Hate Notes by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

It all started with a mysterious blue note sewn into a wedding dress.
Something blue.
I’d gone to sell my own unworn bridal gown at a vintage clothing store. That’s when I found another bride’s “something old.”
Stitched into the lining of a fabulously feathered design was the loveliest message I’d ever read: Thank you for making all of my dreams come true.
The name embossed on the blue stationery: Reed Eastwood, obviously the most romantic man who ever lived. I also discovered he’s the most gorgeous. If only my true-love fantasies had stopped there. Because I’ve since found out something else about Mr. Starry-Eyed.
He’s arrogant, cynical, and demanding. I should know. Thanks to a twist of fate, he’s my new boss. But that’s not going to stop me from discovering the story behind his last love letter. A love letter that did not result in a happily ever after.
But that story is nothing compared to the one unfolding between us. It’s getting hotter, sweeter, and more surprising than anything I could have imagined.
Something new.
But I have no idea how this one is going to end . . .

 
 I loved Hate Notes. Vi and Penelope work so well together. The story flowed seamlessly and you couldn't tell there were two authors writing it. 

I love Charlotte. I love that she was a dreamer and that she made the leap to find the man from the note in the dress. I love that no matter what this jerk of a man threw at her, she held her own and was still a sweet, thoughtful person. She saw things for the bright side and work her tail off. She is a great heroine. 

I wanted to smack Reed a few times for his harsh words. He reacted first and spewed some rude comments that would often end up with his foot in his mouth. Of course he felt bad afterwards, but there was only so many sorry's that he could give. As time goes on, we realize why he became the cynical man he was. I loved watching Charlotte break down his walls and push him to realize that he needed to let people in again. 

I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day. Charlotte and Reed's story will make your heart happy. 

Boy Toy Auction by CA Harms

What was meant to be a fun evening to benefit charity, suddenly became so much more…

They were both volunteered into attending the Boy Toy Auction.

One as a contestant. 

One as an attendee.

Emerson lost an internal battle the moment Nicholas stepped onto the stage. 

As soon as he started moving his hips to the rhythm of the music, she was captivated. Suddenly, the timid girl became a warrior as she fought to have the highest bid. 

There was no way she was leaving without him at her side. 

From the moment Nic saw her, Emerson became his focal point. 

The beautiful woman in the silver dress. 

The one that held his stare.

He needed her to win.

He needed her.

He’d make sure this was the best money she’d ever spend.

Or the worst…depends on how you look at it.

Because sometimes, it doesn’t matter what you want, life has a way of throwing you a curve ball that you aren’t prepared for…

Boy Toy Auction is super fun, sweet and unexpected, for both Emerson and Nic. It was supposed to be a night of entertainment and possible bragging rights. What these two didn't expect was the magic that was created that night. 

Both Nic and Emerson are enamored with each other from first sight. They can't look away. And there is no way anyone was going to win Nic that night besides Emerson. She is almost as shocked as her friend is that she actually bid on a guy....and WON!

Insta-spark and chemistry. Insta-infatuation and sexual tension. These two totally burn up the pages until Emerson's controlling father gets in the way. This man is vicious. He's controlling and manipulative. He is disgusting. Luckily Nic isn't afraid of him, but unfortunately, Emerson is. 

A series of events leaves Emerson homeless and jobless. She and Nic are on the outs and it all has to do with  her father. Gah! I despise this man. All bad things seem to circle back to him. But Nic is not going to give up. He's not giving up on Emerson or their love. The question was always if Emerson could handle that. If she was done with her father's controlling ways. You'll have to read to find out. 

I love CA Harms' writing. She is a one-click author for me and I always enjoy her characters. They are relate-able and real. There's just enough angst and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat, but not too much where its unbelievable. Just fantastic!

Gentleman Nine ~ Penelope Ward

Growing up, the three of us were friends.

He was the nerd.

I was the playboy.

She was the beauty.

Deep down, I only ever wanted her. I kept it inside because Rory and I made a pact that our friend, Amber, was off-limits.

He lied.

I went off to college, and he got the girl.

Amber never knew how I felt.

They were together for years—before he broke her heart.

Through it all and across the miles, she and I casually stayed in touch.

When my job sent me to Boston for a three-month contract position, Amber let me stay in her spare room.

Still reeling from her breakup, she’d sworn off men.

One night, I opened her computer to find the shock of my life. She’d hesitantly contacted a male escort company. Afraid to date and get her heart broken again, she was looking for sex with no strings.

Every emotion imaginable ran through me: protectiveness, jealousy—curiosity.

Amber had chosen Gentleman Number Nine and sent him a message.

She opened up to him, confessing, among other things, her physical attraction to her friend—me. But she considered me off-limits—and she thought I was a manwhore. (Ironic, considering the circumstances.)

Eventually, she set up a date to meet Gentleman Nine at a hotel. 

When she showed up several nights later to meet him, she was stunned to see me standing there—with an offer I hoped she wouldn’t refuse.

Channing is the stereo-typical womanizer. Or at least Amber thought he was. Their past had a lot of feelings, emotions and "pacts" that neither seemed to know about. Whether it was one was totally oblivious or the other tried so hard to hide their feelings, they both wanted each other, but neither never knew it. 

I wasn't sure how Rory played in to this little "friendship" until I read the entire backstory. Penelope did a great job of having the characters discussing the past or having a flashback, while maintaining my interest. I didn't become bored and each look in to the characters's past had to do with their future or possible future. 

I give major props to Amber for even thinking of meeting with Gentleman number nine. I completely understood her inner turmoil, but hey! A woman has needs too.  I mean what's the motto? Get over a man by getting under another, right? Just sucks that she had to tip-toe around that with a man she had wanted since she was younger, but was always "off-limits." 

The twists of this story are things I definitely didn't see coming. While Channing called one of them, the reason behind it shocked me. The other, well I had hoped for some type of clarity of Amber, but I didn't want her getting hurt to have it. 

I'm doing my best to not include spoilers, because I want you to read it and have the same surprises I did. Gentleman Nine was well written and had developed characters with content that hits you right in the feels. As well as some super sexy and hot sex scenes. Wow. Definitely one-click worthy.  

Healing Hope ~ CA Harms

Hope Larsen is living each day of her life with a crippling guilt. 

The game of ‘what if’ has made it almost impossible to move forward from such a 

horrific event. In one life-changing moment, someone who meant so very much 

to her was taken. A man who once was her best friend. A man she fell in love 

with. 

She wanted to love him freely even though he was gone and not feel so 

immobilized by his absence. Relive the memories of times they shared without 

feeling broken and lost. 

Then he shows up. 

He waltzes right into her life as if he belongs, strong confident and determined to 

make her see him. 

When Travis Donovan crosses paths with the snarky blonde, he’s intrigued. Her 

dismissal of him and his antics doesn’t have the effect she’d hoped for. In fact, 

it’s just the opposite. He’s not one to run scared from a challenge, but instead, 

he's the type to fight even harder to conquer it. 

Though she tries to fight her attraction for the cocky electrician, she finds that his 

dedication fascinates her.  

Hope comes to the realization that there’s one thing that scares her the most. 

This man reminds her of the one she lost. 

That stride, that smile, even the way he torments her…it’s all the same. He could 

be the one to show her that it's okay to move forward. It’s okay to love again. 

Travis Donovan just might be the one to heal Hope

C.A Harms's books are #Oneclick worthy. Everyone of her books that I have read I loved. Healing Hope is no different. I immediately fell in love with Travis and Hope. The tragedy in Hope's past is heart breaking. I could feel her pain through the pages.  C.A.'s writing is emotional, fluid and just downright awesome.

As I said before, I loved Travis and Hope. Travis is such a good guy. He genuinely cares about people and it shows with his family and his company. He is persistent, dedicated and determined. He doesn't let Hope's fiery attitude get in his way. He blast right through it. 

Hope is struggling at the start. I almost wondered if she could ever recover from her loss and pain. It took Travis and his teasing to make Hope want to live again. He made her want to get back to the fun loving girl she once was. 

Travis's love for Hope is apparent in everything he does. While there are some hurdles the two have to face together, each decision they made was with good intentions. While the end result may not have been what either wanted, they both thought they were doing the right thing. 

There is that one evil character that I wanted to punch in the face and while I understand that the character was a necessity.....I still want to punch them anyway. 

I really love this book and all others by C.A. Harms. The characters are awesome and well written. They are complex and lovable. The story deals with love, loss, heartbreak and healing; Everything we could want. 

Why I'm Yours ~ C.A. Harms and S. Moose

A point in time, an unexpected event, changes everything.

Reagan’s life was about to begin. A recent college graduate with her career about to launch, she was living in Boston with her best friends. She had everything she worked hard for until one man took it all away, leaving her feeling empty and desolate.

After spending a few years alone, Reagan finally moves to Chicago with her best friend, Aimee, and vows to put her past behind her. When Reagan lands a job at Powers Financial, she never expects to find the one person that would give her back the girl she left behind years ago.

Drew Powers loves being the powerful CFO of a successful corporation and raising his son, Dawson. He's known as "asshat" at the company and it doesn't help calm his temper or patience. Drew's main focus doesn't include love or commitment. Those are the last things on his mind.

When the reserved and beautiful Reagan Halloway bumps into him and tests his patience, he ignores the lust he feels for her until she becomes all he can think about.

Fate is a powerful thing. A force that leads two people to one another and gives them both the one thing they didn’t know they were missing.

 I did enjoyed this collaboration with these two authors, but there were times where it became apparent that there were two different people writing. The story line and ideas were a good concept and I did like the characters. 

Reagan is a stronger person than she gave herself credit for. I wish she would have leaned on those that loved her, but I get that she had to find her way again. Drew was loving and supportive. When he found out what happened to Reagan, his protective side really shows. You can't help but love that. 

There was a twist at the end that I wasn't sure these two would get through. Definitely some major drama. Relationships are tested and surprises unfold that makes you want to know what happens. Even with a little cliffy, I'm sure the next will be able to be read as a standalone as well. 

Forever Devoted (Crazed Devotion #2) ~ C.A. Harms

A stubborn man, an independent woman. 

Oh how those two things clash.

Former Marine, Benjamin Keaton has a drive in him. 
A strong willed nature to seek and conquer.

When he meets Elizabeth Berfield he finds out one thing and he finds out fast.
He has met his match.

She doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, especially a man.

A battle of wills and a game of survival unfolds. Oh what a ride it is.

But Ben vows one thing,

He will be Forever Devoted to Liz. He will make her see that he is the man for her.

But will his determination be enough to convince her that he’s worth the risk?

Or will Liz do what she always does and remain headstrong and push away the one man willing to protect her heart.

I just love Liz and Ben. They are both stubborn, headstrong and completely head over heels for each other. Liz will never admit it and Ben is trying to play it right to get her to admit to her feelings. The sexual frustration is through the roof and electric. 

Both of their pasts have shaped them in to the people they are. While Liz is still trying to compare everything to her past, Ben is able to recognize the strong feelings and great person that Liz is. Liz's friends and family continue to try to convince her that Ben is not like a certain man in her past, but it takes several tragedies before she is able to consider taking down her walls.

I just love CA Harm's books. The characters are well written and the story just flows. I can't put the book down, nor would I want to. I get completely invested in her character's lives, which is a testament to how well she writes.  Another great addition to her work and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

The Outskirts: (The Outskirts Duet Book 1) ~ T.M. Frazier

The swamp is about to get a whole lot HOTTER. 

After a tragedy, Finn Hollis escapes

into the swamp to be alone. 

That is until Sawyer Dixon shows up, 

all SCORCHING HOT innocence, 

claiming she owns the land less than 

fifty feet from his front door. 

Sawyer gets under his SKIN, but even worse? 

She makes him CRAVE things. 

Things Finn hasn’t thought about in a very VERY long time. 

Finn WANTS Sawyer gone.

Almost as much as he wants her in his BED.

Another great story by TM Frazier. I really liked this book and I liked that it was different than her dark reads I already fell in love with. The characters and the story were so well written. I just fell in love with them. Well most of them. There was a couple characters I wanted to punch in the face.....but I digress.

Finn is hidden away in his little swamp with his broken heart and terrible attitude. I love that Sawyer knocks him on his butt and she doesn't even realize she did. The determined and free girl that Sawyer has become is inspiring and just makes me so proud of her. She makes Finn a better person. She makes others around her better. 

Besides being amazingly hot, Fin is super sentimental and emotional, but don't let him hear that I told you that. He needs you to believe he's mean and scary. You know, so he can stay ostracized from everyone and have a pity party of one. On a serious note, the traumatic events he went through are nothing to scoff at. I don't know how I would have reacted to a situation like his, but at the same time, I know he should be blaming himself. Which is all he does. 

Like I said, I love what Sawyer brings out of everyone and how she brings people together. I love that Finn is finally able to be scared again, but because of the feelings he has that he hasn't in a long time. What I did not like was that twist at the end there, which I kept flipping the page and thinking, "No. It can't be done yet." Well played TM. Well played.