ARC Review: Last First Kiss (Montgomery Ink Legacy #5)

Last First Kiss (Montgomery Ink Legacy #5)

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

The Montgomery Ink Legacy series continues with a workplace fling romance that starts off with a literal bang. Daisy Montgomery Knight is about to meet her match when it comes to Hugh Hendrix.

 One look across the aisle at a wedding and I fell in lust.

 He’s on the bride’s side. I’m on the groom’s.

But by the end of the night, we’re against a wall, over a table…and in bed.

I’m prepared never to see him again except in my memories. 

Only the next week things become awkward: I’m his new boss. 

And it turns out he’s just as demanding outside of the sheets as beneath them. 

We need to stay away from each other—he has his demons, as well as an adorable little girl, and I’m trying to heal after a job gone wrong. 

I know I need to walk away…even if neither one of us wants to. 

Themes:  Erotica

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

We have been wondering just what kind of man was going to be matched with our sweet  Daisy Montgomery Knight for a while now, but to be honest I never saw this one coming, and as ever Carrie Ann manages to give her readers and fun and engaging experiences without tearing us up too much.  Daisy’s story is really a bit of a continuation from the previous story, where she was injured when a warehouse she was inspecting exploded, leaving the whole Montgomery Security team on edge and over-protective while leaving Daisy less than he usual badass self.  But she is struggling to get back to her normal routine and when she goes toa  friend’s wedding, she is struck by an unexpected and intense desire for the sexy brit that is in attendance as well.  Hugh Hendrix is finally finding his footing in Colorado for daughter and himself, but when family obligation lands him at a wedding of a childhood friend he never imagines he’ll spent a passionate and unforgettable night with a beautiful woman.  Both Daisy and Hugh determine to leave their one night and that, not sharing anything else about themselves, but it backfires no them in a big way when they learn that Hugh is the newest hire at Montgomery Security and Daisy is now his defacto boss.  They are determined to not allow their passionate night to disrupt their working relationship or allow the others to know the truth, but son they are just as determined to learn if their passionate night could be something more and start dating.  Their relationship develops quickly, with Daisy and Hugh’s young daughter Lucy fostering an emotional connection and Lucy being enfolded into the Montgomery bubble, but they are both reticent  by the speed and depth of their connection.   When it becomes clear that Daisy is being targeted by an enemy, the Montgomery’s begin to circle the wagons and Hugh has to find a way to show Daisy that he supports her without overwhelming her, but can their evolving love and trust withstand the challenges they are facing or will it be too late for them?

I absolutely loved this story, the connection between Daisy and her family or course was unbeatable, but that’s never missing from any of Carrie Ann’s story, but the way that Hugh loved his girl and stepped in the fill the voids that other’s left in her life was just beautiful.  Daisy has had to struggle to find her place in the group of big and tough Montgomery men, but she is a strong and independent woman that is willing to fight for herself and those she loves.  I enjoyed watching her with Hugh and Lucy as she found a way to share her softer emotions with a little girl that needed a mother and the love a woman in her life, much like Lucy had as a girl.  The parallels that Ryan presented in the two females was not overdone, but just beautifully alluded to and showed Hugh that once her shared his daughter with Daisy she would understand that gift and never take it for granted.  Hugh was an enigma a bit, a man that had given up so much in his life for his daughter, but didn’t seem to understand that his closed heart would ultimately be a bad example for his daughter.  It is obvious to me, as a daughter of divorce, that the best thing for him was to find a true love and open his heart so that he could show Lucy so that love truly does exist and it does stick, and when he finally did that with Daisy in the end it was amazing.  I loved the passion that was there between Daisy and Hugh from the beginning and that they allowed it to settle into a simmer when they needed to build something more substantial later.  The love between these two that comes from a one-night stand truly proves that sometimes we truly don’t appreciate the significance when we share that Last First Kiss. As always Carrie Ann kills us in that last chapter with a glimpse of what is coming next for the Montgomery brood and now I am dying for the next book (His Second Chance), but in the meantime I now that the love between Daisy and Hugh will keep me warm and bring me happy dreams.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Mini-Review: Happily Ever Maybe (Montgomery Ink Legacy #4.5)

 Happily Ever Maybe (Montgomery Ink Legacy #4.5)

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

It was only supposed to be one job.

 

I know the rules.

Get in. Get out.

Protect the girl, then move on.

Only it never works out the way it should.

Now Jennifer and I work with each other and there’s no going back to normal.

 

Then it turned into something more.

 

Gus isn’t for me. I know that.

Only the chemistry that burns between us won’t fade away.

We promise it will only be one night.

Then another.

But when our actions have consequences that could mean the end of our future, we’ll have to figure out exactly what we want.

Even if it means walking away broken before it begins.

 

Themes:  Erotica

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I’m not sure if it is the air in those Colorado mountains or just sharing space with those Montgomery’s, but I want whatever it is that creates just a combustible atmosphere and brings lovers together! Carrie Ann Ryan strikes again in a story about two of the Montgomery friends finding love, through lust, and their story is not only fast past, intense, and sensual, but emotionally confusing and just so packed with all the things, I’m not sure how she managed it all in such a short story. Jennifer and Gus have been circling one another for a while now, ever since they became coworker in the Montgomery security company, but when the temptation can no longer be resisted they give in to the attraction in a big way, promising one another it will only be one night. But now they are both feeling so much more than before and there are even more consequences that they have to deal with.  Can two partners and best friends find a way to admit that their feelings have become much deeper, and can they do it before they lose something beautiful? I positively loved this story, even though I would have loved it to be so much longer, but sometimes needs must.  As a short interlude between Montgomery main reads, Jen and Gus were perfect.  Jen has such a hard shell around her that you wonder what it will take for Gus to break through and get to the soft center of her heart, but once he finally manages it, the emotional connection between them is obvious. Gus is such a protective, sweet, and loving guy that there is no doubt he will do everything for his woman, even if it means fighting her or stepping back when it kills him to do so.  I loved the way these two pushed and pulled one another but ultimately found the balance to have the perfect relationship for them, even though it might not have looked perfect to others. The passion and connection between them were more than obvious every moment they were even thinking about one another and I cannot wait to see more of them in future Montgomery stories.  Carrie Ann Ryan sure knows how to hook her readers and pull us in, even with only a few short and intriguing chapters.  All hail the Queen of Colorado Hotties!

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: The Wrath (Rise of the Warlords #4)

The Wrath (Rise of the Warlords #4)

Gena Showalter

Blurb:

For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.

Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a stop Rathbone  and  the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way.

As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.

Themes:  Paranormal

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Well, that was completely unexpected in the best of ways.  When we first learned the names of the characters to be featured in this story I knew right away it was going to be amazing because Neeka is a crazy harpy with so many sides to her and so much going on in that brain of hers that there was no way it couldn’t be hilarious, but I had no clue just what I was in for. The combination of Rathbone and Neeka’s personalities was combustible and even when they were on opposite sides and not seemingly fighting for the same goals you were left wondering how they were not seeing that they were so obviously made for one another. As usual Gena’s twisty and twiny storyline keeps you wondering what the heck is going on and just how they are going to pull out a win for the  lovers right up to the very last moment, but I never doubted that Rathbone and Neeka would kick butt and find a way to have the love to defeat all enemies.  I really look forward to what could be coming next because every book seems impossible to top, but Gena manages to do it every time.

Rathbone has spent centuries attempting to resurrect his late wife, and he is very close to succeeding, but now he has to defeat one of the Astra in order to reach his goal.  Looking for a leg-up in his quest, he enlists the assistance of the slightly off-balance Harpy oracle Neeka the Unwanted, but she has her own goals in the war with the Astra and Rathbone.  Neeka has seen so many possible futures and forgotten too much information, but she knows that is she allows Rathbone to succeed in his quest it will mean the death of all those she loves and she refuses to allow that.  Working with him, while at the same time thwarting him in small ways, she slowly begins to feel more for him than just intense desire and it is proving not to be one-sided.  For the first time in centuries, Rathbone is questioning his future and his feelings for his bride, but when a betrayal he never sees coming almost costs him the harpy he is coming to love, he has to decide how much he is willing to lose and what he really wants from his future.

I truly loved every moment of this story.  It was filled with so many revelations for both Neeka and Rathbone as they found themselves changing and growing together.  Rathbone has spent far too long stuck on the idea of his perfect woman, but the more he desires and comes to care for Neeka the more his eyes are opened to the truths around him and the facts he has overlooked for so long. He has kept his head buried in the sand for so long, hiding behind hurt and feelings of abandonment, but when Neeka finally shows him that someone can care for him just the way he is, with no restrictions or need to change, he learns the true meaning of love.  His strength, determination, subtle sweetness, and willingness to support the woman he loves man him an interesting character once you dug through the badass King of the Underworld persona.  Neeka was an interesting harpy for sure; with her own mommy issues, fears of inadequacy, and worries about not succeeding in her goals, she is constantly on the move in her attempts to prevent the futures she sees.  I enjoyed her wackiness and her ability to just let it fly when something comes out of her mouth, but the best part of her personality was the way she always sacrificed and battled for those she loved, even at the cost of herself.  There is truly no greater hero in my opinion than those that will do anything, even give up their own lives and happiness, if it protects those that they consider theirs.

While I assumed that this story was going to revolve around the next Astra finding his mate, it was really only loosely connected to that series in my opinion, in the fact that it was centered around the next Astra challenge, which was a new idea for a connected series. The main core of the story is the connection and love that developed between Rathbone and Neeka as they worked together, which at many times seemed to have been working against the Astra. I enjoyed getting to delve into the winding and somewhat mazelike psyche of Neeka and see her find her way not only to a future where she saves those she loves, but also where she gets her HEA with Rathbone.  She has had a trying life to this point to say the least and getting to see her find some happiness was rewarding. Rathbone was a jerk for a large portion of the book, making me wish I had the option to reach out and kick him right in the nuts, but as that is not possible, I am glad that more than once he got his butt handed to him. Luckily he pulled his head out of his ass and found a way to open his heart to Neeka.  The Chemistry between Neeka and Rathbone is undeniable and when they spend more and more time together it becomes and powder keg ready to ignite more than once, and when it finally does it blows sky high.  I really loved that Gena gave us a hint of what will be coming next and I am now looking forward to that even more, but the wait is certainly going to be torturous.  Gena never fails to prove that some people are just made to be writers and some of us are made to be their fangirls.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Through the Glen Release today!

Through the Glen by Samantha Young is now live! 

He’s a cynical, world-weary Londoner. She’s a shy Scot. They might seem like opposites, but a few weeks in the Highlands will bring them together in ways they can’t imagine…

Theo Cavendish is the second son of a British viscount, and he’s spent years running from the aristocratic world he grew up in. Betrayal and loss taught him lessons he’s not quick to forget. As an award-winning screenwriter and creator, Theo prefers to throw himself into the world of film and television. He moves from one project to another, never really letting anyone truly know him.

As a housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, shy Sarah McCulloch feels invisible most days. No one really knows her, and they definitely don’t know she’s a bestselling crime writer. She dreams of seeing her series on screen and believes only one person can develop it for television. On the day she quits the estate for good, she shares her secret with club member, Theo, and asks him to consider her books.

Sarah never expected him to say yes or to show up on her doorstep ready to write with her. Or that weeks spent locked up in her cottage would lead them to form an intense but undeniable connection. A bond that Theo is not sure he’s ready to accept, even though he can’t bear to be without her.

However, when they finally venture out of their bubble, Theo finds he’ll have to battle more than his own demons to protect Sarah from hurt. For he has another fan, one intent on bringing the darkest elements of his most famous script to life. And unless he can figure out this real-life antagonist’s next move, Theo could be in danger of losing Sarah forever.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3LpelDC

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ARC Review: Through the Glen (The Highlands #3)

Through the Glen (The Highlands #3)

Samantha Young

Blurb:

He’s a cynical, world-weary Londoner. She’s a shy Scot. They might seem like opposites, but a few weeks in the Highlands will bring them together in ways they can’t imagine…

Theo Cavendish is the second son of a British viscount, and he’s spent years running from the aristocratic world he grew up in. Betrayal and loss taught him lessons he’s not quick to forget. As an award-winning screenwriter and creator, Theo prefers to throw himself into the world of film and television. He moves from one project to another, never really letting anyone truly know him.

As a housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, shy Sarah McCulloch feels invisible most days. No one really knows her, and they definitely don’t know she’s a bestselling crime writer. She dreams of seeing her series on screen and believes only one person can develop it for television. On the day she quits the estate for good, she shares her secret with club member, Theo, and asks him to consider her books.

Sarah never expected him to say yes or to show up on her doorstep ready to write with her. Or that weeks spent locked up in her cottage would lead them to form an intense but undeniable connection. A bond that Theo is not sure he’s ready to accept, even though he can’t bear to be without her.

However, when they finally venture out of their bubble, Theo finds he’ll have to battle more than his own demons to protect Sarah from hurt. For he has another fan, one intent on bringing the darkest elements of his most famous script to life. And unless he can figure out this real-life antagonist’s next move, Theo could be in danger of losing Sarah forever.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Ok let’s be honest, none of us thought that we would love Theo because he was a huge prat in North and Aria’s novel, despite the glimpses of goodness we peeked. But I have to tell you I think that Theo is my favorite despicable, wounded, and bastard of a hero in any novel I have read in a long time.  Samantha Young has such a beautiful ability to pull readers into the lives of her characters, their backstories and the emotional trauma that has shaped them into the broken individuals they are that you can’t help but fall into the story and never want to crawl out. This story is filled with pain, passion, exploration, and laughter right along with the chance for two people to truly heal one another and find their way out of the darkness that has kept them both back from living full and fulfilled lives for far too long.  This series continues to amaze and thrill me and with each new story I find myself wanting to jump on a plane and fly to Scotland (again) so that I can find out myself if the beauty of the Highlands might present me with a new and amazing chance at love and life.  I cannot wait for the next book and I know I will devour it just as quickly as I have the last three stories in this series—and not to mention the original Ardnoch series, which cannot be discounted and really shouldn’t be missed.

Sarah McCulloch has finally made the difficult decision to come out of her shell and move on from her day job as a housekeeper at the esteemed Ardnoch Estate, to continue pursuing her shining career as a bestselling author.  But before she does she has one last task—to ask the gorgeous and award-winning screenwriter Theo Cavendish if he will team up with her to write the screenplay for her books.  Theo can’t believe his ears when Sarah admits her secret, but despite his writer’s block, he always works alone and turns her down; but when he is forced to reconsider its decision he finds himself chasing her instead to ask her to allow him to work with her.  Spending time together at Sarah’s secluded beach-side cottage, they begin to grow close and their friendship evolves into something more, leading to a passionate relationship neither of them is prepared for.  When they leave their privacy, they are forced to face challenges and truths neither of them are ready for and they have to come to terms with their differences quickly or they will lose the emotional connection they have developed. Can an emotionally stunted former playboy and an innocent but brave woman find a way to grow together and find love or will they be forever separated by their vast differences?

I loved getting to know these two and seeing them get to know one another, because let’s be honest the secrets they have been keeping from everyone around them, with only a few exceptions, have made them both island in a sea with no way to cross to them.  Sarah’s shyness, fears, and insecurities from her youth, before moving to Ardnoch with her grandfather, left a deep and abiding stamp on her, preventing her from moving forward and becoming the woman that she was always meant to be.  She is passionate, smart, witty, and sweet, but she has so many fears and anxieties that she truly fears venturing out into the world and so many experiences bring up painful memories for her.  But the beautiful dichotomy of her is that when her friends, family, or lover are having their own issues with past pains or insecurities she is soft and loving enough to be there for them, forgiving them and allowing them into or back into her heart when so many others might hold grudges.  I loved her playfulness with Theo, even when he was at his darkest, giving him that respite and showing him that life is not always meant to be so serious.  Theo was a dark soul, his ability to hold a grudge and willingness to wallow in his own darkness a little bit worrying, but on the other side of the coin he was always there for his friends.  He feels so deeply especially the pain of loss and betrayal from those that should have loved him the most that he has never recovered, never let go of the anger that shaped him in to the prick he presents to everyone except Sarah.  For Sarah he is willing to be softer, to be a better man and forgive those that have tried to break him, but with her love he will prove they failed.  I loved his sweetness under the gruff exterior, his mischievousness and his willingness to play with Sarah even if he rarely lost his edge.  The passion he shared with her as he brought her out of her share allowed him to find his own softness and her gentleness smoothed out the hasher edges of his personality, allowing the puzzle pieces of their hearts to fit together perfectly.

Is there ever a better story than the edgy asshole falling in love with the innocent lass, getting his heart handed to him, and finding himself tamed once and for all? I cannot tell you just how much I enjoyed this story, but just to say I think I only moved three times during the entire time I was reading.  Sarah is the type of woman that you just love to watch blossom as she heals from her loss and finds her way past her shyness, but the best part is as she finds her footing as a passionate and loving woman with the help of the man that is slowly stealing her heart, even before he captures her body.  She can’t resist the sweetness that Theo only seems to show when he is around her and begins to see the true man buried under the pain and hatred he has hidden behind for years, and her determination to bring out that true loving man shows that despite her misgivings she will fight for her love.  Theo is one of those characters that you love to hate, but in the end you are rooting for because you feel his pain right alongside him. He was so betrayed and never got over it, but the healing and support he gets from Sarah allows him to embrace the man he truly has always been underneath the angry shell he shows to the world and instead be the caring, giving, and loving man he is.  I loved the teasing, and sometimes naughty banter that these two shared continuously, but the passion that they shared was evident even when they fought it in the beginning.  However once they unleashed that heat, there was no hiding that they were compatible physically and the chemistry would always be an underlying part of their relationship. I am dying for the next book, which I understand will be between Sarah’s cousin, Jared, and Aria’s sister, Allegra, because from the scenes in this book that one is going to be another explosive and emotional rollercoaster.  Ms. Young is quickly becoming one of my favorite go-to authors and you can surely bet I am spreading the word far and wide, because no one should miss the greatness that is Through the Glen, and into The Highlands.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Fighting for Hailey (Redemption Harbor Security #1)

Fighting for Hailey (Redemption Harbor Security #1)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

She’s the one who got away…

They grew up together, dated for years—but when Lennox had a chance at a college scholarship and a new life, Hailey abruptly ended things. She wanted him to have the life he deserved, and with her track record knew she’d just bring him down. Now they’re both grown and she runs the new branch of Redemption Harbor Consulting, heading up their security division. But her past is about to collide with her present in a big way, and she can’t outrun her demons any longer.

This time, he’s playing for keeps…

Years ago Hailey joined the military and ruthlessly cut all her foster siblings out her life. Now that one of them is in danger she’s back—and Lennox isn’t letting her push him away ever again. One of their own has been kidnapped and with the clock ticking, they have no choice but to work together to find him before it’s too late. But the threat is much worse than they imagined. It will take all their combined skills—and breaking through Hailey’s walls— to unravel the clues in time to save him.

Themes:  Contemporary, Second Chance

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

So, I was truly surprised when I started this book because I’m going to be totally honest with you, when I hear Katie Reus is releasing a new book, I don’t bother reading too much about it, I just assume I’m going to want it.  That said based on the design of the cover I thought this  was another book in the Red Stone Security series or one of the connected ones, so I was so thrilled to learn it was a spinoff of one of my favorite of her past series and that I would be getting to see some of my favorite characters again! So, all of that meant that I enjoyed this new addition to the Redemption Harbor series with their new group of folks and their quirky way of looking at the world in shades of gray and I cannot wait for more in the series.  Katie’s ability to take characters with tragic and sometimes terrifyingly backstories and make them into such strong and heroic individuals is beyond amazing and a skill that never ceases to amaze me.

Hailey West gave up her found family when she ran from them as a young woman though she never stopped loving them and when one of her brothers is kidnapped right off the street she will do anything to get him back safely, but she knows it will bring her face-to-face with the others.  Jesse Lennox never imagined that when he went looking for his kidnapped brother he’d find the love of his life—the woman that walked out on all of them years ago and seemed to have never looked back.  But now that he has her in his hands, Jesse is not going to let Hailey out of his sight ever again.  While working with the authorities and her team to find their brother, Jesse and Hailey quickly come to realize that their feelings have never died and the passion between them still burns brightly.  But can they get over not only the heartbreak of Hailey leaving but also the reasons that she left in the first place in order for Jesse to finally claim the woman who stole his heart at sixteen and never gave it back.  It will take ever thing they have to save their brother and get over their hang-ups but Jesse will do whatever it takes and he will never stop Fighting for Hailey.

These two are one of those odd couples that you can see why they were pulled together, because opposites truly do attract sometimes and Jesse’s solemn nature and Hailey’s irreverence are just made to mesh together like puzzle pieces.  I loved getting to know Hailey, not only seeing her with the brothers of her youth and Jesse as they found their groove together again, but also with her new Redemption Harbor family.  She has so many issues from her past, but while she obviously allowed them to stop her in her relationships she didn’t let it stop her from becoming a serious badass wit ha little bit of a crazy streak.  She is sassy, outlandish, loving, strong, plucky, and determined and willing to do anything in order to get her brother back.  She is also willing to do just about anything to protect the man she loves, even stupid things that hurt her, if she thinks they are in his best interests. I could see myself really enjoying having Hailey as a drinking bud, as long as I didn’t let her lead me into too many crazy escapades. Jesse on the other hand has spent the majority of his life trying to find calm in the chaos and he only seems to truly find it when he is protecting and caring for those he loves, including the woman that actually creates the most chaos for him.  He devotes so much of his time, money, and skill to helping those that can benefit from all three because he understands what it means to be in need of help and that makes him a truly great man in my book.  He is sweet, loving, smart, courageous, funny, and strong and obviously the strength of their found family.  I loved seeing him as he found so hard to make Hailey see that she belonged with him and should never have left, but more I loved seeing him allow her to come to terms with her mistakes and how he helped her see the flaws in her reasoning.

Fighting for Hailey is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time simply because it has it all, humor, passion, action, love, and intrigue all wrapped up beautifully in a storyline that is totally believable in the evil of today’s society.  I was so happy to get to see these two lovers get their second chance at love and family and look forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the series, especially the nest novel which looks to be a doozy.  Hailey is one of those women that truly flies by the seat of her pants and manages to come of smelling like daisies more often than not and I envy that about her.  She has loved and lost, but she knows that when she gets a second chance with Jesse she can’t pass it up, especially when he doesn’t really give her the chance to walk away.  Jesse is the kind of guy that will give up the shirt off his back for someone in need, but the ones thing he is unwilling to give up again is Hailey and I loved watching him give his all for her.  As these two work through their issues, building trust again and reestablishing their deep love, they managed to kick butt and take down a huge criminal ring and still rescue their brother so really what more can you ask for in the end.  The passion between these two former lovers explodes off the screen from the very first second these two enter one another’s orbit again, like a firebomb being fed oxygen and I don’t see that dying anytime soon.  I am dying for the next story because the heat and interest between Cash and Reese was palpable through their every interaction and I cannot wait to see what finally pushes that to the breaking point in their book.  Katie manages to always find the heart and heat we all want to have in our own lives and allow us to enjoy a small piece for ourselves through her writing and Fighting for Hailey is just one more example of that flair.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Just a Little Promise (Dare Crossover Series #3)

Just a Little Promise (Dare Crossover Series #3)

Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde

Blurb:

He’s the one she’s never forgotten.

She’s the one he regrets letting go.

Now they have a second chance to get it right.

When Skye Tremont runs into her sexy former flame, Tripp Daniels, she’s reminded of the baby pact they’d made years ago… If she was single and childless by the age of thirty, he’d step in and be her baby daddy and fulfill her dream of having a child.

Now, after a bitter divorce that has left her guarding her heart, and wanting only one thing, Skye is ready to take Tripp up on his promise. When he’s one of the bachelors up for bid at a charity auction, it’s the perfect opportunity to have him all to herself for a weekend of baby making fun, as long as he agrees to her terms.

Tripp is on board to fulfill the promise he made to Skye. If he’s going to have a baby with anyone, it’s going to be the one woman he’d foolishly let slip through his fingers. But not this time because he’s all in. Skye is even more beautiful than he remembers, and the chemistry between them is hotter than ever, but while she gives him free rein with her body, she’s made it clear her heart is off limits.

Now, with a second chance within his grasp, Tripp is prepared to do whatever it takes to win the woman he loves and give them both the family they’ve always craved.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Nothing is better than a story of two people both getting a second chance at the one this they both want more than anything else in the world—even if they don’t agree one just what they are getting. This fun crossover series written in the world of the Dare/Kingston family by Carly Phillips in conjunction with Erika Wilde is one that continues to thrill me as each new book shapes up. Each story begins around the Bachelor Auction for charity hosted by Chloe Kingston and with each story we get a new POV and a new see a new bachelor find himself falling in love.  Because of this the timelines overlap and each of the storylines interweave together and we get glimpses of just who might be falling next.  In this latest installment former lovers are brought back together in big way and the auction is just the excuse they need to rekindle their past and fulfill a pact from long ago. I am enjoying reach of these fun stories and can’t wait for the next one because I suspect who it might be about and if I’m correct it will be beyond fascinating to experience.

Skye Tremont is finally free from her ex and living a life that she is content with, except for the one thing she has always wanted—a baby.  She is enjoying her new job and freedom when she runs into the one man from her past who can shatter the delicate balance of her fairytale, the one man that she never stopped loving but that broke her heart irrevocably.  Tripp Daniels is amazed to look across his favorite bar one night and see the face of the woman he left a decade ago but he can’t deny he still wants and loves her.  Determined to prove there is still something real between them, Tripp  sets out to remind Skye why they were so good together but she had built walls high and strong around her heart, leaving only one small allowance for him to get through. She will allow him to be the father of her baby, but she won’t let him have her heart—unless he can break through once and for all and prove they should have been together all along.  Now that he has a small opening, Tripp will do whatever it takes to get through to Skye, but he needs to protect her from her abusive ex-husband first or they might not ever have a chance at have the life together they so badly deserve.

I truly enjoyed every moment of this story, even as I watch Skye struggle with her issues of self-confidence and self-worth after her bastard ex-husband’s treatment.  Skye was obviously a bright light that her ex tried so badly to steal for himself and when he wasn’t able to really earn her heart, he tried to snuff out her light.  She was sweet, loving, caring, strong, brave and I could totally see her being one of my girlfriends if I met her in real life. I felt badly for all the challenges she was forced to face, but between the love of her family and the love that she found with Tripp she had the support she finally needed to stand up once and for all and bring down her ex. Tripp is a good guy that made a dumb decision in his youth, leaving a good woman behind because he thought it was the right thing to do.  I will say that while that pissed me off, he definitely  got smarter as he got older, because the moment he set eyes on Skye again he knew there was no way he was letting her go again. He is smart, resilient, kind, adoring, and sweet as he tried to convince Skye that he is the man she needs for her partner in all aspects of her life.   I was thrilled to see him finding small ways to give her exactly what she asked for and needed, instead of just bulldozing over her as so many males do, but at the same time he showed her she could trust him to always be there for her.  We can easily see these two are meant to be and will make a beautiful couple and even more beautiful family when the time comes.

Just a Little Promise is a story of two people, separated by decades, but brought back together by fate and a time in their lives when they can offer one another exactly what they need. Even as Skye resists the truth, that Tripp is offering her so much more than just his “baby making” presence in her life, she is also coming to trust and believe in him, caring for him again in the way she did in her youth.  While she still has hangups from her previous relationship, we watch her slowly open herself up to Trip and give him more and more of herself to Tripp as he shows her the man he is today and how much he loves her.  Tripp is a man that knows what he lost and what he needs to do to prove that he will never again give up on them.  His willingness to do whatever it takes to prove he is there for the long haul shows his moral character and the strength of his love.  Watching these two circle and dance together as they fall back in love was beautiful and passionate, but of course I expected nothing less from these two authors as they team up for this series. I am looking forward to seeing more couples from this bachelor auction as they fall in lust and ultimately find love, because let’s be real, what could be sexier that billionaire bachelors being auctioned off for charity and then falling love with the women that win them.  What a dream come true that would be!  But until that happens for me, I will just keep enjoying reading about it happening for these ladies.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.