The Boss' Rules by Piper Stone

Piper Stone returns with The Boss' Rules, previously published as Tyrant but has been rewritten by the author, featuring an incredibly passionate and spicy romance between two complex characters. Since I had never read that version, I went into this story without any expectations or knowledge about what was going to happen and it pleasantly surprised me. Piper Stone is known to write highly erotic dark romances and she absolutely nailed it with Montgomery and Aspen's story. I really enjoyed this book and was captivated from start to finish, especially when it came to the all-consuming and intense attraction between our two main characters. The love scenes in this book were very spicy and were some of my favorites from the author. Although the focus was primarily on Montgomery and Aspen's enthralling romance, it was also a story about revenge, betrayal, and redemption as well.

“I can’t have you, but I can’t do without you, Aspen. I’ve tried. You are mine. I will ravage you every night, taking every inch of you. You are mine now and you will be forever. Until death do us part.”

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Montgomery and Aspen's dark and kinky relationship captured my attention from start to finish. I was always eager to read their scenes because they came alive only when they were together. I especially loved the yearning from Montgomery, who was supposed to be this intense, ruthless, broken, and passionate man shaped by tragedy and desire for revenge. I liked his character because of his darkness and thought he was the perfect match for Aspen. I also liked Aspen as his heroine because all she wanted to do was help Montgomery deal with his trauma. She was the sweet and innocent counterpart to Montgomery's persona. The push and pull relationship, combined with them working together, made for an enthralling read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to those who are looking for a super spicy romance with plenty of chemistry between it's two main characters.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dodge by B. Sobjakken

B. Sobjakken returns with a short and spicy story featuring Dodge and Autumn—two incredibly likable characters with plenty of chemistry and steamy moments. The love scenes were plenty, super spicy, and tantalizing. This was one of my most anticipated reads by B. Sobjakken. Despite their strong attraction to each other, I loved how their relationship progressed naturally because Autumn did her best to resist Dodge until he made the first move. This book does take place in the world of Claiming the Club Princess. Although it isn't necessary to read that book, it does enhance the story and experience since Gage, Mikayla, and Shaw make an appearance in Dodge and Autumn’s story.

“I know once we cross this line, there’s no going back. She’s going to be mine, and if she tries to fight it, I’ll just have to convince her we’re meant to be. Autumn isn’t what I was expecting, but she’s everything I need in my life and I don’t want to lose her.”

In the end, I had such a fantastic time reading this book and absolutely devoured all of the spicy scenes between Dodge and Autumn. Although I typically don’t read MC romance, I thought the author did an exceptional job explaining the club’s dynamic and how it played a role in their lives. The side characters were also hilarious. I especially loved the interactions between Dodge and his club brothers. I hope B. Sobjakken will expand this world and write stories for these characters in the future. Despite their happy and relatively complete ending, I would have liked to see an extended epilogue of Dodge and Autumn's happily ever after. I specifically wanted to see what life was like with their new extended family member. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to those who are looking for a short, sweet, and spicy story featuring several tropes and kinks including the single dad/nanny trope, breeding kink, and dd/lg.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Ruthless Game by Piper Stone

Piper Stone returns with a standalone for fans of the fake relationship or marriage and enemies to lovers tropes. Ruthless Game features Christian and Vanessa, two headstrong and independent characters who constantly butted heads with each other. They had previously met, but he does not remember. I actually liked Christian and Vanessa. Although they were unlikeable at first due to their personalities, they eventually grew on me. Christian initially came across as this arrogant and cocky player, but he does go through some character development through the book. The same can be said for Vanessa who disliked Christian for rejecting her attempt at working for his company in the past. I thought it was childish of her for holding such a grudge, but it became clear that she had always been attracted to Christian since the beginning. She just didn’t like that he never gave her a chance.

“You are everything to me. There’s no sunrise as beautiful as your smile, no twinkle of stars able to ignite the fire within like your touch. You’re the air I breathe and in my every thought.”

In the end, this was an enjoyable read for those who like the marriage contract trope. Christian and Vanessa’s type of relationship can be considered cliché at times, but I was mostly reading it for the spice and the author certainly delivered on that. These two characters definitely had chemistry because some of their scenes were super steamy. That window glass scenes? Wow. I also loved the fact that Christian called Vanessa his wildcat because she always wanted to argue with him. Fans of Piper Stone or those who would like to read a spicy palate cleanser will be satisfied with this book. Christian and Vanessa had a lot of pent up emotions and frustrations, which resulted in them "taking it out on each other." Overall, this book had everything I was looking for—it was fun, dramatic at times, romantic, and spicy.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Corrupted Memories by B. Sobjakken

B. Sobjakken returns with Corrupted Memories, the second book in the Made Men of Manhattan series, featuring Sebastian and Gianna. Sebastian was one of the side characters in Rian and Isabelle's story, and he was somewhat of a morally gray character who I thought was interesting. In this latest installment, readers are able to explore his intense obsession for the woman he was never able to forget. I enjoyed Sebastian and Gianna's relationship because it was full of animosity, uncertainty, longing, and tension. We're given a few glimpses of their past together, which were all really sweet and romantic, until she ran away from him that one night and never came back. Since then, he did everything he could to find and chase her. It's clear that Sebastian and Gianna had some deep communication issues. I was frustrated with their dramatics because she should have communicated with him instead of making assumptions, while he was deluding himself into thinking that he was never in love with her.

“Gianna is my obsession. I can’t get her out of my mind. They aren’t healthy or loving thoughts. My body physically burns for her. It craves her to survive, but I know it isn’t love. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not that.”

In the end, I enjoyed this one and was satisfied with Sebastian and Gianna's relationship. The story did get a bit repetitive in the later half since Gianna kept asking Sebastian to confirm his feelings for her. He never told Gianna that he loved her, which played a central role in her insecurities and was one of the reasons why she ran away from him. The whole Jeremy situation was awkward and weird, so I wasn't a fan of it. At least their love scenes were incredibly spicy. I did wish there was more to their relationship since it felt more physical than emotional at times. They entered in a “relationship contract,” but Sebastian was unwilling to let Gianna go so the threats were unnecessary. The situation between the Irish and Italians are ramping up. It also looks like we might be getting books for Luca as well as Gio and Matt who are Gianna’s brothers. Fans of mafia romance and dark romance will certainly enjoy this book—especially if you like heroes who are possessive and obsessive with their heroines.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger

J.T. Geissinger returns with a brand new story and take on the gothic horror romance genre. I was completely enthralled by Blackthorn's story and characters—even if they frustrated me at times with their distrust of each other. I understood it, but I also wanted them to move on from their past and reconcile as well. Nevertheless, Maven Blackthorn and Ronan Croft's romance was toxic but also incredibly sexy. Fans of the author will be happy to know that the banter between the main characters was simply hilarious and they constantly bickered with each other. There was tension, chemistry, and deep longing between these two. This had everything I wanted in a second chance romance and enemies to lovers type of story. In addition to the romance, there were many twists and turns throughout the book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also really loved the mysterious and creepy atmosphere of the book because it made it seem like Maven and readers were descending into madness together. This book was a wild ride that centered around the question, “real or not real?”

“I know I’ll never be able to extricate myself from him. No matter how far I might run or how eloquently I might lie, my heart belongs to this man. I love him.”

In the end, we’re given a “happy for now” ending for Maven and Ronan, but some mysteries and questions remain unresolved. For the sake of spoilers, I won't say it in this review, but I'm hoping the author will write another book for this incredibly interesting and unique world that she has created. I also would have liked more scenes of Maven and Raven’s past. I wanted to know their entire history and what they were thinking. Instead, we only got brief glimpses of their past relationship and what transpired. In addition, more of Ronan’s POV would have been appreciated. He was such a mysterious and contradictory character. I couldn’t make sense of him and why he loved Maven so much but ended up disappointing her. Perhaps to him, she was different from everybody else and was the only one who made him feel something. Overall, I enjoyed this creepy and mysterious take on the dark romance genre. Fans of J.T. Geissinger will absolutely love this book because it has all the banter, spicy love scenes, and tropes that the author is known for.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Branded by Saffron A. Kent

Saffron Kent returns with a brand new release that tells the story of a young and naive woman who falls hopelessly in love with a bad man. It's a tale as old as time. However, the author adds unexpected twists and turns to the story including mistaken identities, letter exchanges, revenge, and finding love with the most unexpected person. While I enjoyed Branded, I thought that Arsen Grayson and Reverie Bell's relationship could have benefited from more time and connection between the two. I loved that Reverie was sassy to Arsen, but he would always end up having the last word. This made me struggle to connect with the characters and relationship because while they were growing closer, it was all built on lies. Reverie hid her identity from Arsen to protect her best friend, but he continued to contradict himself at every turn by telling false truths. There were a lot of misunderstandings and "fighting" between Arsen and Reverie—much of it would lead to an intense and dirty moment for them. Nevertheless, I did really love the letters that Arsen and Reverie exchanged with each other in the beginning. It brought a lot of insight into their characters and built a good foundation for their potential romance—unfortunately, that all shattered when they met and he kidnapped her for revenge. 

“Love is an adventure. It has highs and lows. It scares you. It makes you feel safe. It’s reckless and thoughtful. It’s the biggest contradiction there is. Love is you. Because you’re the biggest contradiction of my life.”

In the end, Branded was a revenge story that eventually became a love story. The animosity between the Grayson's and Turner's was interesting, but I would have liked more lore and additional context as to why they became enemies in the first place. I also really liked the secondary characters and found them to be more interesting than Arsen and Reverie. Radisson and Peyton will make for a dynamic couple and I can't wait to read their story. Also known as the Quiet Mustang, Rad is this brooding, silent, and protective cowboy who fell in love with the outspoken, sassy, and troublemaker that is Peyton Turner. I'm also looking forward to reading about Marsden and Haven's strange but interesting marriage. They didn't seem like a married couple at all. Fans of Saffron Kent will absolutely enjoy this new and world and series that has all of her tropes and sexiness. Although the love scenes were not as explicit as A Wreck, You Make Me, they still made for some erotically charged moments between Arsen and Reverie.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

A Wreck, You Make Me by Saffron A. Kent

Saffron A. Kent returns with a provocative tale of toxic obsession, manipulation, and an all-consuming forbidden love that burned up the pages. I was completely enthralled by Shepard and Jupiter's rollercoaster of a romance—even if it did frustrate me at times. I had been highly anticipating their story ever since Stellan and Isadora's book, and the author did not disappoint. Shepard was previously portrayed as this nonchalant and charming playboy but he was so much more than that. As the last Thorne sibling to get his happily ever after, it was shocking to realize that he was just as broken, if not more, than Ledger or Stellan. I was also surprised by how unhinged and insane he was when it came to Jupiter. Their hot and cold relationship was off the charts dirty and kinky. That hotel scene will forever live rent free in my head. Shepard and Jupiter's sexual chemistry and tension was so intense and palpable—Saffron simply excels at writing this. The lengths that he went through to keep an eye on his Little Strawberry… the man was completely crazy and manic, possessive and obsessed over her. Jupiter may have been Shepard's stalker but he became hers. While I felt so bad for Jupiter when Shepard was being intentionally cruel to her, she also made him suffer too.

"I know nothing about love. Not one thing. I can’t even recognize it for what it is so it’s safe to say I have no idea how to love someone. All I know is I want to. I want to love her because I do love her. She’s it for me. She’s my sweet dream and my dark desire. She is my lost bird and my good girl. She’s my Little Strawberry."

In the end, I enjoyed Shepard and Jupiter's toxic romance because even though they kept hurting each other, they were also two pieces of a puzzle made whole together. This was a true cat and mouse relationship because Jupiter loved to run away from Shepard, which would always trigger him to chase after her. Also, I absolutely can't wait for Ark and and Byron's book. These two amused me to no end when they were giving Shepard advice on Jupiter. I highly recommend reading Stellan's book, Oh, You're So Cold, because it's a direct sequel to this book and will provide a lot of context as to why Shepard is the way he is. Overall, I loved seeing everything come full circle between Shepard and Jupiter. Fans of Saffron A. Kent and those looking forward to Shepard and Jupiter's book will absolutely love and devour this one because it has all of the tropes, sexiness, and insanity that the author is known for. I thought Ledger was unhinged but Shepard absolutely took his crown and made it his own. Although their journey was a long and difficult one, Shepard and Jupiter were truly made for each other and I was completely satisfied with their ending.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Beg For Me by J.T. Geissinger

J.T Geissinger returns with a highly anticipated sequel that tells a powerful story of new beginnings, personal growth, and finding love again featuring two incredibly endearing characters. Beg For Me is Carter McCord's book and I have to be honest and say that this book surprised me. I never saw Sophia coming and she was the perfect woman and complement to Carter's vulnerability and sunshine personality. Unlike his brothers Callum and Cole, Carter wasn't broody and moody—he smiled often, made jokes, and was super sweet and romantic in general. He was such a green flag and golden retriever of a man—I simply loved his honesty, obsession, and neediness when it came to Sophia. Their love scenes were super steamy but also interesting as well since Sophia was older than Carter. They had an equal but also not power dynamic. At times, Sophia was in control but then Carter would switch it up and take the reins instead. It certainly made for some exhilarating scenes between the two.

“You’re everything I didn’t know I needed. I won’t doubt you again. So please be careful with me, Carter, because I’m giving you my heart. I’m trusting you not to break it.”

In the end, this was an excellent sequel to the Morally Gray series. I loved seeing Callum again and his interactions with Sophia were hilarious. Sophia's mother was another amazing character who made me laugh out loud because of her outrageous antics and behavior, especially when interacting with her daughter and granddaughter. Carter's past broke my heart and I loved that Sophia was not only there for him when he told her but she understood and accepted all of him. Even though Carter was broken, he was made whole by his love for Sophia and the same can be said for her as well because of her past relationship with her horrible ex-husband. There's no denying that Sophia and Carter had undeniable chemistry and I especially loved how they communicated with with each other—it was fun, flirty, honest, but also emotional as well. I highly recommend this series and fans of J.T. Geissinger will absolutely enjoy and be surprised by this reverse age gap romance.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Bartered Innocence by B. Sobjakken

Bartered Innocence is B. Sobjakken's full-length novel and I absolutely devoured this one because of the romance and smut. While this your typical standard mafia romance with an arranged marriage, I loved that it primarily focused on the developing romantic relationship between Rian and Isabelle. The man was completely possessive and obsessed of his wife and I liked that she felt the same way. The story begins with a one night stand between Rian and Isabelle that ultimately turns into something more between them. After their night together, Isabelle leaves Rian wanting more until he comes across an image of her as one of his potential brides. Following their reunion and marriage, Isabelle and Rian are forced to navigate not only their sexual attraction for each other but also their growing feelings while trying to find the traitor in their midst.

“It breaks a little inside me, as if he’s stealing a piece I won’t get back. He’s looking at me like he found something precious, and I hate it because we can never be anything after tonight.”

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book—it was incredibly spicy and sexy. Even though I was frustrated with Isabelle and Rian at times, I appreciated the fact that they were able to resolve their issues quickly. I do have to say that I am rather curious about Sebastian and Gianna's story. Sebastian is the strange man who ended up becoming allies of sort with Rian. There was also the mystery of why Gianna ran away from Sebastian. We're giving a brief chapter of the next book but it's safe to say that I am looking forward to their story and future ones with the rest of Rian's brotherhood. I wonder if Luca will also redeem himself as well. I'm hoping the author will write books for the rest of the side characters because they were all endearing to me. If you are looking for a super steamy and quick mafia romance, I highly recommend this one!

Rating: ★★★★☆

Peaches & Cream by Elena Dawne

Elena Dawne returns with an exciting new release featuring an incredibly sweet and romantic hero who falls in love at first sight for his innocent but brazen and sassy heroine. Fans of the Spice in the Mountains series will remember Daryl Winters as one of the side characters in Mountain Daddy's Milk & Honeymoon and Red Flag Bull. I had been highly anticipating his book and it did not disappoint at all because it was both smutty and sweet. I fell for Daryl's romantic, caring, and protective nature even though he was seen as the devil in their small town. He stayed in that judgmental and backwards small town just for Cadence Malone—the love of his life. If I could describe Cadence in one word, it would be wildfire. She was a mix of innocence and daring simply because she took charge of her own sexuality and brazenly asked Daryl to help her. Cadence didn't let her circumstances deter her from finding her own happiness, especially her manipulative father and repressive neighbors. I loved that these two lonely characters were able to find each other. Their relationship was a combination of really sweet but also super spicy moments.

“It means that I’m madly in love with a beautiful girl I can’t ever have. But I’d rather come here and torture myself daily than never see her again.”

In the end, Daryl and Cadence's book was super fun and I enjoyed it immensely. If you are looking for a "he falls first" type of romance where the heroine is a combination of innocence and sassiness, especially when it comes to her desires look no further—this is the one. I really liked Cadence as a heroine but Daryl was my favorite character in the book. He loved her so selflessly and made sure to go along with whatever she wanted to do. He was absolutely a green flag hero. I also want to mention that you can read this book as a standalone. Overall, I highly recommend this series for it's sweet and sexy romance with loveable characters and an "antagonist" you will want to slap. Elena Dawne simply excels at writing smut and Daryl's story had plenty of tropes that we know and love from her such as an age-gap romance, he falls first, forbidden love, and opposites attract. I can't wait to see what Elena Dawne has in store for us next! 

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Nanny is Off Limits by Q.B. Tyler

Q.B Tyler's latest release features one of my all-time favorite tropes—a workplace romance but with a twist since Elianna is the live-nanny for Rowan's children. The Nanny is Off Limits features an all-consuming and sexy romance between a young woman who inevitably falls for her older employer. The connection and attraction that these two had for each other was immediate and you could feel the tension between them. I was completely enamored by their relationship from the start and it did NOT disappoint. This book was also really SPICY. Who would have foreseen this workaholic lawyer and father could have such a dirty mouth on him? Certainly not Elianna or readers. Although I really enjoyed this book, one critique that I did have for it was... why did it have to be so short?! I wanted more scenes between Elianna and Rowan. I loved how their relationship felt both natural and yet it was also forbidden because they were keeping it a secret from others for now.

“I’m yours, sunshine. Think I have been since the first time you walked through my front door.”

In the end, I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read River's story in The Cheerleader is Off Limits, who happens to be Rowan's younger brother. He was a reliable uncle to his nieces and nephew, a loyal brother to Rowan, and a playful yet teasing type of character overall. Speaking of Rowan's kids, they were so adorable and mischievous. Margot did get on my nerves because of her attitude but she eventually came to terms with Ellie and Rowan's relationship. Back to Elianna and Rowan, I absolutely adored their playful and sexy banter. It was truly a fun palette cleanser, if you are looking for something to get over your book slump. There wasn't any drama between the characters, besides Margot's discovery and Elianna's family situation. Elianna and Rowan pursued both their relationship passionately and relentlessly—which I loved. Fans of Sky Warren's Private Property will surely enjoy this book. If you are looking for a sexy, passionate, and forbidden love story between a single dad and his nanny, I highly recommend this book!

Rating: ★★★★★

Mountain Boss by S.J. Tilly

S.J. Tilly's brand new book, Mountain Boss, takes the enemies-to-lovers and boss/employee tropes for a spin and gives us a wonderful backdrop of the Colorado mountains between a grumpy hero and his cute heroine. I adored Courtney and related to her sense of independence, personality, and desire for companionship. Sterling was an interesting character and kind of insane. The lengths he went through to "keep an eye" on Courtney were interesting and hilarious. Although her relationship with him started off rough, it was clearly obvious that both were extremely attracted to each other. I do have to admit that while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite from the author. I thought the sexual tension between Courtney and Sterling was dragged out for too long—it took them around the 64% mark to finally consummate their relationship! I'm all for a slow burn, but since the chapters were short and switched back and forth between Courtney and Sterling, it felt like everything and nothing was happening at the same time. Nevertheless, I did like our main characters and the spicy scenes were everything I expected and more.

“Never in my wildest daydreams would I have thought this life was possible. Never had I imagined a man like Sterling would be the one to change my life.”

In the end, this was a wonderful start to the Mountain Men series and I look forward to whoever's book is next. The secondary characters were great and I loved the sense of community that Sterling has built for his crew in the Black Mountain Lodge. Even though Sterling was extremely possessive and obsessive of Courtney, he was still a reliable and caring boss to his employees. I found it hilarious that he would often interject himself between her and whoever she was talking to because of his jealousy. If you are looking for a "small town" but it's really just mountain lodge romance, I highly recommend this to those who have been looking forward to a brand new setting, characters, and stories from S.J. Tilly. You won't be disappointed by Courtney and Sterling's steamy and emotional romance.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Stalk Me by Bianca Cole

For my first Bianca Cole book, I was thoroughly impressed by her story-telling, writing, and characters in Stalk Me. Sofia and Nikolai's relationship was incredibly sexy, romantic, and even dirty at times because of the dd/lg kink. The romance between Sofia and Nikolai was the strongest point of the book and the author did an excellent job building the chemistry and romance between our two main characters. I was completely fascinated by Nikolai's constant pursuit of Sofia and how she ultimately fell for him despite knowing that he was a dangerous man. As the main title of the book suggests, Nikolai was completely obsessed with Sofia and wanted to know everything about her—he even went so far as to stalk and monitor her. I would be creeped out in real life but this is fiction so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I knew it would ultimately come back to bite him, and it did. I loved that Sofia confronted him and Nikolai even felt ashamed because of it.

“From the first moment I saw you, you consumed me. Every thought, every breath—just you. I couldn’t bear not knowing what you were doing.”

In the end, this was a wonderful start to a brand new series and I absolutely can't see what Bianca Cole has in store for Dimitri and Natasha—Nikolai's brother and Sofia's best friend. I'm certain that we'll be getting books for the rest of Nikolai's brothers as well. There was a slight age gap between Nikolai and Sofia but it didn't detract from their romance. I loved that the author primarily focused on their growing relationship. The love scenes were incredibly spicy and had me on the edge of my seat. Although the last part of the book was bogged down by drama between Sofia and her long-lost family, I still enjoyed this book nonetheless. If you are looking for a steamy mafia romance between a totally obsessed and possessive hero who deeply loves his malyshka, I highly recommend Nikolai and Sofia's story because it will hook you right in.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

Mila Finelli concludes her Kings of Italy series with the final and youngest Mancini sister, Emma, getting her happy ending. This book revolves around the arranged forced marriage trope where both Emma and Giacomo were initially strangers to one another. They were forced to marry in order to protect their loved ones. Out of all the books in the series, this one was my favorite because it was incredibly sexy and sweet at times. Although I was still frustrated and annoyed by Emma during some of her more stubborn and stupid moments, I still liked her romance with Giacomo a lot more than Frankie or Gia's. While I do think this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading other books in the series for a more well-rounded experience as some previous characters did make an appearance in this story. Giacomo was an unlikeable character at first but he eventually grew on me because of his love and dedication to Emma, in addition to his dirty mouth.

“Please, bambina. Come back with me. I’ll spend every day at your feet, worshiping the very ground you walk on. I will fight for you, for our children, and I promise to love you harder with each breath I take until the day I die.”

In the end, I enjoyed this book and am ecstatic to move on to Empire of Temptation. I noticed that Vito D’Agostino, Enzo's brother, will be getting his own book in Empire of Seduction so I am looking forward to that. Emma and Giacomo's love story was an unexpected surprise for me because I didn't think I was going to enjoy it. Some of their love scenes were super steamy, which I appreciated. There was a lot of tension and chemistry between them. They had a rough introduction since Emma was kidnapped and forced to marry Giacomo because Virga, the head of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, threatened to kill her father and Giacomo's sister. I hated this man and am glad that he got what he deserved. If you are looking for an opposites attract mafia romance, I highly recommend this because it features a tough mafioso who is actually really sweet and gentle with his innocent and curious wife.

Rating: ★★★★★

Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly

Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly, the final book in the Love Letters series, features Nathan—Maddox's best friend from Love, Utley, and his love story with his childhood friend Rosie. Although their story was so incredibly heartbreaking to read, it was also very beautiful as well. Nathan loved Rosie so much that his feelings and emotions for her were simply breathtaking to witness. During his courtship of Rosie, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but he continued to prove me wrong time and time again. This man was so dedicated to his Rosie. In addition to their incredible chemistry, their romance was very sweet and spicy. I loved how Nathan and Rosie's relationship was a combination of heartbreaking moments but also some really steamy ones as well. S.J. Tilly simply excels at writing these types of emotional and sexy books and I simply can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

"This isn't just some spark, Rosie. This is a fire that's been waiting for years to burn."

In the end, I loved this book because Nathan and Rosie were incredible characters who were always meant to be. They were finally able to find happiness in each other and got the ending they both deserved. I also loved how the author focused primarily on their relationship and that there weren't outside factors trying to destroy their love for each other. Even though Rosie had her own secrets to keep, Nathan eventually uncovered them all and still loved her for it. The revelation about Rosie was simply heart-wrenching and stunning to read because she had to suffer alone for all that time back then. However, she now has Nathan with her to weather the future together and I couldn't be happier. Fans of S.J. Tilly will absolutely adore this unforgettable love story that features a sexy and protective hero and his sweet and strong heroine.

Rating: ★★★★★

Praise Me: President by Jessa Kane

Jessa Kane returns with another stellar release featuring a super cute and sexy romance with a splash of politics mixed into it. I found it super funny at times because I wish we had someone young like Pierce McAlister as president. But alas, that isn't reality. In any case, this was definitely a fun read and I had a blast reading it! Pierce and Eloise had incredibly chemistry and the unexpected dirty talk was A+ from me. I liked that they were both so equally obsessed with each other. Eloise thought Pierce hung the moon and was inspired by him to enter politics. As for Pierce, it was lust/love at first sight for him. He struggled to accept his attraction to her at first because of their professional relationship, but ultimately lost the battle against it.

“I’m just a man. Not some god to be served. A real man is man enough to serve his woman. Don’t ever forget that.”

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this release and can't wait for Jessa Kane's next book, Praise Me: Princess. It looks like this will be another excellent series to look forward to. This book wasn't as unhinged as we're typically used to from Jessa Kane, but I still loved it nonetheless.

Rating: ★★★★★

Coerced Queen by Charmaine Pauls

Charmaine Pauls brings Anya and Saverio's heartbreaking and obsessive love story to a climactic finish in Coerced Queen. There was angst, unrequited love, found family, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption, as well as incredible character development from both Anya and Saverio. There were so many unforgettable moments that brought tears to my eyes—from Saverio's struggle to live on after the attack to Anya's determination to save both her husband and daughter, I loved it all. While Saverio and Anya did frustrate me at times because of their stubbornness, I was very happy with how the author resolved their conflict. They were both in love with each other, but Saverio's constant denial of it prevented him from acknowledging the truth and telling Anya. He was always in love with her. Saverio's obsessive and possessive love for Anya was still addicting to read about just like it did when he first threatened and controlled her in Coerced Kiss. And yet, there's no denying that their relationship has shifted. Anya is no longer the innocent young woman seduced by Saverio but a fierce mother and wife who would do anything for her family. Saverio's precious treasure had become a powerful queen in her own right.

“You’re more than my match in every way… You're the reason I breathe. You’re my most precious treasure.”

In the end, I loved how all of Anya and Saverio's dreams came true because they were able to find love in each other. The epilogue was so sweet and I loved seeing how happy, peaceful, and content their lives had become after everything. Raphael Morelli and Anya's mother got what they deserved. Even though Saverio was never able to reconcile with his own father, he took all of that pain and turned it into love for his family and children. It was incredible to see. I hope that Charmaine Pauls will write a series or book for Dante because that man deserves a heroine just as amazing as himself—especially after everything he had done for Saverio and Anya. I loved all of the secondary characters, especially Livy who was like the mother Anya always wanted. Fans of dark and mafia romance will absolutely love this book as it features a tortured and possessive hero who will do anything to keep his beloved heroine. The trilogy began their love story as a "cat and mouse" relationship but it eventually transformed into a "game of chess" where the queen was the most powerful piece of all. I highly recommend this trilogy to those who are looking for an emotional and steamy read!

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

Coerced Wife by Charmaine Pauls

Anya and Saverio's all-consuming attraction to one another takes the center stage in Coerced Wife, the sequel to Coerced Kiss. Their captivating but also dangerous relationship develops at a rapid pace as Anya uncovers more revelations and secrets about Saverio. I liked that this book primarily focuses on their relationship and had many sexual moments between the two. Anya is falling in love with Saverio but there are many roadblocks in their relationship. What I love most about Charmaine Pauls' writing is that she captivates her readers by dialing up the tension and angst between her main characters. Anya and Saverio's relationship may be based on a "lie," but the feelings they are developing for each other are real and devastating. Although Anya doesn't believe that Saverio is capable of loving her, he believes that his insane obsession for her is beyond love—she is his treasure to keep forever and he will never let her go.

“But nothing is more important than her. It’s how she makes me feel—invincible… as if I can’t breathe when I’m without her.”

In the end, this was a fantastic and necessary continuation to Anya and Saverio's love story. I find it fascinating that the more she distances herself from him, the more insane and reactionary he becomes with his feelings for her. Saverio continues to be a contradictory character because his motives and reasoning behind everything confuses both Anya and readers. Does he love her or not? The most frustrating part about all this is their lack of communication. Instead of answering Anya's questions, Saverio often gives vague answers that allude to something more but it ends up hurting her instead. This book does end with a shocking cliffhanger where both Saverio and Anya are in danger. I fear this might push him to distance himself from Anya to keep her safe. Fans of the touch her and die trope will absolutely love this trilogy.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

Coerced Kiss by Charmaine Pauls

Charmaine Pauls returns with an exciting and highly anticipated brand new trilogy featuring a charismatic and ruthless killer and the wary but naive young woman who threatens his control at every turn. I was completely enthralled by Saverio and Anya's cat and mouse relationship. While this series is not as dark as the Corsican Crime Lord series, it is still very much a dark romance where the hero will try to threaten and control his heroine. Saverio is incredibly possessive towards Anya and their relationship is one that is morally gray with "touch her and die" vibes. He is keeping her alive for the sake of his "freedom" but his actions often speak louder than words. Like most of the author's heroes, Sav is a contradictory character. Although he can be a cold and cruel sociopath, he can also be incredibly sweet and caring—but only towards Anya. Like a dragon hoarding its most beloved treasure, Anya is Sav's precious treasure and he will stop at nothing to possess and keep her.

“Only she can do this to me. No one else. That’s what I always wanted. Someone who belongs to me. To me alone. A beautiful, innocent treasure to corrupt and worship.”

In the end, this was an incredible start to Saverio and Anya's story. I loved everything about their relationship and Sav's contradictory nature towards Anya was so addicting to read about. I don't think anybody can ever top Angelo Russo's type of crazy but Saverio De Luca does not play around either. I can't wait to see what Charmaine Pauls has in store for these two, especially with the mysterious key and Anya's life in constant peril. I also want to add that the story has a unique and unconventional trope where the heroine is pregnant prior to meeting the hero. It was heartwarming to read that Saverio thought nothing of it and was still obsessed and overprotective of Anya—going so far as to claiming ownership of her and the baby. Fans of Charmaine Pauls will not want to miss out on this trilogy as it features several incredible tropes such as enemies to lovers, touch her and die, MMC falls first, and fake relationship. I'm so excited to read more of this trilogy and highly recommend it! Saverio and Anya's relationship will absolutely steal your heart.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

Royal Flush by Piper Stone

Royal Flush is the sequel to Royal Mistake and it features Braxton Royal and Jasmine Sinclair. Piper Stone returns to the Royal Players Club series with the second Royal brother to fall in love and while I was initially excited for his story, it fell flat for me because of the overdramatic kidnappings, mafia murder side plot, and lack of communication between Braxton and Jasmine. I wanted the author to focus more of the romance between these two because they had such strong personalities and both were a force to be reckoned with. The banter and chemistry between these two had so much potential but I quickly got frustrated by their arguments and lack of trust. Neither of them wanted to compromise until it was too late. It made matters worse when Jasmine's life was in danger but she kept running away from the one person who could save her.

“He was my savior. My protector. My lover. And my everything.”

In the end, I enjoyed Braxton and Jasmine's story but it wasn't my favorite. It took me some time to read their book because I was so annoyed by the miscommunication, lack of trust, and arguments between the two. However, there is no denying that Piper Stone excels at writing the steamy scenes. The prologue was able to capture my attention and I wanted to know what happened and how Braxton and Jasmine reached that stage in their relationship. The ending did satisfy my curiosity and I was pleased to see that our main couple was able to solve their issues and be together in the end. Braxton's little nickname for Jasmine was adorable—she was his "little koala." While this book didn't work for me, it might work for other readers who love a sassy heroine who follows her own path and a dominant hero who can't help but want to keep her as his own forever.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★☆☆