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: ★★★★☆

The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe

Joanna Shupe returns with a riveting tale of mistaken identities, secrets, betrayal, and a heartfelt romance inspired by the movie Anastasia—all within the backdrop of the Gilded Age. While this did read more like historical fiction than romance, Shupe still manages to add plenty of spice and angst to Leo Hardy and Josie Smith's relationship. The story begins with a prologue providing additional context on what happened to the Pendleton's missing daughter. Soon, readers are suddenly thrust into Leo Hardy's POV and learns that he has been struggling to support his family. Inspired by the character Dimitri, Leo is a swindler and often takes on unsavory jobs to swindle ordinary people of their money. He holds an intense dislike of the Pendletons because of they dismissed his father and ruined his family. Leo ultimately lays eyes on Josie Smith on the streets and is immediately captivated by her stark resemblance to the missing Pendleton heiress. He soon devises a plan to become her manager while wanting to swindle the Pendletons for their reward money. However, what Leo didn't take into account for was falling head over heels in love with Josie in the process.

“I'm never letting you go. It's you and me until the very end, sweetheart.”

In the end, I enjoyed this captivating story inspired by Anastasia and "doomed" relationship from the start—especially since Leo lied to Josie while the both of them were falling in love with each other. Their relationship was quite angsty near the end, which I appreciated, because Leo finally realized the error of his ways and did everything in his power to gain Josie's love again. I liked that Josie was independent and wanted to becoming a singer no matter what. Even after finding her parents again, she was still determined to follow that dream through. There were a few spicy scenes, but I was left wanting more. Nevertheless, they were still incredibly impactful for our main couple and laid the stage for Leo and Josie's love to blossom. Fans of Joanna Shupe and historical romance in the Gilded Age will enjoy this book because it features an unrepentant and mischievous hero who goes through character development to become the the loving and stable man to win Josie's love—a wonderful heroine who had strong convictions and a desire to do good. I loved that these two were able to eventually find a home in each other.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Punish Me, Daddy by Sara Fields

Punish Me, Daddy by Sara Fields continues the Boston Kings series and features Nikolai Morozov—one of Maxim's brothers, a character who was prominently featured as one of the side characters at the beginning of the series. Nikolai has been matched with Sloane Kingsley, a new character in this world. I was quite surprised by her character since she came across as this bratty, arrogant, and spoiled princess but she was completely the opposite inside. She needed a firm hand and as a result, Nikolai has decided to task himself with disciplining and making her his. I really enjoyed the push and pull between Nikolai and Sloane. It made for some interesting and intense scenes between these two as they tried to fight each other's pull. These two had a very sexual relationship at first, but it didn't take long for them to start having feelings for each other. Their love scenes were incredibly dirty, explicit, and super steamy—which I appreciated.

“I wanted to look a man in the eyes and know he could break me—and trust that he wouldn’t unless I asked him to.”

In the end, this was another solid book from Sara Fields because it features her tried and true tropes and kinks featuring a firm and dominant hero and a prideful heroine who didn't know what she wanted until it forcefully came into her life and shattered all of her expectations. I do have to admit that it took me awhile to warm up to Sloane because she was bratty and came across as childish and manipulative. However, it didn't take long for readers and Nikolai to realize that her misbehavior was a direct result of her loneliness and need for someone to claim her. Nikolai shattered her life and expectations and she was already his by the time he entered her life and laid claim to it. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and fans of Sara Fields won't be disappointed by this sexy read. It looks like the next books will featuring the two remaining Morozov brothers, Ivan and Sergei.

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: ★★★★☆

Dark Prince's Mate by Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls

Dark Prince's Mate is the conclusion to Aruan and Elsie's story. This was an excellent sequel that not only captivated my attention—due to all of my burning questions, but Anna Zaires and Charmaine Paul also gave us some incredibly spicy and heartfelt scenes for their journey's end. I want to note that this book picks up immediately after Dark Prince’s Captive so I recommend reading that first before picking up this one. Although Aruan and Elsie still had their issues in the first half of the book, the way they were able to resolve it and come to terms with their growing feelings for each other made for a satisfying conclusion to their story. However, it was still frustrating to see Elsie continue to fight her feelings for Aruan but he was also at fault for being too uncompromising when it came to her safety. Their unwillingness to talk to each other made me want to shake them both. Thankfully, I was relieved when Aruan began to slowly change his ways and make concessions for Elsie's happiness.

“The man cradling me in his arms has a terrifying, godlike power, yet I’m not afraid of him. I see him for what he is: dangerous and beautiful, violent and imperfect. And mine. Above all, mine.”

In the end, Aruan made compromises that ultimately won him Elsie's heart. I thoroughly enjoyed their super steamy moments and seeing them "make up" after an argument. The love scenes were spicy and plentiful—which I appreciated because Aruan and Elsie's first time left them and readers disappointed. Prior to the completion of their bond, Aruan was extremely overprotective, overbearing, and stubborn. This clashed with Elsie's personality because she was independent, stubborn, and had modern sensibilities. Nevertheless, I was happy to see them finally talk and learn to love one another. The second half of the book was my favorite because we finally learn who the true mastermind of the kidnappings and attacks was. It made for an exciting turn of events, which also led Elsie to realize her feelings for Aruan and complete their mate bond. I highly recommend this duet to fans of Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls, especially if you like reading about the dark, brooding, and possessive hero and his feisty and highly independent heroine with plenty of spice as well.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dark Prince's Captive by Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls

Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls have written a fantastical and exciting new world full of action, romance, and danger that will certainly captivate your attention and leave you wanting more. I found the world of Zerra, a parallel world to Earth, completely fascinating and hope the authors will provide more background information about it in the next book. Due to the short nature of this book, it did feel more like an introduction to Elsie and Aruan's story and the world of Zerra. Our heroine, Elsie, starts off on the brink of death but ends up being transported to a completely new world that's similar but unlike her own. After getting kidnapped by these strange and terrifying creatures, she is saved by a mysterious and handsome man who calls himself her mate. Bewildered and scared, Elsie has to not only navigate her confusing new feelings for Aruan but also this magical world and her growing dormant powers. I loved that this had all of the tried and true tropes we all know and love in a romantasy but with the hint of darkness and traits of Charmaine and Anna's obsessive and possessive heroes. However, Aruan has a lot of groveling and explaining to do after the events of this book—to which I look forward to reading.

“I can feel the pull of her being. It’s like a dragon’s claw has hooked itself deep into my chest, but instead of pain, there’s an ache, equal parts sweet and terrible, an exquisite longing that permeates everything I am.”

In the end, this was an incredible start to a brand new series and entry into their romantasy era from Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls. I want to know more about Elsie's past and who exactly sent her to Earth to die. Her newfound powers also piqued my interest and I can't wait to see what she'll do with it. On the other hand, Aruan was a very intense, powerful, and dominant character. Although there were times where I felt like he was too high-handed when it came to Elsie, I appreciated that he was already completely obsessed and possessive of her. I'm hoping that the authors will further flesh out Aruan and Elsie's characters and build more on their relationship that currently consists more of lust than love right now. Their consummation was incredibly sexy but frustrating at the same time because of what happened after. Another point that I found interesting was Aruan as the prophesied crown prince who will destroy the world because of his mate. How did this prophecy even come about and what will this mean for Elsie? Is Aruan's mother the villain of this book or someone else? I'm also curious about Aruan's siblings—Gaia, especially Kian who left an impression on me, and Vitai—and hope they will getting their own books. I highly recommend reading Dark Prince's Mate immediately after because this one does end in a heartbreaking cliffhanger due to a miscommunication between Aruan and Elsie.

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

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: ★★★★★

Shatter Me by Bianca Cole

Dimitri Ivanov meets his match in the highly independent and firecracker that is Natasha Blackwood. Shatter Me by Bianca Cole is the second book in her brand new mafia romance series, which follows Stalk Me —Nikolai and Sofia's story. I was completely enthralled by the explosive chemistry and tension between Dimitri and Natasha. I loved the push and pull element of their relationship because they were constantly chasing and yearning for each other. Whenever Natasha tried to run away from Dimitri, it was impossible for her to escape him because he was always one step behind her. The man had her in his sights and was unwilling to let her go. The intensity of Dimitri's obsession for Natasha was certainly a heady thing to witness. I appreciated the fact that the author took the time to build their relationship while also increasing the tension between the two main characters. It made their love scenes even more special and sexy when it finally happened. However, war is looming for Dimitri and his brothers because of their escalating attacks on a rival family. This will ultimately place Natasha in the crossfires and change the dynamics of their relationship forever.

“I'm never letting her go. She belongs to me now—mind, body, and soul. And I'll destroy anyone who tries to take her from me.”

In the end, Dimitri and Natasha's love story was beautifully written and broke my heart several times because of the yearning from both characters and secrets he kept from her. The highlight of this book was absolutely the romance between Dimitri and Natasha. As someone who was often portrayed as controlling, dominant, and intense, Natasha was the only one who could easily shatter Dimitri's control. I loved that it was also difficult for Natasha to maintain her composure around Dimitri but she held her own against him many times. It was obvious to everyone around them that they were extremely attracted to each other. It was funny to see Dimitri's family tease him for always being so distracted because his mind was constantly on Natasha. If you are looking for an incredibly sexy and romantic love story between two strong and independent characters who can't help but fall for each other despite their circumstances, I highly recommend this book!

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

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: ★★★★★

Cry, or Better Yet, Beg by Solche

Cry, or Better Yet, Beg is the twisted and heartbreaking love story of Matthias von Herhardt and Layla Llewellyn. I was first introduced to this novel through the manhwa and its beautiful art. Initially, I was skeptical about starting this because of all the negative comments about the story and hero. However, I wanted to know for myself how bad it was and I found that a lot of people must have read a different translation or exaggerated his acts. This is a historical dark romance. Matthias was a very complex and ruthless hero whose all-consuming love and obsession for Layla ultimately played a role in his misery, suffering, and redemption in the end. All he ever wanted was her beautiful smile, laughter, and love. His desire and love for her made him do some morally gray things—all for the sake of keeping her by his side. As for Layla, she was a complex heroine who did everything in her power to hate and deny her feelings and love for Matthias.

"If I can't be your heaven, Layla... then I will let you go… So, go. Fly away from me and find your heaven." — Chapter 137

"I'm going to be your heaven, your sky. So please, fly freely. As long as you don't leave me, you can do anything you want. I love you." — Epilogue 4

I absolutely loved Solche's writing, characterization, and her ability to bring everything full circle in the end. Every scene, moment, and conversation between Layla and Matthias was incredibly important and fundamental to understanding their entire relationship. Although his actions were inherently wrong and he "ruined" her life in the process, it also ruined his life in turn because it made him miserable, empty, and broken. Matthias' downfall from the perfect gentleman was incredible to witness because it resulted in his character development and decision to choose love over obsession in the end. I loved every single moment of this book and this will remain one of my favorite Korean historical novels to date.

Note: I read the official translation through Yonder.

Rating: ★★★★★

Use Me, Daddy by Sara Fields

Sara Fields returns to her Boston Kings series with Use, Me Daddy—which features Aleksei Morozov and Amy Whitaker. Those of you who have read Maxim Morozov's book would have recognized that Aleksei is one of his brothers. Aleksei finds his love in this book and he is immediately captivated and challenged by Amy who he employs at his art gallery. The book starts off with an interview and their relationship becomes more intense and highly charged as the story progresses. I was quite surprised by this book because it was very sweet but also dirty at the same time because of their kink. Amy tried her best to ignore Aleksei's advances but he becomes equally captivated and obsessed with him. Their love story was both a "cat and mouse" and "push-pull" relationship. Both characters were stubborn and competitive with each other, which made for an electrifying read. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter.

“Babygirl, you don’t need to prove anything to me. You’re already mine and I love every single thing about you.”

In the end, this was an excellent continuation to the Boston Kings series and I can't wait to read which Morozov brother will get their HEA next. I was initially intrigued by a new character but he ended up betraying Aleksei and put Amy in danger so I doubt that he'll get a book. The love scenes between Aleksei and Amy were very steamy and highly erotic. I wanted more but was happy with how some of the scenes played out. These two were truly a match made for each other. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone but you might be slightly confused by some of the character cameos. Nevertheless, this was such an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to those who are looking for a sweet and dirty romance between a possessive and charismatic hero with his strong-willed and determined heroine.

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

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: ★★★★★