BOOK REVIEW: Trainwreck by T. Gephart

Title: Trainwreck
Author: T. Gephart
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 10, 2017

       
“No passion, no emotion, no originality—a train wreck of epic portions.”

Those were the words to describe Eve Thorton’s exhibition. Not even a fine arts degree from Yale or her daddy’s bank account could save her from the scathing reviews. And failure was a word Eve would never be comfortable with. Not even close.

Plotting the demise of every critic who’d written her off was her first instinct. But that would come later. Instead, she would show them that she wasn’t a bored socialite with more money than talent.

She would prove everyone wrong, and she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. But when her journey for redemption crashed headfirst into Josh Logan, the sexy, talented tattooist from Queens, getting her hands dirty took on a whole new meaning.

Josh was everything Eve wasn’t, translating on skin what she couldn’t onto her canvas. All she had to do was convince him to share his jaw-dropping brilliance, and help her—seeing him naked—a bonus. Then she could go back to her regular life, vindicated.

It should have been easy. Pity her plans had a habit of derailing

            

NO ONE could perfectly mix romance, sass, and laughter the way Miss T. Gephart does. I am completely obsessed with her words! Trainwreck is a masterpiece itself! 

"I get the real you, and you get the real me. Even if we argue."

Eve Thorton found out that her passion for art wasn’t really transferring into her canvases as extraordinarily as she would’ve wanted. So when her eyes caught a stunning piece of art inked on skin, she knew she had to meet the genius behind it and draw inspiration from him. Little did she know, his artistic abilities won’t be the only thing she’d be drawn to. Eve was such a great character to explore! This badass woman driven by her need to prove people that she wasn’t just money and degree surprised and delighted me in many ways. I loved that Eve wasn’t a damsel-in-distress but I also loved that she opened herself for some changes. Her journey was such a vital part of this book. 

"It's how much of yourself you give. What you sacrifice for someone else. I'm concerned you are too busy worrying about other people, and no one is worrying about you."

Josh Logan had a tough life but he’s getting through it quite well. His escape? Art. He’s a genius with an ink gun and a man armed with knowledge and life lessons that he vividly transfers into ink. Known for magnificently translating classic paintings into the human skin, Josh’s gift knows no limits. But Eve Thorton might just be the only art form he would not be able to replicate. Oh, Josh. Where to begin? There’s a certain charming poignancy in this man that drew me to his character. Sure, he was hot, no doubt about that. But Josh’s major charm was his mind and the insightful, artistic way he views the world. I loved that his looks felt like a secondary (but definitely not a lesser) trait in this book. He was just an absolutely great mystery I loved unraveling. 

What I love in Miss T’s books are the streaks of unexpected details in every one of her works. Trainwreck has tons of those. Even just the little quirks or the slight twists on scenes give me such happiness. Josh and Eve may seem more different than alike but they wonderfully complement each other. I really, really love how they mesh! There was also a perfect amount of emotion in this book. Not overplayed nor unnecessary, just the right feels for Josh and Eve. And of course, I couldn't get through with this review without mentioning Dallas. He is a character every reader would absolutely love! He’s this unfiltered friend whom you can’t help but keep. I really loved the flavor he added to the book! 

The thing I really loved about this book is this grin I couldn’t get off of my face. A totally riveting read; sexy, hilarious, romantic, and refreshing. It’s a definite happy pill!

REVIEW BLITZ: What I Need by J. Daniels

WHAT I NEED

BY J.Daniels

Alabama Summer Book 5

Release Day: March 5, 2017

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK 

iBOOKS | KOBO | B&N

From New York Times bestselling author, J. Daniels, comes a sexy new STANDALONE novel.

Riley Tennyson has made a huge mistake.

At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.

Showing up to her brother’s wedding pissed off and newly single, Riley seeks comfort in solitude and an open bar, until the gorgeous and irresistibly charming CJ Tully makes her a better offer―a wild night with the master of smooth-talking where nothing is off limits.

Riley does what any single woman would do, and a connection is made. One neither one of them can ignore. But when she comes home to the boyfriend she no longer thought she had, Riley buries her secret and begs CJ to do the same.

Forget about each other. It was a mistake. That’s all it was… right?

Desires are hidden. Distance is kept. Until one night CJ makes the ultimate sacrifice, and Riley can no longer avoid the man she can’t stop thinking about.

Not with him sleeping down the hall…

MY FAVORITE BAMA BOY EVER!! I think I’ve said that when I read Reed but hot damn, CJ changed my mind. What I Need was a brilliant play of flirting, romance, a tinge of drama, and a whole lot of fun! 

"I got a taste of something I want more of and a taste like that, babe, there’s no forgetting.”

Riley just wanted to be enough, and she would do anything to be just that. This sweet, sweet girl was an absolute treat in this story. Riley was definitely a sunshine momentarily covered by clouds but once she was able to shine, you just can’t help but love her. She was selfless and thoughtful but contained a passion that only CJ Tully could unleash. 

Between the rough and the dirty he gives me sweet as if he really cares and this really matters, and my little naive heart believes it.

CJ Tully was surrounded with love birds. But he never quite craved falling as much as he did when he saw Riley Tennyson… at her own brother’s wedding. Oh my gah! CJ IS SOMETHING ELSE!!! I'm sure Tully is his own category of hero. Sweet, hot, naughty, perceptive, and persistent. AND a cop! What more can you ask for? He is THE ultimate book boyfriend material. I loved how he was hot but was quirky, too. How he was courageous but was sweet as hell. How dirty and consideate he could get. He was a confident man who knew what he wanted and deserved and he wasn’t shy on showing and saying how he feels about it. And man, does this man have a way with words. Seriously, I dare you not to fall for the #TullyCharm

Do you have any idea how good you look being mine?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the push and pull between CJ and Riley. The moment they surrendered to each other was off-the-charts hot but also so sensual and romantic. Miss J. Daniels definitely knows how to answer every Bama loving reader’s whims. Every possible fantasy, wish, emotion, and desire was met so brilliantly. It was funny yet also sentimental. It was sexy but oh-so sweet. It was bone-deep romantic but fell within reason. The plot was just continually engaging and interesting. What I loved, too, was how the other characters of the series were so intact, present and felt; feeding my Bama obsession so well. Clearly, Miss J knows what the readers wants and she gives it to us only to make us want more. 

What I Need was just jampacked with every single thing you want and need in a romance. Maybe even more. It certainly surpassed my expectations! J. Daniels continue to outdo herself. I can't wait for more Bama!!

ARC REVIEW (TOP READS!!): FLOW and GRIP by Kennedy Ryan

S Y N O P S E S

FLOW

(the GRIP prequel)

In 8 years, Marlon James will be one of the brightest rising stars in the music industry. 

Bristol Gray will be his tough, no-nonsense manager. 

But when they first meet, she's a college student finding her way in the world, and he's an artist determined to make his way in it. 

From completely different worlds, all the things that should separate them only draw them closer. 

It's a beautiful beginning, but where will the story end?

FLOW is the prequel chronicling the week of magical days and nights that will haunt Grip & Bristol for years to come.

GRIP is the full-length conclusion of their story.

 * * * * * * * * * 

GRIP

Resisting an irresistible force wears you down and turns you out.

I know.

I’ve been doing it for years.

I may not have a musical gift of my own, 

but I’ve got a nose for talent and an eye for the extraordinary.

And Marlon James – Grip to his fans – is nothing short of extraordinary.

Years ago, we strung together a few magical nights, but I keep those memories in a locked drawer and I’ve thrown away the key.

All that’s left is friendship and work.

He’s on the verge of unimaginable fame, all his dreams poised to come true.

I manage his career, but I can’t seem to manage my heart.

It’s wild, reckless, disobedient.

And it remembers all the things I want to forget. 

______________________________________

(I read Flow and Grip consecutively so I'll just review them as one!)

"My heart broke loose on the wind." – Pablo Neruda

I. AM. SO. OBSESSED. Good Lord Almighty. Kennedy Ryan outdid herself a hundred times with FLOW and GRIP. THIS STORY IS PHENOMENAL!!! 

The threat of Grip breaking me weighs less than the possibility of never having him.

Grip never knew he’d reach a height quite like what he was in right now. It came quite close to the high he experienced eight years ago, and it was a peak he will keep trying to reach. I've never read about a hero like Marlon (Grip). His depth, his passion, his story...Grip is his own kind of art and he loves like a masterpiece. This man is a living, breathing fire of passion that is sure to set flames on every reader’s feelings. Heart, Soul, Time, Panties, this man will steal it all from you and you'll voluntarily give it to him. 

My love is Pandora’s Box. Grip snapped my hinges, pried me open. He let this love out. My love has a wild streak. Good luck trying to tame it.

If there was something Bristol knew well, it was the feeling of inadequacy. She wasn’t as talented as her brother, wasn’t as fancy as her mother, always wasn’t brilliant enough. All her life, she was trying to fill that gaping hole with determination and strong will. Until she met a man who did not only fill her emptiness but allowed her to overflow. I DID NOT expect to love Bristol this much. Granted, I knew I will be taken by the badass goddess that she was but I never expected this depth from her. Beneath her cold, sure, and confident aura was a seat of immense love and compassion. She is definitely one of my favorite heroines ever! 

If she’s running from me, I’ll have to disappoint her.

I CAN’T EVEN WITH THIS STORY. Grip just totally owned me. There’s such a unique soul in Flow and Grip that I’ve never ever felt before. I’ve been craving to know how Grip and Bristol will finally give in to each other since My Soul to Keep but I did not expect their story to blow me away this much. Most of the characters I’ve read had a ‘chemistry’ or a ‘spark’ but Marlon and Bristol had a magma of emotions brewing, waiting to explode. And man, did they set my book world on fire. There’s just a rare kind of connection between them that had me trying to hold my heart in place. Like it’s so strong that the emotions jump right out of the pages each time there’s a scene where they’re breathing the same air. It’s absolutely addicting and I can read it again and again. 

What I love about a Kennedy Ryan book is that it’s a vessel for a deeper message. Beneath the soul-stirring romance in Grip lies significant issues that sparked and continue to spark controversies. For me, though, it was thought-provoking, moving, and inspirational. The stories, situations, and people embedded in this story were real and inspired empathy in so many ways. I think that’s the reason why my obsession with Grip reached new heights. It did not just give me goosebumps or tripling-heartbeats. Not just a depth that singed my heart nor a bone-deep romance that made me dream. It challenged my mind, altered my perspective, and inspired me to become a better person. 

For me, Kennedy Ryan’s prose is perfection. Her words flow like perfectly versed poems and you’d just want to highlight every line and have it tattooed on your body. I loved ALL of the books she’s ever written but in FLOW and GRIP, she was at her best..so far. The depths in these books were insurmountable, each page reeking with a story that will compel you to read non-stop. If there’s a story that I will highly recommend to people, this would be it. There are not enough stars in the sky I could borrow to help me rate this experience. Because Grip can’t be rated with stars. It’s worth at least two galaxies. 

BOOK REVIEW: Switch by Adriana Locke

Title: Switch
Author: Adriana Locke
Series: Landry Family #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 20, 2017

Mallory Sims is late for her first day of work.

After spilling her tea, she discovers she has no gas in her car. Add that her arm keeps sticking to her dress from syrup left on the console of her car, flustered feels like an understatement.

Then she sees her new boss.

Graham Landry is the epitome of NSFW in his custom-fit suit, black-rimmed glasses, and a look so stern her libido doesn’t stand a chance. Being flustered is just the start of her problems.

Her punctuality is only the start of his. With a pink slip in hand, he’s been waiting on his new secretary to show up only to let her go. Then she rushes in with her doe eyes and rambling excuses, smelling like bacon and lavender. The termination paper falls to the side as she falls in his arms. 

This is a disaster in the making. Not because of his pinpoint exactness or her free spirit, but because when they’re together, the sparks that fly threaten to burn the whole place down.

Just when I thought I have found my favorite Landry, another Landry comes along. Switch is probably the hottest, most sensual book that Adriana Locke has ever written. Another sexy and tantalizing read that shifts my life goals. I’m ditching my job and aiming for a Mrs. Landry position. 

"Careful. Purposeful. Confident."

Graham Landry thrived in order and preferably the one providing it. He had back-up plans for back up plans and anticipated solutions for every outcome. But he was definitely blindsided when he met a raven-haired goddess with a quick wit and killer curves. Gosh, I love Graham so much. In the past books, he was the rational voice in his brothers’ lives. He was smart, confident, logical, and so sure of himself. But damn, did I love him more when he started to dismantle(and not just from his goddamn, hotdamn suit). 

I'm aware I'm an addict and I measure drugs in Grahams.

Mallory Sims knew how hard it was to be a pawn of other people’s decisions so she was striving to stand on her own two feet. She will stand for herself, pave her life the way she wanted, and learn to say no…well, except when it comes to Graham Landry. Mal was such a beautiful character. This woman was smart and passionate. I loved how she was confident but also showed a tinge of vulnerability. Like her life goal, she was a perfect balance. A strong-willed, vocal, and independent woman but also a woman who needed understanding and acceptance. 

"What do you want, Mallory?""I want to do all the things you ask of me and do them better than you've expected they could be done."

I initially expected this book to be just panty-melting hot and romantic. And don’t get me wrong, it definitely definitely was. Graham and Mallory together could create miles and miles of forest fires. What I didn’t expect, though, was how raw they got with each other. And hot damn,that was, in my opinion, the hottest thing about this book. Not just Graham in a suit (which is hot) or Graham out of the suit (which is also hot)or Graham outside the suit doing sexy times with Mallory (which is extra extra hot). But it was the little things they did for and say to each other. They filled each other’s gap and inspired new sets of routine and a brand of happiness that was exclusively their own. 

Adriana Locke brilliantly drove this sexy book from a fiery, sexy attraction to an all-out true romance. Everything was perfectly-paced and contained a subtle intensity that was absolutely addicting! I want more Landry!

BOOK REVIEW: Rise by Dylan Allen

*ARC graciously given in exchange for an honest review*

Title: Rise

Author: Dylan Allen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 15, 2017

As a little girl, I saw my father destroy the family he claimed to love. I watched my mother waste her life dreaming of a man who left her without a second glance. 

As a woman, I don’t dream, I work. I don’t fall in love, I focus. I would never let anything as frivolous as love distract me. 

Until I meet Simon. A gorgeous, brilliant young architect with dark eyes, a sweet smile, and a dirty, dirty mouth. He sets me on fire, and suddenly all I can do is dream…of his hands, his lips, his body. Of a heart good enough and a love strong enough to make me believe in happily ever after.

But Simon has secrets that are even deeper than mine. Will our pasts destroy everything we’ve worked for? Or will we find the courage to rise to the challenge and fight for the love we share?

I’d like to say that I’m Indie thirsty. I always look forward to reading the first work of new indie authors and be there as they progress in their next books. Dylan Allen, though, sounds nothing at all like a newbie. In Rise, her prose was sharp, smart, and sexy; the story compelling, deep, and fun all at the same time. 

I want to mark this woman and make sure she can’t forget me for a while.

Addie has worked hard to get to where she was now but only one mention of her past could make her crumble into pieces. Addie was as real as a heroine could be. She was smart, fierce, and wore confidence like a second skin. But beneath her intimidating aura was a woman of passion and compassion. I loved how unpretentious her character was. You would love her, you would hate her and then in the end, love her altogether. 

Even when I hate him, I want him. I ache for him.

Simon currently has a lot on his plate but he definitely has time for dessert. I loved Simon’s character so much! His past was a ghost of bad dreams but he was slowly carving their life into a fairytale. He was responsible, caring, and smart. I reveled on the fact that his allure as a hero didn’t come with status, looks (though he doesn’t lack it *wink*), and power. He earned it through his decisions, intentions, and the pureness of his heart. 

Dreams aren’t made of fairytales and romance, they are made of hard work and grit.

I loved the solidity of the plot of this book! I found some scenes mind boggling at first but I loved how Miss Dylan answered everything in the process of the story. The main characters’ chemistry simmered in every page; their differences drawing more passion than conflict. There was really so much in this book that I loved! All the characters were equally intriguing (Kyle is my favorite!) and unique in their own way and I found myself wanting to explore them.

Miss Dylan’s writing was consistently riveting and I can’t wait for what more she has in store for us!