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Recommend this book:
All the Rest
Lost in Austin Book 4
Christina Berry
2024 Finalist
225 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite
In All the Rest by Christina Berry, Sheryl has a huge personality, which makes it difficult to have a boyfriend. She has been perpetually single, and she is already thirty-five years old without kids. All her friends have kids, and she is starting to feel jealous. One day at the dinner table, she gets a weird idea and decides to implement it against the advice of her friend, Ari. The quest to find someone to just impregnate her begins immediately, but it is not without ups and downs. One time she gets involved with some bikers, which puts her in a difficult spot with Manic. She has known Manic from the bar for many years and considers him her friend. Manic had flatly refused to impregnate her when she had initially asked. How will things turn out between them as they continue to spend more time together?
Despite All the Rest by Christina Berry being the fourth book in the Lost in Austin series, it can easily be read as a standalone. With highly engaging dialogue, there was never a dull moment, and I was hooked from the first chapter to the last. The vivid descriptions helped me to create mental pictures and also left me yearning for more. Christina also ensured the plot flowed seamlessly, which meant no room for confusion for the reader. The reader will also appreciate other things covered, such as mental health issues, which got me thinking about the diagnosis and management of such issues. The characters were well-developed, and the excellent narration added to the overall beauty of this work. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by Christina.
In All the Rest by Christina Berry, Sheryl has a huge personality, which makes it difficult to have a boyfriend. She has been perpetually single, and she is already thirty-five years old without kids. All her friends have kids, and she is starting to feel jealous. One day at the dinner table, she gets a weird idea and decides to implement it against the advice of her friend, Ari. The quest to find someone to just impregnate her begins immediately, but it is not without ups and downs. One time she gets involved with some bikers, which puts her in a difficult spot with Manic. She has known Manic from the bar for many years and considers him her friend. Manic had flatly refused to impregnate her when she had initially asked. How will things turn out between them as they continue to spend more time together?
Despite All the Rest by Christina Berry being the fourth book in the Lost in Austin series, it can easily be read as a standalone. With highly engaging dialogue, there was never a dull moment, and I was hooked from the first chapter to the last. The vivid descriptions helped me to create mental pictures and also left me yearning for more. Christina also ensured the plot flowed seamlessly, which meant no room for confusion for the reader. The reader will also appreciate other things covered, such as mental health issues, which got me thinking about the diagnosis and management of such issues. The characters were well-developed, and the excellent narration added to the overall beauty of this work. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by Christina.
Recommend this book:
Twisted Proposal
Central Florida Stories
Victoria Saccenti
2024 Honorable Mention
266 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite
In Victoria Saccenti’s Twisted Proposal, being asked to step into his father’s shoes could not have come at a more opportune moment for Ethan Ashford. Although he preferred dominating in a completely different environment, this gala offered him a chance at something he had craved for years, something he thought he would never get. Revenge. Innocent and wide-eyed designer wanna-be Siena Maynard has no idea what she’s let herself in for. She wants more than anything to break into the world of fashion, but what she doesn’t know is that her backer, the one who helped fund her dream, is also the one responsible for it becoming a nightmare. Ethan will give her the dream she seeks but she must offer something in return; herself.
I have been a part of the lifestyle for more years than I care to admit, so I always enjoy getting my hands on a book that delves into a world I am intimately familiar with. The first thing that really stands out about Twisted Proposal is that despite all the goings-on, the coercion and manipulation, the games and scheming, there is always an emphasis put on safety and aftercare, be it from the experienced Dom supervising the training of a newer, less experienced person, or in Ethan’s own affairs. Victoria Saccenti does an admirable job of creating a perfect balance of education and enjoyment while delivering a captivating plot that serves to explore the symbiosis between Dom and Sub and how the relationship has deeper and sometimes unexpected results and connections. Twisted Proposal is beautifully paced with a gripping and intricate plot that is guaranteed to elicit the whole spectrum of emotions.
In Victoria Saccenti’s Twisted Proposal, being asked to step into his father’s shoes could not have come at a more opportune moment for Ethan Ashford. Although he preferred dominating in a completely different environment, this gala offered him a chance at something he had craved for years, something he thought he would never get. Revenge. Innocent and wide-eyed designer wanna-be Siena Maynard has no idea what she’s let herself in for. She wants more than anything to break into the world of fashion, but what she doesn’t know is that her backer, the one who helped fund her dream, is also the one responsible for it becoming a nightmare. Ethan will give her the dream she seeks but she must offer something in return; herself.
I have been a part of the lifestyle for more years than I care to admit, so I always enjoy getting my hands on a book that delves into a world I am intimately familiar with. The first thing that really stands out about Twisted Proposal is that despite all the goings-on, the coercion and manipulation, the games and scheming, there is always an emphasis put on safety and aftercare, be it from the experienced Dom supervising the training of a newer, less experienced person, or in Ethan’s own affairs. Victoria Saccenti does an admirable job of creating a perfect balance of education and enjoyment while delivering a captivating plot that serves to explore the symbiosis between Dom and Sub and how the relationship has deeper and sometimes unexpected results and connections. Twisted Proposal is beautifully paced with a gripping and intricate plot that is guaranteed to elicit the whole spectrum of emotions.
Recommend this book:
The Silent Woodsman
The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1
Cat Treadgold
2024 Bronze Medal
276 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Ammaarah Seboa for Readers' Favorite
Having undergone vocal surgery to save his voice, country singer Joe Bob Blade decides he should recuperate in the mystically beautiful Hoh Rain Forest, where he meets his very own babe in the woods in the form of Ali. Mary Alice, or Ali, finds herself soaked to the bone on Joe’s doorstep after a sudden downpour. With nothing but a notepad to communicate with, the two build this undeniable connection with one another. Back in civilization their time spent together seems like a dream neither wants to forget. The Silent Woodsman: The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1 by Cat Treadgold is such a beautiful and heartbreaking story that embodies the meaning of right-person-wrong-time.
Cat Treadgold created a beautiful and intricately woven story with just the right amount of reality. Having gone through a similar situation to Joe, Treadgold has shared a very personal and vulnerable part of herself with this story. Although written in the third person, I loved that the story was told from both Joe’s and Ali’s perspectives. The Silent Woodsman is a slow-burn romance set in the late ’90s. The moderate pace at which it evolved gave me time to focus on the character development of both Joe and Ali. Treadgold didn’t just attach them at the hip after that first encounter; instead, she shows us that life goes on and if it’s meant to be it will happen. I know that this is a work of fiction, but the sense of reality and the obstacles they had to overcome are what made me love their story.
Having undergone vocal surgery to save his voice, country singer Joe Bob Blade decides he should recuperate in the mystically beautiful Hoh Rain Forest, where he meets his very own babe in the woods in the form of Ali. Mary Alice, or Ali, finds herself soaked to the bone on Joe’s doorstep after a sudden downpour. With nothing but a notepad to communicate with, the two build this undeniable connection with one another. Back in civilization their time spent together seems like a dream neither wants to forget. The Silent Woodsman: The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1 by Cat Treadgold is such a beautiful and heartbreaking story that embodies the meaning of right-person-wrong-time.
Cat Treadgold created a beautiful and intricately woven story with just the right amount of reality. Having gone through a similar situation to Joe, Treadgold has shared a very personal and vulnerable part of herself with this story. Although written in the third person, I loved that the story was told from both Joe’s and Ali’s perspectives. The Silent Woodsman is a slow-burn romance set in the late ’90s. The moderate pace at which it evolved gave me time to focus on the character development of both Joe and Ali. Treadgold didn’t just attach them at the hip after that first encounter; instead, she shows us that life goes on and if it’s meant to be it will happen. I know that this is a work of fiction, but the sense of reality and the obstacles they had to overcome are what made me love their story.
Recommend this book:
The Fixer
Damaged Devils
Charity Parkerson
2024 Silver Medal
255 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Fixer is the first book in the Damaged Devils series by Charity Parkerson. Since he was eighteen, Chad Haynes had been under the control of a powerful man who paid for his college education in exchange for Chad's commitment to him in every way possible. Now twenty-seven, Chad has nothing but contempt for Kenneth Yearly, who also happens to be a senator and his stepfather. Two years ago, Chad moved to Cage Beach, Florida, and became a successful porn mogul who never misses an opportunity to embarrass his stepfather. When Journey Blue enters Chad's life, both discover an irresistible mutual attraction neither can deny. However, Journey works for a secret organization that seeks to manipulate Ken through Chad. Meanwhile, Ken will do everything to keep Chad under his thumb. What's next in store for Chad and Journey?
If you're a fan of sizzling hot LGBTQ thriller novels, The Fixer is the perfect book for you. Full of romance, suspense, and intrigue, this is a story about love against all odds. Charity Parkerson delivers a gripping first installment in what promises to be an absorbing series with a novel that has your attention from beginning to end. The plot maintains a brisk pace, with a few twists and turns up its sleeve to keep readers on their toes. The characters have definable traits that distinguish them from each other. The relationship between Chad and Journey feels genuine, and you want to see them end up together. Apart from Chad and Journey, I was also invested in the story arcs of Hale, Hardy, and Seven. For readers of erotic romance thrillers, you shouldn't miss out on this one!
The Fixer is the first book in the Damaged Devils series by Charity Parkerson. Since he was eighteen, Chad Haynes had been under the control of a powerful man who paid for his college education in exchange for Chad's commitment to him in every way possible. Now twenty-seven, Chad has nothing but contempt for Kenneth Yearly, who also happens to be a senator and his stepfather. Two years ago, Chad moved to Cage Beach, Florida, and became a successful porn mogul who never misses an opportunity to embarrass his stepfather. When Journey Blue enters Chad's life, both discover an irresistible mutual attraction neither can deny. However, Journey works for a secret organization that seeks to manipulate Ken through Chad. Meanwhile, Ken will do everything to keep Chad under his thumb. What's next in store for Chad and Journey?
If you're a fan of sizzling hot LGBTQ thriller novels, The Fixer is the perfect book for you. Full of romance, suspense, and intrigue, this is a story about love against all odds. Charity Parkerson delivers a gripping first installment in what promises to be an absorbing series with a novel that has your attention from beginning to end. The plot maintains a brisk pace, with a few twists and turns up its sleeve to keep readers on their toes. The characters have definable traits that distinguish them from each other. The relationship between Chad and Journey feels genuine, and you want to see them end up together. Apart from Chad and Journey, I was also invested in the story arcs of Hale, Hardy, and Seven. For readers of erotic romance thrillers, you shouldn't miss out on this one!
Recommend this book:
Dangerous Rhythm
The Echo Series
C. R. Alam
2024 Gold Medal
329 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Dangerous Rhythm is a work of fiction in the romance, interpersonal drama, action, and suspense subgenres, and is the fourth novel of The Echo Series. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author C. R. Alam, this thrilling tale merges the pulsating world of rock music with espionage, blending rousing action, sizzling chemistry, and deep emotional struggles. Curtis Bisset, a rock legend, witnesses a crime that thrusts him into the shadows, where he unexpectedly finds the very thing that has been missing in his life. Lina Cheung, an ex-military intelligence officer turned security detail for rock stars, is pulled back into Curtis's world to protect him from a vengeful mob boss. The narrative weaves a perilous dance between duty and desire as Curtis and Lina navigate danger, emotions, and a deadly pursuit.
Author C. R. Alam has crafted a rollercoaster of excitement, emotion, and suspense, building tension in the action-packed plot events, but also in the sizzling romantic chemistry between Curtis and Lina. The characters are well-developed with great attention to detail in their backstories, attitudes, and passions. Their struggles feel authentic as they react to the chaos building around them and showcase a great set of skills for the challenges ahead, but also powerful moments of vulnerability. This gives the characters great opportunities to lean on one another for complementary conflicts in their personalities, deepening the dynamic all the more. Alam strikes a perfect balance between rock and roll glamour and the gritty world of espionage, and the result is a captivating story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall, Dangerous Rhythm is an absolute must-read for those who crave an accomplished blend of romance, danger, and rockstar allure.
Dangerous Rhythm is a work of fiction in the romance, interpersonal drama, action, and suspense subgenres, and is the fourth novel of The Echo Series. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author C. R. Alam, this thrilling tale merges the pulsating world of rock music with espionage, blending rousing action, sizzling chemistry, and deep emotional struggles. Curtis Bisset, a rock legend, witnesses a crime that thrusts him into the shadows, where he unexpectedly finds the very thing that has been missing in his life. Lina Cheung, an ex-military intelligence officer turned security detail for rock stars, is pulled back into Curtis's world to protect him from a vengeful mob boss. The narrative weaves a perilous dance between duty and desire as Curtis and Lina navigate danger, emotions, and a deadly pursuit.
Author C. R. Alam has crafted a rollercoaster of excitement, emotion, and suspense, building tension in the action-packed plot events, but also in the sizzling romantic chemistry between Curtis and Lina. The characters are well-developed with great attention to detail in their backstories, attitudes, and passions. Their struggles feel authentic as they react to the chaos building around them and showcase a great set of skills for the challenges ahead, but also powerful moments of vulnerability. This gives the characters great opportunities to lean on one another for complementary conflicts in their personalities, deepening the dynamic all the more. Alam strikes a perfect balance between rock and roll glamour and the gritty world of espionage, and the result is a captivating story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall, Dangerous Rhythm is an absolute must-read for those who crave an accomplished blend of romance, danger, and rockstar allure.
Recommend this book:
Overruling Judgment
Liz Ellyn
2023 Finalist
294 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Treat yourself to a sizzling romance with Liz Ellyn's Overruling Judgment. Sasha Smirnova is an ambitious attorney at one of Chicago's most eminent law firms. After being put to work on a case with Ian O'Malley, someone with whom Sasha had a passionate one-night stand months ago, they were determined to keep things professional, as both have ambitions to become partners at the firm. Meanwhile, Sasha begins a romance with her ruggedly handsome art teacher JD, an ex-hockey player whose career ended abruptly. However, unbeknownst to Sasha, Ian and JD are brothers. Things get complicated when the two brothers realize they have feelings for the same woman. They come up with an unconventional solution that just might make everyone happy, but will it work?
Laced with erotic thrills, romance, humor, and drama, Overruling Judgment is the book for anyone looking for a blazing contemporary romance novel. Liz Ellyn weaves an engaging tale centered on a love triangle where all three participants are charming and compelling in their distinct ways. Ellyn maintains a brisk pace with the plot, which makes the book a breeze to read. Sasha, Ian, and JD have palpable chemistry, and their relationship dynamic provides the narrative thrust for the story. Each intimate scene involving the three is permeated with sexual tension and intrigue, and you can't help rooting for them to end up together. I was also pleasantly surprised by the humor-infused dialogue that made the reading experience all the more enjoyable. Recommended to contemporary romance readers.
Treat yourself to a sizzling romance with Liz Ellyn's Overruling Judgment. Sasha Smirnova is an ambitious attorney at one of Chicago's most eminent law firms. After being put to work on a case with Ian O'Malley, someone with whom Sasha had a passionate one-night stand months ago, they were determined to keep things professional, as both have ambitions to become partners at the firm. Meanwhile, Sasha begins a romance with her ruggedly handsome art teacher JD, an ex-hockey player whose career ended abruptly. However, unbeknownst to Sasha, Ian and JD are brothers. Things get complicated when the two brothers realize they have feelings for the same woman. They come up with an unconventional solution that just might make everyone happy, but will it work?
Laced with erotic thrills, romance, humor, and drama, Overruling Judgment is the book for anyone looking for a blazing contemporary romance novel. Liz Ellyn weaves an engaging tale centered on a love triangle where all three participants are charming and compelling in their distinct ways. Ellyn maintains a brisk pace with the plot, which makes the book a breeze to read. Sasha, Ian, and JD have palpable chemistry, and their relationship dynamic provides the narrative thrust for the story. Each intimate scene involving the three is permeated with sexual tension and intrigue, and you can't help rooting for them to end up together. I was also pleasantly surprised by the humor-infused dialogue that made the reading experience all the more enjoyable. Recommended to contemporary romance readers.
Recommend this book:
After the Storm
Lost in Austin Book 3
Christina Berry
2023 Honorable Mention
253 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
After the Storm: Lost in Austin Book 3 by Christina Berry is the next installment of the award-winning Lost in Austin series. The story unravels in New Orleans, Louisiana where Greg Hendricks is on a business trip as a senior structural engineer and director of forensic inspections for Crawford and Son Engineering Services. Near the French Quarter, he comes across a theater called Paradise and, most unusually, gets to know the beautiful and unforgettable Violet Devollier. Nine months later, he is back in Austin, Texas, and the reality is that his wife who has requested an open marriage has fallen in love with another man and is leaving him. He resorts to drinking and eventually loses his job. Trying to rebuild his life with the help of good friends, he learns that Hurricane Katrina, a category three storm, will be making landfall in New Orleans. He decides to drive to New Orleans to find Violet. Can he find Violet and the courage to start a new life in a place ravaged by the hurricane?
Christina Berry’s After the Storm is a sizzling romance. I haven’t read the first and second installments of the series but it didn’t stop me from appreciating the narrative. Greg Hendricks is a vulnerable character and readers will be compelled to cheer him on as he picks up the broken pieces of his life. Violet, on the other hand, is an intriguing character mourning the loss of her father, her city, and her life after the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina. It is in this emotionally charged setting that their love story unfolds, and it is an absorbing read. The physical and emotional relationship between them is equally as intense. This is a great read for fans of contemporary romance!
After the Storm: Lost in Austin Book 3 by Christina Berry is the next installment of the award-winning Lost in Austin series. The story unravels in New Orleans, Louisiana where Greg Hendricks is on a business trip as a senior structural engineer and director of forensic inspections for Crawford and Son Engineering Services. Near the French Quarter, he comes across a theater called Paradise and, most unusually, gets to know the beautiful and unforgettable Violet Devollier. Nine months later, he is back in Austin, Texas, and the reality is that his wife who has requested an open marriage has fallen in love with another man and is leaving him. He resorts to drinking and eventually loses his job. Trying to rebuild his life with the help of good friends, he learns that Hurricane Katrina, a category three storm, will be making landfall in New Orleans. He decides to drive to New Orleans to find Violet. Can he find Violet and the courage to start a new life in a place ravaged by the hurricane?
Christina Berry’s After the Storm is a sizzling romance. I haven’t read the first and second installments of the series but it didn’t stop me from appreciating the narrative. Greg Hendricks is a vulnerable character and readers will be compelled to cheer him on as he picks up the broken pieces of his life. Violet, on the other hand, is an intriguing character mourning the loss of her father, her city, and her life after the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina. It is in this emotionally charged setting that their love story unfolds, and it is an absorbing read. The physical and emotional relationship between them is equally as intense. This is a great read for fans of contemporary romance!
Recommend this book:
The Sins of a Farmgirl
C.T. Cait
2023 Bronze Medal
271 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Sins of a Farmgirl by C.T. Cait is set in small-town Cloverdale, Illinois, where Natalie Wilson faces a formidable challenge as the caretaker of her family farm following the untimely deaths of her parents. Motivated by her desire to support her brothers' aspirations, Natalie employs Jason Walker as a farmhand for assistance. Their undeniable chemistry results in massive desire but Natalie has always been 'family first' as a maternal figure to her brothers and their discontent at the pairing is felt deeply. Natalie yearns for companionship and finds it wearing a badge. Throughout it all there is a third man lurking in the background in the form of an ex that is never far off, and the problems that arise in the running of the farm escalate as the story hits fever pitch.
My mother used to joke that “it's only a sin if your dad finds out” which, ok, isn't exactly true but with her in the back of my mind, I reached for The Sins of a Farmgirl by C.T. Cait a little more rapidly than I may have otherwise. Thank goodness I did! The premise is heavy and what transpires as the story progresses is downright scary, and even though Natalie can be incredibly frustrating in the way she flutters through anything with the potential for a meaningful love life, the heart wants what the heart wants. It just does not always know what that is straightaway. Natalie is young but she has basically lived two or three lifetimes and as the mother to a young woman near the same age, I could understand how her being forced into circumstances of adulthood while still a teen herself would mean the organic emotional growth she would have is stunted. She and the men who chase her are fully developed, lifelike characters, and as a novel, this young adult rural romance is also perfect for those of us “of a certain age”. Very highly recommended.
The Sins of a Farmgirl by C.T. Cait is set in small-town Cloverdale, Illinois, where Natalie Wilson faces a formidable challenge as the caretaker of her family farm following the untimely deaths of her parents. Motivated by her desire to support her brothers' aspirations, Natalie employs Jason Walker as a farmhand for assistance. Their undeniable chemistry results in massive desire but Natalie has always been 'family first' as a maternal figure to her brothers and their discontent at the pairing is felt deeply. Natalie yearns for companionship and finds it wearing a badge. Throughout it all there is a third man lurking in the background in the form of an ex that is never far off, and the problems that arise in the running of the farm escalate as the story hits fever pitch.
My mother used to joke that “it's only a sin if your dad finds out” which, ok, isn't exactly true but with her in the back of my mind, I reached for The Sins of a Farmgirl by C.T. Cait a little more rapidly than I may have otherwise. Thank goodness I did! The premise is heavy and what transpires as the story progresses is downright scary, and even though Natalie can be incredibly frustrating in the way she flutters through anything with the potential for a meaningful love life, the heart wants what the heart wants. It just does not always know what that is straightaway. Natalie is young but she has basically lived two or three lifetimes and as the mother to a young woman near the same age, I could understand how her being forced into circumstances of adulthood while still a teen herself would mean the organic emotional growth she would have is stunted. She and the men who chase her are fully developed, lifelike characters, and as a novel, this young adult rural romance is also perfect for those of us “of a certain age”. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Beautifully Damaged
Beautifully Damaged Series Book One
J.A. Owenby
2023 Silver Medal
300 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite
Beautifully Damaged: Beautifully Damaged Series Book One by J.A. Owenby is a fascinating and unforgettable romance story. It follows River Collins as she struggles to claw her way out of hell at only nineteen. River lives in a trailer park with her legal guardian, Dan, who is an alcoholic and a drug addict. Dan often beats her and takes advantage of her body. River is determined to make Dan pay for all the harm he caused her. But her plan to get rid of Dan didn't succeed in the way she wanted, and now she has other enemies, even more dangerous, haunting her. On her way to a safe place, River ends up on Holden Alastair's property. Shortly after she meets him, she gets hit by a car, and Holden must look after her until she heals. Nothing could prepare River for what she discovers during her stay.
Whoever thinks romance books are not for them or that they are only for girls or women should read Beautifully Damaged by J.A. Owenby. This book is absorbing and an absolute mind-shock, but also quite sinister, intense, steamy, and suspenseful. The behavior of a person who has been through highly traumatic experiences, who fears trusting someone again, and who easily gets triggered is captured perfectly by Owenby. I enjoyed the gradual revealing of the depth of the characters' dark secrets. I dare you not to fall in love with this well-written emotional roller coaster, which has plenty of unexpected plot twists, angst, tragedy, action, and most importantly love, which leads to a completely gripping and heart-wrenching page-turner.
Beautifully Damaged: Beautifully Damaged Series Book One by J.A. Owenby is a fascinating and unforgettable romance story. It follows River Collins as she struggles to claw her way out of hell at only nineteen. River lives in a trailer park with her legal guardian, Dan, who is an alcoholic and a drug addict. Dan often beats her and takes advantage of her body. River is determined to make Dan pay for all the harm he caused her. But her plan to get rid of Dan didn't succeed in the way she wanted, and now she has other enemies, even more dangerous, haunting her. On her way to a safe place, River ends up on Holden Alastair's property. Shortly after she meets him, she gets hit by a car, and Holden must look after her until she heals. Nothing could prepare River for what she discovers during her stay.
Whoever thinks romance books are not for them or that they are only for girls or women should read Beautifully Damaged by J.A. Owenby. This book is absorbing and an absolute mind-shock, but also quite sinister, intense, steamy, and suspenseful. The behavior of a person who has been through highly traumatic experiences, who fears trusting someone again, and who easily gets triggered is captured perfectly by Owenby. I enjoyed the gradual revealing of the depth of the characters' dark secrets. I dare you not to fall in love with this well-written emotional roller coaster, which has plenty of unexpected plot twists, angst, tragedy, action, and most importantly love, which leads to a completely gripping and heart-wrenching page-turner.
Recommend this book:
Unexpected Entanglement
The Echo Series Book 3
C. R. Alam
2023 Gold Medal
338 Pages
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Romance - Sizzle
Reviewed by Chinazo Anozie for Readers' Favorite
Unexpected Entanglement: The Echo Series Book 3 by C. R. Alam is a romance involving Rowan and Chris. Rowan had always looked up to her father and enjoyed fixing up their old family inn with him. He unexpectedly confessed to having a secret love child - a half-sister that she and her brother Kieran never knew about - and died shortly after. Rowan’s world was turned upside down. She took this as a sign to leave a loveless 5-year relationship and a corporate job she wasn’t crazy about to relocate to Vinalhaven and fulfill her father’s dream of reopening Bright Head Inn. The odds were stacked against Rowan and Kieran but they must reconnect with their sister Rae to have any chance of rescuing the inn. The series of events that followed would either give Rowan another chance at love or cause her to lose her beloved family inn.
Unexpected Entanglement was a great romance and I loved how spunky Rowan was. I also enjoyed the suspenseful whodunit theme of who was behind the sabotaging of the inn. It gave the book a multidimensional feel that elevated it beyond the average romance novel. Although I had many guesses as to the culprit, all my assumptions were wrong and I was pleasantly surprised by the final revelation. I also loved that the secondary characters had distinctive personalities, and my favorite was Walt. They all had their own stories to tell and were all well-rounded. I enjoyed the hint of a blossoming attraction between Oliver and Bobbie and the tease of what could be between Frankie and clueless Kieran. I am a new reader of C. R. Alam’s works, but this tale has prompted me to discover more of her books.
Unexpected Entanglement: The Echo Series Book 3 by C. R. Alam is a romance involving Rowan and Chris. Rowan had always looked up to her father and enjoyed fixing up their old family inn with him. He unexpectedly confessed to having a secret love child - a half-sister that she and her brother Kieran never knew about - and died shortly after. Rowan’s world was turned upside down. She took this as a sign to leave a loveless 5-year relationship and a corporate job she wasn’t crazy about to relocate to Vinalhaven and fulfill her father’s dream of reopening Bright Head Inn. The odds were stacked against Rowan and Kieran but they must reconnect with their sister Rae to have any chance of rescuing the inn. The series of events that followed would either give Rowan another chance at love or cause her to lose her beloved family inn.
Unexpected Entanglement was a great romance and I loved how spunky Rowan was. I also enjoyed the suspenseful whodunit theme of who was behind the sabotaging of the inn. It gave the book a multidimensional feel that elevated it beyond the average romance novel. Although I had many guesses as to the culprit, all my assumptions were wrong and I was pleasantly surprised by the final revelation. I also loved that the secondary characters had distinctive personalities, and my favorite was Walt. They all had their own stories to tell and were all well-rounded. I enjoyed the hint of a blossoming attraction between Oliver and Bobbie and the tease of what could be between Frankie and clueless Kieran. I am a new reader of C. R. Alam’s works, but this tale has prompted me to discover more of her books.
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