Another Amazing Series: Forbidden Hearts by Alisha Rai

Hey guys!

My last post was a bit different, but there I mentioned that I was going to read book 2 of the Forbidden Hearts series during my vacation, and I did, which means I finally finished the series. YAY!

Alisha Rai was an author recommended to me by Lisa and Nick when I first started blogging with them, so I thought it was only natural to give my take on the 3 books here.

Blog Tour Stop: Real Kind of Love by Sara Rider

Real Kind of Love

by Sara Rider

Series: Books & Brews #1

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: June 5th 2018

Source: ARC received for review

Rating: ★★★★

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

As an audiobook narrator, Clementine Cox has no trouble mastering the voices of space aliens, elven warriors, or even demon-possessed cats. But the moment she tries her hand at an erotic romance, she’s stumped. With her deadline looming, she books a week at a secluded cabin to restore her inner muse, telling her loving-but-overbearing family it’s a romantic getaway with her not-so-existent new boyfriend to keep them from worrying. She never expects them to invite themselves along to meet the new guy. Now, she has less than twenty-four hours to find a pretend boyfriend in order to save her job and, potentially, her sanity.

Workaholic Jake Donovan isn’t interested in a real relationship. After a broken engagement, all he wants to do is focus on keeping his brewpub, the Holy Grale, afloat. But when he finds out his favorite customer is in need of a fake boyfriend, and his business partners insist he take a long overdue vacation, he has no choice but to help Clem out. All he has to do is enjoy the sunshine, play nice with her family, and keep his hands to himself for the week.

But Jake’s not prepared to like waking up next to Clem every morning as much as he does. Or to feel so welcome by her quirky family. And as the line between real and fake starts to blur, he realizes one week might never be enough.

Charming is the word I’d use if somebody asked me to describe Real Kind of Love in one word. This book is charming. I am utterly charmed by this book. It felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie in my head while I was reading this book. I loved every scene on every page and I never wanted it to end.

Vacations! What to read or listen to?

Hey people! 

If the title didn't give it away, let me tell you again, I'm on vacation! I decided to do something I hadn't done since I was around 18, and me and a friend booked a trip to Saidia in Morocco, for 7 days of doing nothing, except going to the beach and the pool.

So I thought I could share with you what I'm reading and listening to while I'm here. Sounds good?! 

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Dr. ER (St. Luke's Docuseries #2) by Max Monroe
Dr. Erotic.
That’s what they’ve decided to call me, Scott Shepard, the head of St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Department.
Just thinking about it makes me smile.
As the new face of the reality docuseries, The Doctor Is In, I plan to take his power and recognition right to the streets of New York City and into the pants of willing women.
Well, that was my plan. Until her — feisty, beautiful, and addictively sexy Harlow Paige.
A gossip columnist that just loves writing about yours truly, she’s everything I thought I never wanted and then some.
She drives me crazy.
Problem is, she doesn’t want to be anything when it comes to me — not friends, not lovers, not even adversaries.
God, I love a good challenge.
Get ready, Harlow. Love is contagious.

I'd been listening to this audiobook for a couple days, so I really wanted to finish it on my trip. Lying on the sun is a perfect time to listen to audio books, as long as the urge to sleep doesn't overpower you.

I've actually finished it, and it was yet another amazing book by Max Monroe. They have quickly become one of my favorite authors to read.

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Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2) by Alisha Rai
He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with his brother’s widow…
Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Jackson Kane fled his home, his name, and his family. Ten years later, he’s come back to town: older, wiser, richer, tougher — and still helpless to turn away the one woman he could never stop loving, even after she married his brother.
Sadia Ahmed can’t deal with the feelings her mysterious former brother-in-law stirs, but she also can’t turn down his offer of help with the cafe she’s inherited. While he heats up her kitchen, she slowly discovers that the boy she adored has grown into a man she’s simply unable to resist.
An affair is unthinkable, but their desire is undeniable. As secrets and lies are stripped away, Sadia and Jackson must decide if they’re strong enough to face the past...and step into a future together.

I've been wanting to get to this book for awhile now, and now I cannot put it down. I'm almost done with it, and loving it. Jackson and Sadia are the best and they deserve everything good.

I made amazing progress on this book today, because it's cold as hell today, and I was chilling by the pool completely dressed, with my kindle at hand.

 

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Part-Time Lover (Part-Time Lover #1) by Lauren Blakely
I’ll say this about Christian — he made one hell of a first impression.
When I first saw the strapping man, he was doing handstands naked on a dock along the canal. His crown jewels were far more entertaining than anything else I’d seen on the boat tour, so I did what any curious woman would do — I took his photo. I might have looked at the shot a few dozen times. Little did I know I’d meet him again, a year later, at a secret garden bar in the heart of the city, where I’d learn that his mind and his mouth were even more captivating. But given the way my heart had been trampled, I wanted only a simple deal — No strings. No expectations.
Our arrangement worked well enough until the day I needed a lot more from him…
***
Let me just say, this whole part-time lover thing was her idea. I’d have gone all-in from the start, but hey, when a gorgeous, brilliant woman invites you into her bed, and only her bed…well, I said yes.
But then, one hysterical phone call from my brother later, begging me to find myself a wife so grandfather’s business stays in the family, and I need a promotion with Elise. Turns out a full-time husband suits her needs too, and a temporary marriage of convenience ought to do the trick, until we can simply untie the knot…
As long as no one finds out…
As long as no one gets hurt…
As long as no one falls in love…
But our ending was one I never saw coming.

I'm so happy that I was given the opportunity to review this audiobook. I love Lauren Blakely and I absolutely love audiobooks, so a match made in heaven.

I've only started this one yesterday and haven't made much progress, but I hope to get an advance on it tomorrow and the day after, and finish it way before I get on the plane back home.

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The Varlet and the Voyeur (Rugby #4) by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
He kept his salacious secret for years. But soon, everyone is going to be reading about it in their morning paper…
THE VARLET (and the VOYEUR)
William Moore is a long way from home. A farm boy from Oklahoma, he’s now the most well-respected member of the Irish rugby team. But appearances are often deceptive, and Will isn’t the clean-cut, all-American good-guy everyone imagines him to be. He’s got a secret, one that will tarnish his reputation forever.
THE VOYEUR (and the VARLET)
Josey Kavanagh is a self-proclaimed mess, but she’s finally getting her shi…uh, act together. She’s set her sights on becoming a veterinarian, but there’s one teeny tiny road bump. Her living arrangements are coming to an abrupt end, leaving Josey homeless and in need of a job to pay her way through college.
THE PLAN
What he needs is a companion to keep him on the right path.
What she needs is an apartment with free rent.
Will is convinced Josey will make the perfect companion, since she’s brutally honest and basically ‘just one of the guys.’ Josey is convinced she can ensure Will doesn’t succumb to his voyeuristic proclivities by keeping a scrupulous eye on him.
Except, what happens when the varlet is tempted by the voyeur, and vice-versa?!
Perchance something very, very volatile. And vexing.

I've had this ARC for a few weeks now, but given that the release day is just around the corner, I should probably start reading it, right?!

I've really liked this series so far, and I thought the books have been getting better, so I'm excited to see what this one will bring.

 

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These are the books I'm definitly reading during my stay here in Saïdia. I might try to squeeze a few others in, but I'm not sure I'll have the time.

So, have you read any of these books?
What are your thoughts?

Of witty banter, sarcasm and a second chance at romance // Making Up by Lucy Parker

Making Up

by Lucy Parker
Series: London Celebrities #3

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: May 29th 2018

Source: ARC received for review, pre-order copy

Rating: ★★★★★

Amazon - Kobo

It's fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown. 

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 enragingly 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.

​And yet...

[Book CW: abusive relationship mentions, panic attacks]

Okay.

I don't know what is in the New Zealand waters but like??? Lucy has managed to give us greatness for three consecutive books, and if that isn't black magic then I don't know what is.

Kidding.

It's obviously pure talent, not magic.

Although Pretty Face remains my favourite book (so far) in this series, I have so much love for Making Up. I finished the ARC weeks ago and when my pre-order came through I did another reread, and I love this book even more.

Talent, I tell you.

Sigh.

Where do I start?

I love Trix so much, she's such a great character. I admire her strength and resilience, and I even love her flaws and fears, because that makes her much more relatable and human. She survived an emotionally abusive relationship, and her art is affected from the trauma of it. It breaks my heart a little to see her struggling to recover her self-confidence and seeing her doubt herself.

Leo is hilarious, I love him. He's a bit of a prick, but that quality is needed when you have to verbally spar with Trix. Leo's wit and snark actually reminds me a lot of Richard, but while Richard's a bit of arrogant son of a banshee, Leo is more on the smartass side and definitely less broody. I love his passion for comics and special effects, and he is such a good brother too???

Also, did you know that he keeps a hedgehog named Reggie? Adorable.

I love Trix and Leo together even more. Making Up started with these two having this animosity laced with sexual tension, and it was so entertaining to watch them butt heads. The banter was so good! They're both a pair of smartasses. What made me adore them as a couple is the fact that they had history. Trix and Leo knew each other for a long time, so they knew each other even though they did spend 10 years going for each other's throats whenever they were in a room together. They knew each other best. I love their intimate moments just as much as I love their verbal sparring.

"You know, when you're not annoying the hell out of me, you might be my favourite person."

Oh yeah, it's worth mentioning that Making Up is full of my favourite tropes: enemies to lovers (obviously), second chance (Trix and Leo were once tight in high school until their falling out), forced proximity (they are roommates) ...

This book definitely hit all my kinks.

Overall, Making Up exceeded my expectations, and the epilogue made me cry, it was so lovely. Did I mention that Lily and Luc had cameos in this book? I'm so glad that we're getting two more books in this series because I'm not ready to part with this world and characters. If you haven't read this series, you're missing out!