Oh, You're So Cold by Saffron A. Kent

I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading Stellan and Isadora's book. It wasn't perfect by any means—in fact, their romance was more of a train wreck than anything but it worked in their favor. Their love story was messy, reckless, heartbreaking, and frustrating but I could feel the passion and desire they had for each other throughout the book. Some things worked for me while others were a bit strange. I eventually came to understand why Isadora had that particular kink because she did not come from a loving family and had a desperate need to be loved and cared for. Stellan was the perfect protector for her in that sense. I felt that the love triangle between Shepard, Isadora, and Stellan was also unnecessary because it caused a lot of tension and conflict between the characters. I do have to give props to Saffron Kent for being able to turn Stellan and Isadora's story around for me because I was yelling at their antics and almost gave up on them. They had an incredibly toxic relationship and kept hurting each other in the process.

“I’ve always considered her a threat. A threat to my peace. My control. My promise. A threat because she makes me feel things. She melts the ice around my heart.”

 

Isadora initially came across as an immature and reckless young woman who used Shepard to get to Stellan but it was more complicated than that. She never intended to let it get this far but it blew up in her face. On the other hand, Stellan had his own demons to fight and was more broken and tortured than I thought. He loved Isadora but felt unworthy of her because he always believed he was just like his father—a monster. His attempt at making Isadora fall out of love with him was laughable and would not work because feelings were already involved. I do have to admit that I loved Stellan and Isadora's sexual chemistry with each other. Their love scenes were so sexy. Despite my frustrations with these two, I was invested by the second arc of the book and wanted them to work. I was glad to see that Shepard came out of this ordeal unfazed because he was more focused on his own issues—specifically his supposed stalker Jupiter Jones, who we all know has been crushing on him forever. The author also hinted at Homer and Maple's potential love story and there were cameos from Ark and Byron as well.

“All I ever wanted was you to believe that. To believe that you could love me. That we deserve a chance. That’s all I wanted from you, Stellan. To just love me and let me love you.”

 

In the end, Stellan and Isadora's story was truly unexpected and I loved how everything came full circle in the end. Even though I was so mad and frustrated at them, they grew on me as I started to understand why they made certain decisions. I came to love their steamy moments, overprotectiveness, and craziness for each other. Stellan and Isadora's love for each other was ridiculous at times but it was an improvement over Ledger and Tempest for me personally. Fans of Saffron Kent and the St. Mary's Rebels series will not want to miss out on her latest release because it has all the tropes, spicy scenes, obsessive love, and writing that she is known for. Isadora's love for her wildfire Thorn and Stellan’s for his Lolita was all-consuming and unforgettable. I'm really looking forward to what the author has in store for Shepard and Jupiter's book next because I could feel the chemistry they had with each other in one particular scene near the end. It's going to be explosive since he is Stellan's twin after all.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

Tempting the King by Dani Wyatt

Dani Wyatt makes a return with her latest release, Tempting the King—a standalone romance full heat, over-the-top romance, and an obsessive love from her MMC. Although the book started off slow in the beginning, it quickly picked up once Emee and King had their first true meeting. I liked that Emee was incredibly independent and had issues with not being in control due to past trauma. Unfortunately for her, meeting King threatened everything including her livelihood, control, and future. This was one of those opposites attract romance because while Emee was a rule follower, King had anger issues, was prone to violence, and embodied everything that was chaos. The story begins with them as therapist and patient but quickly spiraled out of control because King was determined to possess Emee and demanded everything from her.

“Give it all to me. All that sweetness. Lose control for me, baby. When you’re with me, I take care of everything.”

 

In the end, this was an incredibly spicy and short romance between two characters who were able to overcome their past trauma and find love with each other. King was a dirty talker and I was completely enamored over his obsessive and possessive love for Emee. He was simply crazy and unhinged for her, which made for an entertaining read. The bit with Emee's brother was somewhat frustrating to read because he was clearly taking advantage of her but I was happy with how they were able to resolve it in the end. I'm hoping that the author will write a book for Victor Kozlov, King's best friend and teammate, because he was interesting and had a lot of personality. If you are looking for a quick and dirty romance featuring likable characters and plenty of steam, you won't be disappointed with this book!

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

STEP-SAVAGE by Dani Wyatt

STEP-SAVAGE might be my favorite book in the Wanting What's Wrong series by Dani Wyatt, which can all be read as a standalone. James and Nancy's relationship was incredibly sexy and forbidden—they captivated my attention from start to finish. I found Nancy to be a relatable character and I liked that she was sensible and independent if a little naive. She was placed in a situation not of her own making and came out of it still in tact. I was confused in the beginning but it didn't take long for me to realize that Nancy was a victim of her best friend's machinations. I don't think Mason ever meant to let things get that far but he did keep her in the dark—which ultimately led to his arrest. We also learn that Nancy became pregnant because she had been surrogating for Mason. It was an interesting twist to an otherwise "normal" story because she ends up meeting her new step-brother the same day. James might be the author's most charming and unhinged hero yet because of the steps he took to possess Nancy. It was entertaining to watch him spiral even further and become obsessed the more time he spent with her

“All I can think about is her. I want to see her. I need to see her.”

In the end, I enjoyed this book so much because it was a forbidden romance that had all the tropes I loved. James and Nancy were likable characters and I found myself invested in their story. Even though James made some rather questionable decisions—basically stalking Nancy by keeping a tracker on her and installing cameras in their parents' home to watch her, he did it for her safety and his own state of mind instead of a desire to control her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick and spicy palate cleanser. Of course, the smut scenes between James and Nancy were my favorite. The love scenes and dirty talk were on point as always. If you are looking for a taboo/forbidden romance with a possessive and unhinged hero who will do anything for his sweet and curvy heroine, you won't be disappointed by this one.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

You Beautiful Thing, You by Saffron A. Kent

You Beautiful Thing, You by Saffron A. Kent is the first book in the Bad Boys of Bardstown series and it features Ledger Thorne and Tempest Jackson—characters that previously appeared in the St. Mary's Rebels series. This was an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, and forbidden romance between two characters who have been circling around each other for years. Ledger always seemed quiet and reserved if arrogant when it came to his rivalry with Reed Jackson, but this latest iteration of him blew that image of him to smithereens for me. Saffron Kent wasn't kidding when she said that Ledger was her most jealous and possessive male character. Overall, their relationship was messy, heartbreaking at times, intense, and mostly frustrating due to a lack of communication between the two. Although Ledger's rivalry and quest for revenge against Reed broke Tempest's heart, it eventually led him to redeem himself in his Firefly's eyes.

“I don’t think we’re made for gentle things, him and me. My cruel, sadistic, beautiful Thorn. And his heartbroken, lovelorn, feisty Firefly.”

In the end, while I enjoyed Ledger and Tempest's intense and forbidden love story, it wasn't my favorite. I wanted to love their relationship but I was more frustrated by their inability to tell each other the truth. Ledger kept many things from Tempest but she also did the same to him. But despite my reservations about their relationship, this was their love story and they truly owned up to it until the very end. Ledger would burn down the world, fiercely protect, and kill for Tempest. That in of itself was his form of love for her. I loved that Tempest was also his biggest champion against the world and his own family who only saw the "angry" part of him but never the sad and lonely boy who wanted to be understood and loved. Despite my frustrations with Ledger and Tempest, I truly appreciated this aspect of their characters. While their story may not be for everyone, I would still recommend to those who are looking for an incredibly spicy and intense love story between a highly dominant and possessive hero and his sweet like candies and cream heroine.

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

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Hatesick Diaries by Saffron A. Kent

The Hatesick Diaries by Saffron A. Kent is a love and hate story that spans six years of frustration, jealousy, angst, and heartbreak between two unlikely individuals who had nothing and everything in common. Reign and Echo's story was everything I anticipated and full of tropes I loved: a very steamy romance with lots of dirty talk, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, push/pull, and with a hero who was insanely obsessed and possessive of his heroine. She was the light of his life—his Bubblegum, whereas he was the night in her world and her Bandit. The nicknames they had for each other was reminiscent of past relationships in the St. Mary's Rebels universe, which was a nice touch to "end" the series and introduce the Bad Boys of Bardstown.

"I want to be so connected to you that no one, not even you, could ever tear us apart."

Another layer to Echo and Reign's story was also one of longing and forbidden love. Despite his harsh demeanor and words to her, Reign loved Echo deeply but never thought he was worthy of her. She deserved better than him but he wasn't willing to let her go, which ultimately tortured them both in the process. Echo was incredibly sweet, naive, loving, but also fiercely loyal and stubborn. Reign was her complete opposite in the fact that he was intense, possessive, obsessed, and only had eyes for Echo. However, he was also self-destructive and intentionally push her into the arms of someone else. It was messy, frustrating, and complicated but it was always clear to me that Echo and Reign were meant to be.

"I'm insane for you. I'm obsessed with you. You're the life in my veins and you're the thing I crave more than air. I'm sick for you, Echo."

In the end, I loved that Echo and Reign were able to absolve their guilt over what happened and come to terms with their love for each other. It was painful to realize that there was always more to Reign's background and story than meets the eye. He was a tortured hero who simply wanted someone to love and believe in him… and Echo did just that. We were also introduced to several new characters in this book including Homer Davidson, Maple Mayflower, Snow Jones, and Ark Reinhardt. I highly recommend this book to those who love the forbidden and second chance romance trope between a possessive bandit of a hero who stalks and overprotects his sweet bubblegum heroine who shakes his control at every turn.

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

Rating: ★★★★★

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan happens to be one of those "feel good" types of romances that will have you giddy with how cute, romantic, and angsty it can be. Although it started off slow, the story soon picks up when Emma and Lucian first meet each other. What happens when you put a retired hockey player who happens to be a secret baker with an adorable and sweet actress? You get a lovely romantic comedy with a lot of sweet and heartbreaking moments.

"I am alive in a way I haven't been before. My world is brighter, more real, when you're in it."

The slow burn romance between Emma and Lucian was my favorite part of the book. They were certainly attracted to each other but both were wary of starting a relationship. Lucian isn't the "alpha" hero you would expect from a romance like this. He's actually really shy, sweet, unsure, and broken. I feel like Emma was the more calm and confident one in this relationship. She is his light at the end of the tunnel. I adored the angsty moments even though I wanted to smack Lucian for being an idiot. Thankfully, it didn't last very long. I loved how both characters were dealing with career setbacks but found comfort in each other.

""I loved you, Em. Almost from the beginning. But I didn't love me."

In the end, this was such a beautiful and romantic story between two people who were struggling to find purpose in life again. Instead, they found purpose, love, and comfort in each other. If you're looking for a story that will have you smiling AND crying, then I highly recommend this book. I'm really looking for future books about Brommy, Anton, Tina, and even Sal. I usually don't gravitate towards sports romance or anything that has to do with Hollywood but this one managed to capture my attention. I've read books by Kristen Callihan before and loved them (VIP series). I'm itching to read her Game On series now, which I have put on the back burner for some time.

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

Rating: ★★★★★