When A Tropical Getaway Turns Steamy: Make Me Crave by Katee Robert

MAKE ME CRAVE

by Katee Robert
Series: Make Me #2

Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Dare

Publication Date: July 1st 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★1/2

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“I crave you…”
Can their hunger be satisfied?

Roman Bassani will do anything to close a deal. Even chase down Allie Landers on her Caribbean vacation to make an offer on her company. He expects a challenge—but not their immediate intense attraction. After an accidental one-night stand they agree to put business aside—for now. The island lulls them into a heated sexual journey…but what happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

Rusty Nailed: The book I should not have read

RUSTY NAILED

by Alice Clayton

Series: Cocktail #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Simon Schuster Audio

Publication Date: June 2014

Source: Scribd

Narrator:  Heather Smith

Rating: ★★1/2

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In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.
Playing house was never so much fun — or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running — especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though!
Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

A New Favorite? YEP! The Kiss Quotient Review

THE KISS QUOTIENT

by Helen Hoang

Series: The Kiss Quotient #1

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Publication Date: June 5th 2018

Source: Scribd

Rating: ★★★★★

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A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases -- a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice -- with a professional.

Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan -- from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

Reading My First Stripper Book: Stripped by Tara Wyatt

STRIPPED

by Tara Wyatt
Series: Blue HEAT #1

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: May 15th 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★1/2

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Detective Sawyer Matthews isn’t just having a bad day—he’s having the worst day. His hunt for the criminal who killed his team member has stalled and now… he’s got to play nice with his new, totally unwanted partner. It’s not that she isn’t qualified, or that he doesn’t like her—it’s because he knows what she looks like naked. So very, very naked.
Brooke Simmons finally landed her dream job working for H.E.A.T, an elite undercover detective squad, and she’s not giving up simply because she had a one-night-stand with her sullen—but undeniably sexy—new partner. They’ll just have to keep it professional. Easier said than done, considering their first case requires Sawyer to infiltrate a drug cartel operating out of a male strip show. Watching him do his best Magic Mike impression every night isn’t just hot—it’s torture.
Sawyer doesn’t need any distractions, yet his attraction to Brooke is explosive and he can’t resist going for round two. Or three. Or four. But as their investigation progresses and danger mounts, they’ll have to put their jobs, hearts, and lives on the line to fight… for each other, for survival, and for justice.

Sneak Peek: The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland

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Blog Tour Stop: A Taste of Pleasure by Chloe Blake

A Taste of Pleasure

by Chloe Blake

Series: Deliciously Dechamps #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Kimani Romance

Publication Date: July 1st 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★1/2

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Italy is the perfect place for new career beginnings—at least that’s what chef Danica Nillson hopes. But one look at sexy single dad Antonio Dante Lorenzetti, and her plan to keep romance out of her kitchen goes up in flames. The millionaire restaurateur wants stability. Not unbridled passion that makes him lose his senses. Is this beautiful, talented and headstrong chef the one he’s been waiting for?

Pink Hair and Swoony Romance! Making Up by Lucy Parker

MAKING UP 

by Lucy Parker

Series: London Celebrities #3

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press/Harlequin Audio

Publication Date: May 29th 2018

Source: Scribd/eARC received through Netgalley for review purposes

Narrator:  Billie Fulford-Brown

Rating: ★★★★★
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Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.
Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and — in an unexpected twist — an engagingly good kisser.
To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.
When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London — and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.
It seems hopeless.
Utterly impossible.

Effortlessly sexy: Mr. Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau

Mr. Hotshot CEO

by Jackie Lau

Series: Kwan Sisters #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: July 10th 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★★★

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As CEO of Fong Investments, I’m a busy man. In fact, my family claims I’m an obsessive workaholic, and when they force me to take two weeks off, I have no idea what to do with myself.

While brooding over an espresso, I meet Courtney Kwan, a biomedical researcher who savors the little things in life. And, suddenly, an idea strikes me—I will pay this woman to teach me how to enjoy my vacation from work.

Soon, I find myself doing crazy things like baking cookies, reading for pleasure, buying a phallic cactus, and falling in love. But Courtney is dealing with some serious issues of her own, and I fear that when I return to work, I won’t be able to give her what she needs, and I’ll lose her forever...

Mr. Hotshot CEO is my first Jackie Lau book and oh my god, why is it so hard to review a book that you love? Jackie's writing is so easy to follow, the story flowed seamlessly... I have no idea what to say about this book because I love it too much. It pains me that I can't put my feelings into words and do this book justice but I shall try in this post.

Blog Tour Stop: Make Me Crave by Katee Robert

Make Me Crave

by Katee Robert
Series: Make Me #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Dare

Publication Date: July 1st 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★1/2
Amazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo

“I crave you...”

Can their hunger be satisfied? 

Roman Bassani will do anything to close a deal. Even chase down Allie Landers on her Caribbean vacation to make an offer on her company. He expects a challenge—but not their immediate intense attraction. After an accidental one-night stand they agree to put business aside—for now. The island lulls them into a heated sexual journey...but what happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

I read Make Me Want earlier this year and it didn't work for me, but fortunately Make Me Crave hit all my kinks! I definitely enjoyed it more than the first book.

Although it is the second book in the series, Make Me Crave works as a standalone. I vaguely remember Roman, but I do remember being intrigued with him and I'm glad that he got a book of his own. I didn't remember what Roman did that nearly ruined his friendship with Book 1's hero Gideon and Gideon's relationship with Lucy the heroine though; it was mentioned in the story but it wasn't that important. We get to see his ruthlessness in securing deals for his clients in this book, and we also get to see him fell to his knees (both metaphorically and figuratively *winks*) for a woman too. 

Allie Landers is a perfect heroine for him. She's opinionated, headstrong and basically challenges him at every turn. Although Allie's stubbornness to make it on her own without selling her soul to some pesky investor (despite endangering her own business and nonprofit) infuriates me so, I respect her principles. I also love that she can stand her ground with Roman and not get her head muddled by lust.

I mean I would have probably given Roman everything the moment he asked because I'm weak in the face of sexiness???

This is why I'm not the heroine.

There is also an element of hate-to-love in the story, when Allie found out that her one-night stand Adonis is the Roman Bassani, the one who threatened to take her business from her. The attraction between them was too strong, though, and they decided to have a no-strings attached fling in paradise before returning home and back to business. If you're a Katee Roberts fan, then you're already aware of her talent for the sexy times, and you won't be disappointed because Make Me Crave is a big package of Hot. I definitely won't suggest reading this in public ;)

Overall, I'm happy that I love this book more than the first. Aaron and Becky (H/h for the third Make Me book) are also featured in this book (though they haven't met just yet!) and I'm already excited for their book because I love their characters.

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension." When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card or one of three (3) ebooks from Katee Robert’s backlist! 

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Sexy, fun, and hits you in the feels: Guarding His Heart by Synithia Williams

Guarding His Heart

by Synithia Williams
Series: Scoring for Love #3

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Kimani Romance

Publication Date: July 1st 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★★
Amazon | Google Play | B&N | Harlequin

Sizzling-hot basketball star Kevin Koucky plans to end his career with a bang by posing au naturel in a magazine feature. When photographer Jasmin Hook agrees to take the assignment, she never expects the risqué photo shoot to end with a sensual slam dunk. But the handsome athlete comes with children and an ex-wife—emotional baggage Jasmin can’t handle. Little does she know that Kevin always plays to win...

It's a case of love at first sight with me and Guarding His Heart. I mean, look at that cover! Total romance vibe. And I'm happy to report that after finishing this book, my love for this book is even stronger. 

The story started with our H/h meeting at a nude photoshoot, where Kevin was the subject and Jasmine the photographer. Sparks basically sizzled from the moment they set eyes upon each other. Kevin is so hot, if he turned his charms on me I would have melted on the spot. Jasmine was obviously built from stronger stuff than me, so she was able to keep her cool and flirt with him back (and didn't fall for his lines like I would have). The banter was fun and I'm weak for character banter, so I knew from the beginning that I'd be invested in this couple.

What worked for me is the characters. I love Kevin and Jasmine together. They have solid chemistry. I love seeing them work together on Jasmine's photography project, hanging out, and flirting with each other. The flirting, oh my god! I think I've never read a book that is just full of H/h flirting before??? Synithia did an amazing job with this, and I think everyone should follow her footsteps.

Kevin and Jasmine had issues from their past experiences. Kevin thought he wasn't built for love and forever after two failed relationships, and Jasmine got her heart broken when she found herself being the rebound girl. They started seeing each other over the summer for fun (because seriously, it's inevitable that these two get together), but things got a little complicated as the story went and Kevin and Jasmine both found themselves wanting more than just a summer fling. What I really liked is how the story is angsty without unnecessary external drama thrown in it, just the way I like it. Kevin and Jasmine both needed to learn to put the past behind and trust their hearts, as well as each other. 

Aside from the romance, I really liked the secondary characters. Kevin's grandmother is a sweetheart. I love Kevin's relationship with his family and the people from the town he grew up in, as well as his teammates. He's a great father to his four kids, and he even has good relationships with his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend (KA, take some notes! jk I love you but TAKE NOTES). I also love Jasmine's relationship with her sister Jada, and I also liked seeing Jasmine rekindling her relationship with her ex-stepmother. 

Overall, it was a satisfying read. The grand gesture made me cry, and I love that Synithia ended the story with an epilogue. I'm looking forward to going through Synithia's backlist and reading more of her works. I really recommend this book if you're looking for something sexy yet emotional to read.