The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy debut about first impressions, second chances, and finding the love of your life in the most unexpected way.

Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, takeout enthusiast, and happily single woman. The moment she realizes her parents' latest dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she's out the back door in a flash. Imagine her surprise when the same guy shows up at her office a week later -- the new lawyer hired to save her struggling company. What's not surprising: he's not too thrilled to see her either after that humiliating fiasco.

Jay Shah looks good on paper...and off. Especially if you like that whole gorgeous, charming lawyer-in-a-good-suit thing. He's also arrogant and infuriating. As their witty office banter turns into late night chats, Liya starts to think he might be the one man who truly accepts her. But falling for each other means exposing their painful pasts. Will Liya keep running, or will she finally give love a real chance?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51520901-the-trouble-with-hating-you

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Read this book in a matter of hours. I couldn't put it down! I had to know how Liya, this tough girl with her inner walls so high and made of steel, could possibly open herself up to love with Jay. And it was not an easy thing. And she had every right to feel the way she did. With a scarring experience as a young woman, she only expects the worse from men. Especially that didn't have the support from her own parents. After being tricked into going to dinner at her parents, she is ambushed by the man they have been trying to set her up with. Not thinking, she runs out the back door. Jay showed up to dinner for the sake of his own sweet mother. But isn't exactly happy when Liya leaves unexpectedly without at least giving them a reason. Little did either know that their paths would cross at work the following week. Every interaction is a fight. Their witty banter leaving you wondering who will get the last word. Little by little Jay is able to chip away at Liya's armor to convince her that he isn't like the previous men in her life who only want her for one thing. He is actually a decent guy, who is beginning to see her without her armor and just wants to get to her know more. A sweet slow burn of a story that had me rooting for both of them to let go of their painful pasts and take a chance on a future together. 

Scored Book 1: Scoring Her Heart by Marquita Valentine

Scored Book 1

Dallas Drake has a big salary and an even bigger…ego…and he’s not afraid to use either of them to his advantage. As infamous as he is attractive, Dallas has all the equipment necessary to bring home the win.

The first time I met him, I was in handcuffs.

The second, he saved me when I fell off a ladder.

Now? Now we’re working together to plan a charity event.

I may not be interested in what Dallas has to offer, but as the game goes on, I’m becoming more open to his passes.

Is he looking for the win, or just determined to score?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35274630-scored

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My Review 3.5/5

Paige has always been taught to stay away from athletes. According to her sister, they will only break your heart. And growing up the way she did and the examples set, she believes it. Dallas is a professional football player known to be a player on and off the field. Though, to be fair the rumors off the field can be exaggerated. When Paige and Dallas meet neither can deny that there is an attraction between. Though Paige says no to going out on a date with him, she soon finds that maybe Dallas is different and he deserves a chance. The book was definitely entertaining. Paige struggles throughout with letting herself fall for Dallas and one of her biggest fears is being out to the public with him because of the publicity. Dallas respects her rules though soon he finds them harder not to break because he doesn't want to hide. Football players and romance, is there anything better?

The Southern Gentleman Book 2: Lord Have Mercy by Lani Lynn Vale

The Southern Gentleman Book 2

Poor judgment: knowing better yet doing it anyway.

Flint Stone is a professional in every way.

He’s a police officer with the K-9 unit and works at Gun Barrel High as the school resource officer. In his spare time, he’s working his heart out to create a successful gym from the ground up.

He’s loved by every single person he ever encounters—student, faculty, and employees—Everyone but Camryn Elvis Presley.

The only thing they have in common is their mothers’ poor excuses for names.

Period. The end.

So why is it every time she crosses his path that he has the urge to mess up her perfectly curled hair? Or unbutton a few of her prim and proper buttons?

He knows he should stay away, yet like the high schoolers he’s around every day, he has no choice but to react first and think about the consequences later.

Side note—bad decisions are made, leading to lapses in judgment that threaten both of their jobs. Yet when the time comes, neither one can seem to find the wherewithal to care. Why? Because being bad feels so good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43691606-lord-have-mercy

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

This was a nice follow up to Hissy Fit. Now we get Camryn and Flint's story and it was definitely an entertaining one. Camryn and Flint have great chemistry. They are super amusing together. Whether it is them arguing or actually getting along. As they finally stop arguing they begin to realize that they actually would be good together. Though it comes with some challenges. Like psycho exes and a car accident that jeopardizes everything. Overall, their story was sweet and fun and I read it all too quickly. I wish there were more stories with these characters! 

The Southern Gentleman Book 1: Hissy Fit by Lani Lynn Vale

The Southern Gentleman Book 1

He is the one that never looks her way.

He is handsome and strong.

He is rough around the edges and mean.

He is everything she’s ever wanted.

He doesn’t even know she exists.

Her life is a joke.

She doesn’t step on cracks in the sidewalk.

She laughs at inappropriate times.

She talks when she shouldn’t.

She is clumsy and trips on air.

She is finally on his radar.

God help her now.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43413866-hissy-fit

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

So let me start off saying, this book was actually hilarious. Raleigh is the epitome of being clumsy and awkward. I thought I read some books with a clumsy character, but she has them all beat. If you think things can't get worse, they do. I kept them oh man I would be mortified, it can't get worse right? Wrong. It did. Every single time. I was laughing so hard. Raleigh has always felt invisible. Always has. She wasn't popular in high school and that hasn't changed throughout the years. She has remained in the background and has watched from afar the boy she has always had a crush on since high school and who now works at the same school as her continues not to realize she exists. That is until an encounter at the grocery leaves her with wrapping paper everywhere that nearly takes out everyone in the aisle, a bloody nose, and the man she has been crushing on since forever in her wake. Ezra may have not noticed Raleigh before, but he certainly notices now. And the interest sparks more once he realizes that she is the one taking over his health class this year. Raleigh continues to be a klutz and Ezra becomes more intrigued, especially when he starts to see past her shy and klutzy exterior. He sees a woman that he wished he he noticed a lot earlier. The story was actually really sweet when I wasn't laughing my butt off over Raleigh's antics. And it had a lot of deeper meaning in the side plots. While we see a relationship blooming between Raleigh and Ezra, there is a lot of other things that are going on. I was super intrigued with the story and couldn't put it down. For those deeper story lines and for the fact that I couldn't wait to see what happened to Raleigh next and if she would make it through the book in one piece. I saw that there is another book in the series and I think I will be definitely checking it out!

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

She's captured the king’s heart. But who’s captured hers? #1 New York Times bestselling author Kiera Cass is ready to retake her crown as the queen of YA romance with this sparkling new duology.

The young king of Coroa has never been the type to settle down—that is, until he meets Hollis Brite.

Hollis has grown up at the castle, among the other daughters of nobility who hoped beyond hope that they’d catch the king’s eye. So when King Jameson declares his love for her, Hollis is shocked—and thrilled.

But she soon realizes that along with the extravagant presents and fawning attention, this new life brings outsized expectations—expectations that make her wonder if she’s really cut out for life as a royal.

And when she meets an Isolten stranger with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she starts to wonder: Is there more to life outside the palace walls? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52580111-the-betrothed

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My Review: 3/5 Stars

I hate to say it but this book disappointed me a bit. I love Kiera Cass's books and writing but this one wasn't up to her usual standard. So this story is about Hollis who has sparked the interest of the King of Coroa. She has been wondering if his attention has been different than the last girls who have caught his attention, but at the same time thinks their time will pass. However, soon she finds herself prepping to become betrothed to him. At first she thinks she is happy. Everyone has been pushing for this time happen and she wants to prove she can handle being Queen. Meanwhile, a family from another country come to the King asking for sanctuary. So as Hollis tries to prove she can be Queen, she also has chemistry with the eldest son, Silas, of the family that came asking for sanctuary. So she ends up torn between knowing she can't really stop this relationship with the King, but wanting to be with Silas. 

So one of my big issues here was that it felt like Hollis and Silas did not get a real chance to have this epic romance that makes her doubt everything she grew up knowing or that is worth throwing away a relationship with the King. For someone who grew up knowing status is important, it was hard to swallow her throwing away anything less than epic. And Silas is a great character, but we didn't really get to know him. And that was just one part of the issue. By the time they realize they want to be together, let's just say (without spoilers since I try not to do that in reviews) things take an insane turn in more ways than one. And the end of book with a cliffhanger of so what exactly is going to happen next? And the insane turn you would think would not happen, well I also have a theory about that. And I'm hoping I'm right because then I really don't see how this series is gonna end on a happily ever after. So we shall see. Because yeah, there is a sequel. And as much as I was disappointed in this book (and even a bit bored at times), I do want to see how things will turn out and if the next book will redeem itself. 

Aurora Cycle_02: Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Aurora Cycle_02

Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.

First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.

Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.

And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.

Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40516960-aurora-burning

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

What a freaking rollercoaster. Seriously. And there thankfully another book to go! Because after those major cliffhangers (and yes there were more than one), I am going to need A LOT of explanations. Wow. Really, really great book. Though I am not surprised. This duo has written amazing things together. So Aurora Burning picks up right where the last book left off. And there are a lot of revelations in this book. I mean A LOT. Squad 312 knows Aurora is the Trigger now and they have to now find the Weapon. But to do that, Aurora needs to be a little more in tune with her powers. The squad is trying to follow the path laid out for them and let's just say there are plenty of surprises with that. I have some theories, but I won't be getting those answers until the next book. Running from the GIA was one problem, but add in Kal's sister and her craziness? Yeah, complications. Aurora and Kal become closer, especially as Aurora takes her journey to master her abilities. And Kal is struggling with his past that will harm his future. Our Alpha Tyler is trying to keep the group together (despite the loss of Cat) and believe, but things get a bit extra complicated when he gets separated from the group. Scarlett is trying to keep it together after losing Cat and now being separated from Tyler. Finian is Finian, but in only the best way. Intelligent and sarcastic as hell. And Zila surprised me the most in this story. She was a lot more vocal and we got a nice inside look at what made her who she is today. She slowly gets a chance to be more. Lots and lots of plot twists in this story. Pretty sure I got a bit of whiplash, but in a good way. And like I said earlier, some major freaking cliffhangers. Waiting a year is going to be torture.

Cloverleigh Farms Series Book 5: Unforgettable by Melanie Harlow

Cloverleigh Farms Book 5

Back then, I had it all.

Wicked fastball. Killer instinct. Cocky grin. Full package.

(And believe me, I knew how to score.)

My senior year, I was a first round draft pick with a two-million-dollar signing bonus. Before I could even legally buy myself a beer, I made my Major League debut.

Point is, I was invincible.

Until one day I wasn’t.

After tanking my career—during the World Series, no less—the last thing I want to do is return to my hometown, where every jerk in a ball cap has an opinion about what went wrong with my arm.

So when my sister drags me back to town for her wedding, I vow to get in and out of there as quickly as possible.

Then I run into April Sawyer.

In high school we were just friends, but I’d always wanted her, and I’d never forgotten her—the red hair, the incredible smile, the crazy, reckless thing we did in the back of my truck the night we said goodbye.

It’s been eighteen years, but one look at her and I feel like my old self again. I can still make her laugh, she can still take me down a notch, and when the chemistry between us explodes, it’s even hotter this time around—and I don’t want it to end.

But just when I think I’m ready to let go of the past and get back in the game, life throws me a curveball I never saw coming.

Don't miss the final book in the Cloverleigh Farms series!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53285058-unforgettable

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Was waiting for April's book after having read the previous four books back to back within a few days and was so glad that it wasn't a long wait. I gotta say this has the be the best of the series. It was definitely my favorite. We've seen April throughout the series be there for her sisters, so it was nice to finally see her happily ever after. In the last book we received a small glimpse of what she has been going through and now we get to see it. When April was 18 she got pregnant and decided to give her baby up for adoption. She never regretted the decision. She knew her baby was with a couple who would love him and cherish him. But the fact that she kept her pregnancy a secret, with only a few people knowing, has always held her back to getting close to anyone. But no more. She decides to share her secret with her sister and try to reconnect to her son. Meanwhile, Tyler returns home for his sister's wedding. Tyler hasn't had it easy since his baseball career was cut short. He rather be alone to hide from the world but ventures out for his sister. He doesn't expect to run in to April. The girl he got pregnant when he was 18, the day before he left for his baseball career. Tyler and April lost touch over the many years. Their one night together was just that, one night between good friends. But as they reconnect, they realize their chemistry is off the charts. And they can be honest and just themselves around one another. Something they haven't ever been able to do. Tyler isn't sure he wants to return home but April is making him rethink the life he has been living. April is nervous to put herself out there with Tyler, but there is something between them that she believes is worth fighting for. Like I said, loved this story. Their story had so many twists and turns to it. Cheering for both of them that everything would work out. Just really, really great! 

Psy-Changeling Trinity Series Book 4: Alpha Night by Nalini Singh

Psy-Changeling Trinity Book 4

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her breathtaking Psy-Changeling Trinity series with a mating that shouldn’t exist…

Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.

Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.

Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49097960-alpha-night

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I was so lucky to stumble upon an ARC of this book! Psy-Changeling series is probably one of my top favorite series and to get a chance to read an early copy, I was over the moon! Alpha Night was fantastic. And for those who read the series, are you really surprised? I've never read a bad story from Nalini Singh. And this no exception. Great from beginning to end. We are back in Russia with Selenka, the alpha of the BlackEdge wolves and an Arrow who definitely ranks up there with one of ones who have been harmed by Ming. When Selenka and Ethan meet, we experience a first sight mating. Super rare for changelings to the point a lot wonder if it is possible. And though they are mates, there is still something weird about their bond. A static. Could it be something to do with the new abilities Ethan has kept shielded? Ethan feels these new abilities and believes they are too dangerous to let out. Yet, those abilities are hurting him and could kill him before he has a chance to know his mate and to fight for a life he believed he would never have. Though their mating is unusual, there is no less love between the two. The instant connection just makes them want to learn more about the other and protect one another in a way that no one else has ever done for them. And in the background the new enemy of the Psy world, the Architect, is moving in and creating more chaos. Really great story all around. The new arc of this series is truly intriguing and the clash of new and old characters, even better. As always, cannot wait for more in this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.