Only Forever by Cristin Harber

Grayson Ford and Emma Kinglsey—close since they were kids, opposites in every way. He’s the stuff high school crushes are made of, Mister Popular, and captain of every team. She’s artsy, cute, and not in his league, though fully aware of Summerland’s "I Dream of Dating Grayson Ford" support group.

I can’t say no. The girl’s had my heart since before I knew it went missing.

He hides a life of hell. His father hates him, his mother’s gone. Emma is his only savior, yet she doesn’t know her power over him. She’s the only girl he wants, the only one he could ever tell—though he won’t.

I’m stronger, bigger, more of a man than he’ll ever be, but because I ruined his life, I’ve taken his crap, his attacks, the vulgar nature of his existence.

Until she discovers Gray’s embarrassment, his humiliation. Emma fights for him, for a chance. Theirs is a Cinderella story that she believes impossible. But as the layers peel back, it’s just a guy who needs a girl in order to keep breathing.

My mind is already doodling Mrs. Grayson Ford in imaginary notebooks. He has no clue where my head is at… But, given that I didn’t see what just happened coming, maybe I have no clue where his head is at either.- Only For Him summary on Goodreads.



Only Forever is the final book in the Only Novella Series by Cristin Harber.

Grayson and Emma! How I love these two. And honestly what a cool way to tell a story.
Each book keeps their romance going. From high school (Only for Him),finding  each other 3 years later (Only for Her), learning how to co-parent their child (Only for Us) , and finally their happily ever after (Only Forever).

I really enjoyed these books! My only real complaint is because they were so small, and there was always some kind of new hurdle for the characters, we never just get to watch them be happy in love. Don't get me wrong, they still gave me all kinds of feels, but it would have been nice to experience them together without some kind of obstacle constantly being in their way.

Though on the other hand, Only Forver and the others were intense and exciting. Heart breaking and warming. I LOVED THEM

Only forever was amazing! And a perfect ending to this small, sweet series.  AND.. I hope to see more Grayson in the upcoming delta books!!

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Fight for Me by Bethany Bazile

I just needed someone to show me how to fight for me…

When tragedy hits Alexis Cole is shattered. She carries the blame on her shoulders after losing a big piece of herself. When Ryder Hayes sweeps back into her life, she has something to hold on to, but just as quickly as he appeared he was gone. When fate-or meddling parents-throw them back together they can no longer deny the heat that’s burned between them for years.

Ryder has always wanted Lexi, but he’s never fought so hard against something in his life. Saving Lexi from her past was never on his agenda, but he could never bear letting her drown in it. With his UFC championship title on the line, the last thing he needs is to be distracted by Lexi. When she’s thrown back into his life he can no longer fight their attraction. 

But once he claims her he knows he’ll never let go. -Fight For Me summary on Goodreads.


The synopsis sounded really intriguing. Plus it was a fighter book (one of my favorite types of romance novels). So of course I HAD to read it.

I have to say, it was really poorly executed. If I were to write down all of what I occured in the first thirty percent of the book, it would sounds interesting enough. However the characters, drove me nuts.

1. The main guy Ryder, was a huge douche. I dont mean like a guy with a hard exterior who had a good heart on the inside. I mean a childish douche canoe who doesnt care about anyone but himself. Yeah, his parental situation sucked, but you're really gonna take it out on everyone? Get over yourself.

2. Alexis.  Whiney, annoying, spoiled brat. Couldnt relate to her at all.

The two main characters had no chemistry. I found it impossible to root for them. As interesting and awesome as this book could have been, I just couldnt finish it. It was to much work to try and care about these two. In the end I just couldn't get into it. One Keo.

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Stage Dive Series by Kylie Scott

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favourite son is sure to be a wild ride.

-Lick summary on Goodreads

OH MY GAW-ISH.

Alright, I will admit. Normally I do not go for the rocker bad boy books. 

NORMALLY.

Kylie Scott TOTALLY CHANGED MY MIND! NEW FAVE ALERT** BEEP BEEP!

Lick-Super sexy read. Loved Evelyn and David. They had pretty amazing chemistry and the whole drunk vegas wedding story, was cute and charming instead of cheesy. Also the conflict towards the end of the book that lead to some distance between the characters, made me teary eyed and had me making frustrated noises at my e-reader.

Play- (Cassandra's favorite) I LOVE ME SOME MAL. He is such a goof ball. A sexy, sweet, dorky goofball. This one did come off a little cheesy, how they ended up spending so much time together, but it was cute, and they had a very sweet romance, so I still loved it.

Lead- I really, really disliked Jimmy in the previous books. Like wanted to smack him upside the head, dislike. Lena though, loved her. She was feisty and didn't take any of Jimmy's crap. I think their chemistry is what kept my attention and made me want to discover more about the douche canoe. They were such a good match, even though I still wanted to smack Jimmy at the end, I did love this book.

Deep- BEN, OH SWEET SWEET BEN!!  My main man, for sure, and Lizzy she was just excellent. I loved how young Lizzy was but she wasn't some clingy pathetic mess that I couldn't stand. She was strong and secure with her self and with Ben. My only complaint is how tiny his book was, I was so excited but he only had 14 chapters! I needed more! This was one was my ultimate favorite, and made me teary eyed and I may have slightly swooned for Ben.

This whole series gets 5 Keos

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Asa by Jay Crownover

Jay Crownover’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with the much anticipated story of southern charmer and certified criminal Asa Cross.

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make. -Asa summary on Goodreads

ITS OVER! MARKED MEN IS OVER! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

In all seriousness, I am legitimately sad that this series is over! Oh! My sweet, tattooed, messy, and sexy as hell, tattoo artists, rockstars, ex military, bartenders... I will miss you all and the badass women who stole you're hearts.

*small cry fest while holding onto my paper backs for dear life*

Enough of that. Okay.

Asa and Royal had a great story, and although it was probably one of the more tame books, as far as it's drama, it was still amazing. The hurtle that needed to be overcome was believable, and it didn't leave me feeling like either character was overreacting, or that it was just there to hold page space between the characters falling in love and their HEA.

Asa, the sexy former (former?) bad boy . He was a real piece of crap in Jet, and even though he was trying to be a better man/ brother, I was super surprised when I found out he was getting his own book. Yeah, he wasn't the best guy in the world before, he was pretty freakin horrible honestly, but I liked his message about second chances, and learning from your mistakes.

Plus like I said, yummy! and who wouldn't forgive the handsome bad boy with a southern accent and wicked smile?

(This would be my Asa if he was a tad blonde, Parker Gregory. Thanks google.)

Royal! I was truly excited for her. I LOVED her in Nash, and I identified with her a lot in this book. I liked that she was the one doing the chasing, and I liked how she was all in no matter what. Sometimes its nice to see a female lead who is the strong and steady one, and the guy being the character that needs to get over an emotional impasse.

So overall I give this book 5 keos, what an AWESOME END to one of my ALL TIME favorite romance series. Thanks Jay Crownover, for first being so kick ass and starting these books in the first place, but also for ending it in the best way. LOVED all the warm fuzzy moments, and how it ended on such a high note.

I will be re-reading the crap out of these books, I will also try to calm my soul with Jay's The Point series, and wait (on the edge of my seat) for The Saints of Denver series coming out hopefully soon.

XOXO -E

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Freefall, Clutch and Dray by Tess Oliver

 

After leaving high school, with a hard won diploma and the title of most likely to break hearts, Alexander "Nix" Pierce has left his wild, out of control years mostly behind him. A small inheritance from his grandfather has given him the funds to open up his tattoo shop, Freefall, and he has started to pull his life together. Aside from trying to keep his best friend, Dray, from killing himself in the fight ring, and his slight obsession with a pin-up model he's never met, Nix's life is going smoothly . . . until Scotlyn James, the object of his obsession, walks into his shop.
Ever since a tragic accident killed her family and left her alone in the world, Scotlyn James hasn't spoken one word. Up until now she didn't care that she had no way of talking to people. Her awful aunt would never have listened, and Lincoln Hammond the arrogant, selfish man who pulled her from the streets of Los Angeles wouldn't hear her words if she could speak. But when Lincoln insists she get a tattoo to cover up a scar on her side, Scotlyn meets the artist, Nix Pierce. And now she longs for her voice. Now she has found someone who will hear her. -Freefall summary on Goodreads

Book #2 

When Taylor Flinn’s parents shipped her off to an aunt for her last year of high school, James “Clutch” Mason had convinced himself it was for the best. Taylor, the wild, impulsive and far-too-appealing seventeen-year-old had been driving him nuts. Her school girl crush on him had been the last thing he needed. Now he had time to concentrate on his booming classic car part business, his new found love-- drag racing, and keeping his twenty-year-old brother Barrett out of trouble.
But when Taylor returns from her aunt’s more grown up, utterly seductive, and attached to another guy, Clutch realizes that the only thing he ever needed or wanted was Taylor Flinn. - Clutch summary on Goodreads

Book #3
When Cassie, the woman he loves, leaves him for a job in New York, Dray Warner finds his life falling apart. With nothing else to lose he takes up his friend, Barrett Mason’s, offer to head down to Mexico for some surfing and good times. But Dray’s conscience, hot temper and extreme fighting skills hurl him into a world of danger . . . a danger that could cost him his life.

Cassie Carlton was sure she was making the right decision accepting her dream job in New York. She and Dray had parted ways and while she remains heartbroken by the break up, she needs to move on with her life. But when Cassie learns that Dray is in trouble, she realizes she will sacrifice anything to save him. -Dray summary on Goodreads

This was a cute series. I was instantly attracted to the books and devoured them over two days.

There was definitely character building that needed to be done, but the stories we're small quick reads. Also since it wasn't a YA series, I was kind of put off that the Romantic side of the stories were basically cut out just as they got good. (lets be real here I want to see them actually get together dangit!) That also got better throughout the series. However a bunch of really important scenes seemed to be missing. Once I got through all the fighting and turmoil from the hurtle that the couples overcame, the books would just end, or not really give the me the closer that I needed from dealing with all the drama.

So overall the series so far is cute, and i liked it enough, but its not one of my favorites.

Rhett the next book in the series is out now but I'll probably read that later. 

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Beautiful Redemption by Jaime Mcguire (some what spoiler review)

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. 

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. 

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last. - Beautiful Redemtion summary on Goodreads.

I was so excited for Thomas, in the previous books he really captured my attention and the summary on good reads made me interested in meeting Liis, but honestly end of the book, I didn't feel a strong connection to their relationship. It still felt like for me anyway, that Thomas only wanted to get with her because he wanted to forget his ex Cami. 

There was no getting to know you phase (huge pet peeve for me) and their relationship read like it was instant love. I met you in a bar, we said five words to each other, then we boned (ps the love scene was written like they had some deep connection which irked me), and Wham! True love, but no real character building to make it seem real. Especially with his STRONG feelings for Cami, it just makes it seem like (sorry to be crude)  Liis has a magic vagina that changed him after a roll in the bed. 

There was NO flirty banter shared before they left the bar, it honestly didn't even sound like she was interested in him before she agreed to do the deed. BUT hey what does that matter, right?

 If this was real life, Thomas would have finally just picked a random girl to end his dry spell, and sure the sex would have been great but it wouldn't have been like he finally got with the girl of his dreams after waiting so long. In the book however, he had finally found his match, even though he had talked to her for two minutes prior.  Yes it was good but since there was NO chemistry between the two before they hopped in bed, really any chic could have cut it. Lets get real here it was just physical and thats an okay place to start they don't have to have this fated feel to them right off the bat, this isn't a YA novel. 

It also bugged me that this was supposed to be about Liis and Thomas but at every turn he was saying how much he loved Cami, and even at the end of the book it doesnt say that he wasnt any more, just that he loved Liis more. (Yeah sure, doesnt sound like it) 

Man I was really looking forward to this book and I thought for sure Thomas was going to be my favorite. I was really disappointed.

I gave this book 3 Keos, because it did have a lot of promise, the story concept and the plot to save Travis was really interesting, and as much as I had an issue with their love story, the background storyline was pretty excellent. I hate to harp this again but maybe if some of this story was in Thomas's POV I would have understood him more.

I'm not too sure if I will continue on with the series after this, mostly because Ive never been absolutely blown away with any of the books so far, but I might. 

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Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt. 

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red. 

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again. - Beautiful Oblivion summary on Goodreads

I liked Cami thought she would did everything I would in her situation. Even though it was a messy love triangle kind of story (normally I hate that), There really wasn't anything that was  binding her to TJ for me. I was tream Trent from the start. Trent was really similar to Travis to me. I obviously liked him.

I would as much as i liked this book, I would have LOVED it in alt POVS. I liked Trent , but I would have connected to him ALOT more if i could have taken a sneak peak into his head.

The twist at the end with who TJ was defiantly threw me. I have to say that i didn't see that coming but it did make a lot of things much more clear, I still think it's a weird situation for Cami, and I'm sure that it will make for tons of drama in books to come.

What in the hell was that little tid bit that totally tripped me up from the Abby and Travis story?! Seriously?! 

I overall liked Beautiful Oblivion but i really need the alt POVs to LOVE it.

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