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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

RELEASE BLITZ, 5 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Forget the Stars by Kelsey Kingsley



Title: Forget the Stars
Author: Kelsey Kingsley
Genre: Friends-to-lover/2nd Chance Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2019
Cover Design: Danny Manzella



"From August 26 to September 26, 2019, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation."










"If you want a book with eternally endearing and relatable characters, a heartfelt, captivating, poignant storyline, and one that has the potential to compassionately enlighten the reader, ponder it no more and get your copy of this one today." - BookAddict

"I can’t forget the stars when I have to give this book all the stars! Seriously. All the stars in the universe. I can’t even begin to tell you how special Forget The Stars is. I just want to go around to everyone I know yelling “READ THIS BOOK!”" - Red Hatter Book Blog








Guitarist Chad Wilcox's life isn't going according to plan. 

At thirty, he never thought he'd still be unmarried and living with his parents. And with the added stress of his poor health, he's convinced the only thing within his control is the success he's found as a rockstar.

After reconnecting with his childhood best friend, Chad sets into motion a new plan to regain control over his happiness, and things start looking up. But when he finds himself diagnosed with a potentially debilitating chronic illness, he begins to wonder...

Is this as good as it's going to get? Or is it at all possible for a guy like him to get everything he's ever wished for?






My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

Oh Chaddington Bear. He is adorable and extremely lovable and I was so happy to finally read his story! And it's a second chance/friends to lovers romance, which makes it even better. 

Chad and Molly's mothers are best friends who had dreams of their children growing up and getting married. And once upon a time, Chad and Molly were on that path, but then they grew apart and went on to live very separate lives. Chad might be a famous rockstar, but he's a homebody at heart. When he's not on the road he stays at his parent's house and has no problem being just normal guy. When he crosses paths with Molly, the two of them start to hang out again and before Molly knows it, she is the opening act for Chad's band. The two of them are on the road together and find themselves closer than ever. 

Kelsey has once again hit it out of the park. She has this way of making want to be best friends with her characters. And as much as I love Chad, my love for Sebastian only grew while reading this book. He is the source for the majority of the laughs and I laughed out loud more than once. But along with the sweetness of Chad & Molly and Sebastian's humor, is a serious topic that Kelsey handles with great care. She took a subject that people don't like to talk about and made it seem so real. 

While this isn't part of a series, there are characters in that have been in some of Kelsey's previous books. So if you haven't read Daisies & Devin, The Life We Wanted or Tell Me Goodnight, you should definitely check them out.  















“What’s that look for?” she asked with a giggle, as she reached around to secure her bra.

I shook my head as a smile stretched over my lips. “Nothin’. Just …” I swallowed at the warmth crowding my heart and my lungs. “You’re my best friend.”

She tugged a tank top on and sighed, her exhale lingering in the air. “You’re mine.”

Mine. The word was simple and yet held the world. It was an agreement, it was possession. It was an invisible contract that lingered between us, and I would’ve gladly used my own blood to sign on the dotted line.

But instead of pricking a finger and sealing the deal, I simply nodded, as only two words left my mouth.

“I’m yours.”









Kelsey Kingsley is an author of eight, almost nine, novels. She lives in New York with her family and a cat named Ethel. She loves tattoos, music, makeup, and Frasier reruns. Kelsey is a Slytherin. She curses a lot, and she fucking hates cheese.







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RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW: That Forever Girl (Getting Lucky #2) by Meghan Quinn

 


   

Title: That Forever Girl 
Author: Meghan Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: August 27, 2019 



USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn’s second book in the Getting Lucky series brings heart, humor, and heat back to Port Snow.

There are two little words every small-town man dreads:

She’s back.

Harper Sanders, the girl who was supposed to be my forever, has returned to Port Snow, Maine, for good—and she’s bringing back memories of our shared past.

We once had a bright future together, but when tragedy struck, I threw it all away and pushed her out of my life. People in our small town think I’m cursed, but I know better. I did it all to myself.

And now she’s creating a life of her own in the place where we first fell in love. I can’t fight my feelings for her—or the strong attraction that keeps pulling us together. But after all this time, can she forgive the past and fall in love with me all over again?

Everyone hopes to find that forever girl…I just hope I haven’t lost mine for good.


UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK: mybook.to/ThatForeverGirl 

⭐⭐⭐FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!! ⭐⭐⭐ 



EXCERPT

There is no way in hell she’s here.

My family isn’t that cruel. Right?

From my car, I try to gauge the number of bodies in my parents’ house through the windows. Ugh, I can’t see shit.

She can’t possibly be at family dinner. My family loves Harper, but they wouldn’t invite her, not after I called my mom the other day, telling her to put her matchmaking skills to rest. She just chuckled but reassured me she knew what she was doing. Whatever the hell that means.

I was very adamant about leaving Harper alone. The Knightlys can be too much at times, and I’m sure we’re the last thing she needs right when she’s trying to settle back into town.

Resigning myself to the inevitable, I retrieve my keys from the ignition and make my way to the front door. Hand on the doorknob, I take a deep breath and walk into the house I grew up in. The warm walls and carefully hung family pictures greet me first, followed by my family’s raucous laughter emanating from the back of the house.

I remove my shoes and hang my suit jacket on the coat hanger by the front door before cautiously making my way down the long hallway to the connected kitchen and large dining room. Ren, Griffin’s girlfriend, is the first to spot me. She gives me a small smile and a little wave. The rest of the family is scattered around the kitchen as usual, getting in my parents’ way as they try to finish up the dinner prep.

Griffin sees me next. “Ah, you finally decided to join us.” He checks his watch. “I think that was eight minutes in the car. Who had eight minutes?”

Reid raises his hand and hops off the counter, grabbing a bowl from the center of the table and pocketing the wad of cash inside. “I know him too well.” Reid pats me on the back and slips me a one-dollar bill. “Here, this is for you. Thanks for taking eight minutes to prepare yourself to come in the house. Daddy is going to buy a new pair of jeans.” He pats his pockets.

Ignoring everyone and their stupid bet, I pop the fridge door open and grab a water. Reid joins me, sticking his head in the fridge so I’m forced to look at him. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

“Ask what?” I grit out.

“If she’s here. I know that’s why you were hanging out in your car, debating if you should come in or not.”

My skin prickles, and I brace myself for the answer as I shut the fridge door. “Is she here?” I hiss.

Slowly, Reid smiles and nods. “Yup, she’s in the bathroom.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I angrily squeeze my water bottle, nearly popping the top off. “Why? Why is she here?”

Reid shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe because she wants to be here.”

“Who invited her? Was it Mom?” I don’t wait for an answer. Instead, I walk over to the culprit, who’s hovering over the stove, stirring a huge pot of chili.

“Oh, hey, sweetie. Cornbread is in the oven, honey is in the crock, and I also got tortilla chips because I know how much you like crumbling them in your chili.”

“Mom, why did you invite her? I told you to leave her alone, to leave usalone.”

“What are you talking about?” My mom looks me up and down and then goes back to the chili.

“Harper. I asked you not to invite Harper.”

The bathroom door opens, and Jen pops out, rubbing her hands together. “Did he come in yet?” Her eyes light up as she spots me. “What time was it?”

“Eight minutes. Reid won.”

Disappointed, she snaps her fingers. “Damn, I for sure thought I was going to win.”

Confused, I turn back to my mom. “Harper isn’t here?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t invite her so early. She needs time to settle. What made you think she was here?”

I whip around to find Reid leaning against the kitchen wall, arms crossed and with a giant grin on his face. I point at him. “You better run, because I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Like a bolt of lightning, he takes off, and I chase after him, nothing but pure murder on my mind.


 





My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

High school sweethearts! Second chance romance! The Knightly brothers are back and now it is Rogan's turn to find love. Rogan never expected to see his high school/college sweetheart, Harper, back in Port Snow. Their breakup was terrible and they haven't spoken since. So to have her back in town and back in his life, is very disconcerting. 

Harper and Rogan's love story is told through flashbacks and they were so much fun to read. The author starts at day one and from there we go on a journey with them. We get to see the awkward stages of their new relationship grow into the solid high school sweetheart relationship that defined their teenage years. But something or someone clearly destroyed that and I needed to know what or who that was. Because let's be honest, present Rogan and past Rogan are two completely different people and when I found out what happened I let out a very loud "OMG NOOOOOOO!" Talk about a plot twist. 

Harper and Rogan's love story is one that I really enjoyed. There is plenty of nostalgic groveling (that's a thing, right?) that tugged at my heart strings, but I was definitely Team Harper throughout the book. So I definitely appreciated the warranted groveling.

I just love the Knightly family! There are a lot of lighthearted moments between the brothers, but there are also some very funny interactions between them that made me laugh out loud more than once. There is nothing like some brotherly love (aka endless teasing & shit stirring) to keep things interesting. 


 



 

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


Sunday, August 25, 2019

EXCERPT REVEAL: That Forever Girl (Getting Lucky #2) by Meghan Quinn




Title: That Forever Girl 
Author: Meghan Quinn 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: August 27, 2019


USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn’s second book in the Getting Lucky series brings heart, humor, and heat back to Port Snow.

There are two little words every small-town man dreads:

She’s back.

Harper Sanders, the girl who was supposed to be my forever, has returned to Port Snow, Maine, for good—and she’s bringing back memories of our shared past.

We once had a bright future together, but when tragedy struck, I threw it all away and pushed her out of my life. People in our small town think I’m cursed, but I know better. I did it all to myself.

And now she’s creating a life of her own in the place where we first fell in love. I can’t fight my feelings for her—or the strong attraction that keeps pulling us together. But after all this time, can she forgive the past and fall in love with me all over again?

Everyone hopes to find that forever girl…I just hope I haven’t lost mine for good.


That Forever Girl releases August 27th! Pre order your copy HERE!




EXCERPT

There is no way in hell she’s here.

My family isn’t that cruel. Right?

From my car, I try to gauge the number of bodies in my parents’ house through the windows. Ugh, I can’t see shit.

She can’t possibly be at family dinner. My family loves Harper, but they wouldn’t invite her, not after I called my mom the other day, telling her to put her matchmaking skills to rest. She just chuckled but reassured me she knew what she was doing. Whatever the hell that means.

I was very adamant about leaving Harper alone. The Knightlys can be too much at times, and I’m sure we’re the last thing she needs right when she’s trying to settle back into town.

Resigning myself to the inevitable, I retrieve my keys from the ignition and make my way to the front door. Hand on the doorknob, I take a deep breath and walk into the house I grew up in. The warm walls and carefully hung family pictures greet me first, followed by my family’s raucous laughter emanating from the back of the house.

I remove my shoes and hang my suit jacket on the coat hanger by the front door before cautiously making my way down the long hallway to the connected kitchen and large dining room. Ren, Griffin’s girlfriend, is the first to spot me. She gives me a small smile and a little wave. The rest of the family is scattered around the kitchen as usual, getting in my parents’ way as they try to finish up the dinner prep.

Griffin sees me next. “Ah, you finally decided to join us.” He checks his watch. “I think that was eight minutes in the car. Who had eight minutes?”

Reid raises his hand and hops off the counter, grabbing a bowl from the center of the table and pocketing the wad of cash inside. “I know him too well.” Reid pats me on the back and slips me a one-dollar bill. “Here, this is for you. Thanks for taking eight minutes to prepare yourself to come in the house. Daddy is going to buy a new pair of jeans.” He pats his pockets.

Ignoring everyone and their stupid bet, I pop the fridge door open and grab a water. Reid joins me, sticking his head in the fridge so I’m forced to look at him. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

“Ask what?” I grit out.

“If she’s here. I know that’s why you were hanging out in your car, debating if you should come in or not.”

My skin prickles, and I brace myself for the answer as I shut the fridge door. “Is she here?” I hiss.

Slowly, Reid smiles and nods. “Yup, she’s in the bathroom.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I angrily squeeze my water bottle, nearly popping the top off. “Why? Why is she here?”

Reid shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe because she wants to be here.”

“Who invited her? Was it Mom?” I don’t wait for an answer. Instead, I walk over to the culprit, who’s hovering over the stove, stirring a huge pot of chili.

“Oh, hey, sweetie. Cornbread is in the oven, honey is in the crock, and I also got tortilla chips because I know how much you like crumbling them in your chili.”

“Mom, why did you invite her? I told you to leave her alone, to leave usalone.”

“What are you talking about?” My mom looks me up and down and then goes back to the chili.

“Harper. I asked you not to invite Harper.”

The bathroom door opens, and Jen pops out, rubbing her hands together. “Did he come in yet?” Her eyes light up as she spots me. “What time was it?”

“Eight minutes. Reid won.”

Disappointed, she snaps her fingers. “Damn, I for sure thought I was going to win.”

Confused, I turn back to my mom. “Harper isn’t here?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t invite her so early. She needs time to settle. What made you think she was here?”

I whip around to find Reid leaning against the kitchen wall, arms crossed and with a giant grin on his face. I point at him. “You better run, because I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Like a bolt of lightning, he takes off, and I chase after him, nothing but pure murder on my mind.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

RELEASE BLITZ & 5 STAR REVIEW: Sink or Swim (Beach Kingdom #3) by Tessa Bailey




Andrew Prince wakes up before everyone else. He schedules the bar shifts, demands perfection from Long Beach’s lifeguards—most of all himself—and makes sure the family debts are paid. His unfaltering worth ethic might leave him exhausted, but it comes with one advantage. It distracts him from the love he’s been harboring since childhood for the girl next door—who he cannot have.

Jiya Dalal has dreams. To fly a plane, see the world below…and prove irresistible to her best friend, Andrew. But she needs to be a good daughter first, which is becoming an increasingly difficult task, since her parents expect a good marriage and the man she loves with all her heart refuses to pursue the blistering connection between them. Just when she’s beginning to believe Andrew truly doesn’t want her, a moonlight tryst on the beach exposes his true feelings. But an echo from the past kept them apart before…and it’s only growing louder with every stolen kiss… 






Goodreads Link: https://bit.ly/2MbDTXM







My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine asked me what I did that weekend and I replied with "I read an amazing book!" They know about the romance reading and the blogging, so they asked me "Why was it amazing?" I think I started my answer about 4 or 5 times. Not because I couldn't come up with anything, but because I had a hard time coming up with the RIGHT words. This person doesn't read romance and I just didn't know how to properly express my feelings toward the book. I don't remember what my final answer was but I know that it contained the phrases "friends to lovers", "so much pining from afar that it actually pained my heart (but in the best way possible)", "sexy as hell", and "one of the best books I've read this year". I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't form full sentences and just said the above phrases. 

The first two books in this series set this one up quite nicely. We know that Andrew has been loving Jiya from afar for YEARS, but hasn't done a thing about it. The same goes for Jiya, but she has convinced herself that she has been friendzoned and will never recover from that. But then they both come to the realization that the future Jiya's parents want for her will most likely mean that Andrew will no longer be part of her life the way he is now and that knocks some sense into both of them. This trope always has the "OMG what are we doing" moment and this is theirs. 

Y'all the "moonlight tryst on the beach" mentioned in the synopsis. OH. MY. GOD. It went in a direction that I did not see coming and it was so freaking good. But I guess all those years of pining means that the sexy time are going to be knocked up a few notches. 

I'm really going to miss the Prince family, especially Jamie and Marcus. They are still the absolute cutest and Marcus was the source of some laugh out loud moments that came at the right times. Then there is the epilogue that was *chefs kiss gif*. I laughed. I cried. I sighed happily. It was everything. And even though I would love for Tessa to just keep writing books about them for years to come, the way this ended was just perfect. 










ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eleven years and six-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Author Bios/Social Media Links 


Thursday, August 15, 2019

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW: The Complete Captive Heart Duet by Carrie Aarons





Designed by Mignon Mykel at Oh So Novel 



Charlotte never thought she’d be staring down the barrel of a gun when she walked into her thankless bank job. Especially one that is held by her childhood neighbor and the boy who broke her young heart, Tucker. And the last thing she expected was to become his hostage. What ensues is a story of heartbreak, recovery, passion, and prevailing through it all to save the love that still burns between them.


"Aarons takes a typical boy next door romance and turns it on its head. No flowers and sweet, swoon-worthy late night stolen kisses here. There is grit and suspense and a struggle to move forward; and Aarons does it flawlessly." -The Read Report 



One-click The Complete Captive Heart Duet, 99 cents for release day only: mybook.to/CHDuet 



Add The Complete Captive Heart Duet to your Goodreads TBR: bit.ly/CHDuet





LOST



We knew each other a lifetime ago. And then...
We lost childhoods. We lost opportunities. We lost love.
Fate is giving us another chance. But a chance at what?
Because even though we’ve been brought back to each other under the worst of circumstances…
We are still. So. Damn. Lost. 






My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.

Gah! This book started with a "Whaaat?" and ended with a "Nooooooooooo!" I'm not sure how to review this book because I don't want to give too much away, but I will do my best.



Growing up, Tucker was Charlotte's next door neighbor, but they never really talked. It was more like mutual admiration (although one didn't know the other felt the same way) from afar. It wasn't until their senior year that they actually started a relationship, albeit a secret one. But then he abruptly left for college and she never heard from him again. Charlotte moves on with her life and even gets engaged, but she never really settles into her life. Meanwhile, Tucker went off to college to play football and seemed to be on track to become a star, but then an injury puts an end to his dreams.

Charlotte goes to her (boring) bank job one morning and gets held up at gunpoint. It turns out she knows the person behind the gun. It's Tucker. When he realizes who she is and what that means, he takes Charlotte hostage and goes on the run.

What follows is a story about two people,who couldn't be more different, come together in less than desirable conditions and rediscover a bond that they thought was long gone. We learn about their past (together and separate) and what led them to where they are today.

It may not be a complete novel (and yes, it ends on a cliffhanger!), but a lot happens in this book. It is a fantastic read that will make you feel all the feelings and leave you wanting more. I have so many questions that I hope will get answered in the next book so bring on Found!




FOUND



We found each other where no else could.
Found a purpose. Found ourselves. Found love.
Again.
But then life got in the way.
Three years later and the people that we once were are nowhere to be found.
Can our love survive everything we've put it through?
Can we find a way back to each other...
Again? 




My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

If you have not read Lost you will want to stop reading. This is not a standalone book! And although I will try my hardest to not give anything away, please go back, read the first book and then read this one. Okay? Okay. 

Well this book not only gave me all the answers I wanted, but it also destroyed me and then put me back together. It picks up three years after Lost and we learn what happened after Tucker was arrested. We get the story in present time, but just like the previous book, we get flashbacks (those were some of the most heart wrenching moments) to fill in the missing pieces. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the book opened and the information we are given right away. But by the end of the first chapter I knew that things would get worse before they got better.  

What a journey Tucker and Charlotte go on. My heart broke at the end of Lost and I really just wanted everything to work out. They built such a wonderful relationship and to have it ripped away the way it was, was so horrible. But I also knew that they would mostly have a hard road ahead. And I wasn't wrong about that. At first there are more bad moments than good. They are both struggling to get back to their normal and outside forces, as well as their own demons, are making it difficult to completely move on. But they are trying their hardest. Not everything is bad though. There are some very sweet moments that gave me hope that these two would be able to work through their issues and get that happily ever after I desperately wanted for them. 
I stop her at a stand on the outskirts of the festival. It’s overflowing with fresh-picked flowers, and I make Char wait outside while I disappear into the tent and grab the biggest bouquet of daisies I can find.
Her face lights up when she sees me, and she stands from the bench I made her wait on.
“Are those for me?!” Her joy is tangible.
“Maybe, but you’ll have to follow me to find out.” I reach my hand out for hers, which she takes, and I lead her out of the festival.
I walk us away from downtown and out where the houses become farther and farther apart. I hang a right, and soon we’re at the edge of Lancaster County Central Park.
“We’re going for a walk in the park?” She’s still guessing.
“You up for a little bit more of a walk?”
There is somewhere I want to take her. Char nods and we keep going, hand in hand, just admiring this beautiful day.
The park is alive with sounds and fragrances. I can’t imagine returning here with anyone but her.
Farther into the park, and I finally spot it.
“Oh, Tucker …” Char gasps quietly and I know I’ve done good.
We walk onto the worn wood planks of the Kurtz Mill Covered Bridge and I stop her once we’re just inside the opening.
“It looks just like the one in Bridges of Madison County.” Char marvels at the construction of the red covered bridge.
“I used to sleep in here sometimes.” I look at her, assessing her reaction.
“Back when you were using?”
“Yeah …it was one of the only free, covered places I could ever think of.”
I walk to her, pressing her against the wall of the bridge and bringing one hand up to her cheek. My other is still occupied with her daisies.
“I want to rewrite all of the bad memories with you. I want to take away all of the pain we’ve had. Not forget it, but replace them with happiness and new traditions. It’s why I wanted to bring you here. It’s why I got you these.”
It was moments like that that showed, despite everything that was going on, they were still the Charlotte and Tucker readers fell in love with. 

Epilogues are one of my favorite things about books and the epilogue here? OMG. It was absolutely perfect! I got emotional while reading this book, but the epilogue put me over the edge and I cried...a lot. On their own, these books are good, but put them together and you have a beautiful story of love, loss and finding your way back to the person you are meant to be with. 












Author Bio

Author of romance novels such as The Tenth Girl and Privileged, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.

When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in the suburbs of New Jersey with her husband, daughter and Lab/Great Dane rescue.

Author Links 

Visit Carrie's website: authorcarrieaarons.com

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