Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Standalone Publisher: Harlequin Hero: Luciano Vitale Heroine: Jemima Barber Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: April 01, 2016 Started On: September 08, 2024 Finished On: September 11, 2024
He knew he wasn’t fully in control and it made him feel outrageously free of his rigid rules to do as he liked. She would be his for as long as he wanted her and that was all that currently mattered to him.
The Sicilian’s Stolen Son by Lynne Graham delivers all the passion, tension, and emotional depth you would expect from one of her signature Mediterranean romances. Jemima Barber’s life is turned upside down when Luciano Vitale storms in to her life to reclaim his young son, the child carried by Jemima’s late twin sister as part of a surrogacy arrangement gone terribly wrong. In a bid to protect her nephew, Jemima allows Luciano to believe she is her sister, a deception that immediately puts her in the crosshairs of a man known for his ruthless control and scorching intensity.
Luciano is every inch the classic alpha hero; smouldering, sexy, and devastatingly commanding. A widower still haunted by his past, his marriage to a beautiful but faithless woman has left him jaded and mistrustful. Yet, even when he believes Jemima to be the unscrupulous woman who withheld his child, his attraction to her is undeniable. Beneath the arrogance and edge lies a man who is fiercely protective of his son and, as the story unfolds, surprisingly vulnerable when it comes to love.
Jemima was an absolute delight as a heroine. At twenty-four, she is curvy, down-to-earth, and refreshingly warm, a stark contrast to the sophisticated, manipulative sister whose identity she is temporarily forced to assume. Her genuine care for her nephew and her quiet strength make her deeply relatable, and her helpless attraction to Luciano only complicates the precarious situation she is in. Watching her navigate the minefield of his mistrust while trying to hold her own in their increasingly combustible relationship is a large part of the book’s appeal.
The dynamic between them is electric from the start, fueled by a combustible mix of mistrust, desire, and emotional wounds. The turning point, when Luciano discovers the truth about Jemima’s innocence, does not dim the intensity, but rather shifts it into a marriage of convenience that brims with sexual tension and emotional push and pull. Their journey to trust and love is laced with tender moments, sharp exchanges, and just enough vulnerability from Luciano to make his eventual surrender to his feelings truly satisfying.
What I loved most was how Graham managed to make Luciano’s moments of openness enhance rather than weaken his potent, alpha nature. He remains smouldering and authoritative, but with flashes of raw honesty that deepen the romance. The epilogue is especially rewarding, offering a warm, joyful glimpse of their life together that ties the story together beautifully.
Recommended for: fans of marriage of convenience romances, tortured widower heroes, and curvy, relatable heroines who can hold their own against a powerful alpha male.
Final Verdict: Smouldering, heartfelt, and irresistibly romantic, The Sicilian’s Stolen Son delivers in every way you would expect a Graham novel to.
Favorite Quotes
‘If we’d had more time together, things would have turned out very differently,’ Jemima declared with a bitterness that she struggled to hide. ‘She ripped off your parents, stole your identity and your boyfriend and landed you with a baby,’ Ellie reminded her drily. ‘What could she have done as an encore? Murdered you all in your beds?’
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Historical Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Wallflowers, #3 Publisher: HarperCollins Hero: Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent Heroine: Evangeline Jenner Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: February 28, 2006 Started On: August 22, 2024 Finished On: September 01, 2024
“Rest, my love. I’m watching over you.”
Lisa Kleypas’s The Devil in Winter is one of those romances that lives up to its reputation. Part of the much-beloved Wallflowers series, this book pairs the most unlikely of couples: Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, the notorious rake of London society and Evangeline Jenner, the shy, stammering wallflower who finds her voice when it matters most. What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into a deeply emotional journey of trust, desire, and unexpected love.
Sebastian is, at first glance, everything a heroine should avoid; beautiful, charming, dangerously rakish, and almost entirely amoral. He has no illusions about himself, fully embracing his reputation as a seducer and opportunist. Yet beneath that polished veneer is a man weighed down by loss, loneliness, and a desperate need for survival.
Evie, on the other hand, seems meek; timid in society, often overlooked, and emotionally bruised by years of abuse from her family. But she possesses a quiet steel, one that allows her to bargain with the devil himself in order to save her own life and protect her dying father. Together, they make an unexpectedly perfect match: her courage challenges his cynicism, while his charm and intensity bring her out of her shell.
Evie insists on terms of her own when they bargain, most notably, a bold wager of celibacy that forces Sebastian to confront both his appetites and his capacity for commitment. It is here that Kleypas shines; rather than relying solely on Sebastian’s seductive prowess, she gives us a heroine who demands respect, setting boundaries in a way that feels both daring and empowering. The tension between them is electric, their arguments sharp, and their intimacy slow-burning yet deeply passionate.
What I loved most is how Kleypas peels back Sebastian’s layers. He begins as a man who sees women as diversions, yet with Evie, every touch, every exchange, becomes something transformative. Evie, in turn, grows from the overlooked wallflower into a heroine who takes control of her life, her marriage, and her heart. Their dynamic is tender, witty, and full of the kind of emotional vulnerability that makes the story unique.
On one aspect, I can see why Devil in Winter is a novel that many romance readers talk about, Sebastian being a hero that most tend to fall in love with and gush over. While a lot of readers classify him as a villainous hero, for me he was not so much that. I have come across villainous heroes and Sebastian is a tame pussy in comparison. He was of course, a forceful hero in his own way, a man used to leisure and wasting his life, when dire straits forces him to marry for money and in turn finds himself saddled with a wife who demands more than his half-hearted attempt at life.
The Devil in Winter is also often shelved under “reformed rake” romance, and it delivers that trope with intensity and heart. Sebastian’s journey from notorious libertine to devoted husband feels believable because Kleypas does not erase his flaws. She simply shows how love and trust reshape him. Evie’s strength and determination makes her one of Kleypas’s most memorable heroines, a woman who demands not just passion, but respect and equal partnership with the man who owns her heart.
Recommended for: fans of reformed rakes, strong heroines with hidden depths, and historical romances that balance sensuality with genuine emotional growth.
Final Verdict: In Sebastian and Evie’s story, Kleypas delivers a seductive and beautifully crafted tale of a notorious rake transformed into a devoted husband—a romance that both stirs the senses and warms the heart.
Favorite Quotes
“Have you ever considered going into a profession?” He gave her a blank look. “What for?” “To earn money.” “Lord, no, child. Work would be an inconvenient distraction from my personal life. And I’m seldom disposed to rise before noon.” “My father is not going to like you.” “If my ambition in life were to earn other peoples’ liking, I would be most distressed to hear that. Fortunately it’s not.”
“I like the conventions,” she said after a moment. “There is nothing wrong with being an ordinary person, is there?” “No. But you’re not ordinary—or you never would have come to me instead of marrying cousin Eustace.” “I was desperate.” “That wasn’t the entire reason.” His low voice sounded like a purr. “You also had a taste for the devil.”
“It’s impossible,” he snapped. “Why?” “Because I’m Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can’t be celibate. Everyone knows that.”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Dual Series: Unperfect, #1 Publisher: Sett Publishing Hero: Max Hardcastle Heroine: Amelia Banks Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: October 05, 2021 Started On: August 06, 2024 Finished On: August 10, 2024
I loved that this big, abrasive, gruff man cared about me so much that he tried to contain all that fierceness so as not to scare me or push me too far. But at the same time I hated that he felt he had to do that. That he thought I was so fragile. I wanted unedited, disinhibited Max. The rough, unapologetic Max.
Unperfect by Susie Tate is a deeply emotional, gritty, yet heartwarming contemporary romance that takes readers into the shadows of domestic violence and the difficult path towards healing and trust. It begins with Amelia Banks who hides under the alias “Mia Lantum” and arrives for a job interview at an architecture firm with nothing but a jar of peanut butter and a desperate determination to survive.
Having escaped an abusive marriage, Mia is wary of men, particularly the kind who embody strength and authority. Unfortunately for her, the firm’s owner is Max Hardcastle, the grumpy, brusque architect made famous for his bluntness on TV. To Mia, Max’s sheer size and intimidating presence are terrifying, but she has no choice but to take the job if she wants a chance at rebuilding her life.
Max is the kind of hero who sneaks up on you. Rough-edged and intimidating to most, he is also a man scarred by his past and burdened with responsibilities, including his troubled stepson. Though he initially regards Mia as a nuisance, he slowly begins to notice the fragility beneath her guarded exterior.
Mia, on the other hand, is a survivor who has endured unimaginable cruelty, and her wariness of intimacy makes her flinch at even the gentlest of touches. Watching these two navigate a relationship is as much about tenderness as it is about fire. Max may look like a grizzly bear, but he is exactly the kind of quiet strength Mia needs; a man whose protectiveness is matched only by his patience.
Mia’s past does not stay neatly behind her, and the added complication of her abusive husband being professionally linked to Max brings another layer of angst to their already fragile relationship. It is a conflict that heightens the stakes and underscores just how much Mia has to lose, while also giving Max a chance to prove his worth as more than just a protector.
What I loved most was Susie Tate’s ability to juggle heavy subject matter with humor and heart. She does not sugarcoat the devastation of domestic abuse, yet she writes characters so vividly that they leap off the pages. Max’s grumpy-sweet nature, Mia’s resilience, the banter with side characters like Yaz and Verity, and even the hilariously unexpected cameo from the Prime Minister and his wife; all of it added richness to a story that could have otherwise been unbearably heavy. The romance itself is beautifully balanced: tender, slow-burning, and ultimately very satisfying.
For me, this has been the best book I have read thus far in my Susie Tate binge following my discovery of her books. The sheer realism of the take on domestic abuse and Mia’s journey made this book worth every palpitation I suffered during the most difficult places. Max, in turn, was her perfect counterpart, steady and kind, just what the doctor ordered.
Recommended for: Readers who love romances with heavier themes, strong heroines who grow into their strength, and gruff heroes with a marshmallow core.
Final Verdict: Raw, heartfelt, and utterly unputdownable—Unperfect is Susie Tate at her best.
Favorite Quotes
“You’re right pretty, mind,” he whispered, then blinked as if he hadn’t meant to speak out loud. He cleared his throat, two flags of colour appearing high on his cheekbones. I was frozen in place, staring up at his beautiful face. The air around us crackled with that tension and energy from before. I was both equal parts terrified and exhilarated. His hand reached up to brush a lock of my hair behind my ear with a feather-light touch. A trail of fire was left in its wake as though he’d left a mark there.
“That’s your big secret, isn’t it?” she said. “What’s that?” “You – you’re kind. You’re a good man. You would never hurt me.” “No, love,” I said softly, searching her face and pushing her fringe back from her forehead. “Not ever.” “I really, really like you,” she said, giving me so much direct eye contact it was like a punch to the gut. “I like you too, Mia,” I told her, my voice rougher than normal and my chest feeling tight. “’s not real,” she whispered, as her eyelids fluttered closed. “What?’ “’s not for me,” she said, her voice so faint it was a struggle to hear it. Her body went completely lax then and her eyes drifted shut.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Broken Heart, #3 Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Hero: Sam Heroine: Katie Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: October 11, 2015 Started On: August 03, 2024 Finished On: August 06, 2024
Beyond Repair by Susie Tate is an emotional, gritty, yet heartwarming romance that brings together two complete opposites in a story that is as intense as it is endearing. Katie is the bubbly, scattered, endlessly kind-hearted doctor whose warmth draws everyone in. She is the sort of heroine who lights up every room, who always has time for her patients and friends, even if she is running late, clumsy, or rambling her way into awkwardness. On the surface, she is sunshine personified, but underneath, Katie is dealing with shadows from her past, including a stalker who refuses to let her go.
Sam, by contrast, is the surly, brooding ex-Special Forces operative, scarred inside and out, whose intimidating presence and clipped words have convinced Katie for years that he cannot stand her. He is a man who has lived in silence and control for so long that numbness feels like safety. For six years he has kept his distance from Katie, hiding behind a mask of indifference, but when he learns about the stalker who has been tormenting her with notes and threats, everything changes. Protecting her becomes non-negotiable, and suddenly Sam, who has spent years avoiding her, is forced into her life in the most intense way possible.
What unfolds is a romance as much about healing as it is about attraction. Katie’s chatter, warmth, and relentless optimism drives Sam mad, but they also chip away at the walls he has built around his heart. Their push-and-pull dynamic; her sunshine against his storm, creates sparks that leaps off the pages. Yet, Sam’s past, riddled with trauma and secrets he is unwilling to share keeps him lashing out, withdrawing, and nearly destroying the fragile bond they build. Watching Katie try to stand firm, even as his moods swing hot and cold, was both frustrating and deeply moving.
This book has a darker edge than Susie Tate’s earlier stories, thanks to the stalker subplot and the raw way it handles Sam’s PTSD. At times Sam’s behavior, particularly the cruel things he says when he is afraid, made me want to shake him. His inability to believe he deserved love dragged out their journey, but when he finally gave in, the redemption was powerful. What balanced all that angst was Katie herself, who is one of the most lovable heroines I have read: scattered, affectionate, sometimes naive, but unfailingly brave. The humor sprinkled throughout due to a wonderful secondary cast helped soften the darker parts.
I especially loved how the stalker story line forced Sam to face feelings he’d denied for years. It was not just about protecting Katie’s safety, it was about protecting her light, and in doing so, he had to confront the darkness in himself. The epilogue, with its glimpse of their chaotic, love-filled future, was a gorgeous conclusion after all the pain, making their journey feel truly earned.
Recommended for: readers who enjoy opposites-attract romances, scarred ex-military heroes, and heroines who are sunshine and love.
Final Verdict: Darker and more intense than Susie Tate’s earlier works, Beyond Repair delivers a heartfelt, angsty romance with a beautifully delivered ending.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Broken Heart, #2 Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Hero: Dylan Griffiths Heroine: Lou Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: November 24, 2014 Started On: August 01, 2024 Finished On: August 03, 2024
Sticks and Stones by Susie Tate is a friends-to-lovers medical romance that packs in angst, humor, and a whole lot of emotional intensity. The story follows Lou, the vivacious and outspoken heroine who has been in love with Dylan Griffiths since medical school.
From the very first time she laid eyes on Dylan across a cadaver table, Lou was a goner. The problem? Dylan only ever seemed to have eyes for her best friend Frankie, dismissing Lou as too brash, too high maintenance, and not his type. For over a decade Lou hides her feelings, masking her pain behind banter and smiles, while Dylan obliviously continues on his man-whoring ways, regarding her as nothing more than a friend.
Lou is a heroine who immediately stands out. She is bold, extroverted, the life of any gathering, and yet beneath the surface she carries deep scars from an abusive childhood. That trauma shapes so much of her character, making her both fiercely independent and deeply vulnerable. I loved how she was never afraid to speak her mind to fight for her patients, or to throw down when the moment called for it. At the same time, her hidden insecurities and her unrequited love for Dylan gave her a poignancy that made me ache for her.
Dylan, on the other hand, is the quintessential self-entitled prick at the start; gorgeous, arrogant, a womanizer through and through, with more charm than discipline. As a surgeon he lives for his power tools, and he resents the stint he is forced to do in Elderly Care where Lou also works.
For years he convinces himself that Lou is not for him, clinging instead to the fantasy of Frankie. But the more time he spends with Lou, the harder it becomes to ignore the pull he feels toward her. Watching him slowly realize the depth of his feelings, even as he repeatedly hurts Lou with careless words and actions, was equal parts maddening and compelling.
Their relationship is an absolute rollercoaster of unrequited love, betrayal, misunderstandings, and simmering attraction. Lou’s decade-long pining and Dylan’s blindness to her worth made for a tension-filled dynamic that had me alternately wanting to shake him and hug her. The turning point in their story, where Dylan’s words cut Lou to the bone and she finally walks away, was gutting but so necessary. What followed; his groveling, his jealousy, his slow fight to win her back, gave the story its raw edge. Add to that the interference of toxic colleagues, family trauma, and an unexpected danger that puts Lou in real jeopardy, and you have a romance that keeps you glued to the pages.
What I loved most was Susie Tate’s ability to balance humor and heartbreak. Lou’s outrageous banter and the camaraderie of the group of friends, all of it added warmth and lightness to an otherwise heavy story. The plotting was brilliantly done, weaving past and present seamlessly, and the characterization was top-notch.
My only gripe is that this was very much once again a closed-door romance. After so much buildup and sexual tension, it felt like a missed opportunity not to see more of Lou and Dylan on the page once they finally came together. And while I adored Lou, I sometimes found myself frustrated at how quickly she forgave Dylan despite the depth of his cruelty. But perhaps years of pining would do that to any of us.
Recommended for: readers who enjoy angsty, friends-to-lovers romances, medical settings with plenty of humor and drama, and strong heroines who overcome childhood trauma.
Final Verdict: A smart, emotional, and fiery romance with brilliant characterization. Despite its closed-door intimacy, Sticks and Stones delivers on angst, banter, and heart.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Dual Series: Daydreamer, #1 Publisher: Sett Publishing Hero: Felix Moretti Heroine: Lucy Prudence Mayweather Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: June 27, 2024 Started On: July 21, 2024 Finished On: July 26, 2024
Plunging into my first Susie Tate book turned out to be the best thing ever! Susie Tate’s Daydreamer is the kind of book that takes on a familiar trope, childhood friends turned into boss-subordinate relationship, and breathes into it a heartfelt, addictive energy.
From the very first page, the story pulled me into Lucy Mayweather’s messy, colourful world as she tries to navigate the cut-throat environment of Felix Moretti’s high-powered London office. What starts off as a desperate attempt by Lucy to find her footing outside her small village life, while hopelessly nursing a crush she has carried for years, unfolds into a romance that is both intense and painfully emotional.
Lucy is a heroine I could not help but bring out my pompoms for. She is the bookworm in all of us; whimsical, shy, forever daydreaming, and clearly out of place in Felix’s ruthless corporate jungle. She wears her battered jumpers and carries pens in her hair, and yet beneath all that awkwardness is a creative, brilliant author with stories that have the power to captivate. Her struggles with loneliness and vulnerability make her deeply relatable, but what stood out for me most was her quiet form of strength, how she still carries that spark despite the constant dismissals and the cruelty she faces from those around her.
Felix, by contrast, is all sharp edges and control. At thirty-three, he is a successful, commitment-phobic billionaire with a reputation as a playboy. He is emotionally scarred by his father’s cruelty, and that pain drives much of his cynicism and obsession with success. To Lucy, though, he is also the boy who once listened to her stories, the one who never made her feel odd for dreaming.
Watching him battle with his possessiveness, his jealousy, and ultimately his own vulnerability, made him both infuriating and enticing on so many levels. There were times I wanted to shake him for being so blind and emotionally stunted, but that only made his groveling later all the more satisfying.
The central conflict between them hits hard; Felix’s inability to trust, his constant prioritization of work and control, and Lucy’s hidden truths. There were moments where I questioned what Felix even wanted from her, moments where his actions nearly broke her beyond repair. But what followed was a redemption arc packed with raw emotion, grand gestures, and groveling that truly delivered. The tension between them, from their first kiss to their explosive confrontations, kept me on edge, and the eventual conclusion was absolutely worth it.
What I loved most about the story was how much it felt like an extended, modern Lynne Graham novel; rich with angst, a ruthless hero, and a heroine who transforms from a pushover into a stronger version of herself. The writing had me smiling at Lucy’s quirks one moment, clutching my chest at Felix’s harshness the next, and then sighing happily at the tenderness buried beneath all that ruthlessness. The epilogue, with its warm glimpse into their happily-ever-after, tied it all together in the most heart-melting way.
Recommended for: readers who love brother’s best friend romances, ruthless billionaire heroes, groveling done to a fine art, and quirky heroines who surprise you with their strength.
Final Verdict: A wonderful, emotional romance that had me hooked from the start. With top-notch groveling and a beautiful end, Daydreamer is a gem.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Standalone Publisher: Harlequin Presents Hero: Griffin McKenna Heroine: Dana Anderson Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: August 01, 1998 Started On: July 18, 2024 Finished On: July 19, 2024
If you were a man, the sky was the limit. But if you were a woman, there was a glass ceiling. And she had reached it.
Sandra Marton’s The Bridal Suite is one of those romances that manages to be equal parts sexy, funny, and emotionally charged. The premise itself sets the stage for sparks to fly; Dana Anderson, a brilliant programmer battling the constant underestimation of women in a male-dominated workplace, suddenly finds herself trapped in a situation with Griffin McKenna, the financial genius with a pirate’s reputation for taking whatever he wants. When business forces them to share a room at a conference and of all places, the bridal suit, the inevitability of their simmering attraction becomes impossible to deny.
Griffin is the quintessential alpha hero: hot-blooded, smug, and unapologetically arrogant at the start. His reputation as a womanizer precedes him, and his take-no-prisoners attitude in business leaves Dana bristling at every turn. Yet beneath that exterior lies a man who is all passion, intensity, and just enough vulnerability to keep readers hooked. Dana, on the other hand, is his match in every way. Smart, independent, and unafraid to stand her ground, she is not dazzled by Griffin’s charm or cowed by his authority, if anything, she delights in throwing his arrogance back at him.
What makes their dynamic so delicious is the constant push-and-pull between them. The misunderstandings, jealousy, and denial fuel the sexual tension that is already sizzling from the very start. Griffin may be used to being in control, but Dana keeps him perpetually off-balance, while she herself struggles to reconcile her attraction to a man she insists she wants nothing to do with. It is opposites attract at its finest, where both are forced to confront truths about themselves in order to see the other clearly.
What I loved most about this story is how unashamedly emotional and irrational both characters can be when it comes to love. The angst is sweetly realistic, because honestly, who remains calm and rational when every touch and kiss threatens to consume you? I feel sad sometimes when I read books of today where everyone is calm and rational about their feelings. No, life does not work like that, especially when you are in the throes of passion and uncertain of your place with the one you want to be. The humor threaded through their interactions lightens the narrative, balancing the tension with laugh-out-loud moments that makes the ride even more entertaining. The ending, tender and satisfying, ties everything together beautifully.
Recommended for: readers who love boss-employee dynamics, opposites attract, and sizzling banter that will keep you grinning as much as it makes you swoon.
Final Verdict: A witty, passionate romance with a hero to make you melt and a heroine who refuses to bow to him; The Bridal Suite is Sandra Marton at her sparkling best.
Favorite Quotes
If he hadn’t been linked with every beautiful female on the planet, it was only because, at thirty-five, he hadn’t yet had the time to get around to them all.
His kiss was hungry, hot and urgent. There was no tenderness to it, but tenderness wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him, had wanted him for days. For all the years of her life, and when he caught her up in his arms and took her to the bed, she sighed and sank down with him into the softness of the silk, her hands already under his shirt, her fingers hot against his hard, muscled flesh, her mouth open to his. “Dana,” he whispered, as if her name were all he could manage.
His hand closed on her blouse, tore it, ripped it from her, exposing her flesh to his mouth, his hungry, eager mouth… Somewhere in the distance, bells began to ring, chiming out the opening notes of Here Comes the Bride. It was the doorbell. They went rigid in each other’s arms. The bells rang again. Griffin cursed, rolled off the bed, and headed for the front door. Dana sat up. She was trembling. What had she done?
“Sweetheart?” Dana closed her eyes at the sound of Griffin’s voice. She heard the terrace doors slide open, then felt his body brush lightly against her. His arms went around her, and he drew her back against him. Don’t, she told herself. Oh, don’t. This is wrong. It’s wrong… “Dana.” He put his mouth to her throat, and her breath caught I love you, she thought, oh, Griffin, I love you. What was the sense in trying to deny it?
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Dual Series: Toronto Terror, #2 Publisher: Ink & Cupcakes Inc Hero: Hollis Hendrix Heroine: Peggy Aurora Hammerstein Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: July 11, 2024 Started On: July 13, 2024 Finished On: July 18, 2024
I first came across If You Want Me on Instagram when Helena Hunting was promoting the release, and I will admit it, I caved. The way she marketed it, leaning into the forbidden, age-gap “dad’s best friend” trope, hit all my weak spots. This is also my first Hunting book, and I was curious to see how she would deliver on the promise.
As noted earlier, If You Want Me takes a forbidden love setup and infuses it with just the right amount of angst to keep the pages turning. This is the story of Hollis Hendrix, a thirty-year-old hockey player carrying emotional scars from a failed relationship, and Peggy Aurora Hammerstein, the twenty-year-old daughter of his best friend, a vibrant, determined young woman who knows exactly what she wants, and that happens to be Hollis. Their connection begins as a spark that neither of them can quite ignore, no matter how many reasons Hollis gives himself to resist.
Hollis is the kind of hero who is as strong on the ice as he is tender off it. His scars make him cautious, even fearful, of risking his heart again, but they also make his journey that much more relatable. Peggy, on the other hand, is a heroine who radiates confidence and determination. She might be younger, but she is in no way naïve about what she feels or wants. I really liked Peggy wasn’t simply there to chase Hollis, but to push him to confront his fears and see her as his equal partner.
The age-gap dynamic, compounded by the fact that Peggy is Hollis’ best friend’s daughter, sets up a deliciously forbidden undercurrent. Hollis wrestles constantly with his desire for her, knowing how much is at stake if he crosses the line. Peggy, though, does not shy away from the truth of her feelings. The push and pull between them is intense, angsty at times, and grounded in a very real emotional conflict. It is the kind of romance where you find yourself holding your breath, waiting to see when the hero will finally give in.
The forbidden element; the fact that Peggy is Hollis’s best friend’s daughter, drives most of the angst, and Hunting plays it well. Hollis struggles with the possible fallout while Peggy refuses to let convention dictate her choices. Yet even here, the book has a modern lens. Peggy’s mother, who herself is in an open relationship and embraces a progressive lifestyle, still finds it hard to accept her daughter entangled with an older man. It is a reminder that even the most liberal or vulnerable people can turn surprisingly conservative when it comes to protecting their own blood.
I think Hunting also did an excellent job in the portrayal of the Hollis’ vulnerability. Seeing a hero who is physically strong but emotionally scarred is always good, especially when it is handled well, and Hunting did justice to his struggle. I also loved the sense of community in this book; Peggy’s girl squad, the supportive teammates, and the generally healthy relationships around them created a balance that kept the story from being weighed down by angst.
That said, I did wish Hollis’ passion came across a little more fiercely in the bedroom. The setup promised a level of intensity that never quite delivered once they gave in to their feelings; it was sweet, yes, but perhaps too sweet for the initial vibes I expected.
Overall, If You Want Me is a very modern, heartfelt romance. There are no contrived miscommunications here, just two people navigating a complicated relationship with honesty and care. I enjoyed the maturity of the storytelling, even if I longed for a bit more fire and angst in certain moments.
Recommended for: readers who love forbidden romances, age-gap dynamics, sports romance settings, and emotionally vulnerable heroes.
Final Verdict: A tender, modern take on the dad’s best friend trope with angsty undercurrents. While it didn’t fully match the intensity I anticipated, Hollis and Peggy’s love story was still deeply satisfying.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novella Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: The Romanos, #1 Publisher: Mills and Boon Hero: Matthew Romano Heroine: Susannah Madison Capital Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: January 01, 1998 Started On: July 10, 2024 Finished On: July 13, 2024
Sometimes you stumble across a romance that makes you grin, sigh, and want to hug the book to your chest when you are done, and The Sexiest Man Alive by Sandra Marton was exactly that for me. I picked it up while hunting for something that would give me the same buzz as The Bedroom Business (another Marton favorite that I have reread countless times), and it delivered in spades. I have to appreciate Amazon for doing such a swell job in recommending this title to me. Equal parts sexy, hilarious, and heart-tugging, this one had me smiling from the first chapter to the very last page.
The premise itself is fun and lighthearted. Susannah Madison, editor at Chic magazine, finds herself at odds with Matthew Romano, a ruthless and commanding businessman who wants to shut down her publication. Susannah, clever and determined, comes up with a scheme to save the magazine: a feature on the “sexiest man alive” for Valentine’s Day. What she doesn’t anticipate is Matthew’s decision to supervise her search, or the way sparks fly between them from the very beginning. Their encounters are deliciously combative, full of sharp banter and sizzling chemistry that neither of them can deny.
Matthew Romano is exactly the sort of hero I love; sexy, commanding, sensitive, and yes, stupid when it comes to matters of the heart. He is a man who has been steadfastly holding on to his bachelorhood, only to find himself helplessly drawn to a woman he once thought of as an adversary.
That push-and-pull is what makes him so compelling; for all his ruthlessness in the boardroom, he loses his cool spectacularly whenever Susannah is near. He pushes her buttons, makes her drop her armor, and forces her to embrace her femininity in ways that both terrify and exhilarate her. He makes her feel, and that is where the power of his character lies.
Susannah, for her part, is just as delightful. Strong-willed, independent, and determined to fight for what she believes in, she matches Matthew every step of the way. From the moment she literally falls into his arms and they kiss each other senseless, to their many fiery clashes where neither one will back down, she proves herself to be every bit his equal. The way she unsettles him, challenges him, and ultimately steals his heart is exactly why this romance works so beautifully.
This book was undoubtedly delicious. What really makes the novel stand out is the hilarity woven into the fabric of their story. The way both Susannah and Matthew tries to deny the elephant in the room, the combustible attraction simmering between them, leads to some truly laugh-out-loud moments that balance the sensuality perfectly.
The sexual tension between Matthew and Susannah is off the charts. Every encounter, whether it is an argument, a negotiation, or an accidental brush of hands, is charged with longing and fire. Their kisses are fiery, their stolen moments laden with passion, and the eventual culmination is everything you would want from an enemies-to-lovers romance, and the eroticism much better than any explicit erotic romance. Add to that a touch of angst, the kind that makes your chest ache in the best possible way, and you have a romance that checks every single box. This is old-school category romance at its best, reminding me of why these classic Mills & Boon romances still stand the test of time.
Recommended for: readers who love old-school Mills & Boon with a perfect blend of wit, humor, fiery sexual tension, and heartfelt emotion. If you enjoyed The Bedroom Business, this one should definitely be next on your list.
Final Verdict: A marvelous story that made my heart happy, with a hero who is sexy, and commanding, and and story that is hilarious and romantic in all the ways that matter. This is one I will be revisiting again and again.
Favorite Quotes
“Mr. Romano.” She licked her lips. “I may have been a little out of line, but—” “A little?” He closed the distance remaining between them and looked coldly at her as her shoulders hit the wall. “Fascinating, Miss Clinton, how cautious your use of the language has suddenly become. For a woman given to such interesting hyperbole, I mean.” His eyes, dark and deep, fastened on hers. “Once again, I’m asking you to tell me what you mean by that word.” Susannah swallowed hard. He was close. Too close. She could smell the faint scent of soap on his skin, see the shadow of stubble on his jaw and chin. His lashes were dark and thick. His nose was perfectly straight except for a barely perceptible tilt midway down its length. He looked cold and hard and angry. And studly. He was studly, indeed, she thought dizzily. Her heart did what felt like a somersault in her chest. If you liked the type. She didn’t.
“Suze?” Claire’s voice was shrill. “Suze, are you okay?” Matthew dragged one of Susannah’s arms from around his neck. “She’s fine,” he called. Susannah glared at him. “I’m not—” He clamped a hand over her mouth “You want them to see this mess?” he hissed, his mouth at her ear. “Do you have an explanation that’s going to keep everybody out there from figuring we just slugged it out?” Susannah threw a wild look around the room. Papers were strewn across the floor. The heavy conference table stood at an angle to the wall. The lamp had shattered, and the telephone was emitting a pathetic bleep. And on top of all that, here she was, sitting cozily in Matthew Romano’s lap.
“Susannah,” he said fiercely. She looked at him. His eyes were hot and dark with desire. A shudder raced through her. She knew that what was going to happen between them would change her life forever, would make any other lover impossible. “Yes,” she said, raising her arms to him, “yes. yes…” The door swung open, hitting the wall like a clap of thunder rolling over the canyons of the city. “Oh, my God! Susannah!” Susannah almost fell off the table. She sat up. Matthew stepped back. Both of them stared at the open door, where Claire and Eddie and Judy and, Susannah thought desperately, what looked like a million other CHIC staffers stood crowded together in stunned silence. It was like staring into a sea of disbelief. Mouths hung open. Eyes grew round as saucers. Heads swiveled, as if this were a tennis match, while everyone looked from Susannah to Matthew, from Matthew to Susannah…
Matthew’s gaze flew over her again, taking in all the details. A black suit had replaced the Beethoven sweatshirt and the baggy jeans. The suit was demure, even severe, but it couldn’t disguise the curves beneath. Black shoes had replaced the sneakers. Not just any black shoes. Matthew swallowed hard. The heels were high. Not outrageously high. They were surely some Fifth Avenue shop’s idea of dress-for-success shoes to match the dress-for-success suit, but high enough to show off the trimness of Susannah’s ankles and the luscious length of her legs. And they were cut low enough in the front so he could see…what did you call those little lines between a woman’s toes? Cleavage? He wanted to laugh—the word, the very concept, seemed so outrageous—but how could he laugh when he was busy concentrating on keeping his jaw from dropping again?
What kind of a man kissed a woman he didn’t like with such passion? A better question was, what kind of woman kissed him back? And she was kissing him. There was no point in pretending otherwise. Matthew was feasting on her mouth, and she was on fire for him, for his kisses and his touch. Some still logical part of her fought for sanity. “No.” she said, against his mouth, “Matthew, we can’t…” He tunneled his fingers into her hair, tilted her face to his. “Just kiss me,” he said thickly, “kiss me and stop thinking.”
“Well,” he said. “Well,” she said. “Good night, Susannah.” “Good night, Matthew.” He turned. She put her hand on the doorknob. He stepped into the hall. She began to shut the door… “The hell with this,” he growled, and swung toward her. “Dammit, Susannah,” he said, and before his heart could take another beat, she was in his arms. He lifted her, and she wound her arms around his neck as his hand tunneled into her hair. He kicked the door shut and kissed her without preliminaries, without gentleness. Why would there be wooing when they both knew that this moment had been inevitable?
“No more games, Susannah.” “No,” she whispered, stroking the tip of her tongue against his, reveling in the heavy beat of his heart against hers. “No more games, Matthew.” He tasted of danger and of darkness. Of the heady wildness of desire. She tasted of hunger and of need. Of the sweetness of passion. “I want—I want—” “Everything,” he whispered, and kissed her again.
“I’ll come by at seven. We can have drinks first.” “Matthew, I don’t—” “Yes. You do.” His eyes turned dark and smoky. “Shall I prove it to you the way I did this morning?” Color flooded her face. “Why?” she whispered. He laughed, a low, sexy laugh that made her blood sizzle. “I mean,” she said quickly, “why me? I’m not your type.” “No,” he said. He ran his finger along the back of her hand. Goose bumps rose on her skin. “You’re not.” He smiled again, right into her eyes. “You’re not blond. You’re not dumb—although many of the ladies I’ve dated would be very upset to hear you use that word in conjunction with them, Susie.” His smile tilted. “I remember Miss North Carolina… She said she wanted to become a physicist.” “Matthew, I’m serious.” “So am I.” His smile faded. “You’re right. You’re not my type. You’re stubborn and hotheaded. You have a nasty temper and you like things your own way.” “You’re a fine one to talk,” she said huffily. “And I’d bet I’m not your type either, Madison. I don’t think you like being with a man who reminds you that you’re a woman.” “Your ego is unbearable, Romano.” “I’m just being honest.” His eyes grew hot. “Tell me if Sam or Peter ever made you feel the way I make you feel.” Sam. And Peter. Oh, God… “I can see the answer in your eyes, Susie.” Matthew smiled. “Seven o’clock. Don’t keep me waiting I like my women to be prompt.” “I am not your—” He bent his head and kissed her lightly on the mouth. Then he sauntered away.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Historical Romance POV: Third Person, Multiple Series: Fairy Tales, #2 Publisher: Avon Hero: Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant Heroine: Linnet Berry Thrynne Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: January 25, 2011 Started On: July 06, 2024 Finished On: July 08, 2024
Every now and then, a romance comes along that makes you laugh, swoon, and ache all at once, and for me, Eloisa James’ When Beauty Tamed the Beast was exactly that kind of read. A fairy-tale re-imagining with a historical twist, it is a story that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go until the very end. Set against the rugged backdrop of Wales, the novel takes the essence of the Beauty and the Beast archetype and spins it into something wittier, sharper, and, dare I say, even more deliciously compelling.
This is a romance that has been raved about by so many readers, and I will admit I am late to the party. But better late than never is always my motto, especially when it comes to decadent romances, because this was my first taste of Ms. James’ work, and I must say it was nothing short of exquisite.
Linnet Berry Thrynne is our heroine, blessed with striking beauty and a boldness to match, she has grown up navigating the absurdities of her family with wit as her armor. Far from the demure society miss, Linnet faces life head-on, unafraid to embrace her sensuality and her desires. Her charm lies not only in her looks but in her refusal to be cowed by conventionor by the formidable beast she eventually encounters.
That beast comes in the form of Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, heir to a dukedom and a man physically and emotionally scarred by the traumas of his past. A brilliant doctor with a razor-sharp tongue and a temperament to match, Piers has little patience for fools and even less tolerance for sentiment. He is eccentric, forceful, and a loner by nature, his brusqueness serving as a shield against further heartbreak. Yet, beneath his bark lies a man far more complex than anyone including himself, truly realizes.
Following a series of events, in order to protect her reputation and solve a delicate problem, she is sent off to marry Piers, the man whose bad temper is legendary and whose injury has made him the subject of cruel whispers. The set-up is delicious: she is the beauty, and he the beast, cloistered away in his Welsh castle. What neither of them anticipates is the irresistible spark that flares from the very start.
What unfolds between Linnet and Piers is a battle of wills wrapped in sparkling banter, unexpected tenderness, and a sensuality that takes both by surprise. Piers may try to approach matters clinically, but Linnet brings him to his knees with her warmth, humor, and fearless approach to love. Their dynamic is captivating precisely because it is not easy; Linnet challenges Piers at every turn, and he, in turn, forces her to see the strength in her own vulnerability. The story builds not just on attraction but on the deeper fears each must face: hers of rejection and his of being unworthy of love.
I adored everything about this book, Piers, Linnet, her crazy family, the lust and love between Piers and Linnet, and how she brings the formidable Piers to his very knees. The humor, much of it coming from Linnet’s outrageous family and Piers’ cutting wit, had me laughing out loud in many places, while the romance was swoon-worthy without losing its emotional bite.
I loved how Eloisa James wrote Linnet as unafraid of her desires, and how Piers, the man who thought himself untouchable, ends up enslaved to the very emotions he tried to dismiss. Their relationship is the kind where the supposed teacher becomes the student, and it was glorious to watch it all unfold. And the epilogue? Absolutely swoonworthy. The perfect bow on a romance that I know I will carry with me for a long time.
Recommended for: readers who love historical romance or romance in general, witty banter, strong heroines, and brooding yet brilliant heroes who need to be taken down a peg (or two).
Final Verdict: When Beauty Tamed the Beast is every bit as exquisite as the glowing reviews promised; funny, sensual, deeply emotional, and perfectly executed. An unforgettable romance that deserves every bit of its praise.
Favorite Quotes
“Tell us who fathered that child, and your father will demand marriage. No one below a prince would dare to refuse him.” Without pausing for breath, she swung back to her brother-in-law. “You might have to fight a duel, Cornelius. I suppose you have pistols somewhere in this house, don’t you? Didn’t you threaten to fight one with Lord Billetsford years ago?” “After finding him in bed with Rosalyn,” Linnet’s father said. He didn’t even sound mournful, just matter-of-fact. “New bed; we’d had it only a week or two.” “My sister had many passions,” Zenobia said fondly. “I thought you just said she was white as snow!” the viscount snapped back. “None of them touched her soul! She died in a state of grace.”
“I think we have a more interesting connection than parental ineptitude,” Piers said. He switched his cane from his right to his left. She waited, just waited. A hand brushed by her cheek, curled into her hair. Still, she waited, without saying a word. It felt as if the whole world waited, the sounds of the stable, the noise of Gavan’s unsteady footsteps walking down the corridor, the occasional stamp of a horse’s hoof, the creaking wood . . . it all faded before the intent look in his eyes. “Your eyes—” she said, but he cut off her words. His lips were like brandy, like an intoxication that swept down her back and stole her breath away.
Linnet was having a hard time keeping herself within the bounds of ladylike behavior. She wanted to touch Piers, to speak only to him, to smile at him in unmistakable invitation. She was in the grip of ravening hunger, as if lust were the only emotion in her body.
A Maldivian's Passion for Romance 