Book Review: In The Unlikely Event - LJ Shen

Title: In The Unlikely Event
Author: LJ Shen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Standalone
Release Date: November 18, 2019

Sometimes you meet people who are out of this world, so you make them a part of yours.

A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?

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In The Unlikely Event is now available in audio!
Narrated by: Shane East, Muffy Newton and Savannah Peachwood
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L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries.

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.



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I don't know what to make of this story. LJ Shen definitely upped and went over herself on this one. This may be different from the typical stories she writes but it doesn't mean that it is any less good.

I like the back and forth of the past and the present. The story was well presented and timeline is just right. I may not understand instalove but it doesn't mean I don't get to enjoy a love so pure it wrecks you for someone else. I liked that all the characters, regardless how small, had their own spotlight and have been a vital part of the plot. Everything was placed in such a way that it does make sense. The multiple POVs are just hilarious to watch as well. At least it also gets you into perspective of what is happening. Like seeing a 360 picture. And those twist? Just when you thought you figured it out, she comes smacking your face with a plot twist so fast you wouldn't even know what hits you.

LJ Shen writes good heroines. Those that you want to hate but can't. The one who's weak and strong at the same time. I like Rory's fierceness and her ability to love and forgive. She may not have made the best decisions in life but she does own up to what she do without having to blame others. Mal on the other hand is just as perfectly broken. He fights for what he wants head on regardless of the consequences. He loves fiercely and protects those he loves to the core.

I'm giving this a 4.5 stars. It's almost there, it's kind of missing something but I couldn't put my finger on it. But this is definitely a good read.

Book Review: Baby Daddy Rescue - Angel Devlin and Tracy Lorraine

Title: Baby Daddy Rescue
Author: Angel Devlin and Tracy Lorraine
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Hot Daddy, Book 2
Release Date: November 14, 2019



I get so much pussy I’m surprised I’ve not been given charitable status as a pet rescue.

Aiden
My best friend needs rescuing from herself. She’s about to jump headfirst into a decision that’s going to change her life forever and she’s going about it the wrong way. She’s been my left-hand woman for years but is it possible that I’ve never seen what’s right in front of me? Did I lose myself living the high life my reputation as a fireman comes with? As things start to heat up, I soon realise this is one inferno that I’m not going to be able to put out!

Kaylie
My best friend has always been by my side, but as my thirtieth approaches, my ideas for what my life should be by now seem further away than ever. I want a husband, a home, and 2.4 kids.
My only problem is the closest I’m getting is a number of horrendous dates. But could the answer be closer than I realise? Aiden keeps rescuing me, but is he about to light my fire?

Read BABY DADDY RESCUE to discover if this combination leaves a bitter taste or is the sweetest delight?




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Angel Devlin is the alter-ego of paranormal, rom com, and suspense writer, Andie M. Long. Check out Angel for stories of heart and heat.

She lives in Sheffield with her partner, son, and a gorgeous whippet called Bella.

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Tracy Lorraine is a British contemporary romance author. Tracy lives in a cute Cotswold village with her husband, daughter and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.

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Baby Daddy Rescue is the second stand-alone installment of the Hot Daddy Series by Angel Devlin and Tracy Lorraine.

I've always been a sucker for inrequited love. Throw some best friends to lovers trope and I'm gone. I love watching how their love story unfolds, how they genuinely care and would do anything for each other. I've always been fascinated by the fact that there were people who grow up to be the best of friends that they were. It would've been perfect if there were more twist or a bigger bump on the road than what was told. I do love that little conflict though. I also like the little cameo of Jenson and Leah.

I like how desperate Kaylie was but when the time came, she still had that dignity to turn it down because how it was being offered, at least how she understood it. She's sassy when she needs to and she knows how to get what she wants. I also like how Aiden takes care of her. He's a definite bad-ass and a sweetheart rolled into one. They're personality just matched. A pair that is definitely swoon-worthy.

I'm giving this 4.5 stars because it almost made me cry. There were even parts where it almost hurts.

Book Review: Fighter's Kiss - Sienna Blake

Title: Fighter's Kiss
Author: Sienna Blake
Genre: MMA Romance
Series: Irish Kiss, Book 3
Release Date: October 1, 2019

Declan “The Homewrecker” Gallagher.
World #1 MMA Champion.
Broad shoulders, perfect eight pack and the temper of a bull.
Still recovering from a car accident that broke his body.
Still married to the cheating supermodel bitch who broke his heart.

…My new boss

I can’t even begin to list all the reasons why getting close to him is a bad idea.
Or going to that fancy red carpet thing as his date.
Or letting him kiss me like he might never let me go.

Did I say bad idea?
Scratch that.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

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I haven’t read much from Sienna Blake. But from the few books I read of hers, I could confidently say that she can write one helluva story.

Fighter’s Kiss was the third installment from the Irish Kiss series and a complete standalone. In comparison with the first two books, Darmuid and Danny were scarce on the story. They have a few appearances but not as much as the first two books. I liked how the story flowed and how things progressed. Although it was kind of an instant attraction, the story slowly builds up and not the typical insta-love and they lived happily ever after. It sometimes get tiring to read insta-love where they had this attraction at first meeting and they fell madly in love in just a span of a week. Fighter’s Kiss, although only progress in a span of few weeks, there were scenes that actually made them connected with one another apart from just the sexual tension. I also like that it crossed a little with The Irish Lottery. I think the only that I was missing was a little more angst. There was a little hitch on the journey, but it was just that a hitch. I was maybe looking for a little more fight.

The characters are easy to connect to. You would kind of understand why they act the way they do. Their decisions are mostly understandable given their past and the feelings their harboring. I just feel that River’s reason for running away isn’t established that much. Even though it was further explained what happened, it kind of doesn’t feel as big of a deal as they make it out to be. It felt a little lacking. Declan on the other hand, despite the tough exterior shows how soft he can be on the inside.

I’d give this an overall 4.5 stars. I just really think a little more angst in it made it perfect.

Book Review: Serenading Heartbreak - Ella Fields

Title: Serenading Heartbreak
Author: Ella Fields
Genre: NA Romance
Release Date: September 25, 2019

My first love was my brother’s best friend.

A lead singer in their band.
A picture of rugged perfection.
And a drunk soul mate who couldn’t commit.

My second love was an arrogant baseball player.

A player in every sense of the word.
A smooth-talking, reliable best friend.
And a chance at something beautiful and true.

The problem with having a first and second love?
That would be loving them at the same time.

My story isn’t some sexy triangle.
It’s exquisite agony.

Fate gave me two men to love,
but none of us knew which one I could keep.

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Ella Fields never seizes to amaze me with her words. After all the angst in her novels, I literally had to find a LOL book. My heart couldn’t just take more from her. Now she releases another book to tear me apart. Who am I if not a sucker for punishment? Serenading Heartbreak is only the fourth book I read from Ella Fields but I can’t find the right words to describe how she’s slowly creeping up my authors list.

Serenading Heartbreak is different from other books that I’ve read. I’ve been racking my brains but came out emptyhanded when I tried recalling if I have ever read a story as raw as this. We’ve read a lot of love triangles but this is more than words can actually explain. This is the first book, I think, that I have been so indecisive on who I was rooting for. First person POV with only the girl’s side of the story doesn’t even help in trying to figure out what comes next. The twist comes at just the right time that will have you gasping for air just to absorb what just happened. My mind was on a whirlwind having to figure out what I wanted. I wanted to stop but yet I keep on flipping the page hungry for more knives to stab my already bleeding heart. It was just beautifully written and perfectly ended. You may think you’ve got it figured out, but the changes in events will have you second guessing your thoughts until you reach the end of the line.

I’ve been so invested in all the characters because they speak to me, to the readers. I loved Stevie. Then there she goes doing something I didn’t exactly agree on and I wanted to shake some sense to her. I may not have agreed on most of her decisions, but she was beautifully written in a way that she’s hard to hate. Then there Everett –our troubled, bad rocker. Who doesn’t love them? Despite and because of their flaws, we love them. But don’t we also love some sweet, charismatic playboy athlete who’s been her friend and confidante where she can just be herself? Yes, that’s Aiden right there. So tell me? how are we going to choose between them? It was painful and confusing, it made my head hurt. Which is exactly the reason why I loved them so much. They made me feel so alive. So connected to the story.

Overall, I’d give this 4.5 stars out of 5. It’s almost there. I just wished I shed more tears. More being the keyword

Book Review: Forever and Never - Ella Fields

Title: Forever and Never

Author: Ella Fields 

Genre: NA Romance

Series: Magnolia Cove, Book 2

Release Date: June 26, 2019

Lars Bradby was supposed to be my forever.

That was before we found out he would become a father at the tender age of eighteen.

For years, he’d watched me.

For months, he’d wanted me.

For weeks, he’d chased me.

Relentless and infuriating, he turned my stubborn heart into something pliable and weak. 

Sly and honest, he worked his way into my life as though he’d always planned to be the focal point of it.

In love and naive, even when our future seemed bleak, I believed in us. 

Heartbroken and desperate, I tore my bleeding heart from my chest, wanting only the best for him.

In doing so, our forever wasn’t just interrupted. It was chased away with one irreversible decision after another. 

And now, we could no longer see it beneath the heaping piles of debris we’d left in our wake.

💔💔💔

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Ella Fields just did it again. Just when I thought I would get through without having to cry or break my heart, I was yet faced by another disappointment.

I've been seeing posts of how they were ruined by Forever and Never so I had to brace myself before diving in. I was starting to think that they either have been exaggerating or this book isn't really for me. But I was wrong. Why I thought my heart wouldn't break or that those tears wouldn't fall as I wade through Ella Fields's words is beyond me. Slowly, a hand was crushing into my heart, squeezing it oh so gently until it couldn't beat anymore, crushing it until it's dust. I liked that none of it was easy. Because it keeps you on the edge. Not knowing what'll happen next and if you're getting the ending that you badly need. It wasn't predictable. It wasn't smooth sailing. It was all the rough roads and the storms combined. If they got through it or not, you'd have to stick around to find out. Unlike other stories where you'd know what the ending would be and just a matter or how.

I like how Ella keeps her heroines level-headed. Yes, they make stupid decisions. But good looks and sex appeal doesn't really get them. Of course they can be attracted, but not the type of girl that forgets all rational thought just because they smell the hero. I also loved how they are equal in a sense. Not all damsel in distress where the guy have to do all the grovelling. They meet halfway. They compromise. The girl knows when she messed up and she knows when to suck it up or do something about it. The heroes are also something to learn from. No matter how obsessed and in love they may be, they show how human they are and that they hurt. They just don't forgive them at the first sight of tears.

This would be a 4.5 stars for me. Almost perfect. Had the heartbreak been at the first 50% of the book, I would've given this a 5. But I would definitely recommend this book. Worth losing a few hours of sleep.