Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Royally Not Ready by Meghan Quinn

“You might be a future queen, but when it comes to the bedroom, I’m your king.”

ROYALLY NOT READY, a brand new sexy, enemies-to-lovers standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn, is Now Available in all formats, including the illustrated hardcover edition! Fall in love with this fresh take on a royal romance with a twist. Laugh out loud funny and full of some of her steamiest scenes yet, Quinn takes you on an unexpected, sizzling fairytale journey. One-click your copy today!

http://mybook.to/RoyallyNotReady

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About ROYALLY NOT READY:

So there I was selling bikinis out of my truck in South Beach Miami, getting ready to kick off a wet t-shirt contest when the world’s biggest grouch approached me – Keller Fitzwilliam.

The man had the sultriest British accent I’ve ever heard. And he looked like he just walked off a Viking boat and into a suit tailored specifically for his impressively muscular frame. Only problem is, he had the warmth of an ice pick and he kept telling me he was here to take me back to his home country.

Of course, I didn’t follow him. I might be up for a good time, but I’m also educated enough to know leaving with a stranger isn’t smart. Well, that’s until he mentioned my mom’s name. My mom who passed away several years ago.

So after some serious fact-checking, my bikini-clad bum went with him to a sub-arctic country I had never heard of just north of the British Isles, where I found out my grandpa was the king of said freezing country, and I was the one and only heir.

Desperate to learn more about my mom, I decided to give this princess thing a chance.

Good idea, right? Wrong.

Because Mr. Ice Pick was put to the task of training me and he’s not just cold as ice, he’s pompous, aggravating, and possessive. And did I mention we have to share a bathroom in a tiny castle?

We are oil and water every single day and even though he’s training me to be queen, I have this simmering desire to kneel before him.

http://mybook.to/RoyallyNotReady

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Emma Wilder and John Hartley narrate ROYALLY NOT READY in duet, and their performances are perfection! Grab your earbuds and dive into this aural sensation today! 

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

Do not miss out on reading this book! Princess Diaries-meets-My Fair Lady-meets-Fifty Shades of Gray, this book is a quintessential Meghan Quinn romcom with so much more! I swear, Keller is her most dirty-talking-hero yet, a grumpy guy who becomes completely besotted with the spunky heroine despite his efforts to keep her at an arm’s length.

Keller and Lilly’s story is PERFECTION! I adored the fish-out-of-water aspect with Lilly being plucked from her life in Miami after learning that she’s actually the only heir to the crown of a country she’s never heard of. As she goes through her “princess training” with Keller, Lilly slowly sees all of the Torsquethorpe influences that she’s had in her life, not even realizing it. Lilly was so lost after her parents passed away, and she never imagined that she’d find a home in a Norwegian country. Or that her soulmate would be the grumpy, ice cold dirty talker who has been assigned to turn her into a princess.

Keller. Oh Keller. He is so loyal to the crown, that duty having been instilled in him by his late parents. As much as he is falling for Lilly, he feels like he is betraying his duty to serve the royal family by being involved with the future queen. But Lilly calms his soul. Yet he is so conflicted by his demons and insecurities, all the way up to the last two chapters of this book. I loved the dichotomy of Keller as this strong, surly guy who is loyal to the crown yet still a lost little boy whose parents died, leaving him an orphan.

While there is a lovely sweet side to Keller and Lilly’s relationship, this book has some of THE HOTTEST bedroom scenes I’ve ever read by MQ! Holy hell! Narrators Emma Wilder and John Hartley played these two characters perfectly, from the vulnerable moments to the scorching BDSM bedroom scenes!

Royally Not Ready is absolute perfection, from start to finish!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review

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ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

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Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Devil You Know by Veronica Eden

 Release Date: August 12

From USA Today and International bestselling author, Veronica Eden, comes a standalone new adult brother’s best friend romance with a spunky heroine, the local thirst trap, and an unorthodox tutoring agreement.

 
Tatum Danvers has plans and goals for everything in her life. Whatever she sets out to do, she achieves.
There’s only one thing she’s determined to check off…
 
I’m all set for my first semester at college.
Dream field of study. Five year plan. Brand new notebooks.
 
But one thing can’t come to campus—my V-card.
 
Being a virgin isn’t the biggest part of my problem.
 
What I need to prepare for the full college experience is someone to teach me what to do in bed. Though I hate to admit defeat, this is one accolade I can’t earn on my own.
 
I have the perfect tutor in mind: my brother’s best friend.
Cooper Vale. Hometown heartthrob, sultry bad boy, and my neighbor since we were kids.
*Note: The Devil You Know is a brother’s best friend college romance with spicy tutoring lessons from the boy next door. It was originally published and completed on Kindle Vella under the same name. This edition contains additional content and a guaranteed HEA.
Grab Your Copy Here!
Free in KU
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
Tatum and Cooper’s story is a spicy, hot brother’s best friend/forbidden romance/secret relationship/fake relationship story where a playboy falls hard and fast for the one girl he shouldn’t want.

While I found some of the dialog to be a bit corny (do 20somethings really talk like that?), I really enjoyed this story. Tate wants Cooper to take her V-card before she starts college. He needs a tutor to bring his college GPA up a bit, so they make a mutually beneficial deal over the summer. But she’s his best friend’s little sister, and Jackson has essentially told Cooper to keep his hands off of Tate, so they keep their friends with benefits relationship a secret.

But the more time Cooper spends with Tatum, the more he realizes that he really likes her. And has always liked her. Once they get to campus, Tate agrees to “fake date” Cooper so he can kind of rehab his reputation. While Tate continues to get the bennies from Cooper, she has No idea that Coop suggested the fake relationship because he wanted to prove to her that he can actually be a good boyfriend.

Of course, Tate begins to fall for Coop, and as the lines get blurred, she gets more confused not realizing that Coop really does like her…. Sigh. The miscommunication is kind of a mess, but I thought that it worked well for this story, Cooper and Tate’s relationship, and how it affects Cooper’s friendship with Jackson.

And all those love notes? Absolutely swoony!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Veronica Eden

Veronica Eden is an international bestselling author of dark new adult romances + reverse harem romances with spitfire heroines and irresistible heroes.
 
She loves exploring complicated feelings, magical worlds, epic adventures, and the bond of characters that embrace us against the world. She has always been drawn to gruff bad boys, clever villains, and the twisty-turns of morally gray decisions. She believes sometimes the villain should get the girl and is a sucker for a deliciously devilish antihero. 
 
Veronica also writes romance as Mara Townsend. 
 
When not writing, she can be found soaking up sunshine at the beach, snuggling in a pile with her untamed pack of animals (her husband, dog and cats), and surrounding herself with as many plants as she can get her hands on.

 

To learn more about Veronica Eden, visit here!

 
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Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Make Out Artist by Sara Ney

HOT NEW RELEASE
THE MAKE OUT ARTIST by Sara Ney is LIVE!
#1ClickHere
https://books2read.com/TheMakeOutArtist

From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sara Ney comes a new series about strong, single girls falling in love: accidentally.

Love finds you when you least expect it. That’s what my nan always said. 

Love? I wasn’t looking for it so how will I know when I’ve found it? I’m not romantic like she was—I’m realistic and practical. Quick with my wits and hilarious when I’m in the mood, it’ll take more than a handsome face to win my affection. Speaking of handsome faces—Elias Cohen is nothing special (no offense); smug, arrogant. Too flirtatious for his own good.

He won’t charm me with that crooked smile and dimple in his chin. When Elias comes knocking on my office door during a house party after I play wingman for a friend, I’m tempted to slam the door in his face. But I don’t.

Because If there’s one thing I am, it’s curious.

And wouldn’t you know it—Elias needs a favor. Begs for one, actually.He might not be able to make me swoon, but he does need a wingwoman.



Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
The Make Out Artist was such a fun story. Molly and Eli definitely get off on the wrong foot, and he just continues to make a bigger mess out of things when they first meet. But once she agrees to go on a few fake dates with him, these two slowly realize that they are actually pretty perfect for one another!

It’s a slow burn between these two before their fake dates turn into a bona fide real date — and Eli really goes all out to make it as romantic as possible for Molly! Everything comes so naturally and so easily for these characters, both of whom have been burned by past relationships. When a situation arises with Eli’s gold-digging ex-girlfriend, their little bubble of happiness bursts and both Eli and Molly have to figure out if their new relationship is worth fighting for.

It took me a while to realize that Molly is the grown-up version of Tripp’s sassy 13-year-old neighbor from Hard Love!

The Make Out Artist is a low-drama, sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will leave you smiling at the end!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Mine To Hold by Natasha Madison

Release Date: August 2

From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a small town, best friends to lovers romance.

Are you ready for The Southern Wedding Series?
Things are supposed to go smoothly on your wedding day.
Aren’t they?

Shelby
I got a love letter the night before I was supposed to marry the love of my life.
Except the letter wasn’t for me.
My future husband had written it to someone else.

Weston (Ace)
Standing at the altar to watch my best friend get married was an honor.
Finding out that he was sleeping with my girlfriend was a nightmare.
Everything I knew was a lie.
When the opportunity came to get out of town and leave my ex behind, I took it.
Umbrella drinks and broken hearts don’t mix well.
I shouldn’t want Shelby for myself – but I do.
I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

Maybe, she was just mine to hold.

Grab Your Copy Here!
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
Oh this book was perfection! I absolutely adored Ace and Shelby’s story, from start to finish!

There was just the right amount of “forbidden” between these two best friends as they cross the line to something more after Shelby learns her fiancé had been cheating on her with Ace’s girlfriend and dumps him at the altar. Nursing their broken hearts, Ace and Shelby spend her honeymoon at a couples resort, and all kinds of hilarity ensues as they are mistaken for newlyweds— with simmering sexual tension brewing!

Natasha Madison has a way of brilliantly creating rich, wonderful characters, and these two are among my favorites of hers. When Ace and Shelby finally admit that they’ve always been attracted To one another, it’s a wonderful scene and sets them off on a vacation fling. But when they arrive back home, will they truly be able to leave their feelings on the island?

Mine To Hold is a wonderful story in the Southern Weddings series not to be missed!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Natasha Madison


When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…



 
Connect with Natasha Madison


 
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Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: They Call Her Dirty Sally by Amy Matayo

Release Date: August 2

“For years, the town of Silver Bell, Arkansas has quietly mourned the hospital fire that claimed the lives of nine of its residents—the town doctor, a young expectant mother, and seven infants. So, when journalist Finn Hardwick is assigned the story as part of a national thirtieth anniversary

memorial service, he arrives at the town ready to interview its residents, thinking they’ll be willing and eager to make headlines.

 He isn’t prepared for the resistance. Or for what appears to be a collective unwillingness to answer questions. 

 Faced with one roadblock after another, Finn enlists the help of Billi Ellis, the young motel receptionist that everyone in the town seems to like. Maybe she can get them to open up to him. Maybe she can help him make sense of everything he keeps uncovering. Especially the unexpected tie this tragedy appears to have to his own life.

 A tie that leads him directly to the old woman who seems to hold the key to everything. The woman everyone avoids…the woman they call “dirty”…the woman who hasn’t spoken a word to anyone since the day the hospital burned.”

 

Buy Your Copy Here

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

They Call Her Dirty Sally blew me away! I usually stick to contemporary romance, but I took a chance on this book and I am so glad I did because it was phenomenal! Amy Matayo is a new-to-me author, and she had such a magical way with her words as she wove together this small-town mystery.

This book is chock-full of secrets, lies, and years of betrayal. As it all unravels, the lives of Sally — who was at the heart of the accident decades ago — Billi, and town outsider Finn will forever be changed. This book will really make you think about your actions and how the way you treat people can have long-lasting consequences.

Get ready to experience a rollercoaster of emotions with this gut-wrenching, inspirational, phenomenal story.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Amy Matayo

Amy Matayo is an award winning author of  The Wedding GameLove Gone WildSwayIn Tune with LoveA Painted SummerThe End of the WorldThe Thirteenth ChanceThe Whys Have ItChristmas at Gate 18, and the upcoming Lies We Tell Ourselves.

She graduated with barely passing grades from John Brown University with a degree in Journalism. But don’t feel sorry for her–she’s super proud of that degree and all the ways she hasn’t put it to good use.

She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is always working on her next novel, whichever one that may be.

 
Connect with Amy Matayo
 
 
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Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Ask Me To Stay by H. D’Agostino

Title: Ask Me To Stay
Author: H. D’Agostino
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: August 2, 2022
BLURB
The Bradshaws have owned a beach house down the coast from ours for as long as I can remember. Every summer since I was six, we’ve vacationed there.
Russell, their youngest son, was my best friend growing up. He taught me how to spit and punch like a boy. He gave me my first beer and first kiss, which was terrible by the way. We spent many days and nights commiserating together about how our parents knew nothing and were so uncool.
Casey Bradshaw, Russ’s older brother, was everything I thought I wanted in a boyfriend. He was cool, mature, and very hot. Each summer I tried and failed, to get him to notice me as more than Russ’s friend and the girl from down the beach. The last summer I was there, he broke my heart.
It’s been six years, and my best friend Aimee has decided we need a vacation. The last thing I expected was to be back at the beach. Sometimes we don’t realize what we need has been right under our nose all along, and sometimes it takes a little push and some alcohol to admit we were wrong.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3.5 Stars
Ask Me to Stay had me hooked from the blurb, but I felt that it was just kind of an okay story overall.

This book goes back and forth between a past summer in 1995, and present-day 2001, exploring Russ and Willow’s friendship as teenagers (where she had a crush on his older brother) and then them reconnecting 6 years later. We hardly got to see them out in the real world, and I needed to see that to really buy them as a couple outside of the beach community where they spent the summer. If the epilogue tells us that they are madly in love and have made a long-distance relationship work all year, I wanted to *see* that. I also felt that some of If dialogue was forced, and didn’t flow naturally, which is a pet peeve of mine.

That said, Ask Me to Stay is a good beach read — light, minimal drama, set in the summer with a HEA.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

AUTHOR BIO
Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
 
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
 
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the track, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’
AUTHOR LINKS
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: More Than a Memory by Molly McClain

Title: More Than a Memory
Series: Cole Creek #2
Author: Molly McLain
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2022
BLURB
We were more than we pretended to be. Or maybe we were nothing at all.
-Olivia-
I loved him when I shouldn’t have. And I left him to save us both. Now my life is in danger and he’s the only one who can offer the protection I need.
I hate being so vulnerable, so weak… But if I’m going to bare my secrets to anyone, it’s him.
Even if he hates me for them.
-Aiden-
I would have risked it all for her, but she quit before she ever gave us a chance. She chose another man and another life, instead. And now his choices might cost her hers.
I don’t hate her like she thinks I do, but this is more than a job for me. This is my chance to prove that Olivia and I…
We’re more than a memory.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
For a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
More Than a Memory is a wonderful second-chance romance between two people who never stopped loving one another. With a traumatic past, a dead husband, a heroine in danger, and the brother’s best friend trope added in.

Aiden and Olivia are remarkable characters. She’s been through so much but she is such a strong heroine. And even though Aiden *wants* to hate her for ghosting him without a trace all those years ago, he knows the second he sees her again that she still owns his heart. Now, Olivia needs protection and Aiden is the only one who can keep her safe. Will their love be more than just a memory?

This book is part of the Cole Creek series but is a standalone story. This story had the right blend of romance, heat, suspense, angst, and sizzling chemistry between the H and h. There are some difficult scenes to read in regards to some trauma in Liv’s past, but I thought that Molly McClain handled that very nicely and it helped propel this couple forward as they dealt with Aiden’s guilt in the matter and where they go in the future.

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

ALSO AVAILABLE
99c for TODAY only!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
Molly McLain lives in a tiny Wisconsin town with her husband, three kiddos, and two adorable German Shorthaired Pointers. She’s addicted to 80’s ballads, 90’s rock, cheesecake, and office supplies, and she’s been scribbling down love stories in spiral notebooks since she was old enough to daydream about hunky boys and happily-ever-afters. Now, she turns those daydreams into steamy, small town romance novels.
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Unfinished Ex by Samantha Christie

Seeing him again has her second guessing everything.

Unfinished Ex, an all-new steamy romance with a surprise twist from bestselling author Samantha Christy, is out now!

He wanted everything I couldn’t give him. A doting wife, a perfect family, a white picket fence, and game nights.

It’s not that I didn’t want to be his wife anymore. I just wanted something more—a career. So when an opportunity came up two years ago, it was easier to make him hate me than have him think he wasn’t enough.

Now, a day after our divorce is final, I find myself thrust back in the town we grew up in, down the street from the house we once owned together.

Seeing him again has me second-guessing everything. My priorities. My reason for leaving. My secrets.
When we cave, and have one explosive night of ex sex, everything changes.
Or nothing has.

And I have to decide if history is about to be repeated.

Download your copy today or grab it FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3whOlTB
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/unfinishedex

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/39SMeNe

Keep reading for a look inside Unfinished Ex!

“Aren’t you popular?” a familiar voice spews behind me.
I stiffen, then turn. “Jaxon.” I spin back and motion for the bartender.
My hair gets moved aside, and strong fingers come around the side of my throat. For a second, I think he might strangle me. Then his grip relaxes, and his thumb brushes against the hollow of my neck. Tingles shoot through my body. It’s the first time I’ve felt his touch in years.
“As if being all over television isn’t enough,” he says. “You have to come here and rub it in my face? What the hell, Nic? Is there any guy here you haven’t come on to?”
“Give me a break.” I shrug his hand off me and huff. “It’s my reunion too. And if you don’t want to see me on TV, change the channel. Anyway, don’t you have a girlfriend you should be dancing with?”
The disdain in our voices is surprising. We never spoke like this to each other when we were married. And I’m not sure why I’m speaking to him this way now. He doesn’t deserve it. But seeing him on the arm of another woman all night has been… devastating, to say the least. And my defenses are up.
He takes my arm and leads me to the dance floor.
I know I should resist, but I don’t. Not much anyway. “What are you doing?”
“Talking with my ex-wife. And showing everyone here that we can be civil.”
I glance around. Everyone is staring. And guffawing. And videoing. I suppose they either think I’m going to punch him or fuck him.
“Can we be civil?” I ask. “Because based on the two times we’ve seen each other, we’re either glaring at or ignoring one another.”
“I think we should try to be. How else are we going to survive two months of you being here?”
“Avoidance,” I say, trying to ignore the warmth of his hands. The solidness of his body. The familiarity of his scent.
Every synapse in my brain is firing, telling me to pull away. But my heart strings—apparently they think we’re still tethered together, and I find myself swaying to the music.
He moves with me. “How’s that working for you? Apparently not well since you decided to show up at the one place you knew I’d be. Not to mention my friends.”
“Oh, your friends.”
“Yeah, my friends. You left them too. Or have you forgotten?”
“I remember perfectly well. More than you could ever know.” I break away from him because being in his arms is suffocating. “I have to go. I need to be up early.”
“Then why did you even come?”
Why did I? “It was obviously a mistake.” I go back to the bar and Paige, who is holding up a shot. I’ve never needed one more. “Thanks. And now I’m leaving.”
She checks the time. “You almost made it an hour. That’s longer than I thought you’d last.” She glances behind me. “Oh shit.”
I turn to see Calista standing in the hallway, the sadness of her stare burning through my skin from twenty feet away. She saw us dancing.
Not bothering to say goodbye to anyone, I hightail it to the back door. I’m barely to the back gate when I hear, “Why can’t you leave well enough alone?”
Slowly, I rotate and face Calista. She walks toward me in what seems like slow motion. Is she going to call me names? Pull my hair? Tackle me to the ground? Behind her, people pour out from inside.
“Calista, now is not the time. We’ve both been drinking.”
“You think I’m going to cause a scene?”
“No, because I’m walking away.”
I get another thirty feet when I hear her heels on the pavement behind me. She runs ahead and stops my progress. Not with her fists or her body, but with her eyes. Her sorrowful, poignant stare that makes me feel even more guilty about being here.
“Calista, I don’t have time for this.”
“You left. You chose your career over him. You were selfish, uncaring, and insensitive. Not to mention you broke him. Do you know how long it took him to even ask someone out?”
“Cal—”
“It’s my turn. You had your turn. You had your chance with him. You don’t get to waltz back into town and pretend like everything is normal when you’re the reason he can’t be. He was just starting to heal. And tonight, I had a feeling he might even commit to this relationship. Then you show up and all anyone can do is look at you, and then look at him to see if he’s looking at you, and then look at me to see if I’m bothered by any of it. Why are you here? You made your choice. You don’t even want him, so why don’t you stay away and give him room to breathe? Please, Nicky. I’m begging you.”
I’m stunned by the lack of anger in her confrontation. But I shouldn’t be. Even when we butted heads back in high school, she was still nice about it. She didn’t get to be head cheerleader, class president, and prom queen by intimidation. She did it because she was delightful, caring, and perky. The kind of person who’s perfect for Jaxon.
Jaxon comes out of the pub and sees us.
Calista glances between him and me. “Unless you still want him.” Her eyes become glassy. “Do you?”
“I…” I clutch my pendant. “I have to go.”
I run through the parking lot. Then I run down the street. Then I take my shoes off and run barefoot until I get inside the house and up to my room. Then I collapse on my bed, knowing everything she said was one hundred percent true.
Especially the part about me wanting him. Because I was lying to myself. Being in his arms wasn’t suffocating. It was like going home.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3 Stars

I really liked parts of this book, and really disliked other parts of it. I have such conflicted feelings! While I loved the second-chance romance between a divorced couple who so clearly still was madly in love with one another, there were so many plot points in this story that I kept rolling my eyes over.

The good: There is a lot of growth on the parts of both Nicky and Jaxon in this book when it comes to their relationship and how they drifted apart in the past because of her career aspirations. Unfortunately, I felt that was overshadowed by the lie that Nicky told Jax in the first place and… the ickiness… of the surprise pregnancies in this book.

So Nicky lied about having cheated on Jaxon so he wouldn’t come after her because she felt like she wasn’t enough for him anymore since she had dreams of being a broadcast meteorologist. Except that she lied about it. And then his indiscretion was brushed under the rug by them both on their way to reconciliation. Okay, I can suspend belief for that. But Jaxon getting his ex-girlfriend and Nicky pregnant within weeks of each other was a bit too much. Calista was just a wretched woman who kept coming up with excuse after excuse to spend time with Jax because she was jealous he and Nicky were seeing each other again. I will admit that Jax and Nicky handled Calista’s pregnancy like champs, and came out the other side rock solid as a result. In the end, everything got tied up in a neat little bow and they make it work for all parties involved, including Calista, so this story does have a HEA for everyone.

I wish this book would have come with a trigger warning for miscarriage because that is a sensitive subject for me that I need to know about going into a story.

If I could pluck out certain parts of this story, I would give this book a higher rating. Because I really enjoyed how Nicky and Jaxon found their way back to each other. But I felt that the outside drama was unnecessary since they had enough to work with between the distance, their breakup, their loss, and where they go in the future.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

About Samantha Christy
Samantha Christy’s passion for writing started long before her first novel was published. Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Criminal Justice, she held the title of Computer Systems Analyst for The Supreme Court of Wisconsin and several major universities around the United States. Raised mainly in Indianapolis, but also living in Lincoln, NE for a time, she decided to devote herself to family upon the birth of her third child and became a stay-at-home mom. It was then when the writing bug really took hold as she was a voracious reader. Being a stay-at-home mom facilitated her ability to follow her dream of becoming an author.
When she is not writing, she keeps busy cruising to every Caribbean island ships sail to. Samantha Christy currently resides near St. Augustine, Florida with her husband and the two of her four children who haven’t flown the nest. Oh, and her dog, Ozzy, who she worships and thinks is the most adorable Whoodle on the planet.

Connect with Samantha
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3vyOXEf
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IFSzIk
BookBub: https://bit.ly/35huDNj
BingeBooks: https://bit.ly/3C5NOFw
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3pwAPYw
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3C5lqU2
Website: https://samanthachristy.com/

Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Boyfriend Material by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.
I’m talking about Eric Hansen.

Boyfriend Material, an all-new enemies-to-lovers sports romance full of heat and chemistry from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

#1 Amazon Bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers an all-new, enemies-to-lovers sports romance, a breathtaking tale of passion, heartbreak, and love…

Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.

I’m talking about Eric Hansen.

Rich prick.

Glorified hockey star.

Thinks he’s amazing.

The Golden Boy and I are well acquainted. In prep school he trampled on my heart then kept right on going.

Now, he’s living the high life with frat parties and puck bunnies at Hawthorne University. On the other hand, people barely notice me—unless I’m on stage taking my clothes off. I’m the nobody, surviving in the seedy part of town as I fight to keep my head above treacherous waters.

I’ve snubbed him for three years.

The avoidance game we’ve been playing was working—until he rescues me from a bad guy and claims he wants to help me more.

Hello. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. This girl saves herself.

Yet, I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us. (It’s not even a spark; it’s a full-fledged, blazing fire.)

Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will our past get in the way?

This steamy romance is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers or second-chances. Boyfriend Material is a new adult college romance.

Grab your copy today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mD2FjK
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/boyfriendmaterialIMM

Keep reading for a look inside Boyfriend Material!

Eric’s large frame and rugged handsomeness takes the air from my lungs. His hair is pulled back in a man-bun, my fav look on him.
No. I do not have a favorite look for him, but it does show off his ridiculous cheekbones and aristocratic, slightly bent nose.
He’s wearing jeans, gold Converse, and a HU shirt. The lion on the front seems to glare at me—much like he is now.
I lean against the doorjamb. Be cool, be cool. “Howdy, partner.”
He doesn’t smile. “That guy at the laundromat is scary. Stay away from him. I mean it.”
I huff. The nerve of him to tell me what to do.
“That’s what I told you. I repeat, you could have been hurt. Let me handle Connor.”
His arms cross. “How did you get involved with him? Are you on drugs?”
I tuck my hands in my pockets and dip my head so he can’t see how much his words hurt. I know I strip, no one has to remind me, but in prep school, I was the goody-two shoes who never wavered. I had to keep my grades up to keep my scholarship—not that I was ever invited to parties. I wrote poetry. I drew. I daydreamed about him. “Do I look like an addict?”
His golden eyes roam over me. Assessing. “Maybe.”
My throat tingles with words I want to say but know I shouldn’t.
The less he knows, the better.
His nose flares. “I’m trying to help you and you’re giving me the cold shoulder. What’s wrong with you?”
I swallow thickly as I gaze at him. “Eric. Please. Being around me will only smear your good name—”
“Stop,” he calls out, then rubs his face, his anger seeming to deflate like a popped tire. “Don’t put yourself down like that. You’re a person, Julia. One that people care about.”
And I want to protect those people.
I chew on my bottom lip. “You shouldn’t have interfered.”
He lets out a long sigh, gives me a searching look, goes to leave, then stops. He reaches into his pocket and holds something up. “This is yours, I assume.”
I stare at the ring, my lips parting. “How did you . . .?”
But he’s already out the door.

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Back in prep school, scholarship kid Julia and rich boy Eric briefly dated, but he tossed her to the side as soon as they slept together, like he tended to do with all the girls he dated. Now, a few years later, they cross paths again at college, where he is the golden boy of the hockey team and she’s stripping at night to pay the bills while trying to balance school, her addict mother, and keeping a loan shark off her back. One night, Eric plays knight in shining armor, and a tentative friendship is rekindled between these two that slowly turns into more.

Who Julia and Eric are now are totally different people than they were as teenagers. And as it turns out, Eric’s life isn’t all that it seems. He’s carrying around some serious family baggage and nothing he does is good enough for his father. But Julia makes him feel balanced and grounded. Will these two be able to overcome their past and forge a future together?

This slow-burn story hits on a lot of sensitive topics: SA, fraternity hazing, prescription addiction, mental illness, and more. I thought that Ilsa Madden-Mills handled that all nicely. Eric and Julia’s journey to a HEA is rough and full of roadblocks, but the sweet epilogue makes it all worthwhile. And there is a nice revisit with his best friend and her best friend, Z and Sugar, from Boyfriend Bargain.

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3trVP4K
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Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com
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Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Never With Me by Kaylee Ryan

Title: Never With Me
Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2022
BLURB
Ramsey
I’m out of my depth participating in a blind-date photo shoot. Not only am I meant to act like I’m open for dating, but I’m meant to be sexy and get up close and personal with a complete stranger.
None of the above is me. But I’m a sucker, and my best friend can talk me into anything.
Deacon is the kind of guy my heart could be safe with. But I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and I’m not sure I’m ready to rely on anyone else. Not even the handsome, successful older brother of my best friend.
Deacon
I never saw her coming. One date with a beautiful stranger and I’m hooked.
Technically, Ramsey isn’t a stranger. She’s my little sister’s best friend, the same sister who volunteered me because she claims “I’m a workaholic in desperate need of love.”
All I know is I can’t stop thinking about Ramsey and the way her lips felt against mine. I have to see her again. Good thing I’m an attorney, because convincing her to take a chance on me is going to be the hardest case I’ve ever pleaded. She’s worried about the past repeating itself. What she’s yet to figure out is that her fear is unnecessary… never with me.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE IN
A SPECIAL EDITION COVER

SUNNY SHELLY’s REVIEW: 5 STARS

It’s been a year or two since I’ve read a book by Kaylee Ryan and I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed her writing style! Deacon and Ramsey’s story was absolutely charming, with the right amounts of sexy simmer and sweet affection!

I adored the meet-cute with these two on a strangers photoshoot! Sure, it was a total set-up by Ramsey’s best friend/Deacon’s little sister, Palmer, but every time I see one of those strangers photoshoots on social media, I always think that would be such an awesome “how we met” story. Deacon is a workaholic who barely leaves the office and Ramsey is a former pampered princess who refuses to be dependent on anyone again, so she works three jobs herself. Sparks fly immediately once they meet, and neither notices the ten-year age gap between them.

I thought that KR really handled the trauma of Ramsey’s emotionally and physically abusive past well. Deacon is so patient and gentle with her, and the way he always, always asked for her opinion and wants — knowing that she had so few choices over her own life previously — was swoon-worthy. She didn’t have to be afraid or be worried about speaking her mind with Deacon. AKA “Never with me.”

These two characters really brought out the best in one another, and I was kind of sad to see their story come to an end, even though it ended with a wonderfully happy epilogue. I will definitely be checking out the next series by Kaylee Ryan because I am dying to spend more time with Ramsey’s nine cousins and Deacon’s sisters!

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

AUTHOR BIO
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
AUTHOR LINKS