Review: Love in Due Time (Green Valley Library Series Book 1) by LB Dunbar

Love in Due Time by L.B. Dunbar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second Time Around

This is the first standalone book in a spin-off series. The original series, Winston Brothers, was by Penny Reid and this series is set in the same location, Green Valley, with a lot of the same characters. This first book got my attention because I enjoy reading books by LB Dunbar. I’ve read the first couple of books in the Penny Reid series but got sidetracked. I will have to go back and finish my read!

This book is about one of the librarians at the Green Valley Library, Naomi, who has worked there her entire working life. At 39 she’s quite stuck in her ways, living a quiet and unassuming life. She’s a practicing Wiccan and lives in a little cottage in the woods. She is often accused of being a witch but she tries to ignore that and let go of the hurt that causes her.

Naomi has only ever been with one man, when she was 21, Nathan. They were together one time and then he disappeared from Green Valley. Now he’s back and when they run into each other sparks of attraction light between them.

Nathan left Green Valley after an incident involving the Iron Wraiths MC, for who he was a prospect at the time. He ran and didn't come back until now because his family is here and he needs help raising his two daughters, Dahlia and Clementine. When he bumps into Naomi again he’s delighted to find the woman who he has thought about over the years and asks her for a series of dates to convince her that he’s not going to run away again.

This book has a lot of different threads running through it. The romance part is complicated by those threads, the history of the couple, the MC’s involvement, issues with bullying and problems with the library. The plot is tightly constructed and kept me reading as I wondered what was going to happen next.

Naomi is a wonderful character. She’s complicated and filled with regret and guilt, but is determined to try and connect with the world around her. She loves her job dearly and inspiring people, especially children, gives her life meaning. She has a highly evolved philosophy on life and tries to live according to her beliefs. I loved watching her evolve and change through the course of the book, whilst still holding true to herself.

Nathan is another character filled with guilt and regret. He loves his daughters, his mother and his brother and tries to do what is right. He has morals and tries to live life accordingly. He didn’t strike lucky with the mothers of his children and has been the main carer for both girls for some time, with the help of his mother. He’s more sad for his daughters’ sakes about the failure of his relationships. This journey is less of an evolution of character for him than it is for Naomi. His story is more about seeking happiness and being determined to hang on to it no matter what. He has to fight for his relationship to succeed and he has to let go of his guilt and regrets for his happiness to stick around.

I really like how the passion and emotion slowly grew between the two main characters. They didn’t just hop into bed with each other again, despite their history. They spent time together getting to know each other and the passion built gradually between them. It felt very real.

This is a wonderful story of two people with a complicated history taking hold of their second chance and being determined not to waste their opportunity. Even if you haven’t read Penny Reid’s original Winston Brothers series, you can still enjoy this book.

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Review: Highball Rush (Bootleg Springs Series Book 6) by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score

Highball Rush by Claire Kingsley & Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What An Ending!

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the 6th and final book of an ongoing series. Without the previous books, you won’t understand this one. Each book features one couple but there is an overarching storyline over the whole series.

This book is about Gibson, the last Bodine standing! All his siblings have found love but he believes that he’s not suited for relationships as he’s grumpy, antisocial and has a mean temper. He forgets that he is also loyal, determined and a talented musician. With all the recent revelations regarding Callie Kendall’s disappearance, he’s still got to turn up to gigs that were booked a while ago. One of those gigs gets recorded when he performs one of his original songs and the video goes viral, which only adds to the pressure he’s under.

This book lived up to its potential. It was great finally getting to know the real Gibson and find out why he’s always kept himself so withdrawn from everyone outside his family. So much happens in this book as we finally find out what happened to Callie Kendall 13 years ago and who knew what. When things finally come to light the people of Bootleg Springs prove their mettle and work to keep everyone safe while justice is served.

This book is filled with romance, passion and mystery. Gibson may finally find his girl but he’s also got to figure out a way to unveil all the secrets and keep everyone safe whilst he does so.

I’m sad to say goodbye to Bootleg Springs, the people are fantastic, the customs are hilarious and the town chicken, Mona Lisa McNugget, deserves her own series. Maybe one day they’ll write a series about the next generation of Bodines!

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Review: Gin Fling (Bootleg Springs Series Book 5) By Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley

Gin Fling by Lucy Score & Claire Kingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Plot Thickens

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the fifth book in a continuing series and the previous books need to be read in order to understand this one. Each book deals with one couple and there is an overarching plot that links the books together.

Jonah Bodine is the illegitimate son of Jonah Bodine Sr. When his father died he became aware of his half-siblings and decided to come to Bootleg Springs to get to know them. He’s been here 12 months and still hasn’t decided if he’s staying or not, because until the disappearance of Callie Kendall is solved and the family is no longer under a cloud of suspicion he feels he can’t make an informed choice because he can’t abandon his siblings when everything is so fraught.

Jonah has a successful business as a personal trainer and has become an important part of the town’s life with the classes and training he provides. He’s just moved out of June’s house now she’s got together with George because he doesn’t want to intrude on their new relationship. Scarlett has set him up in one of her tiny rental properties, unaware that she has decided to do a little matchmaking.

Shelby is George’s little sister. She came to Bootleg Springs after she heard about how their small community ran a group of journalists out of town. She’s studying for her PhD and she wants to understand what makes the community work so well when other places don’t. When Scarlett discovered her misunderstanding of why Shelby was in town (she thought she was a journalist) she decides to matchmake and sets her up in the same house as Jonah. They don’t get off to the best of starts but carrying out Bootleg Justice together forms a bond and they begin to consider having a summer fling because neither of them knows where they are going to end up in a few months.

There’s a lot more to Shelby than first appears and she is a really interesting character who has gone through a lot. I really like how her study into why Bootleg Springs works as a tight-knit community brings her deeper into the heart of the town. She makes friends and finds supporters who help encourage others to aid with her research. She is intelligent, single-minded and independent beyond belief, she also has a huge heart and just wants to help people.

I liked how Jonah was brought more into the family and the community through his friendship with Shelby, who helps him see that he isn’t the outsider he has always considered himself.

A lot is uncovered about Callie in this book and some very interesting facts come out. Shelby even chases down some leads, which of course places her and others in danger. This book sets up things for the finale in the last book in the series. I can’t wait to find out how it all ends. I’m not even going to peek at the blurb for the final book because I want to be truly surprised at how it all shakes out.

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Review: Moonshine Kiss (Bootleg Springs Series Book 3) by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley

Moonshine Kiss by Lucy Score & Claire Kingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Work Gets In The Way

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the third book in a continuing series. Each book deals with one couple within the same family/circle of friends, but there is an overarching plot told over the course of the series. There is no cliffhanger relating to the romantic aspect of the book, but the overarching plot is unresolved at the end of the book.

Cassidy Ann Tucker has loved Bowie Bodine since she was in kindergarten. Bowie is the older brother of her best friend Scarlett and they have always been a part of each others’ lives. When Cas was 19-years-old she thought she saw in Bowie the same feelings she had for him and she got her hopes up. Then he dashed those hopes when he told her to her face that he thought of her as a little sister. Ever since she has been looking for someone to love and be loved by in the same way her parents love each other.

Bowie has wanted Cass since she was 16-years-old and it was only the thought of being a creepy older guy that stopped him acting on those feelings. Just as he starts to cave and consider telling her how he feels, he decides that he isn’t good enough for her and tells her that he doesn’t think of her that way. By breaking Cass’ heart, he breaks his own. In the 8 years since the day he destroyed the idea of them as a couple, he’s never found anyone that can live up to Cass.

Cass is a deputy sheriff and her father is the sheriff of Bootleg Springs, a rather different undertaking to most small towns, as it has some very unusual town ordinances on the books, some of which were covered in the previous two books. As Cass is part of the investigation into the disappearance of a young girl 12 years earlier that got re-opened after her cardigan was found in Bowie’s deceased father’s house, they have to tread carefully around each other, because Cass doesn’t want to risk the job she’s wanted since she was a teenager not even for Scarlett and Bowie.

This book delves a great deal further into the disappearance, which is unsurprising given Cass’ job. There are police procedural elements to the book as well as the romance and family drama aspects. I really enjoyed the mystery part of this book as it really ramped up after the previous two books.

I also really enjoyed the conflict between Cass wanting to do her job well and wanting to support the people she cares about. It feels like she is forced to do a great deal of growing up mentally and emotionally through the course of this book. She has to deal with deep emotional conflicts that shake the foundations of who she is and who she wants to be.

Bowie is the vice principal at the local high school and he’s really made something of himself considering his very humble and unpleasant beginnings. However, he has to learn what is the most important thing to him, his desire to be a good guy and do the right thing or his love for Cass.

This book gives a much clearer picture of what life in Bootleg Springs is like. We also get a lot more information about the kind of life the Bodines had growing up as information about the case is uncovered and the relationship between the Bodines and the Tuckers is explored.

There are a lot of layers to this book and I enjoyed reading about each of them as they were peeled back. Reaching the end of this book has made me hungry for the next one as the investigation part of the storyline has been ramped up and as I’ve got to know the characters involved much more.

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Review: Sidecar Crush (Bootleg Spring Series Book 2) by Claire Kingsley & Lucy Score

Sidecar Crush by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Fame Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be

This is the second book in a continuing series. On the whole, each book can be read separately, however, there is an overarching storyline which only makes sense if the books are read in order. The overarching storyline is fairly well explained in this book if you really don’t want to read the first book, but it will make more sense if you read the books in order.

I read the first book in this series quite some time ago and I’d forgotten that I’d already bought the second book straight after reading the first one, Whiskey Chaser. I was reminded of the book after reading Lucy Score’s Benevolence Series and decided to dig it out.

Jameson Bodine comes from a family that’s had its share of rough times. Jameson was always accused by his father of being weak because of his gentle, shy and artistic nature. Jameson did not feel valued or loved by his father, but he sought refuge in his art made from found scrap metal materials. He’s making a living with his art but is on the verge of becoming sought after if only he can finish the biggest commission of his career.

Leah Mae Larkin grew up in Bootleg Springs until age 12 when her parents divorced and she was dragged to Florida by her mother. For the next four years, she came back for the Summer, which she adored, especially because she got to spend it with her best friend Jameson. When Leah Mae’s career in modelling took off, she stopped coming back to Bootleg Springs and she lost touch with Jameson. Now she’s back for a visit to see her Dad who has been sick and to introduce him to her fiancé. The fiancé doesn’t seem much impressed with Bootleg Springs and Bootleg Springs doesn’t rate him much either.

This story is about a woman who has wanted fame more than anything her whole life and worked so hard to get it that when it arrives and she finds out it isn’t what she expected doesn’t know quite what to do. It’s also a story of finding your own path and determining your own worth rather than letting other people do it for you.

I wasn’t sure how this book would unfold but I was impressed with how everything was handled. There is no cheating in this book and I wasn’t sure how Leah Mae was going to get her HEA with her waste of space fiancé involved. It was handled well and in a believable and relatable manner.

I like how the Bodine family are around each other. They are very loyal, but still have problems between themselves, they just won’t tolerate outsiders hurting their siblings. Their formative years shaped their identities in unique ways but also formed a tight bond that though weakened occasionally is never broken. They can go from fighting hard with each other and then in an instant take each other’s backs against someone else. It’s a very common sibling dynamic and it’s utilised deftly in this book.

Now I’ve been reminded of this series of books, I’m going to carry on reading them, because I love the craziness of a town which has a 4th July obstacle course race that ends up in a puddle of mud followed by a dip in the lake and a town chicken that is a bit of a mascot. There are so many other lovely comedic touches to this town that you can’t help but smile as you read the book. It makes the relationship growing pains all the more bittersweet in contrast. I can’t wait to see who’s story comes next.

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Review: Pretend You're Mine (Benevolence Series Book 1) by Lucy Score

Pretend You're Mine by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Small Town Love

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This book is written as a standalone story within a connected series. Though the book is complete in itself, there are other books in the series that surround the same group of people. There is no cliffhanger.

Harper is having a bad day. She’s left her home, which currently holds her cheating boyfriend and an 18-year-old delivery driver who are occupying her bed. She ran out the door with only her car keys and got in her car to drive to her friend’s house. Only she has no map, phone or GPS. Pulling into a bar parking lot she witnesses a man attacking a woman and without stopping to think jumps to her aid. Now battered and bruised with no purse, keys or phone and rather low on gas she discovers she drove in the wrong direction when leaving home and is now 4 hours drive away, from where she wants to be. Taking pity on her, the bartender manipulates her brother into taking her home and putting her up for the night.

Luke owns a very busy construction firm and is a Captain in the Army Reserves. In a month’s time he’ll be shipping back to Afghanistan. The last thing he wants is to look after a woman who seems incapable of looking after herself, but he is weak in the face of his sister. That Harper is a knock out doesn’t hurt either. However, he is going to be strong and keep her at arm’s length, despite lying to his parents that Harper is his girlfriend so they stop pestering him about the lack of love life he has.

This story is about two strangers thrust together by chance and who start sharing a home on a temporary basis. Luke is very closed off and private. He never shares anything with anybody, whereas Harper is determined to enjoy life no matter what. She’s also a little spontaneous, which means she sometimes forgets her coat. Harper has no family and has spent most of her adult life travelling around since leaving foster care. Luke lives in the same town he grew up in and knows everyone. He has a loud and pushy family that he loves. They are very different characters, but they are drawn together.

I liked that book wasn’t as predictable as most small town romances. It wasn’t just about Luke and Harper but also about Harper making a place for herself within the community. She never had a family before and this town made itself into one for her. For a big chunk of the book Harper is on her own and in a strange way that’s one of my favourite parts of the story, as she discovers her own worth separate from her relationship with Luke.

Both of them have secrets and when they are revealed is when things get a little shaky. I like how real their reactions feel in this book. The emotions are believable and I love how the friendships help as much as the romance does. I really liked all the characters in this ensemble cast that surrounds Harper and Luke. They are all three dimensional and well thought out. There were lots of touching moments that warmed my heart in this book and it made me want to read the next in the series, which is about a relationship between two of the supporting characters in this book.

This is an enjoyable and heartwarming book that entertained me tremendously.

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Review: The Beat of My Heart (The Westbrooks: Broken Hearts Series Book 2) by Avery Maxwell

The Beat of My Heart by Avery Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Complicated Love Story

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the second book in a continuing series revolving around a group of friends/family. The story overlaps significantly with the previous book in this series, in fact, this book starts over a year before the first book in the series and only gets into its own timeline after approximately 65% of the book. You really need to read the first book to understand this book and the story continues with different main characters in the next book.

Julia is incredibly intelligent and earned three degrees by the age of 21. She’s very well paid and a leader in her industry. She’s also socially awkward and has an inability to keep her internal monologue actually inside her own head. Her ex conned her by stealing $100k in cash and taking out another $400k in loans in her name that she has been unable to get out from under. As a result, she is very gun-shy when it comes to men, so when she goes to a conference she decides she needs to have a one night stand, as she misses sex, but doesn't want to be involved in a relationship.

Trevor lost his mother nearly 10 years ago. After her death, he found out she had been killed as a result of his father’s involvement with the Boston Mafia. He hates his father with a passion and has had nothing to do with him since the death of his mother. His father keeps turning up though and trying to get him to work for the mob. However, Trevor is incredibly talented at writing software, that has recently been sold to the military and they are using that software to uncover all the secrets of that mob by making himself and the software (that’s got tracking embedded) accessible. He does this at the same conference that Julia is attending.

Julia wants an anonymous one night stand and Trevor daren’t bring anyone into his dangerous life. They agree to spend the week together without knowing who each other is. Eventually, they both regret that decision and when they both decide to let the other in, they are stymied by Julia’s best friend Lanie being attacked and Julia is headed away from the conference with just the clothes on her back.

It was strange at first, reading this book, because so much of the first section of the book happened in the past as told from the perspective of the first book. However, most of the content of the book is very new and doesn’t feel at all repetitive. It’s actually really nice getting to know these two characters who were supporting their friends in the first book. They become much more relatable and comprehendible through the course of this book.

This story is a sad tale of mistiming and fear of taking a leap into the unknown. It’s also really funny and sweet. Julia is hilarious and her external monologues are very enlightening as well as funny. Trevor is a good man trapped in a nightmare for far too long and Julia lights up his existence as soon as they meet. He finds her enchanting and she makes him look at life differently.

This is such a good series with all the tales all woven together of the various friends and families. It makes me want to read the next book to understand all the missing information from this and the previous book about the next main characters.

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Series List: April & Family Law by Mackey Chandler

This is the listing for the April Series and the Family Law Series by Mackey Chandler. Both series are set in the same universe but have separate timelines, though some of the same characters are in both sets of books. Listed below is the reading order given on the author's website. The website isn't very current, so not all the books are listed, so I've just continued with the reading order based on the order in which they are published at the end of the list given.

Reading Order for April / Family Law Series

April - April Series Book 1
Down to Earth - April Series Book 2
The Middle of Nowhere - April Series Book 3
A Different Perspective - April Series Book 4
A Depth of Understanding - April Series Book 5

And What Goes Around - April Series Book 6
They said it would be Easy - April Series Book 7
It’s Always Something - April Series Book 8
A Sudden Departure - April Series Book 9
Been There Done That - April Series Book 10
Family Law - Family Law Series Book 1
The Long Voyage of the Little Fleet - Family Law Series Book 2

Secrets in the Stars - Family Law Series Book 3
A Hop, Skip and a Jump - Family Law Series Book 4
Friends In The Stars - Family Law Series Book 5
All In Good Time - April Series Book 11
Who Can Own The Stars - April Series Book 12
Another Word For Magic - Family Law Series Book 6

Review: Down to my Bones (Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter Series Book 1) by Bijou Hunter

Down to my Bones by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Odd One And The Outsider

This is the first book in a continuing series of standalone stories. Though this book is the first in this series, it is part of a connected group of series set in the same world. This series directly follows after the White Horse Series by the same author but is about the children of Cooper and Farah from The Damaged series.

Miranda or Rando as she likes to be called has always been labelled a bit ‘odd’. Family lore is that her uncle dropped her on her head as a baby and she’s never been right. What we learn about in this book is that Miranda is not quite as mentally deficient as people believe because that’s what she wants. Miranda has the family wrapped around her finger by behaving the way she does, plus she gets to say all the weird stuff that pops into her head whenever she feels like it without anyone questioning her ‘odd’-ness.

Quaid is nearly 10 years older than Miranda, and he’s an ex-Ranger. His family is pretty neglectful and he hasn’t heard from them in years. He got badly injured in the army and when he retired he tried working for a contractor and didn’t like it. He moved back home and ended up joining the Reapers MC in Shasta where he first saw Miranda trying to feed geese potato salad with a spoon. He was immediately smitten and followed her to Ellsberg and set up a tent in a field at Vaughn’s house (he had a book in The Damaged series too).

Their strange and delightful courtship goes well, despite her father’s general distaste for his daughters having men in their lives until someone decides that Miranda is a good target.

This is a wonderfully strange book, filled with odd conversations and internal monologues. I love Miranda. She’s what we Brits would call an ‘Eccentric’. This means they don’t care what anyone thinks about them and act accordingly. She alternates between wearing her heart on her sleeve and burying her feelings so deep no one knows what she’s thinking. This keeps everyone off balance.

Quaid is delighted by his wonderful quirky girl and jumps feet first into caring for her. He’s never felt deeply about anyone before Miranda and would do anything to keep her in his life, even living in a tent and tolerating her father’s passive-aggressive behaviour. He’s always made sure to let go of his feelings and live on the surface until he meets Miranda and gets knocked for six. He’s not stupid though and holds on tight with both hands to the person who makes his emotions sing.

I love the way these two collaborate to continue Miranda’s long con with her family. Quaid instantly speaks Miranda’s language and it’s really sweet to see. I also really enjoy their long rambling conversations. I also appreciate how Quaid is when Miranda is targeted and how he handles her panic attacks in the calmest possible way whilst plotting the painful torture and death of the perpetrator.

This is not a particularly high action or deep book. It’s sweet, funny and odd. It’s entertaining and heart warming, because everyone wants to be accepted, no matter how odd everyone thinks you are.

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Series List: The Damaged Series and Related Books by Bijou Hunter

The Damaged Series by Bijou Hunter, has a complicated reading order, which is given below and taken from the author's own website. There are other series written by the author but are not related to this one.

Damaged Series

Damaged and The Beast (Damaged Series Book 1)
Damaged and The Knight (Damaged Series Book 2)
Damaged and The Cobra (Damaged Series Book 3)
Damaged and The Outlaw (Damaged Series Book 4)
Damaged and The Dragon (Damaged Series Book 5)
Damaged and The Bulldog (Damaged Series Book 6)
Damaged and The Saint (Damaged Series Book 7)
Sunday Morning (Damaged Series Book 7.5) (This is a prequel) (not yet reviewed)
In The Wind (Damaged Series Book 8) (Takes place a decade after book 7) (not yet reviewed)

Ramsey Security

Thunderstruck (Ramsey Security Series Book 1) (book not yet reviewed)

Live Wire (Ramsey Security Series Book 2) (book not yet reviewed)

High Voltage (Ramsey Security Series Book 3) (book not yet reviewed)

 

White Horse

Junkyard Dog (White Horse Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Serrated Brotherhood MC

Bourbon Blues (Serrated Brotherhood MC Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Whiskey Blues (Serrated Brotherhood MC Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

Tequila Blues (Serrated Brotherhood MC Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

Rawkfist MC 

Black Sheep (Rawkfish MC Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Snake Charmer (Rawkfish MC Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

Train Wreck (Rawkfish MC Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

White Horse (Second Generation)

Bitch Slap (White Horse Series Book 2)

Booze O'Clock  (White Horse Series Book 3)

Brick Shithouse  (White Horse Series Book 4)

Reapers MC: Pema Chapter

Right Amount of Wrong (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Series Book 0.5) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter (Second Generation)

I'm With You (Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter (Second Generation)

Down To My Bones (Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

My Perfect Drug  (Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Conroe Chapter (Second Generation)

Don't Do Me Wrong (Reapers MC: Conroe Chapter Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Fast As You (Reapers MC: Conroe Chapter Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter (Second Generation)

My Silver Lining (Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

Never Say Never  (Reapers MC: Shasta Chapter Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

Elko Executioners MC

Bronco (Elko Executioners MC Series Book 1)

Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter (Second Generation)

Promise Me Heaven  (Reapers MC: Ellsberg Chapter Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Conroe Chapter (Second Generation)

Heart Like Mine (Reapers MC: Conroe Chapter Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

Elko Executioners MC

Titan (Elko Executioners MC Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Frost (Elko Executioners MC Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Reapers MC: Pema Chapter (Second Generation)

Gentle On My Mind (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Series Book 1) (not yet reviewed)

Moth To A Flame (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Series Book 2) (not yet reviewed)

See You Smile (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Series Book 3) (not yet reviewed)

Review: Junkyard Dog (White Horse Series Book 1) by Bijou Hunter

Junkyard Dog by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laugh Out Loud Funny

This is the first book in a series of individual books connected through the relationships of the characters. The book also makes references to characters and events in other books by this author. There is no cliffhanger. I actually wrote this review in 2019 and have subsequently posted reviews for other books in this series but must have forgotten to post this one, so here it is now!

Angus Hayes is a junkyard dog. He’s vicious, tolerates no one and is top of the heap in his small town of White Horse. No one causes him problems without regretting it. He’s also got a problem with retaining an assistant because he’s deeply unpleasant to work for.

Candy is arrogant, feisty and takes no prisoners. She has twin children with an ex-boyfriend who came from a wealthy family. Her ex was a rubbish father but Candy never loved him, just decided he’d do to provide her with the children she wanted. Her ex’s parents however are doting grandparents and have always spent time with her children. Candy has moved back to White Horse to be near her sister after she got married and had another child. She’s looking for a job when she hears about Hayes needing an assistant. She basically walks in and tells him he’s hiring her because her major life skill is dealing with a**holes. She goes on to prove herself right. She also goes on to captivate the man who doesn’t like anyone.

Despite herself Candy also finds herself falling for Hayes. In a strangely antagonistic courtship, they find themselves being drawn together despite themselves, as neither wants to fall in love and reveal their tender underbelly.

The banter between Candy and Hayes is hilarious. They are really quite insulting to each other and all it seems to do is turn each other on. They are weirdly similar in some respects. Hayes even finds himself liking her twins as they are devious and work hard at playing up the creepy twins angle.

They obviously have a few bumps in the road as they are both huge characters who don’t tolerate the mistakes of others, but on the whole their passion, banter and loyalty get them through to their HEA.

This is really enjoyable book considering how ruthless they both are, but their twisted sense of humour made me laugh a lot. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

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Review: Running on Diesel (The Whiskeys: Dark Knights At Peaceful Harbor Series Book 8) by Melissa Foster

Running on Diesel by Melissa Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Big Growly Biker and Sparky

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is book 9 in an ongoing series that revolves around the Dark Knights MC and the Whiskey family in particular. This series is linked to other series by the same author but can be read independently of them without missing anything. There is no cliffhanger, but there is a hook to get you interested in an upcoming new series.

Diesel Black is a nomad member of the Dark Knights. He was, until recently, a bounty hunter. Now he works behind the bar for the Whiskeys, as a favour, and has done for 2 years. Diesel is a loner who doesn’t even like people to touch him. He has empty sexual encounters and holds himself back from everyone. However, he is protective and loyal.

Tracey is a waitress at the bar where Diesel works and his boss and friend Red asked him to keep an eye on Tracey when she started working there 2 years ago. She had just escaped an abusive relationship and felt she had nowhere else to turn so ended up at the shelter. The Whiskeys have taken her under their wing and she has begun to thrive again. She’s so much stronger mentally and physically from all the martial arts training and having the loving support of her new friends.

Tracey and Diesel are very attracted to each other but are unaware how the other feels. Then one day Diesel cracks his restraint and all bets are off.

I love these books. The rough talking, hard loving Dark Knights are a lot of fun to read about. They are all about the community and family and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in the name of protecting the things that they love. Diesel may be less gregarious than his fellow MC brothers but he has the strong protective thing down pat.

This book starts out as something that looks quite predictable; damaged growly biker falls for cute vivacious girl and they all live happily ever after. It doesn’t stay that way though as there are lots of layers to this book. There are the parts which are about the dangers that women face and how they can protect themselves, there are parts about family and friendship, parts about navigating a relationship and trying to do the right thing to make it work and there are parts about working out what will make you happy. There is an awful lot about family in this book, which is no different from the other Whiskey books, in particular the love of mothers who are no longer around. There are some pretty poignant moments as well as the sexy romantic times we expect from these books.

I very much enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read about Redemption Ranch, now we’ve been introduced to the people there.

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Review: Tavin (Conner Brothers Construction Series Book 6) by Cee Bowerman

Tavin: Conner Brothers Construction, Book 6 by Cee Bowerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fixing A Long Distance Relationship

This is the 6th book in the Conner Brother’s Construction series, but it leans heavily on the storyline from Luke (Texas Kings MC Series Book 15). Without reading at least Luke’s book this story won’t make much sense. The majority of the characters in this book had their stories in the previous books of the CBC series so reading this series will help understand the characters and history of everyone. There is no cliffhanger.

I’m so glad I read this book quick quickly after reading Luke’s book because I was a mess after reading about the fiasco in the family. Reading about the family trying to mend fences wasn’t fun, but was necessary.

Tavin and London have been a couple for around a year, but recently things have become more and more strained between them. This is because London is constantly on the road touring or making appearances in her career as a successful country music singer. Initially, Tavin took some time off to travel with her but felt that he had to come back to pull his weight in the family firm, especially as his siblings were settling down and having kids.

Both Tavin and London want to get married and have a family but they just seem to be drifting further apart. When London takes a phone call in the middle of an important conversation about their future, Tavin reaches his limit. This crisis is the straw that broke the camel’s back for their relationship and they have to decide what their priorities are for their own happiness.

This book is full of emotions from trying to mend bridges between siblings, brothers fighting in the backyard, worry of stalkers and being chased by paparazzi. A lot happens in this slightly shorter than normal book, but you don’t feel like you’ve been short-changed.

I love the Conner Brothers. They are sweet and funny and adore their family. They have faced tragedy in their past and have learnt how to forge on to regain their happiness. It’s nice to read about them fixing the mess from Luke’s book and also getting Tavin and London their HEA. As always, they deal with adversity with sarcasm, banter and teasing with a side of casual violence towards one another. There’s only Chess left now to get his HEA, I hope that the author has the next generation books in mind, because I want to read about the fabulous children that they have all had!

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Review: Watching Trin (On Call Series Book 7, Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) by Freya Barker

Watching Trin by Freya Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Single Mum and The Firefighter

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is part of a continuing series with characters that appear across all the books, however, the book can be read as a standalone and the experience won’t be lessened. There is no cliffhanger.

Katrina, aka Trin, has just moved back to Durango after more than 20 years away from home. She went away to college and became a journalist and travelled all around the world with work, until she settled in Houston after having a baby. Her baby is now nearly 15-years-old and beginning to enter his snarly teen years. The main reason she’s returned home is to help her sister look after her father who is suffering from dementia.

Bohdi, aka Roadkill, is a firefighter and his new colleague is Vic, Trin’s sister. He loves his job and his family. He has good friends and is pretty content with life. When he meets Trin, he is struck by her in a way he wasn’t expecting and finds himself really drawn to her. Though Trin’s life is currently a train wreck when Bohdi asks her out eventually she accepts because he slips his way into her life being helpful and supportive with a side order of flirting thrown in.

When Trin’s son gets into trouble and Bohdi saves his life their relationship steps up a gear. As Trin gets onto the path of a story about a cold case Bohdi offers her help when he can, support when he can’t and a strong body to cuddle up to.

This is such an enjoyable story, with engaging characters. I really like Bohdi’s relationship with his family and how his family wrapped up Trin’s family so quickly and warmly into their warm embrace. Bohdi’s relationship with Trin’s son was also endearing.

One of the things I really like about this author is her characters feel real. They have all the excitement of a new relationship, the passion and the heady emotions of finding someone you care about, but she also shows what happens when two mature people who are set in their ways try to merge their lives and fireworks happen. It’s not all plain sailing, but they work out their differences like the adults they are.

On top of all this good relationship stuff and believable characters, the plot is interesting and gets the brain working as you try to solve the whodunnit. There is suspense and danger alongside research and determination.

I devoured this book in one sitting and I’m sad I didn’t eke it out a bit more. Now I’ll just have to wait for the next one in this very enjoyable series.

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Review: Damaged and the Saint (Damaged Series Book 7) by Bijou Hunter

Damaged and the Saint by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two Damaged Souls

This is part of a continuing series revolving around the family and friends of an MC. All the characters are intertwined through the series and their shared history is important to the storyline. Therefore, though you can read this book as a standalone, you will only get maximum enjoyment if you read the other books in the series first. There is no cliffhanger.

TRIGGER WARNING: If you are sensitive about books containing references to abuse and assault, you may want to avoid this book, and to be honest the entire series, if you haven’t read it yet. There are reasons for the ‘Damaged’ part of the book’s title.

Harlow is very damaged. Her life before being adopted by her new parents as a teenager was very hard, with a drug-addicted mother and an abusive stepfather who got her hooked on drugs to make her compliant, she still tried to look after her mother and siblings and be strong despite her own problems. After the death of her family, she still tried to be strong even whilst trying to heal. She is so sure she will never want to be involved with a man and she is still filled with rage about her past. She fights at the local underground fight club to earn money and to vent some of her rage. She invests her winnings in martial arts training to help her get stronger. When she runs into a stranger in the woods her first instinct is to attack. When the man easily defeats her she runs scared.

Saint is an assassin. He’s in town to help assess the new president of the MC, Cooper, along with other leadership potentials for the national president. He’s not part of the MC but a contractor for unusual and quiet jobs. When he’s attacked by a young woman in the woods he finds himself intrigued and decides to help train her to be stronger, both physically and mentally. Whilst he’s just looking for a diversion, something in him recognises a fellow damaged person and he finds himself reaching for the idea of having a ‘normal’ life with Harlow.

There isn’t much plot in this book beyond these two people trying to work their way through the minefields of their past to find happiness in the present. It’s a complex emotional journey but there’s not much action beyond paintballing. It’s an engaging story that draws you in.

I’ve really enjoyed this whole series with it’s quirky characters in their small Tennessee town. There is humour and kindness wrapped around the violence and pain. The friendship and love of family overrides the damage done to the characters in their troubled pasts. The books are not sweet but they are warming to the heart. I will continue to read this author because she has wormed her way into my favourite MCs list.

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Review: Working Out West (Polished P & P Series Book 3) by Lila Rose

Working Out West by Lila Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dating A Client

This book is a standalone story, however, the characters and their history is woven together through the previous two books in the series. This means you will get maximum enjoyment from this book if you read the previous books in the series first.

West is gay but not out with his family who are very conservative Christians that are prejudiced against homosexuals. West took the opportunity to move away from home when he got an academic scholarship at a university in a different city. In order to make ends meet he joins Polished P & P as an escort. His first client is Adrik a Russian businessman and he is smitten straight away.

Adrik’s father is actually the boss of the Russian mafia in his home town. Adrik didn’t want any part of it when he was old enough and moved to the US and changed his name, bought up some companies and went straight. He was unable to come out as gay back in Russia as it is despised generally and very specifically in the mafia. He decides to use Polished P & P for male company because it’s easier than explaining he doesn’t want a relationship. However, when he first meets West he is also smitten.

Obviously meeting as escort and client it is difficult to start a relationship and there are many rocky moments on the journey to the HEA. In fact, West has some very difficult times ahead of him and there are some quite dark moments in this book.

The found family that West has surrounded himself with is strong and supportive through his bad times and Adrik gets the opportunity to step up and care for West when he needs it the most. West is sweet and sensitive and very bright. Adrik is gruff and passionate about everything he is involved with and would do anything for the people he cares about. These two men are strangely perfect for each other and their love story is wonderful to read about, alongside the support of their friends.

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Review: Damaged and the Bulldog (Damaged Series Book 6) by Bijou Hunter

Damaged and the Bulldog by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Facing Her Fears.

This is part of a continuing series revolving around an MC. You will definitely enjoy this book much more if you have read the previous books, as there is a large group of friends who all have shared history. There is no cliffhanger.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book covers subjects such as child abuse and sexual assault in the past and current mental health issues. If any of those subject matters cause you emotional difficulties it might be advisable to avoid this book. If you have read the rest of the series, the way these matters are handled in this book are similar to how they are handled in the rest of the series.

We met Winnie in previous books. She was rescued by the MC from a truly horrible situation with a rival MC who had kept her in a locker chest unless they wanted something from her, which was usually something that would brutalise her more. She’d been there since she was young. She has been badly damaged by her past and has anxiety and panic attacks, for which she takes medication, and has undergone significant amounts of therapy. She often retreats into herself to hide from her pain. She is incredibly shy and it’s only recently that she’s started talking to people other than her adoptive family. As well as being damaged she is sweet and supportive to her friends and family, is organised, hard-working and loyal.

Dylan was introduced in Lark’s book. He is Lark's step-brother but he had a crush on her and borderline stalked her, on his father’s orders. He did as his overbearing and controlling father told him to in an attempt to gain his approval, but he never did. He finally stopped being controlled when he saw the harm that his family was doing to Lark. Since then he has broken free of his family and has focused on his business and become part of the crew of friends that Lark is now part of.

Dylan and Winnie are very attracted to each other but Dylan doesn’t feel good enough for Winnie and vice versa. Eventually, Harlow, Winnie’s sister takes pity on them both and sets them up for a date, which she has to go on because of Winnie’s inability to speak to Dylan.

This is such a strange courtship but it makes sense in the context of the characters. Winnie is very damaged and needs her family to keep her safe but she still longs for Dylan. Dylan isn’t as undamaged as Winnie thinks and as they get to know each other more they see the truth of who each other is.

I’ve always been fond of Winnie’s character as she is so kind and sweet. She works so hard to overcome the obstacles that life has thrown in her path and keeps getting up in the morning and facing her fears. Dylan started out as a character I didn’t much like but has slowly redeemed himself throughout the series, to the point when I was glad to see him get his girl. The HEA is heartwarming for two people who care about each other so much, and have had to overcome a lot.

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Review: The Wicked Aftermath (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside Series Book 2) by Melissa Foster

The Wicked Aftermath by Melissa Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emotional Rollercoaster

This is part of a series of connected books about one family and the MC they are part of. The book stands alone and there is no cliffhanger.

Tank Wicked is a tattoo artist, as big as his namesake and determined to rescue everyone that needs saving, which includes working as a volunteer firefighter a few times a month. He’s self contained and a man of little words and fewer smiles. He’s never recovered from losing his little sister and it’s kept him from ever really connecting with women. He adores his family and brothers in the MC, but he’s never met a woman who can break down his walls.

Leah has been working as a waitress at the Wicked family bar/restaurant for a few months and she’s enjoying the job, and the tips even more. She’s very private and self-contained. She lives with her younger brother, who she has raised since when she was 18, and his two daughters that she adopted as he was still a teenager when his girlfriend had them. They’ve only been in the area for a few months after moving from the South in a need to have a change.

When tragedy strikes Tank is there for Leah and her little family, along with the rest of the Wickeds and the Dark Knights MC. When Leah started working for the Wickeds she came under their protection and she gets to see what that means the instant she needs them.

In the first 40% of this book, I think I outright bawled my eyes out at least three times. I was so sad for Leah and her family but I was also really moved by the lovely things Tank and his family did for her. It made me wish there were people like that around everyone.

As the book moved on the tears came less and the laughter and love grew more and more. This little instant family warmed my heart so much and the descriptions of the girls were just so funny and sweet I melted a bit.

These characters are wonderful. Tank is this big old teddy bear and Leah is a sweet and generous woman who’ll do anything for her family. There are a few little bumps on the road to the HEA but on the whole, the latter part of the book is filled with a successful romance. All the tears come in the front of the book and by the end, I was smiling like a fool.

I do love these Wicked books. This family is so strong and give so much to those around them you can’t help but love them even knowing they don’t exist.

This is a book to read if you need to have a bit of a cry followed by something to make you smile, because it’s all in this one book.

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Review: Maelstrom (World Fallen Series Book 2) by Susanna Strom

Maelstrom by Susanna Strom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Evil That Men Do

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the second book in a continuing series of connected books. This book follows on directly from the first in the series and should be considered part of a duet within the series as a whole. There are no cliffhangers at the end of this book, though there is a hook for the next book in the series.

Now everyone is back together again, the group is leaving Portland and heading to Valhalla where Bear, the man who gave Kyle a lift, lives with his family. Portland is a smoking ruin and Valhalla seems like a good place to go. Their journey is not easy and they encounter some very unpleasant people on the way. The counter to that is they also meet some very good people too.

There is a lot of peril involved in their journey, not only from the people they come across but also the wildlife and scenery. One thing that is certain about their journey is that it only succeeds in drawing the group tighter together, especially MacKenzie and Ripper, whose relationship goes from strength to strength.

The plot of this book is excellent, with intriguing characters and desperate situations. The danger makes the emotions heightened and the romance and passions more charged. There are also some very sweet moments, not only between MacKenzie and Ripper but between Ripper and Kyle as they learn to become allies.

In this book, we see the depravity of evil men who are allowed to operate unchecked by the law as society breaks down. We also see how good people can step up to prevent it.

This book rounds off the story of MacKenzie and Ripper really nicely meaning the next book, which deals with Kyle is set up to take the story into a new segment. I’m looking forward to reading how Kyle does with the new experiences and different outlook on the world.

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Review: Damaged and the Dragon (Damaged Series Book 5) by Bijou Hunter

Damaged and the Dragon by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bailey Finally Gets Her Man

This is the fifth of a series of connected books. You need to read the previous books to understand the history and personality of the characters, but you can probably understand the story without them. There is no cliffhanger.

Bailey is the club princess. She is spoilt, demanding, insecure and has a temper. She’s also loyal and loving. She’s always struggled to find her place in her family and is insanely jealous of the crew that have found their partners whilst she still waits for love. She has a history of men using her for sex and then dumping her immediately which makes her clingy and perpetuates the cycle. Since meeting Farah and Tawny she’s been trying to be less volatile and catty. She’s liked Nick for months but never done anything about it.

We met Nick in the first book of the series and he’s popped up a few times in passing in the following books. Cooper, Bailey’s brother beat him up in the first book because he thought that he liked Farah. He put him in hospital but apologised and paid for the rest of the school year for him. After that Nick decided to earn some money in Tucker’s ‘Thunderdome’ fight club. He can take a beating and keep going long after everyone else is done. He’s been longing for Bailey ever since he met her but never had the courage to do anything about it.

Eventually, Bailey gets sick of waiting for Nick to make a move and she makes one. In this book, we see Nick for who he really is. He’s not just a nice guy who likes to help people and be a teacher, he’s also incredibly damaged by a terrible childhood. It makes him pull away from people and put up walls. Bailey hates when people pull away from her but she’s nothing if not determined.

I like how we see the real Bailey and the real Nick in this book and how they work through their problems. There is plenty of well meaning advice thrown around but eventually, there is only the two of them working things out. It’s really nice watching them both grow through working together and helping each other through the things they find difficult. They don’t let their issues get the better of them despite their instincts.

This book, like all the others, has an ensemble cast. It’s nice seeing other characters from previous books and seeing how their lives with their loved ones work out and how their experiences let them help others. Bailey watching how her friends’ issues made things difficult for them in their relationships helps Bailey see why Nick reacts the way he does to things and helps her be patient. Before meeting these friends, she probably wouldn’t have handled his issues at all.

Criminals or not, I really like the Johansson clan. I also like that Nick doesn’t want to be a part of the family business and no one tries to talk him out of it. It's nice that Bailey doesn’t want to be part of the criminal stuff either but she still finds a way to help her family. The family is warm, loving and loyal but to outsiders that hurt their people they are ruthless and they respect Nick because he’s a bit the same, but maybe not quite as extreme. I’m so pleased there are still plenty of books to read by this author. It’s always nice when you discover an author with a huge back catalogue!

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