Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

Prepare yourselves ladies and gents, we’ve got a saucy Irish brogue happening in this one. Try not to pass out from the infatuation!

What’s it About?

Willa Peet isn’t interested in love. She’s been there, done that, and has the shattered heart to prove it. Ready to shake the breakup, she heads to Dublin, Ireland. But there’s a problem. A dark-haired, blue-eyed problem with a bad attitude that rivals her own. And he’s not doling out friendly Irish welcomes.

Shane Claymore just wants to race. The death of his father forced him off the Formula One circuit, but he’s only staying in Dublin long enough to sell the Claymore Inn and get things in order for his mother and younger sister. He never expected the sarcastic American girl staying at the inn to make him question everything.

But even as Willa and Shane’s fiery natures draw them together, their pasts threaten to rip them apart. Can Shane give up racing to be with the woman he loves, or will Willa’s quest to resurrect the tough-talking, no-shit-taking girl she used to be destroy any hope of a future together?

First Impressions

I gotta say, if the first time I had learned to drive a stick shift car was whilst sitting on the lap of a hunky Irishman with six-pack abs and strong thighs, I…well…probably would have crashed the damn car! However, I still would’ve had a better time, and tried a few more times to get it right. In this novel, Willa gets a similar driving lesson from Shane, and although she doesn’t crash the car, Shane does proceed to hump her like a jackrabbit on the hood of his car. Sounds like a pretty stellar driving lesson to me!!

Happy Coincidence

When I first started reading this book, it didn’t take me long before I started to feel like the main character, Willa, seemed a bit familiar, not to mention a few of her references to past experiences and family. Lo and behold, although this novel is marketed as a stand-alone, it’s technically a spin-off of the Line of Duty series. Willa is actually the sister of the main character from the first book of that series, Ginger.

That being said, I think you can definitely survive without having read that first book, but I was just beyond delighted when I made the connection just about one chapter into it. Especially considering I read it three years ago! There’s a slight chance I may have squealed aloud in excitement when I figured it out. Ok, so I definitely squealed.

Rebound or Love for Life?

At the start of this novel it sort of seemed like Willa had found in Shane a rebound to help her move on from her ex while traveling in Ireland on a photography trip. A sexy fling they can both indulge in to forget about their worries. But this couple has a connection which goes beyond the physical. The see each other. The real “them” that they sometimes try to keep hidden from others. Willa’s photography plays a crucial role in capturing the hidden aspects of their personalities which eventually make them fall for each other. Willa is used to being the one behind the camera, but what will she discover when Shane’s the one taking the picture?

Series: Technically, no. But in reality yeah. Definitely recommend the Line of Duty series too!

Should you read it? This is a good one! The main dramatic component of the novel is the looming end date to their fling once Willa returns to the US. It’s also a read full of funny and sexy moments as well as a host of lovable characters. And, hello, Irish brogue!

Smut Level: Shane loves to act on his attraction for Willa whether it be in the storage room of his bar, on top of his car, or on top of a cliff. And again…Irish…BROGUE!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. Entangled: Embrace. 262 Pages.

 

Bait N’ Witch by Abigail Owen

Another great addition to the Legendary Consultants series by Abigail Owen!

What’s it About?

In love with the witch hunter father of her charges…Rowan McAuliffe has been hiding most of her life. Secretly trained in her powers by an unusual source, she’d been taught not to trust anyone. Especially other witches. However, after she was forced to perform a hateful act against her will, she now hides from the Mage High Council who seek answers, and possibly her life.

Greyson Masters is the Council’s best enforcer–a witch hunter who lays down the law. Despite the danger of his job, Greyson is also raising his triplet daughters. Alone. Budding new witches who display an alarming combined power no one understands. Too bad he hasn’t got a clue how to deal with them.

Little does Greyson realize that the new nanny sent to him by Legendary Consultants is the very witch he is hunting. When the truth is revealed, can these two opposing forces find a way to listen to their hearts? Or will Greyson have to follow orders and kill Rowan–the one woman who has made his soul come alive?

First Impressions

When this novel first started, I couldn’t help but feel like it was the Sound of Music meets Harry Potter. And honestly, you can’t really go wrong with that combination! I mean, you’ve got the delightful nanny who comes to help look after the sometimes rambunctious children. There might not be seven of them, but when you’re dealing with three teenage triplet witches, it’s a pretty close comparison.

Then you have the strict father who is all about following the rules, yet still has an obvious love for his children, and a growing desire for the nanny who is having such a positive impact on all of their lives. There might not be any singing or Nazis in this book, but you’ve got  witches, werewolves, a Mage High Council, and plenty of sexual tension that is just bursting at the seams! And I’m talking about the seams of Grey’s pants of course.

Nymphs, Werewolves and Witches, Oh My!

What I love about this series is that although there is a continuing story line throughout each of the three novels, we are offered a different perspective of the events which have transpired based on the characters who are being featured as the leads in any given book. An added bonus is the fact that each novel deals with a new kind of paranormal couple.

In the first book you had a nymph and a demi-god, in book two you had a pair of alpha werewolves, and in this one you have some very talented witches with an unbreakable bond between them. You still see a reference to the characters and events from the previous novels, yet by constantly switching up the “species”, as it were, it’s basically a guarantee to never get bored!

Living with a Witch Hunter

A large portion of this novel deals with Rowan trying to hide her true identity from Grey, as he is actually a witch hunter who has been tasked with hunting her down. This complication definitely adds to the building sexual tension between them, as every time they get too close Rowan has to pull away, or risk discovery.

The one thing I would have liked more information on was the evil werewolf forces chasing after Rowan. This feature was brought in rather quickly towards the end of the novel, and I felt like we really didn’t get to understand who this werewolf was, or why she was dead set on getting revenge against Rowan. Yes, technically the motive was mentioned, but I think a few more scenes involving this enemy would have added to a deeper understanding of the story.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Legendary Consultants, book 3. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

Should you read it? Another great read in this paranormal romance series. I think the enemy werewolf could have been introduced a bit earlier on in the story, but once again we have some amazing characters that you can’t help but root for to overcome the forces of evil and find a happily ever after.

Smut Level: Witch sex is the best. Nothing like casting a little protection spell between lovers to ensure a condom isn’t necessary. Freakin’ brilliant.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $1.99 Kindle Price. Amazon Digital Services LLC. 193 Pages.

 

 

A Heavenly Christmas by Patrice Wilton

You know, whenever I think of a Christmas romance novel, I think of a light-hearted, swoon-worthy read with enough cheesiness to keep you warm for the rest of the year. This one had a more somber note featuring a widow and her two young daughters facing their first Christmas without their husband/father. Tis the season to be jolly?

What’s it About? 

Jennie Braxton and her two small children are traveling to Philadelphia for Christmas with her family. Car trouble lands them in a magical town called Heaven, P.A. Everything about this sweet place seems too good to be true, especially Nick Ryan, a local chef with a heart as big as her own. His sensual smile tempts her from mourning the loss of her dear husband, to look into the future. Can her dreams of finding happiness again come true, or will her heart hide safely in the past?

First Impressions

Now, don’t get me wrong, this book did have it’s moments of cheese. From a late-night romantic horse-drawn carriage ride to puppies frolicking in the snow. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was kind of a downer as Jennie struggles with the guilt of feeling attracted to another man within one year of her husband’s death. I realize that this is a sad part of life that many people face; having to go through the death of a loved one and experiencing that first important holiday alone. Whether we want to admit it or not, death is a part of life. I’m just not a huge fan of it being part of my cheesy Christmas romance novels. It’s really the only time of year when I will willingly put up with that much fluff.

Too Soon?

This novel raises a very interesting question of time. How soon is too soon before you start to move on after the death of a spouse? There’s a definite attraction between Jennie and Nick, but is that enough to pursue something more permanent? The fact that Jennie is just passing through town makes things even more complicated.

Sort of Pushy

Jennie and Nick have a pretty adorable chemistry, and the fact that Nick can cook means he’s one of the good ones. That being said, there were a few moments in this book that I found to be rather uncomfortable, specifically when it came to people pressuring Jennie to give Nick a chance.From her parents to her sister, and even Nick himself!

He realizes that Jennie is still mourning the loss of her husband, and she’s extremely hesitant to start anything with him romantically considering that she’s only in town because of car trouble. But that doesn’t stop him from constantly pursuing her, calling her at all hours of the day, randomly showing up at her hotel, telling her over and over again to stay in town,  and if she doesn’t he has  a pretty convincing pouty face.

Considering how vulnerable Jennie was at spending this first Christmas without her husband and the father of her two children, I just couldn’t help but feel that Nick’s actions were somewhat manipulative. Especially considering it was only after he got her into bed that he started to consider if he could, or ever would want to be a new father to her children. Umm…maybe something to ponder before getting the single widow into the sack? After all, Jennie did bring it up numerous times as a concern beforehand!

Series: Heavenly Christmas, book 1.

Should you read it? Definitely not the light-hearted Christmas read I was hoping for. It deals with rather heavy subject matter, and you can’t help but feel compassion for Jennie and her children. Nick was adorable and could really be a cheesy romantic at times. That being said, it didn’t really seem like Jennie was ready for such a serious relationship. I worry if it’s something she’ll come to regret later, even though I did like Nick for the most part. Just not his constant persistence!

Smut Level: When Jennie wasn’t thinking of her husband, her attention was solely focused on Nick. And his willy ding dong.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $2.99 Kindle Price. Dreamscape Press. 179 Pages.

 

 

Sarai’s Fortune by Abigail Owen

Alright all you paranormal romance fans out there! I will let you have your werewolves, vampires, zombies, demons and pretty much anything else if you’ll just let me keep this polar bear shifter. Please! It just seems like he’d be so gloriously fluffy!!

What’s it About?

Zac Montclair’s first priority is to protect his people. With the escalating war between factions of shifters over land and resources, he has agreed to an alliance between his polar bears and the Shadowcat Nation of cougar shifters. But the treaty comes with a condition…he must accept one of their Seers into his Timik and put her under his personal protection.

Sarai Bouchard doesn’t need her supernatural gift to know that Kyle Carstairs’s obsession with controlling her ability will eventually result in her misery and demise. Her power is essential to her people’s survival, so when Kyle goes rogue, she’s sent to Zac Montclair to keep her safe. However, her visions reveal that while staying will lead to their becoming lovers, it also leads to his death. Leaving Zac will result in her own. If Sarai can’t find a way to change the future, she will be forced to choose…save her lover or save herself.

First Impressions

When it comes to Sarai, this poor girl has got to be experiencing one of the worst cases of “look, but don’t touch” that I’ve ever seen. There is an obvious pull and connection between her and Zac, and she’s foreseen how hot and heavy they can be in bed together, what with all the thrusting, heaving and sweating going on. Unfortunately, she’s also seen that getting involved with the man will undoubtedly lead to one of their deaths. Oh, and did I mention that he has sworn to protect her by welcoming her into his Timik, and insists on being close to her whenever possible? Gotta love the close proximity here!

A Little Bit Closer Now

When we were first introduced to Zac Montclair in book one, we were offered just a brief glimpse of the dark and brooding polar bear shifter. In this novel, we get a first-hand account of what makes him tick, and it just so happens to be his undeniable attraction to the mysterious seer who has come under his protection.

The best scenes of the novel in my opinion were those which brought Sarai and Zac into closer contact, specifically when he was teaching her how to spar with an opponent. Nothing like a little physical contact and rolling around on a gym mat to get you in the mood! But beyond that, we see how committed Zac was to looking out for Sarai and keeping her safe. In his ideal world, he would always be there to fight her battles for her, but he realizes her strength and the need to protect herself should the opportunity arise. I just love that he didn’t treat her like a helpless withering wall flower!

Melding of Stories

Something I really appreciated about this sequel was that it did incorporate part of the story line and some of the characters from the first novel, yet for the most part the story did stand apart by focusing more attention on how Zac and Sarai were specifically affected be previous events. This helped the book come across as both unique, but still obviously part of the same world as book one. In addition, we are introduced to a few intriguing new characters who will undoubtedly be featured as the leads in a future book. I simply can’t wait!

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Shadowcat Nation, book 2. Gimme more, gimme more!

Should you read it? This sequel provided great development of the original story! We see a continuation of the struggle from the previous novel, yet also the introduction of some new plot twists and future potential issues. My only complaint is that I wish Zac and Sarai had shifted more often. Each one only does a brief shift, and I really would have loved at least one scene of them running together in their polar bear and cougar forms. Other than that? Fabulous!

Smut Level: My favorite part of this book? Zac may be the one to surprise Sarai with a few kisses here and there, but she’s the one to take full initiative by showing up in his bed one night totally naked!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.82 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 202 Pages.

 

The Marriage Ultimatum by Charlotte O’Shay

This book takes the whole concept of the “marriage contract” romance novel theme to a whole new level!

What’s it About?

Dead-end job? Dreary apartment? Disastrous love life? Check, check, and check. Toddler who makes it all worthwhile? Absolutely. Juggling work, college, and the care of young Alex was never Sabrina’s plan. But Sabrina’s dreams are bigger than any curve ball life can throw at her. Her top priority is keeping her small family together, no matter what the cost.

Vladimir Grigory doesn’t believe in dreams. He earned his position at the top of New York’s corporate ladder with his own sweat. His empire is his baby, and he’ll destroy anyone who threatens it. Even the sexy employee who challenges him on every level. When the New York tabloids and the world call him the baby daddy of Sabrina’s son, Vlad believes Sabrina is part of a plot to expose the secrets of his past. He threatens to destroy her future. But since Sabrina has secrets of her own, she has no choice but to agree to Vlad’s marriage ultimatum.

First Impressions

I literally finished this book in a day. It’s a quick read that holds your interest, and you can’t wait to find out how everything will come together in the end. I think the primary features of this novel which draw you in are the lovable characters. He’s a billionaire businessman. She was just fired from his company. They seemingly come from completely different worlds. However, it is their troubled backgrounds which have made them into the people they are today. Vlad hails from an orphanage in Russia, while Sabrina struggles to support her brother Alex since the unexpected death of their mother. They are fighters. They are survivors. They strive to move on from their pasts, but it is the fact that they both come from broken homes which links them together.

Sex vs. Trust

These two have the sex side of things down to a science. No question. They find it difficult to remain within close proximity for any length of time without putting their hands all over each other. The part that they have trouble with is trust. He believes she went to the tabloids in an attempt to disgrace his reputation by claiming he’s the father of her child. Sabrina feels she can’t tell him the truth that the young child in her care is actually her brother, not her son. She’s struggled to care for him all by herself, and fears that Alex will be taken away from her if the truth gets out.

Who knew that entering into a marriage deal would be the answer to both their problems? But can Vlad still keep his distance from this supposed liar as they spend more time together? Can Sabrina continue to let him think she’s Alex’s mother even as he develops a stronger relationship with the young boy? You’ll just have to read it to find out!

Smallest of Faults

If I had to find one teeny, tiny, little complaint about this novel, it would be that it ended too quickly. The entire book is sort of one big build-up to the final reveal of the true identity of Alex’s father. As I got 90% of the way through the book, I wondered if the truth would ever be revealed. And then bam! It happened.

Vlad discovers the truth and the matter is seemingly resolved in just a matter of pages. After so much build-up, I think I would have liked a longer climactic scene at the end. Again though, it’s just the teeniest of little itty bitty complaints.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: City of Dreams, Book 1. I’d definitely read more from this series.

Should you read it? Aside from the ending feeling a bit rushed, I really enjoyed this book! The characters are definitely intriguing, the plot keeps you guessing, and there’s enough sexual tension to keep you fully satisfied.

Smut Level: Oh my! What better way to spend an evening trapped inside during hurricane-type weather than with a Russian sex god and a can of whipped cream?

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 176 Pages.

 

Commercial Break

Whenever I tell a friend of mine that I’ve finished reading another book, I always brace myself for one inevitable question. Sure, they’ll want to know if it was good, and maybe what I plan on reading next. But there’s another question that is always bound to come up: how do I find the time to read?

I have a pretty average 9-5 job, manage to socialize at many a happy hour with friends, watch more TV than I should, and even practice a little piano every now and then. People always seem surprised when I mention that I can find some time to read in there too, and they often express sadness over the fact that they don’t read as much as they’d like to. Believe me you guys, it’s not as hard as you think to find a little time every day to open a book. You just have to keep your eye out for the perfect opportunity.

It might sound strange, but one of my favorite times to read is during the commercial breaks when I watch TV. It’s the perfect example of “killing two birds with one stone”. My family always likes to record TV shows so that they can fast forward through the commercials later, but you can actually get a lot done during those commercial breaks! Whereas some people complain about how long commercials can last, in my opinion, the longer the better! Every night I love to watch Conan O’Brien on TBS, and when the commercial break comes around I boot up my Kindle and get some reading done. You’ll be surprised at how much you can actually read in an hour-long TV show that airs four nights a week.

In addition to that, I’m a huge fan of listening to audio books whenever I walk to work, do my nightly meal prep for dinner, or when I clean the dishes. Yeah, not having a dishwasher sucks ass, but you just gotta find a way to turn that negative into a positive. So for all of you who think you don’t have the time to read, just try to find some creative ways to open a book a little bit each day. You don’t always have to sit down for hours at a time. Believe me, all those little moments can definitely add up, and you’ll be finishing a book in no time!

Headed Down Under

Well everyone! Once again I get to spend a lot of time catching up on my romance novel reading while on a long-ass flight across the Pacific. Last time I was headed to China. This time I’m going to Australia!!

I’ll be gone for a two-week business trip to the land down under, spending time in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane before taking another plane on over to New Zealand for the weekend. Woot hoot hoot!

Seeing as it takes about 24 hours of straight travel time to get there, I imagine I’ll be spending quite a bit of that time with my nose in my Kindle. Then I have the whole flight back to look forward to. If only I had thought ahead and picked out some books with a few hunky Aussie lead male characters! Dammit Lauren, use your head!!

Unfortunately I’m heading to Australia during their winter, so I’m coming to terms with the fact that I probably won’t get to spend all day admiring Chris and Liam Hemsworth surfing in nothing but their swim trunks. But alas, that’s ok! My new goal is to see a kangaroo fight. Catch ya on the flip side!!

 

Saturday Sexcapades: Alleyway

I was recently reading a romance novel wherein the lead couple got it on in an alleyway, and it made me realize that I haven’t featured a Saturday Sexcapade in quite a while. So…let’s get down to the nitty gritty details!

In Romance Novel Land

Hot damn! Can I get a hell yes up in here?! There is something about a sex scene in an alleyway between two consenting romance novel adults that is just busting at the seams with lustful passion. And I’m not just referring to the seams in the male lead’s jeans, if you know what I mean!

Think about it. The couple is so unbelievably horny that they can’t even bother waiting to find an enclosed area with a roof overhead before lowering their zippers, or unbuttoning their buttons to get at each other. It’s quick, hurried, and full of enough thrusting and neck/ear lobe biting to make even the most reserved reader blush from seemingly intruding on such an intimate scene.

In Real Life

Dude, are you freaking kidding me?! Nothing like an alleyway stinking of garbage, urine and God knows what else to get you in the loving mood. And what joy! Now I have enough scratches up and down my back to make it look like a cat played tic-tac-toe with my flesh. You better believe you’ll be the one applying aloe vera to it every night. Mark my words!!

Ok, so I’ve never actually gotten it on in an alleyway, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t really be my cup of tea. First of all, I have an unbelievably and irritatingly sensitive sense of smell. Have any of you ever come across a sweet smelling alley? I suppose if it was behind a dry cleaners, or laundromat it might be a different story. Nine times out of ten though you’re probably dealing with rotting food and enough rodent droppings to make you breathe through you mouth for the whole experience.

Second: who the hell knows what you’re stepping in. It could be gum, week-old moo goo gai pan, a homeless person’s most prized possessions, or the puke from a drunken reveler behind a bar. Rule of thumb, if your foot starts to glide in something slick or sticky, use it as an excuse to wrap your legs around your man’s waist.

So for all of you alley lovers out there, be safe and hold your breath. Or, you know, maybe just table your sexual urges until you get back home. Nothing wrong with your foyer.

Falling for His Best Friend by Katee Robert

I finished reading this book about a year ago. In all of my romance novel reading I was shocked to discover that it was actually the first romance I ever read featuring an Asian American woman as the female lead love interest.

What’s it About?

Avery Yeung’s biological clock just went off early. Thanks to her family’s medical history, she’s running out of time to get knocked up. And the only guy within donating distance? Her overprotective—and irritatingly hot—best friend. So clearly she needs an anonymous donor…

Anonymous donor? Over Sheriff Drew Flannery’s dead body. While daddyhood will never be in the cards for a man with his past, Drew won’t let Avery shop for a “popsicle pop.” He’ll do what’s right for his best friend by doing his best friend. But only if they do it properly.

But there’s nothing “proper” about it. Between the bed, the kitchen counter, and against his squad car, Avery and Drew are having the hottest sex ever. They can’t get enough of it—or each other. And without knowing it, they’ve crossed the one line that could ruin their friendship forever.

First Impressions

This romance starts off on a rather sad note. Avery’s mom died of cancer years beforehand, and her sister recently needed to undergo a hysterectomy in order to avoid the same type of cancer. Avery herself has the same genetic markers, and desperately wants to have a baby while she still can. Her best friend, Drew, is kind enough to offer to be her sperm donor. Definitely a nice gesture there buckaroo, but the fact he intends to impregnate her the old-fashioned way should have been a big flashing neon sign indicator that this was going to evolve into something much more intimate.

Who’s in the Kitchen?!

Throughout their friendship, these two have obviously been repressing some intense sexual fantasies because they are all over each other once they decide to give this baby thing a go. Their first sexcapade takes place on almost every surface of her kitchen, and it is so unbelievably hot, yet intimately passionate at the same time.

I had two favorite scenes in this novel. One was when Avery takes Drew to the fertility clinic to make his “donation”, and he is having none of it. If he’s gonna help her make a baby, by God they’re gonna do it right! And hard! The second best scene is when Drew puts his cop car and uniform to good use by pulling her over to have sex on the hood of his car. He even puts his handcuffs to good use!

Come Here Yeye

Mkay, yeye and I need to have a serious conversation. Or I need to kick his ass. Either one. “Yeye” means “grandfather” in Mandarin, and Avery’s yeye is a bit of a dick. It was almost hard to believe that someone could be that cold to their own flesh and blood, but unfortunately that was just the sad reality to Avery’s family dynamic.

Yeye never liked Avery’s mother because she was an American, and only came back to have a presence in his granddaughter’s lives when she died. He’s extremely disappointed that Avery’s sister had a surgery which would prevent her from having children, and the fact that her husband left her. So let me get this straight. Yeye wasn’t there for their entire childhood, and he’s constantly being a massive pain in the ass.

Here’s my advice to Avery: don’t be concerned that your relationship with Drew might upset your grandpa, you rub that fine hunk of man all up in his face! Although, ew, nasty visual. So don’t do that. Although yeye was a pain, I think Avery’s family dynamic with both her grandfather and sister played a very important and interesting role in the overall story line. For Avery, family is everything, but the fact that one of her own family members is verbally attacking her sister creates the ultimate conundrum.

Series: Out of Uniform, book 2. I’ll keep going with this series.

Should you read it? Yeah! I love whenever two friends decide to become something more. Especially when they decide to have sex on the hood of a car in order to do so. Yeye seriously pissed me off though.

Smut Level: Oh silly Drew. You can tell yourself you’re just doing Avery a favor, but when you play out a sexual fantasy where you put her in handcuffs, we all know it’s more than just a “favor”.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $2.99 Kindle Price. Entangled: Brazen. 221 Pages.

The Scoundrel and the Debutante by Julia London

For a historical romance this book is red hot! These two lovebirds go at it multiple times. Even in a bathtub!

What’s it About? 

The dust of the Cabot sisters’ shocking plans to rescue their family from certain ruin may have settled, but Prudence Cabot is left standing in the rubble of scandal. Now regarded as an unsuitable bride, she’s tainted among the ton. Yet this unwilling wallflower is ripe for her own adventure. And when an irresistibly sexy American stranger on a desperate mission enlists her help, she simply can’t deny the temptation.

The fate of Roan Matheson’s family depends on how quickly he can find his runaway sister and persuade her to return to her betrothed. Scouring the rustic English countryside with the sensually wicked Prudence at his side—and in his bed—he’s out of his element. But once Roan has a taste of the sizzling passion that can lead to forever, he must choose between his heart’s obligations and its forbidden desires.

First Impressions

Prudence believes she is doomed to never find a good marriage match due to her frivolous sisters who landed their husbands in rather unconventional ways. This book made me realize that, according to Victorian England era principles, I am a full on spinster. Prudence thought that being 22 and single was bad? I’ve got a few years on ya sista! Anywho, Prudence manages to meet a dashing American, and decides to accompany him in a stagecoach whilst he searches for his sister. They encounter many a misadventure together, and what with all the bouncing and wheel breaking going on, a romance quickly develops between the two travelers.

Stand-Alone? 

This is the third book in the Cabot Sisters series, and I hadn’t read the other two before starting this one. For the majority of the novel, I really thought this could be read as a stand-alone. I had read the synopses of the first two novels, and thought I had a pretty good idea of who was who.

However, I must say I was slightly confused when Prudence is reunited with her sisters at the end of the book. They’re astonished at her lack of propriety in traveling alone with a single man, without a chaperone in sight. Not to mention some of the other sexy antics the two got involved in, even though it was all done in the name of love. But it sounded like her sisters haven’t exactly played by the rules when it comes to “landing” a husband, so their shock and disapproval sort of seemed a bit hypocritical to me. That being said, having not read the other books in the series I feel hesitant to call them out completely.

Series: Cabot Sisters, book 3. I’d probably recommend reading them in order.

Should you read it? It was a decent historical read. Prudence and Roan are certain of their love for each other, but once they are reunited with her family, they start to question the difference between love and infatuation. Will their love fade once things settle back to normal after the excitement from the road? You’ll just have to read to find out!

Smut Level: I’m used to historical romances being on the tamer side, but my eyes definitely got wide in a few places. This is no Jane Austen romance!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $6.49 Kindle Price. HQN Books. 346 Pages