Doctor Dom Series Sequence One: Tara Crescent

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

If I had to use one word to describe this first installment in the Doctor Dom Series, it would be HOT. These books are unbelievable. Hot, sexy, and intense, all very good adjectives. Not only was there hot sex, it was meaningful, not just a random hookup turned fling. The characters truly care for each other, they just have a different way of showing it from what people deem "normal". I loved that Lisa (AKA Miss Preston) was so in charge and unashamed of her sexuality. Asking to be spanked and tied up by a man she just met...maybe a little on the dangerous side, but she was honest.

Lisa Preston was a character full of life and energy, who wants nothing more than to be tied up in an examination room so that her "doctor" can do with her what he wishes. Her past is something that she regrets (I'm sure we've all had those moments) and her love life has suffered because of it. After years and years of never letting anyone close enough to be considered a boyfriend, much less love anyone, she lets in Patrick. Which, fortunately, turns out to be the right decision. 

Patrick is a doctor (technically a surgeon) who used to have a 24/7 slave....which he did not want. He meets Lisa and falls in love, wanting to fulfill her every fantasy (and he does....oh good god he does). Patrick is a neat character. He also has regrets from his past, but tries not to let them affect his future. Going into the relationship with Lisa, things could have been a little clearer, a little communication never hurt anyone. His ex-wife ends up scaring off Lisa, because she is a bitch, straight up. At least, that is what I made of her. She tries sabotaging Lisa and Patrick's relationship, even though she has other things she could be doing. At least, that is what I made of her.

Overall, the story was intriguing. It stayed on point, did not jump around, and the characters weren't crazy. Everything in the book was safe and consensual. I loved that the book took place from both perspectives. Each of the characters cared for the other, and they weren't afraid to show it. I will probably read this sequence again because I liked it so much.

The sex in here was hot, hot HOT! I loved reading it, the author did a great job making it authentic....and making me want to try it (except the enema bits....those seem unfun). Not all of the sex was medical play, but a majority of it was. I liked reading the scenes, they didn't make me uncomfortable or uneasy about what was going to happen, just excited. 

Can't wait to read more from this author!

How We Deal With Gravity: Ginger Scott

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This book was phenomenal. There were cheers and tears, and ultimately lots of feels. I have never read a book that was more inspirational, more hope-filled than this one. This book was under the romance section, but it is so much more than that. Hands down, five out of five stars. I loved reading about the relationship development between Mason and Avery and how they dealt with Max individually.

Avery is a single mom, her husband left her right after they found out their son had autism. Her dad helps her out with raising Max, as does her best friend. Avery is doing the best she can, which I thought was pretty damn good. She balances a job, a kid, and going to college. She was a wonderful character. Avery was not petty, or a helpless person. She was strong, because she had to be, and because she had been hurt in the past. Mainly by Mason.

Mason was a good guy, now, but not in his past. Mason used to be a classic asshat, womanizer, partier, drunk (you get the picture). Some of the things he did or said to Avery were terrible, and I do not know how she forgave him, but, because she is awesome, she did. Mason changed so much throughout the book. He definitely proves himself worthy of Avery and Max. Mason was an enjoyable character, I loved watching him develop and grow. He was a strong character as well, realizing that he can't always live as a child, doing whatever he wants. He wants to be a good person, someone that people will be proud of. And he accomplishes that.

I completely fell in love with Max, I know we don't get anything from his perspective, nor is he a main character. But he was so innocent, and so trusting of Mason, that you just can't help but love him. I have never dealt with anyone with autism for longer than a few hours at a time, so I do not know just how accurate everything in the book is, but it seemed pretty accurate to me. And tough, I admired Avery for taking care of Max around the clock, giving up a lot to do so, but also getting so much in return.

The two characters inevitably fall in love, and overcome a few obstacles thrown in their way to be together. I thought the ending was perfect for the book. The book moved at a great speed, it wasn't to slow, but also didn't skip around to points not relevant to the story. The characters were not something out of a fairy tale, they had faults and flaws and worked hard to overcome them. They also did not react over-dramatically (there is nothing that I hate more than people making rash obnoxious decisions based on one person's actions), mainly because the couldn't afford to, when dealing with Max.

There wasn't much sex in this book, which was fine. But what was in the book was meaningful (and hot), rather than having sex all the time, the characters did more important things. I loved that this book actually had a plot line, it was a nice change from all of the smut books I've been reading lately (although those are still good).

Overall, this author did a brilliant job pulling the readers in and making them develop a relationship with the characters. I would definitely buy this book and recommend it to my friends. I finished this book days ago and still cannot stop thinking about it. Just....wow. There are no words to adequately describe and praise this book, just read it and see for yourself. I guarantee you will fall in love. 

Passionate Kisses Boxed Set

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Storm Damages by Magda Alexander
This one was my favorite by far. I loved the characters, and there was a cliffhanger to make me want more. This one was a happy book, but it wasn't all sunshine and butterflies, I enjoyed the real conflict. I liked the real-life situation of getting pregnant and dealing with the consequences.

Confessions by Wendy Ely
Honestly, I did not finish this one. Wasn't a bug fan of the plot line, and the story jumped around too much for me to attempt to follow. The characters did not seem very three dimensional to me, there were just there.

Reckless by Jessi Gage
So this book was pretty cool, I have never read a plot line like this, and I enjoyed it. The end result was pretty predictable, but the characters were solid. I liked that the male lead character stepped up and took responsibility for his actions, rather than just telling Cami, and having her forgive him in the end.

Against Her Rules by Victoria Barbour
Pretty decent book. I loved the grandmother in this book, she was a nice relief from the seriousness of all the previous books. The description for the landscape, the people and events that take place were great, it made me want to hop on a plane to take a nice vacation. I also liked the hometown feel, that Elsie included her hometown, and she didn't forget her roots.

Shameless by Rebecca J. Clark
Uhhh.......I may or may not have skipped this book. I tried, I really did, but the plot just did not interest me at all.

Good Cop by Liz Kelly
I did actually finish this one! And I loved it. I loved the banter between the characters. Between the two guy friends, who had a great bromance, and how each of them interacted with the lead female. This book was good about realistic expectations, and realistic reactions when something went wrong. There was no ridiculous over-reaction, it all made sense, the plot didn't skip around. It was straightforward and enjoyable.

Baby Stetson by Nikki Lynn Barrett
Sorry, but I'm going to give this one a nope. The plot was ok, but there were too many twists and turns for me to be okay with. All of the secrets that the male lead kept were too much, no girl would be okay with all of them, with him continuously shutting her out. And the paternity test....why on earth would she not order a copy of the results for herself. Just wasn't very believable, and was very predictable.

Awakening by Sydney Holmes
This one was really good! I liked Nora and Ryan's relationship. The book was believable, even though she had a crazy ex. I did get sick of her throughout the book always saying she was going to go back to college and get her law degree, yet never doing anything about it. But this didn't stop me from rooting for her. When she finally did do something, I was excited, and the plot moved fast enough to keep me going through the book.

Beacon of Love by Allie Boniface
This one was ok....I read a book a while ago with a similar plot, but this one was different. I was expecting a treasure of gold or something of the like at the end, but was pleasantly surprised. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing on who the attacker was in the book. Just when I thought I knew, something would happen to cause me to doubt. Overall, a good read.

The Opposite of Wild by Kylie Gilmore
This one was my second favorite. I loved the crazy antics of the grandmother in the book, countering Liz's very calm and reserved demeanor. Ryan was a great character. He cared for Liz and was a great family man. I liked that it showed "The Humiliation" from both characters' perspectives, each meaning a different thing in their lives. But still monumental to each. I liked that Ryan was the one who wanted Liz to commit, I haven't read many books where the girl is unwilling to commit, it was refreshing. I would definitely buy this one.

Slave Girl (1,001 Erotic Nights, #1): Lisa Cach

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

So, I will be the first to admit that I read lots of books, many of them of the cheesy romance/erotica genre, shamelessly. When I saw this book, it definitely appealed to me for that reason. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it had a decent plot line. I loved the idea of concubines, sexual slavery (yet everything in this book was consensual, don't worry) with a bit of mystical powers thrown in. I haven't read many books like this before, that is, this type of historical romance (it is generally all about the highlanders for some reason) but I did thoroughly enjoy it.

Nimia, a girl who was captured and put into slavery (slavery grooming her to become a concubine of course) wants nothing more than her freedom, but also crazy hot sex with her master. Her wishes are pretty conflicting, but the author definitely made it work. Nimia was a three dimensional character, changing slightly during the book, enough to keep me interested. She is not some helpless bimbo stuck forever in thinking that she needs a knight in shining armor. Her master is kind to her, teaching her lessons about how sex works and how to please a man and that she can become aroused even when she doesn't think she will (hell yes these lessons were sexy...more please). Now throw in Clovis, a man that is most definitely not Nimia's master, but someone she lusts after anyway. This created a pretty hot love triangle for Nimia (I was totally hoping for a threesome, but sadly this did not happen...) to figure out. No spoilers, but after Clovis comes into play, shit hits the fan, and Nimia is screwed (literally). She and Terix, a male sex slave she considers family, end up getting out of it (I really, really want there to be sex between the two of them in the next book) and there the book ends. A bit of a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting to read the next book.

I really did like this book. It flowed well, instead of jumping around from place to place. Questions were raised, and not answered, but kept the story intriguing. The author did a great job pulling me in, but keeping the book hot and steamy as well. Overall, this was a pretty good book, can't wait until the next one comes out.

Play Me (A1pha #1): Blue Ashcroft

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This novella sucked me in from the beginning, and, even though it was short, you still get good character development. I read this is one sitting and I enjoyed every minute of it. Except for the end, the ending made me want to throw my phone across the room because the CLIFFHANGER WAS NOT COOL! I absolutely cannot wait for the next one to come out. I hope that I am lucky enough to get a chance to read it early as well.

Alex was pretty intense, he never really shows any emotion except anger at a few parts. Not that this stopped me from liking him. He really does care about Kira, he just does not know how to show it, and after she comes back to him seeking protection, he decided to let her stay with him. He certainly lives up to his gamer handle (I've always called this a gamertag, so it slightly confused me) of A1pha, he a domineering force and a bit intimidating (in a hot way of course).

Kira was actually a good character. Escaping from her ex, she realizes that she needs to find shelter and protection. She is friends with all three boys that live in the house, but has always harbored feelings for Alex, which she has never voiced. I felt like there was a lot of miscommunication between Alex and Kira, and that Alex could be an overbearing ass. If they would have just talked it out, it would be easier, but no, this never happens in books.

The two roommates, Ethan and Ollie, were also enjoyable. They cracked me up because they both knew that Alex liked Kira, and they goaded him, and then regretted doing it, then goaded him again. They both seem to like Kira a bit as well, and I'm hopeful that this does not turn into some weird love triangle (rectangle actually I think) in the next parts. 

Overall, this book was great (except for that ending....I mean COME ON!! You are literally killing me with the anticipation). I have never read this author before, but will be reading her other books soon.

Since Forever Ago: Olivia Besse

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I'm going to be honest, this book was tough for me. The characters were frustrating, the plot line was pretty good. I got about half way through the book, and had to see if it was just me having a hard time. It was not. After reading that so many other people didn't like it, I was a bit disheartened. However, after reading what the author wanted people to get out of this book, and seeing why she wrote it the way she did, it makes a lot more sense. Going back into the book with a new perspective, it wasn't quite as bad. But it was still tough.

Riley (soon to be heart-breaker extraordinaire) was hard to understand. The author made a note that this book is supposed to be realistic, that this is what people this age act like. I do not act like this. But I have many friends who do. So, once I figured that out, it was comical, reading that she took all of the terrible advice (hilarious, terrible advice) that Max (the secretly interested loverboy) gave her.

Max was pretty easy to understand, he was effectively friend-zoned, and wants nothing more than to have Riley all for his own. The advice that he gives her is pretty funny; but his friends are what killed me. They did some things that had me actually laughing out loud. Max made some mistakes along the way, but overall, they were pretty small, and Riley overreacted (but she is a girl, and we tend to do that...a lot).

This book was well written, and once I got past wanting to slap the characters, I liked it. It was full of comedy that had me laughing awkwardly in public while staring at my phone. It had romance that was actually believable! And for each of the characters, I knew someone who acted exactly like them, which made it even more realistic for me. I will try to read this author in the future, but maybe this book was a bit too realistic for me.

Kick: Holly S. Roberts

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This book is not at all what I expected. Having never read this author before, I didn't know what to expect, but it sure wasn't a book filled with both romance and comedy, all while learning about a sport. This book was one of those books that I did not put down until I was done reading!

Cami (the main character) was a journalist who was given a terrible reputation in high school, and after that, she completely changed herself, locking her "wild Cami" away. However, she comes out to play after meeting the two brothers from a rugby team with muscles galore. Cami has a weakness for a man with big muscles (although I think most of us do, especially when they are swoon-worthy in the romance department) and after making a slight mistake with one brother, the other is there to be her best "friend" while she gets back on track. 

Cami was a pretty cool character, she didn't demand all sorts of attention, nor did she act extremely dramatic and whiny. She made her mistakes, then got over them and moved on, realizing that dwelling in the past would get her nowhere. This book was HOT! (But then again, with all of the alpha-male-muscled-gods, how could it not be?....Not that I am complaining).

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. The actions of the main character are relatable, and the secondary characters were well developed and lovable. I loved the closeness of the characters in this book, everyone took Cami under their wing to teach her about rugby, and made her feel like family; and sign me up for one hot rugby player please! I definitely will read more books by this author in the future!