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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Waiting For Forever, by Jessica Prince

Title: Waiting for Forever
Author: Jessica Prince
Series: Hope Valley
Genre: Contemporary Romance

After a bitter divorce had left him jaded and cynical, Leo Drake thought he was done. To him, love and happiness were myths. Then the shy, sweet, coffee shop owner looked up at him with those big gray eyes and beautiful smile, and he was done for.

Danika Parrish had been the nerdy girl growing up. The girl who sat in her window, watching the boy across the street, and secretly longing for the day when he might notice her. When that day finally came, she was convinced all her dreams had come true. But after giving her everything she’d ever hoped for, he’d ripped it all away with a handful of words.

Leo’s made a lot of mistakes in his life, but the one he regrets most is hurting Danika. For the first time in his life, he knows what it feels like to love someone, to truly be happy, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win her back. He’s determined to prove to her that he’s worth a second chance. That he’s the forever she’s been waiting all her life for.

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Read for FREE with KindleUnlimited

Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

 

We were both sweaty and panting like we’d just run a marathon. Releasing my breast and hip, he reached for my hands and gently pried my fingers from the headboard. I would have collapsed onto the mattress in a sated heap had it not been for him holding on to me and guiding me down slowly.

Once there, he turned me to my back and hovered over me, his fingers coming up to brush the damp hair from my forehead.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

I gazed up at him, sure my grin was totally goofy as I replied, “So okay.”

The harshness that had been carved into his expression when he first entered the room was now completely gone, in its place was a look so tender and so warm it made my heart expand.

“Thank you for that,” he said quietly, leaning in to run the tip of his nose along mine.

“Pretty sure I’m the one who should be thanking you. After all, you did most of the heavy lifting.”

He chuckled for a second before his expression grew serious. “I mean it, Danika. I needed that. I needed you. That’s the brand of sweet only you’re capable of giving me because it’s just how you are.”

It had to be said that I really liked hearing that in a seriously big way

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Waiting For Forever is another great addition to Jessica Prince’s Hope Valley series. I loved that Dani had admired Leo from afar her entire life, even though they lived across the street from one another. She was the chubby nerdy girl, and and he was the football star. Their paths didn’t really cross much in school, but Dani has had Leo on a pedestal forever.

Now that he’s divorced, Leo sees Dani with new eyes. And when the local baker agrees to give his daughter cooking lessons, Leo uses it as his in to make Danika see that he notices her. It’s a lovely progression as their relationship goes from friends to something so much more. (The fact that Leo calls Dani “Danika” because it is a unique and beautiful name like her — I loved that!) Jessica Prince strikes a nice balance between their blossoming romance and Leo’s desire to be a good dad to his kids, not wanting to let Hardin and Macie know that he’s dating Dani until he’s sure things are progressing in a serious way.

Hardin’s hard feelings about his parents’ divorce plays nicely into the drama that develops both before and after Leo and Dani split. I really thought Leo was a jerk when it comes to the breakup, because he knows his ex-wife is a crazy witch, and he legit does not let Dani get a word in edge-wise. I think she should have made him grovel a bit more before agreeing to give him a second chance, but the guy does make a heartwarming grand gesture to show her just how sorry he is for breaking her heart.

I have loved every one of the Hope Valley books, and this was no different. We get little glimpses of some other characters in this small-town romance, and Leo and Danika’s story ends on a wonderfully sweet and meaningful proposal.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Visit Hope Valley
a series of interconnected, standalone romances

 

Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Out of My League
Amazon US | Amazon Universal

Come Back Home Again
Amazon US | Amazon Universal

The Best of Me
Amazon US | Amazon Universal

Wrong Side of the Tracks
Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

Stay With Me
Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

Out of the Darkness
Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

The Second Time Around
Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

Waiting for Forever
Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.

Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.

In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.

Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Side Trip, by Kerry Lonsdale

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An unforgettable and breathtaking novel of love, loss, and the unexpected routes that life takes from Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale.

With her deceased sister’s Route 66 bucket list in hand, California girl Joy Evers sets out on a cross-country road trip to meet up with her fiancé, checking off the bullets along the way.

Singer-songwriter Dylan Westfield has a serious case of wanderlust and a broken-down car. Stuck at a diner between LA and Flagstaff, he meets Joy, his complete opposite. She’s energetic. He’s moody. She’s by the book. He’s spontaneous. She believes in love at first sight. He thinks love is a complicated mess. But Joy has a brand-new convertible.

They strike a deal. She’ll drive him to New York. He’ll pay for gas. Only three rules apply: no exchanging of last names; what happens on the road, stays on the road; and if one of them wants to take a side trip, they both must agree.

A heart-stirring love story that spans a decade, Side Trip explores what-if. What if Joy and Dylan had exchanged last names? What if he’d told her she made him believe love was worth the risk? And what if they hadn’t made that second deal when they couldn’t say goodbye?

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PURCHASE HERE: amazon.com/sidetrip

 

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

A side trip along Route 66 changes Joy and Dylan’s lives forever. An chance meeting between a tortured singer/songwriter and a tortured young woman carrying out her sister’s bucket list leads Dylan and Joy to spending 10 days together. 10 days that leaves them both wanting more, unable to forget the other, and learning more about themselves thanks to the other’s influence than they ever thought possible.

This was a light read, but one full of “what ifs?” And there is cheating, since Joy is engaged, but there’s really no way around that. The push and pull that Joy feels between wanting to stay loyal to Mark and the intense attraction and connection she has with Dylan is really the crux of this story. So while cheating is usually a no-go for me, I went with the flow on this one because there really can’t be any other way for this story to work.

Side Trip is full of heart and passion, and a lesson in forgiving yourself and those who have hurt you. The chemistry between Dylan and Joy is amazing, right from the start. I loved how the story unfolds over the course of Then and Now, ten years passing with both Dylan and Joy unable to move on, no matter how hard they try.

And that ending! Not your typical ending! I loved that twist. I read previously read Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale, and wasn’t sure if I should expect another sorta-cliffhanger/unresolved ending. But the conclusion of Side Trip was beautiful.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily left a review.

 

 

 

 

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Hard To Handle, by K. Bromberg

Hard to Handle, book one in the Play Hard series, an all new series of standalone books by New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, is LIVE!

At first, the request seemed simple—sign a new athlete to the agency.
Then I found out the new athlete was none other than the most wanted man in hockey today: Hunter Maddox

Gifted. Sexy. At the top of his game. And the only man who has ever broken my heart.
If signing him will help save our family business, I’ll swallow my pride and do what’s asked.

But when it becomes clear his uncharacteristic antics off the ice are a hint of something deeper, keeping things strictly professional between us becomes more than complicated.

But I know better than to cross that line.

I’ll never date a client. Not even for him.

***
Win the Stanley Cup and do it before time runs out.

Not a small feat, but it’s what’s motivated me since the start of my career.

And time is running out.

Enter Dekker Kincade.

Feisty. Dogged. Damn gorgeous. The one I let get away.

I have no idea why she’s traveling with the team, but hell if resisting her is going to be easy.

But I have a job to do, and I refuse to lose sight of that end game. Even if she confuses me. Even if she sees parts of me I’ve hidden from the world.

I can’t lose focus. Not even for her.

Download today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3glG6vM
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HardtoHandleKB
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3d3h9TK
Nook: https://bit.ly/2M0Vqjr
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3bZhDZO
Google Play: https://bit.ly/36uLzf8
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2LWC3YW

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Hard To Handle is the start of a new series by K Bromberg, centered on sisters who work for their dad’s sports agency. This first story is a second-chance/enemies to lovers romance between Dekker and hockey star Hunter, who had a fling a few years ago. At the time, Dekker walked away because she was falling for Hunter, and he is not the committed relationship kind of guy. Now, Dekker’s dad wants her to sign Hunter to their agency — but the guy is in some kind of downward spiral and it isn’t going to be as easy as Dekker offering him a better deal than his current agent.

Hunter is a tortured hero. He has some major baggage holding him down, and a crapton of guilt about his twin brother’s situation weighing on him. When he’s with Dekker, she seems to quiet his demons. But his fragile mind is starting to affect his performance on and off the ice — and with the Stanley Cup coming up, Hunter’s feeling the pressure more than ever. His anxiety jumped off the page, and I just wanted to give the guy a hug.

I wish that both Dekker and Hunter were more upfront about their feelings from how things ended 3 years ago, because I think alot of their arguing/hurt feelings could have been prevented had they come clean. But then this story wouldn’t have had the same push and pull between them.

Overall, this story was good — I just didn’t *love* Dekker and Hunter as a couple to the point where I have a book hangover. It is definitely an enjoyable read, and Dekker really helps Hunter find not only his love for hockey again, but enables him to live the kind of life he wants for himself without worrying about his family and parents and all that comes with his past.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

EXCERPT

I stare at Hunter. At his shirt plastered with sweat and how it clings to his body, despite the chill of the ice his skates are standing on. He has his warm-up pants on and is without a helmet, his hair curling at the ends from the sweat.
And all I see in his eyes is anger I didn’t put there. Or maybe I did. Rejection can do that to a man . . . but there’s something more here. Something I walked in on that doesn’t make sense.
“Don’t give me that look, Kincade,” Hunter mutters as he skates over to the penalty box where his electrolyte drink sits.
“What look?” I ask.
He half laughs, half snorts and meets my gaze across the distance. “Disappointment. Disproval. Disdain. I’m the king of all of them, so save your breath—or in this case—your glare, because it’s not going to work with me.”
“Are we working on emotions that start with the letter D today?” I ask. A hint of my embarrassment and anger over how I acted last night creeps into my voice, but I mask it with sarcasm. “If that’s the case, I’m more than impressed with your answers thus far.”
He clenches his jaw in response and then skates back over to line up more pucks so he can shoot them. And he does, one after another, each shot taken with laser precision and a healthy dose of fury behind it.
He goes through the first ten lined up and then stops to catch his breath.
His talent and skill are undeniable, but so is the beer bottle in my hand.
“Just because you’re the captain and star of this team, doesn’t mean management won’t frown upon this,” I say, unable to let this go.
“Screw the management.”
“No one likes a player who’s hard to handle and honestly, Hunter, you’re becoming hard to handle.”
“No one likes unsolicited advice from someone who has no bearing on his career, either,” he counters, the rebuke stinging but deserved.
The problem is, I do care about him. Doesn’t he get that’s where my hostility stems from?
And only a crazy person would say that, Dekker.
I put my hands up in surrender to both him and my own thoughts. “You know I only want the best for you.” I take a few steps in his direction in the first row of the stands. I’m close enough to catch the hitch of his movement and to see uncertainty flicker in his eyes. It’s almost as if he needs to talk but doesn’t see me as someone he can trust. I hate that. “What is it, Hunter?”
“Nothing. It’s . . . never mind.”
But I see it, and he knows I see it. The question is what do I see, though?

Meet K. Bromberg:

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate but can’t help to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow and her mind scattered in too many different directions.

Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Kristy has sold over one and a half million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over thirty times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform, Passionflix, with the first movie (Driven) out now.

With her imagination always in overdrive, she is currently scheming, plotting, and swooning over her latest hero. You can find out more about him or chat with Kristy on any of her social media accounts.

Connect with K. Bromberg:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3daL3pq
Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3c51HoI
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3d74SxD
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3gpnOd1
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2XvMI21
Website: http://www.KBromberg.com
Subscribe to her newsletter: http://bit.ly/254MWtI

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Collide, by Amanda Shelley



Release Date: June 30


Falling head over heels was the last thing I expected.



Literally.



Coffee is everywhere – and more than my ego is bruised.



When the handsome stranger I plowed into calls me by name, mortification sinks in.



He rushes off to class. I run home to change, hoping to forget the whole incident.



If only I could be so lucky.



I quickly find it’s a small world and Gavin Wallace is completely unavoidable.



Everywhere I turn he’s there. In my classes. Hanging with my friends.



I’ve got his full attention and I have to admit, I like it a lot more than I should.

 

 

Grab Your Copy Here!

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3.5 Stars

Collide is a super sweet YA romance between college students Gavin and Alexis (Alex). They keep “colliding” into one another around campus, as Alex is a bit of a klutz. Their friendship unfolds in a circle of mutual friends, all of who seem to realize that Gavin is into Alex except for Alex herself! But when a car accident gives Gavin the chance to play knight in shining armor and spend loads of quality time with Alex, he hopes that he will be able to make her see that there is a reason why their paths kept crossing.

It takes a LONG time for Gavin and Alex to move past admitting they are attracted to one another, though. These two take slow burn to a whole new level. I felt like things were dragged out when it could have been progressing. But at the same time, we really get to see how their friendship/romance unfolds. Also, the writing was a bit clunky at times. There are times where we see every detail of Alex’s day and conversations with her neighbors, and then other times where things are explained in a throw-away line.

This book is most definitely binge-able, and a short, sweet, clean read! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Amanda Shelley
 
Amanda Shelley loves falling into a book to experience new worlds. As an avid reader and writer, sharing worlds of her own creations is a passion that inspired her to become an author. She writes contemporary romance with characters who are strong and sexy with a touch of sass. 
 
When not writing, Amanda enjoys time with her family, playing chauffeur, chef and being an enthusiastic fan for her children. Keeping up with them keeps her alert and grounded in reality. She enjoys long car rides, chai lattes, and popping her SUV into four-wheel drive for adventures anywhere. 
 
Amanda loves hearing from readers. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter and follow her on social media. Join her reader group: Amanda’s Army of Readers to stay up to date on her latest information!
 
Connect with Amanda Shelley:
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Yes Factor, by Erin Spencer & Emma Sable

 

‘I adored this book! I love a getaway RomCom about friendship, self-discovery, and women who are always there for one another. ‘ Parker S. Huntington, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author

Just what do you find out when all of your no’s turn into The Yes Factor?

The Yes Factor, the contemporary rom-com debut novel by Erin Spencer and Emma Sable, is live!

Liv just wants her best friend Bex to find love.
Bex just wants to stay in bed with Outlander.

With 40 just around the corner, divorced, single mom Bex is too busy being a chauffeur for her teenage daughter to bother swiping for dates.

Her best friend Liv, who is married to the supposedly perfect man, swoops in from London on a mission to get Bex out of her own bed and into someone else’s. Liv pushes Bex into a week-long whirlwind of dates, awkward kisses and missed connections.

What could possibly go wrong when Bex agrees to Liv’s harebrained scheme of saying Yes to every possible suitor? And why is Liv so intent on fixing Bex’s love life, or lack thereof?

Download today!

https://geni.us/TheYesFactor

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Yes-Factor-Audiobook/B0891LMTQS

Narration by Ava Erickson and Andi Arndt

Excerpt:
“Um, I hope this doesn’t come off as strange, or overly forward considering we just met two minutes ago, but,” he pauses and looks right into my eyes, “would you be interested in getting a bite after my shift tonight? I’m off at eight.”
I freeze. Stunned. Speechless. He looks so hopeful. So optimistic. But I can’t. I just met him. He could be crazy. Of course, he’s crazy, he’s an actor! But he seems nice and genuine and seemingly not crazy. Maybe I should…
“No. I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“What?” Liv interjects. “Can you give her a minute to think it over? She’ll get back to you.”
“Oh, sure. Okay. I’ll just go take care of that guy. Let me know if you need anything else.” Brandon turns away quickly with an air of defeat.
Liv swivels to face me and leans in close. “Bex.” She slow blinks. “I cannot believe what I just heard. No, scratch that. I can believe it and it’s got to stop. Now.”
“What? I just met him. How am I already supposed to have dinner with him?” I protest.
“Listen to me. You know what you’re missing? The yes factor. How long have you spent saying no to life, no to romance, or even potential romance, and no to just one date? It’s time for a U-turn to become Yes-Bex.”
One thing about Brandon I do know is that he must make a strong drink because Liv seems positively manic right now. Or maybe it’s the jet lag.
She continues with urgency, as if she’s telling me secret plans to invade Fort Knox. “For the next seven days while I’m in town, you’re going to say yes. Yes to opportunity, yes to stepping out of your comfort zone, yes to adventure. Don’t worry, I’ll be your wingwoman. But, from here on out, you say yes.”
Liv looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to say something as I let her words soak in. She’s right. I’ve fooled myself into thinking that I’ve put myself out there when, in reality, I’ve just dipped my toe in the pool. I’ve patted myself on the back for signing up for dating apps, but then I never go on a date. I’ve had friends beg to set me up with someone. I reluctantly agree, but when it comes to scheduling, I’m always “busy.” Poor Maddie has been used as an excuse time and again when, in fact, even Maddie has been encouraging me to date. And now, when I meet someone in the world, organically, like I’ve always wanted, the first word out of my mouth is “no.”
If I don’t stop saying no to the possibility of love, how will anything change? Maybe it is time to start saying—
“Yes?” I smile. “Fine, you’re right. It’s time to add the Yes Factor to the equation.”

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

I loved, loved, loved this story! The Yes Factor is a brilliant tale of friendship, dating, relationships and living your best life — after 40. Erin Spencer and Emma Sable are new-to-me authors, and they did a bang-up job with this collaboration.

Although I am happily married, as a fortysomething woman, I easily related to Bex and Liz and how they pushed one another to get out of the comfort zone… and say YES more often. Their friendship is loyal and fierce but also one full of love and laughter. The antics they get into had me chuckling and reminded me so much of my own circle of friends.

This is a wonderfully witty story, a perfect summertime read! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Erin & Emma:

Erin Spencer and Emma Sable are two Southern girls who met in L.A. at a mutual friend’s engagement party. They bonded over their shared love of fried shrimp, queso, and The Golden Girls. After a girls’ night out in Hollywood to celebrate Emma’s birthday, the two were inspired to begin writing The Yes Factor, their first novel together.
To celebrate finishing the novel, Erin and Emma travelled to the Amalfi coast where they enjoyed a week of sunshine, pasta, and Pinot Grigio. And where a few notes might have been scribbled for their next book, too!
Erin lives in L.A. and Emma now lives in London.

Connect with Erin and Emma:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byerinandemma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByErinAndEmma/

 

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Mr. H.O.A. by Carina Taylor

 

Title: Mr. H.O.A.
Series: Fake It #1
Author: Carina Taylor
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: June 30, 2020
Blurb
Bane Fox knows exactly what he wants in life: financial
stability.
He does not want to be homeless.
He does not want to be the president of an
HOA.
It’s rather unfortunate he is both of those
things. 
Oh, and did I forget to mention he has a fake wife?
Yeah, that’s me
Purchase Links
$2.99 for a limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Excerpt
I started to pull away from Nola, but she stopped me with a
hand on my waist. “Carol’s still watching.”
I didn’t bother pointing out her lie. No one stood in
Carol’s window, and Nola hadn’t bothered to look over her shoulder to
check. 
I studied the face in front of me. Her fake smile had been
replaced with a soft look as she gazed back into my eyes.
“Okay,” I said with a smile. I wrapped an arm
around her waist, tugging her closer, our hips brushing against each other.
“How was the little wife’s day at work?”
Nola arched a smooth brow. “Little wife? Hmm, I think
you’re going to have to pick something different.”
“How about Mrs. HOA?”
She scrunched her face up as she thought about it. “No,
I don’t think so. I think I prefer ‘Your Highness.'”
She screeched when I ran my fingers up the side of her ribs.
She leapt back, smacking at my reaching hand, laughing loudly. “Stop
that!”
I made one more half-hearted grab for her. She glared at me.
“If you tickle me, I won’t share my pizza!”
I held both hands in the air in surrender. “When you
say pizza, you mean…”
She narrowed her eyes at me as she opened the minivan door.
“I mean pepperoni and cheese.”
I shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
She passed the pizza to me, shut the car door, then smacked
my butt as she jogged by.
I really wished our relationship was real. Maybe it could
be.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Smart, funny and quirky, Mr. H.O.A. is a fantastic fake marriage romance with interesting characters, witty dialog and a swoony hero. From start to finish, Bane and Nola had me hooked. They were playful and teasing as they fell in love while pretending to be married.

I pretty much read this lighthearted romantic comedy during a road trip, and it is definitely a binge-able book to take in poolside or on a rainy afternoon. It’s also a relatively clean read, if that’s your jam. There are some steamy kisses and touches, but this is a no-sex story.

Mr. H.O.A. is a sweet contemporary romance, with lots of crazy family drama and a couple you will fall in love with! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Author Bio
Carina Taylor writes zany romantic comedies that make you
ugly laugh.

When she’s not writing, you can find her chasing after three little boys,
ignoring her laundry pile, pretending to work out, drinking large amounts of
coffee, and consuming as many cinnamon rolls as possible.

Author Links
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Diary Of A Late Bloomer, by L.M.L. Gil

 

 



The Diary of a Late Bloomer; A quirky coming of age novel
L.M.L Gil
Publication date: June 29th 2020
Genres: Coming of Age, New Adult, Romance, Sports

Every wallflower blooms at their own perfect time, but some like quirky Lo, take longer than others.

Lo is a sheltered 20-year-old who loves baking, manga/anime, and octopi. When she spots her college swim team’s tryout flyer sporting her favorite sea creature, an octopus she knows it’s a sign that she must join the Flying Octopi. The only things standing her way are her social awkward nature and the fact that she just learned to swim.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

The Diary Of A Late Bloomer is a solid debut novel by L.M.L. Gil. The main character, Lo, is awkward as hell, and really blossoms over the course of this book. I could relate to Lo’s insecurities and how she was constantly making excuses and blaming herself for all that goes wrong around her. She was pure and innocent and eager and anxious all rolled into one.

Lo is such a sheltered character, but over the course of the year that this story takes place, she really comes into her own. She faces her fears, slays some dragons and learns to live life rather than just exist in it. She’s got a great group of friends, and I loved the support system that she has in them.

I also thought the premise of the story being told through Lo’s diary entries was interesting, and a fresh take on the storytelling. There definitely is a romance in this story, but I really appreciated it as a coming-of-age tale.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

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Author Bio:

L.M.L. Gil is a writer, a reader, and a dreamer.

When she is not writing, editing, or thinking about her next story, she is either in the kitchen testing out a new recipe or snuggling with her fur munchkins reading.

As a glutton, she equates a good novel to a scrumptious dessert, which leaves your heart a little lighter and a smile on your face.

She hopes her novels provide a sweet treat without the calories

Website

 

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Smug Bastard, by Stacey Marie Brown

#SBRP

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-2
SMUG BASTARD_EBOOK
It was my time, a cross country drive heading home for my brother’s wedding to figure out my life after college. Me, my dog named Goat, and the open road. That’s all I wanted.He wasn’t supposed to be part of it. My older brother’s high school friend and my sister’s ex. The cocky boy my eleven-year-old-self hated. 

The infamous Smith Blackburn.

AKA Smug Bastard.

The guy every girl wanted to be with and every guy wanted to be.

The day after graduation, he left town and disappeared, losing contact with my family. But nine years later, he resurfaces and becomes a thorn in my side once again.

After his motorcycle breaks down, my older siblings convince me to let him ride home with me. Kyle wants his old buddy at his wedding, and Kasey, still carrying a torch for him, wants nothing more than to see him again, convinced they are meant to be. It’s the last thing in the world I want, but I learned long ago going up against the powerhouse twins is futile. 

After nine years, we’ve both grown up, but our mutual dislike lingers. Though I can’t deny he is the sexiest man I have ever seen in my life. His piercing blue eyes, gorgeous rugged face, and muscular, tall figure belong on magazine covers. But he’s still a smug bastard, and I’m still the annoying little “Baby K.”

Spending every minute together in a tiny camper van starts to twist the lines of hate, igniting feelings and passions I’ve never felt before, shoving me out of my safety bubble. Tension grows, and nights are filled with strain and forbidden desire. 

But I can feel him holding back. Cagey and cryptic, Smith’s dark past hints at the surface.

When it finds us, nothing could have prepared me for the truth—the secrets that flip everything upside down. 

I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. 

He was never meant to be mine.

#SBRP-6

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-12 

5 Stars

Smug Bastard is a perfect enemies-to-lovers addition to the Cocky Bastard universe. I adored Smith and Kinsley so so much! The hate and heat between these two was off the charts. Meanwhile, the love affair between Kinsley’s dog, Goat, and Smith was absolutely adorable!

Stacey Marie Brown did a fantastic job with these characters. I loved how torn Kinsley felt about the feelings she was fighting toward Smith. He’d dated her sister, and her sister was still hung up on the guy. He is a moody, cocky jerk. But she couldn’t help but want him. Meanwhile, Smith is the stereotypical brooding bad boy, a guy who came from a bad childhood and is down on his luck. And man, is Smith down on his luck! I love the twists that his story took with how his life imploded and the manipulation by his ex. I was really ready to hate the guy after falling in love with him as a romantic hero, and then another whammy is revealed and I fell in love with him all over again!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

#SBRP-9

Enter the release day giveaway here!

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-8
SMUG BASTARD TEASER 3
SMUG BASTARD TEASER 2

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-5

Read the first chapter here!

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-7
 
He was a man… needing a woman. I felt like a gangly kid with no clue what I was doing. “Kasey will not give up. And honestly, why wouldn’t you want her again?” Insecurity washing over me. “She’s even more beautiful, smart, has her shit together. She’s perfect.”

A growl echoed off the walls, his body twisting to me, his eyes blazing. “I don’t want perfect. I want real. Fierce. Genuine.” 

He moved to me like an attacker, pushing me into the bed, his hands gripping my face, sliding into my hair roughly, his fingers knotting into my scalp, igniting fire down my vertebra. He didn’t kiss me, but his mouth grazed mine, breathing me in. His weight moved between my legs, his thin boxer-briefs doing little to contain his size. His erection rubbed against me as he rolled into me. My back curved, a moan puffing from my mouth, desire bursting from me like a pinata. 

“Don’t you fucking get it? Perfect destroys, kills what is wild, raw, and beautiful,” he rumbled, pushing himself harder into me, the fabric of our clothes creating friction shooting sparks over my vision. I went to kiss him, but he twisted his head, his mouth scraping up my neck, biting the tender part behind me ear. Like a switch, the quiet nerdy girl turned feral.

I liked sex. Enjoyed it. But it sometimes felt like I went through the motions, my brain never shutting off. She was gone. Nothing in my head now except need, like an animal set free. Primal and driven by desire, my hips dragged over him, causing a noise to vibrate in his chest, turning me on even more. I wanted him inside me. Claiming me. Breaking and devouring me. I no longer cared who he was meant for or if it was wrong.

I just wanted.

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-11
June 30, 8PM, Belle’s Book Talk 
July 2, 8PM, All Things Schmexy 
          July 2, All Day, The Next Step PR Blogger Reader Group
July 6, Drop In, Sisters Get Lit(erary) 

♦ ♦ ♦

#SBRP-3
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Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family’s farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is Eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated Kindly.

#SBRP-4
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Uncategorized

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, by Lauren Blakely

 

DEAR SEXY EX-BOYFRIEND by Lauren Blakely
Release Date: June 25th

 

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52905489-dear-sexy-ex-boyfriend

 

 

Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, an all-new sexy, fake fiancé, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy standalone by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, is AVAILABLE NOW!!!

In light of the current situation, Lauren will also be donating 10% of all sales (including pre-orders) to Feeding America!

✦ Kindle ➜https://blkly.pub/KindleDearSexy
✦Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/AppleDearSexy
✦Kobo ➜ https://blkly.pub/KoboDearSexy
✦BN ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookDearSexy
✦Google ➜ https://blkly.pub/GoogleDearSexy
✦Audible ➜ http://blkly.pub/AudibleDearSexy

 

 

NOW LIVE ON AUDIO!
Indulge in this duet narration performed deliciously by Shane East and Andi Arndt!
✦Audible ➜ http://blkly.pub/AudibleDearSexy

 

 

Blurb:
Let me just say — none of this was supposed to happen.

I didn’t expect the letter to go viral. I didn’t think anyone would figure out who Dear Sexy Ex was. And I especially never thought he would find out about it.

Yeah, bit of a miscalculation there.

But see, I need the money to fund my brand new venture. And Dear Sexy Ex, well, it turns out he needs me to save his business.

By becoming his fake fiancée.

Yup, that’s the pickle I find myself in — pretending to be madly in love with the charming, brilliant, and utterly infuriating man known as Dear Sexy Ex.

Only, it’s not an act. And he can never know.

 

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Dear Sexy Ex Boyfriend was the perfect friends-to-lovers story. Reading about Summer and Oliver and their fake engagement was an absolute delight! Romcom queen Lauren Blakely kicks off a new series with this adorable couple and I am so there for the ride!

Summer and Oliver have been friends since they were kids, and I love the history that is between them. Simmering just underneath the surface is an attraction that they’ve both been hesitant to acknowledge, not wanting to ruin their friendship. Over the years there have been some moments between them that could have gone much further, but neither one was willing to cross that line.

But when a tongue-in-cheek homage to their friendship goes viral, Oliver and Summer find themselves pretending to be engaged — and realizing that their pretend feelings are actually very much real. This story is all about Summer and Oliver realizing what has been right in front of them all along is the thing that they never knew they wanted, and it is as simple as that. There isn’t a whole lot of drama, and once Summer and Oliver get out of their own way, things are easy going between them.

This story is swoony, romantic and fun. Likable characters, witty banter, and I can’t wait for Oliver’s circle of friends to find their own happily ever afters. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

About the Author:
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, ultra-steamy romance for her Lauren Blakely After Dark line. She’d love to give you a free book today!

Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book

Connect w/Lauren:
Website: laurenblakely.com
NL Signup: laurenblakely.com/newsletter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurenblakely3

 

Uncategorized

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Last Name, by Dr. Rebecca Sharp

🎲🎲 HOT NEW RELEASE 🎲🎲

Last Name by Dr. Rebecca Sharp is #LIVE! Don’t miss this swoony mistaken marriage standalone that will take you from the slots in Las Vegas to the shores of Lake Tahoe! #One-click today!

BOOK BLURB

 

From bestselling author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, comes a funny accidental marriage story about a loss, luck, and an unexpected love…

 

What happens in Vegas…

A regret-free girls’ weekend was supposed to help Carrie Bishop forget about her last relationship and cross-country move. Because when you’ve lost everything, letting loose is easy.

 

James Arden knew the stakes in Vegas were high, but saving a beautiful blonde at a Blackjack table wasn’t the kind of risk he thought he’d be taking.

 

Unfortunately, there’s only one recipe for Vegas. One part instant connection. Two parts too much alcohol. A splash of scavenger-hunt serendipity. Shake and enjoy.

 

Until Carrie wakes to a ring on her finger and a marriage certificate tying her to the illegible signature of a man who’s gone.

 

It was supposed to be just one night, but now she doesn’t even know her last name.

 

Coming home married was bad, but walking into work the next day was worse. Carrie’s mistake didn’t stay in Vegas, and her mystery husband is no longer a mystery: 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴.

 

James knows what they have is special, and he’ll do anything to prove it. And as their undeniable attraction ups the ante, Carrie hopes she can get back her name without losing her heart in the process.

 

PURCHASE LINK

🎲Amazon Universal: mybook.to/LastName

♥️GR: https://bit.ly/LN_GR

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Last Name, Rebecca Sharp is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card! Head to her Facebook page to enter: https://www.facebook.com/drrebeccasharp/

 

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

A scavenger hunt in Las Vegas leads to a wild night between Carrie and James — and she wakes up the next morning with a marriage certificate in her hotel room and the groom no where to be found. It isn’t long before Carrie does find James — standing across from her in his office, as the new owner of the hotel she works for and about to fire her.

This was a really cute, easy to read, instalove story. Low angst, a bit of ex-girlfriend drama, and a fun chase by James as he sets out to convince Carrie to give him a shot. She’s been burned by her boss/ex before, and doesn’t want to repeat her past mistakes when she realizes that James is her new boss. But they can’t stay away from one another.

James is a swoony hero. He’s a fixer, a rescuer. Not only did he fix the family business and rescue his family from debt, but he legit swoops in to save Carrie from a groper at a poker table in an adorable meet-cute.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Rebecca Sharp, while using a pen name, is actually a doctor living in Pennsylvania with her husband – the love of her life.

She enjoys working in her practice with her father as well as letting her creativity run free as an author. Growing up she’s always loved a good love story and finally decided to give writing one of her own a go.

After graduating with her doctoral degree, she now enjoys spending that thing called free time traveling with her husband, cooking, and knitting.

 

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drrebeccasharp

Reader Group: http://bit.ly/BecomeASexySharpie

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drrebeccasharp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/drrebeccasharp

Mailing List: http://bit.ly/StaySharpSignUp

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/drrebeccasharp

Amazon: https://goo.gl/bxuLPd

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-sharp