now) because the continuity of the characters and storyline is so perfect. I honestly didn't feel like there was any difference at all, and I think that will make you (and definitely me) excited as a reader to read this series. As an avid reader too, I know how big of a commitment it is from the get to to know there is five stories here, but do NOT be deterred....it is worth it.

 Samanthe Beck's novel follows the Best Man (obvs) Logan McCade and the groom's baby sister (who isn't so little anymore) Sophie Brooks. Logan is a workaholic and I came to love him...but do you know how many times I wanted to smack him (I'm quite violent with my words, sorry)for putting his work before other things....You don't know! You will know if you read it. Because you must.

 Anyways, Logan seems like a uptight, buttoned up CEO, and Sophie seems like a quiet, no thrills or frills girl, who hasn't came out of her shell....Well....let me tell you. Samanthe Beck did not disappoint with opening these two up in the bedroom in ways that I was hot for. Holy crap, Sophie is a powerful woman when she wants to be, and the way that Logan allows her to be and do whatever she wants was awesome too!

 This story is the epitome of why I love romance. There was plot, there was story, there was sex and steam, and a journey that we got to go on with the characters through Samanthe's stellar writing that wasn't too horribly angsty, but had just enough suspense that I wasn't sure how things would end up! I can't wait to read more by her!!

 

 

The Wedding Dare Series

        

 

(covers lead to GoodReads pages)

 

 

Courtney's Review of Baiting the Maid of Honor

About Samanthe Beck

 

Wine lover, sleep fanatic, and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy contemporary romance novels, Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California, with her long-suffering but extremely adorable husband and their turbo-son, Hud. Throw in a furry ninja named Kitty and Bebe the trash talking Chihuahua and you get the whole, chaotic picture.

 

When not clinging to sanity by her fingernails or dreaming up fun, fan-your-cheeks sexy ways to get her characters to happily-ever-afters, she searches for the perfect cabernet to pair with Ambien.

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads 

Courtney Reviews: Baiting the Maid of Honor (Wedding Dare #2) by Tessa Bailey

Series: Wedding Dare #2

Genre: Contemp Romance

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: 6/9/14

Format: eARC

Pages: 192

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

 

 

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man.

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man.

One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever...just when he realizes he can't live without her.

Courtney's Review

 

I, and hopefully some of you, are not new to the Brazen line by Entangled Publishing and know that you can expect a certain level of steam in each title, but usually also a cast of characters that make you fall in love with the story and it goes by incredibly fast. Tessa Bailey has hit me with the good stuff before, and I can say that Baiting the Maid of Honor did not disappoint in the least! 

 

Julie and Reed are part of this wedding party among best friends from college, which for this Wedding Dare series is a pretty cool idea. These authors each took a couple out of the same bridal party, and each gave them their own brand of romance writing. Did I tell you already that Tessa can seriously write a dirty talking alpha male that will make you swoon? I didn't....well, let me tell you...Tessa Bailey can be crowned a Queen of a dirty talking alpha male. I will take one Reed Lawson and a side of Colton please? 

 

So, I apologize by all of the name dropping, but each person is introduced in this installment (which is technically numero dos) and we're gearing up for the big wedding. Julie is the friend who is the planner. She takes charge, and makes sure that everyone else is okay, but you're left wondering if anyone really takes care of her...

 

Reed Lawson is a fecking SWAT team captain in Atlanta, and has his own demons that he fights daily. He is my 18th (Hey, I won my reading challenge!) Man-in-Uniform of the year, and is ranking high is taking care of his girl...Don't be fooled though that there isn't some drama, misunderstandings, anger, being pissed off, wanting to throw your kindle for a certain two people to get their heads out of their you know where's...or a really well written title that I must recommend to you. I'll let you get to it, while I go find out what Samanthe Beck has in store for me with Best Man with Benefits!

 

 

 

The Wedding Dare Continuity

        

 

 

About Tessa Bailey

 

I'm Tessa and I live in the crazy, loud, overcrowded borough of Brooklyn, New York. I love it here. This city is a constant source of inspiration, which is why I've decided to set my most recent books in the Line of Duty Series here. 

 I moved to New York when I was eighteen, the day after I graduated high school. Threw my suitcase in the back of a Chevrolet Cavalier and drove across the country to find my adventure. I'm still finding it, little by little.

 

 

Thank you for being a part of it. 

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads 

SEXY SATURDAYS WITH ANDREA AND AUTUMN: CRASH INTO ME (A SHAKEN DIRTY NOVEL) by TRACY WOLFF

Sexy Saturdays with Andrea and Autumn is a weekly meme created to spread the word about spicy reads. 

Participating blogs:

The Autumn Review

The Bookish Babe

**If you would like to participate, let us know and we will happily add you on.**

 

Series: A Shaken Dirty Novel #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Braze
Publication Date:
Format: eARC
Pages: 250
Source: Received from publicist for review
Rating: 4 stars

Jamison Matthews has lusted after Ryder Montgomery since she was a preteen. But now that Ryder and her brother's band, Shaken Dirty, has made it huge, she's just one of many pining for the brooding lead singer. Too bad Ryder still sees her as a little sister. Not that it matters. Her brother would never allow it, and the last thing Jamison wants is to be another notch on a rock star's bed post. Even if it's Ryder's.
Ryder doesn't deserve happiness. After his fame destroyed his last girlfriend, he swore he'd never fall in love again. So when Jamison, the girl he's been in danger of loving for years, joins the band on the road, he'll do anything to deny the sparks between them--even after one hot night together. But Jamison is determined to show Ryder that he's worthy of love--her love--and that she's all grown up and ready to play.

Crash Into Me is exactly what I needed. Exactly what I was looking for. It's been established that I love rocker books, but for some reason, it has been waaaay too long since I've read one. I think that this book was the reminder I needed, and I will do my best to not let myself lapse so long again!

Crash Into Me delivered for me on several different fronts. The writing was absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous that I found myself slowing down and re-reading passages, and highlighting so much. It also delivered a favorite trope, falling in love with the best friend's little sister. And then, my beloved rock stars, the guys of Shaken Dirty. And can I just say that is an excellent band name!

Crash Into Me centers around Ryder, the lead singer of Shaken Dirty, and his best friend's little sister, Jamison. Jamison has always had a crush on Ryder, but we all know that the little sister of off limits, yeah? But Jamison is a grown woman, and though she completely realizes what kind of man Ryder is, and that he's surrounded by women throwing themselves at him, she still wants him. It's never going to happen, but what if? What if Ryder sees Jamison as a woman and not as a girl? What if the demons he's battled for years are only beaten back when he's with her? What if the chemistry between them burns brighter and hotter than ever before? And, what if Jamison goes on the road with Shaken Dirty? Traveling on the same bus? Living in the same space?

Well, I bet you can guess what happens on the road. And it was a really great story. Jamison and Ryder spend this time balancing what they want with what is right. Trying not to hurt each other or anyone around them. The relationship they share is intense, emotionally as well as physically. And when I say it was physically intense, I mean that I was given a hot flash or two along the way. But as much as I loved that, it was the caring, lifelong relationship between Ryder and Jamison that I loved the most.

Crash Into Me is the first in the Shaken Dirty series, and let me tell you, this complex group of men all seem to have a story to tell. As a lover of rock star series, and an extreme lover of excellent writing, you can bet I will be all over this series!



Favorite Quotes:

  He wanted -needed- to get away. Sure, there was a part of him that thought about staying, to bask in the warmth that was pouring out from her. To touch and kiss her beautiful body and listen to all the lies she was so anxious to tell. To tell some lies of his own. Lies that would shut her up and get her into his bed so that he didn't have to think, didn't have to feel. Didn't have to do anything but fuck.


  And while he knew he wasn't good enough for her, knew he couldn't keep her, he wasn't ready to give her up. Not yet. Not when the need for her was still a fire torching him from the inside out.

Purchase Crash Into Me

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

About the author
Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

You can find Tracy also on Twitter, www.tracywolff.blogspot.com and www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com.

Tracy Wolff also writes as Tessa Adams

SEXY SUMMER SATURDAYS: WILDE NIGHTS IN PARADISE by TONYA BURROWS

Sexy Saturdays is a weekly post we started to challenge ourselves to read more steamy books and have a lot of fun. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews
Insightful Minds Reviews
Globug and Hootie Need a Book


**The books featured on SEXY SUMMER SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **



Series: Wilde Security Novel
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: 6/10/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 250
Source: Received from publisher for review

He’ll guard her body all night long.

Former Marine Jude Wilde’s motto has always been “burn bridges and never look back,” so nobody is more surprised when Wilde Security is hired to protect assistant district attorney Libby Pruitt, the woman he loved and left. Although she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Jude, they’re forced to fake a relationship for her safety. He can’t ignore the heat still simmering between them, and when her stalker’s threats escalate to attempted murder, he’s left with no choice but to whisk her away to a friend’s safe house in Key West, FL.

Cooped up in paradise together, Jude begins to chip away at Libby’s resolve to hate him. But even as she gives in to his proximity and her body’s demands for his, she refuses to fall for his charms again. Maybe a torrid affair in the sun is exactly what she needs to get him out of her system. But when her stalker tracks them down, can they escape the steamy Key West night without anyone getting hurt?

I was looking for a hot romance with fun and adventure, Wilde Nights in Paradise was exactly that.

The story begins with Jude Wilde's family security business being hired to protect Libby Pruitt. The tricky thing is, eight years prior Jude and Libby were engaged. He broke her heart. Libby is still understandably upset with Jude, who has never stopped loving her. When they head to safety in the Florida Keys, the temperature is not the only thing heating up. Jude and Libby have unfinished business, and a chemistry that won't quit.

Jude and Libby were both written to pitch perfection. Jude is a bad boy with a good heart. He had a tragic childhood that led him to believing he doesn't deserve good things, particularly Libby. It's clear from the beginning that his wrongdoing in their relationship isn't what it seems, and I was anxious to learn exactly what happened and why. Libby was Jude's opposite in many ways, but they definitely complemented one another. The breakup led Libby to become more withdrawn, and Jude sees it as his mission to bring to fun loving girl he not back out to play. Their banter was fun and realistic of two such characters.

Their chemistry was even hotter. I loved that Jude and Libby had such hot chemistry and I love even more that the author made me believe it right away. The flirting was fun, and the steam between them was even more so. The author painted a very, very nice picture of the intensity between Jude and Libby between the sheets (on the pool table, etc.). I found the scenes to be nice and hot, but not so much that would drive those who shy from the explicit away. They didn't take over Jude and Libby's story, they enhanced it.

Wilde Nights in Paradise was a fast read that I truly enjoyed. Jude's brothers, who also run the business, all played parts in the story. I would love it if each of these hot, intense Wilde brothers got their own story. <--- Not so subtle hint.

Wilde Nights in Paradise is another win for Entangled Brazen.


Favorite Quotes:

  "Jude, if we keep this up, I won't be able to walk tomorrow."
  When he lifted his head and grinned at her with the devil in his eyes, she decided walking was overrated anyway.  ~ eARC, 30%


  "You got it," he said and nuzzled her earlobe. He still hadn't removed his hands from her waist, and in that moment, with the sun turning to rust and sinking toward the horizon, the wind tangling her hair and his warm, solid weight pressed to her back...in that moment, she hoped he would never let go of her.  ~eARC, 66%

Purchase Wilde Nights in Paradise:

        

About the author:
Writing has always been my one true love. I wrote my first novel-length story in 8th grade and haven't put down my pen since. I received a B.A. in creative writing from SUNY Oswego and I'm now working on a MFA in popular fiction at Seton Hill University.

When I'm not writing, I spend my time reading, painting (badly), exploring new places, and enjoying time with my family. Give me a good horror movie over a chick flick any day. (And, let's be honest, I'll take a bad horror movie too!) I'm a geek at heart and pledge my avid TV fandom to Supernatural and Doctor Who. I'm also a big fan of The Voice. What can I say? Guilty pleasure.​​

I share my life with two dogs and a ginormous cat. I'm from a small town in Western New York, but I suffer from a bad case of wanderlust and usually end up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, my animals are all excellent travel buddies.

Connect with Tonya:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

SEXY SUMMER SATURDAYS: RULES OF ENTANGLEMENT by GINA MAXWELL

Sexy Saturdays is a weekly post we started to challenge ourselves to read more steamy books and have a lot of fun. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post).

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews
Insightful Minds Reviews
My Secret Romance
Globug and Hootie Need a Book


**The books featured on SEXY SUMMER SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **


Series: Fighting for Love #2
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: 3/31/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 247
Source: Received from publisher for review

Seven days. And seven rules to break...

District Attorney Vanessa McGregor firmly believes that structure and order are the stuff that dreams are made of. Happiness can be planned - and it starts with seven rules she's laid out for her future. But as she's organizing her best friend's wedding in Hawaii, all of Vanessa's best-laid plans are about to meet their match in a wickedly hot MMA fighter...

Jackson "Jax" Maris is focused on surfing, training and fighting. That is, until he opens up his big mouth, and finds himself having to pretend he's engaged to his little sister's best friend, Vanessa. When they're force to share a romantic bungalow, however, their little charade suddenly takes a turn for the seriously sexy. And while Jax is definitely not part of Vanessa's long-term plan, he has seven days - and seven naughty nights - to turn her seven-rule plan upside down.

 

I am a big fan of all the books that I've read from the Entangled Brazen line. Last summer I heard huge praise about Seducing Cinderella. Of course, once I checked it out for myself, 1-clicked that baby, though I still haven't read it. Sad, right? So when the opportunity to review Rules of Entanglement, a companion to Seducing Cinderella, I was all over that.

Rules of Entanglement was exactly the story I'd hoped it would be. It was fun, sweet, romantic, and sooooo sexy. I loved the exotic Hawaiian setting, which Maxwell portrayed so vividly that I could practically see it in my mind. The setting also provided many opportunities for sun, sand, and flirting in the water for the characters. I am now in search of a waterfall of my own, and my husband should be prepared for my begging for a trip to Hawaii.

In addition to a beautiful setting, Rules of Entanglement had great characters. Vanessa, the best friend of Lucie from Seducing Cinderella, is in Hawaii to help plan her wedding until she and Reid can make it to the island. This leaves Vanessa in the care of Lucie's brother Jax. Vanessa is all about control and order, and lives by seven rules. Jax is about freedom and simplicity, outside of the ring, and seems to be a direct contradiction to Vanessa's rules. Jax and Vanessa's relationship is a tug-of-war for dominance. Vanessa wants control of everything, and though Jax loves her strong opinions, he wants control in the bedroom. What's so cool about Jax wanting control of Vanessa's body, it's not about dominance, really. It was about Vanessa's trust for Jax, letting go, and not always having to carry the burden.

Vanessa was a strong character, but not brittle and hard to like. When her background is revealed it's so easy to see why she thinks she needs her seven rules. Jax, an elite MMA fighter, was beyond sexy. But besides his gorgeous exterior, he was a fantastic guy. He spent years taking care of his younger sister, and now lives simply and happily. He looks tough (and hot), but was a sweet and thoughtful guy. The chemistry between Vanessa and Jax was immediate and intense. Rules of Entanglement had so many great steamy moments. I read this at a crowded lake beach with my family, and literally had to set it down and cool off. I love books that make me blush and fan myself in public!

Rules of Entanglement was such a fun read for me. With two characters like these, I had no choice but to love their story. I cannot wait to read Seducing Cinderella, the next book, Fighting Irish, whatever else the series has in store.




Favorite Quote:

  Oh, he was definitely doable. Did Hawaiians have the saying "Save a surfboard, ride a surfer?" If not, she was totally starting it.  ~eARC, 1%


  "Now, baby," he said against her neck. "Let go with me now."
  And so she did, praying he'd hold onto her tight enough to prevent the cracks he'd made from breaking her wall into a million pieces.  ~eARC, 49%


  Seeing the jungle up close and personal as opposed to a two-dimensional picture was like the difference between seeing Jax in pictures (oh, he's cute) and knowing what it was like to make love to him (oh my fucking God he's heaven). No contest.  ~eARC, 66%


  "You're mine. Right here, right now. Only mine."
  She reached up and trailed the tips of her fingers over his brow, down his nose, across his cheekbones, his lips. Finally, she placed her palms on the sides of his face, looked up at him with her heart in her eyes and whispered, "Only yours."
  Two words. Three syllables. Nine letters.
  Something so small shouldn't have such a tremendous power over him. Shouldn't be able to bring him to his metaphorical knees or make him want to climb mountains if she asked. But it did. And it felt...right.  ~eARC, 72%

The Fighting for Love Series

 

(click covers for GoodReads page)

 

 

 

Purchase Rules of Entanglement at:
      

About the author:
Gina is a shameless romance addict with no intentions of ever kicking the habit. Growing up she dreamed of entertaining people and taking them on fantastical journeys with her acting abilities, until she came to the realization as a college sophomore that she had none to speak of. Another ten years would pass before she discovered a different means to accomplishing the same dream: writing stories of love and passion for addicts just like her.

A member of the Romantic Writers Association (RWA), San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA), and Rose City Romance Authors (RCRA), she recently signed with Entangled Publishing to write for two of their imprints.

Her Fighting for Love series with MMA heroes will debut July 2012 for the Brazen imprint with the first book in the series, Seducing Cinderella. The first book in her Prophecy of Souls trilogy, Desires of the Soul, is set to release in mass trade paperback in Summer 2013 for the Entangled Select imprint.

When she’s not writing or wrangling plot bunnies in her San Antonio home, Gina keeps busy with her wonderful family and their ever growing extra-curricular activities. Thanks to their immense patience and support, she’s able to live her dream of bringing a little romantic fantasy to the world, even if only in the pages of a good book.

Connect with Gina:
Website  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: HIS RISK TO TAKE

 

 

  Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

 

Series: Line of Duty #2

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: 5/13/13

The greater the risk, the hotter the reward…
Homicide cop Troy Bennett had a reputation on the Chicago PD for being fearless and in control—until the night his daredevil partner is killed during a raid. From that moment on, he swears he’ll never again be responsible for the loss of a loved one. To escape his demons, Troy transfers to the NYPD, bringing him up close and personal with Ruby Elliott, a beautiful, street-savvy pool hustler.
Reckless and stubbornly independent, Ruby embodies everything Troy’s avoiding, but when she walks into O’Hanlon’s Pub and blows his carefully laid plans to hell, Troy knows he has to have her—risks be damned. But there’s a connection between Ruby’s shadowed past and a case Troy’s working involving a notorious Brooklyn felon, throwing her safety into jeopardy. Confronted with his biggest fear, will Troy push Ruby away to keep her safe or fight to keep her in his arms where she belongs?

 

 

Why I'm Waiting ~ I bought the first book in the series, Protecting What's His, after some really great reviews. When I read my friend Amanda's (@LuvMyHootie) review for His Risk to Take, I automatically preordered. Her review was awesome and has me dying to read this!

 

 

Preorder His Risk to Take at Amazon

 

 

 

{BLOG TOUR} ONE NIGHT WITH A HERO (THE HERO #2) by LAURA KAYE

Happy Monday! I have the perfect way to start this week off right, with my stop on the One Night With a Hero Blog Tour! You can find the complete schedule at the tour's home page. My stop includes a review of One Night With a Hero. Thanks to Entangled Publishing for inviting me to take part in the tour.


Series: The Hero #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: 10/20/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 173
Source: Received from publisher for review.

He wants just one night…

After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?

With its two broken, but strong souls who look for the courage to love with all their hearts, One Night with a Hero is an emotional story that will leave you breathless.

So...I finally know why everyone loves Laura Kaye's books. When I ask for adult romance recommendations, she is always at the top of the list. I've taken that advice and have bought several of her books, but had never sat down to give one a try. I'm clearly an idiot.

In short, One Night with a Hero was perfect. By perfect, I mean that I wouldn't change one scene, one moment, one word of this book. This is a story that won me over within the first few paragraphs. And it wasn't that the opening was this huge, shocking spectacle that made my jaw drop. It was just...a feeling? I can't even name what it was about Kaye's writing that I love, I only know that it suits me. Suits me so well that I went back and bought any of her books that I didn't already own.


Brady and Joss. I loved them, so much. I really enjoy a book with emotionally damaged characters. They've had it rough most of their lives. Joss, who grew up an orphan, had abandonment issue. Brady was the son of an abusive alcoholic. He, being the protective older brother, focused primarily on his sister's safety and happiness and never took care of himself. What we have is a woman who is so cautious over her heart that she won't Brady in, and a man who doesn't see himself worthy of a true love. Never, no matter how stubborn they acted, did these two ever get on my nerves or make me think "Oh, come on!" That is a testament to how beautifully thorough Laura Kay was in establishing these characters. I loved them. I loved them together.

As for the plot of One Night with a Hero, I really don't feel I can go into it too much because I feel that to really go in-depth with the plot, I will spoil it. I truly expected it to be a light-hearted romance with some touching moments. It was a fun, sweet, and sexy story, but it was so much more. I thought a few times that Brady's story, his immense pain, was going to break my heart. I cried so hard a few times that I actually had to clutch my chest. It was so beautiful and honest and raw.

One Night with a Hero is a book that I can guarantee fans of adult contemporary romance will absolutely fall in love with. And though it was my first Laura Kaye book, it certainly won't be my last.


Favorite Quote:

  His breath ghosted over her ear, erupting ticklish chills on her neck and arms. "I'm going to kiss you here, Joss." The tip of his finger skimmed her cheek.
  Heart in her throat, she nodded.
  Brady pressed a lingering kiss to her cheekbone. Her hands fisted as she struggled not to turn her head and offer her lips. She was already throwing her no-touching admonition out the window.
 "Here," he said, touching her jaw.
 "Here, too." His finger pressed against the soft spot right in front of her ear.  (eARC, 8%)


There were so many amazing moments in this story. This one broke my heart...

  "I'll go," he said in a low voice. "But I'm here. Do you hear me? All you have to do is knock, and I'll be here for you, Joss. All you have to do is knock."   (eARC, 68%)


You can purchase One Night with a Hero at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble