ARC Review: Mr. Wicked by Marni Mann

I couldn’t wait to read Mr. Wicked by Marni Mann after reading Mr. Hook-Up! Mr. Hook-Up was one of my favorite reads from 2023, so I will admit my expectations were high here. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this book like I did the first in the Hooked series. Each book is a standalone, and honestly the feel of this book was completely different to the first. While there were things I liked here, I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as Mr. Hook-Up. 

I struggled to get into this story and that continued for the entire first half of the book. I felt like Grayson was just too much of an asshole. Usually I am able to find some redeeming qualities when a hero starts off this way, but honestly Grayson was just that bad. I didn’t understand why Jovanna felt the way she did. Her insta-love feelings didn’t make sense to me. She gave him so much leeway and he frankly didn’t deserve it. When he finally did make the switch, that didn’t make sense to me either. His reasoning for it didn’t seem believable to me. 

Once things changed for these two, it was like a switch had flipped and all of a sudden things went into overdrive. The whole second half of the book things felt rushed. I just really couldn’t get on board with the flip to their relationship and things didn’t feel genuine. While these two had chemistry and it was clear the attraction was there from the start, I just really felt like the relationship didn’t feel authentic to me. The big secret fell a bit flat for me, with things exploding when the truth was learned to quickly be swept under the rug because of circumstances that felt a bit manufactured just to clear things up and put them into perspective. Usually Marni’s stories are some of my favorites, but this one just felt forced and as though each thing that happened was manufactured to drive something else. There wasn’t the natural flow I am used to from Marni and I had to keep picking this one back up. I wasn’t anxious to keep reading, but it was more of a mission to finish. I still love Marni’s books and am looking forward to the next one. Unfortunately Grayson and Jovanna’s story was a miss for me.

**ARC Provided by Netgalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

 

ARC Review: Older by Jennifer Hartmann

Age gap and forbidden romance are definitely my jam, so when I first saw Older from Jennifer Hartmann, I knew this one was going to be good! She definitely didn’t disappoint! Older had me hooked from the very first page to the last and I was unable to put this one down. If you are looking for a captivating story that will have you feeling all the feels, look no further!

Reed and Halley meet and share a connection right away, before Reed learns that Halley is younger than she originally said. Turns out that besides the large difference in their ages, Halley is also best friends with Reed’s daughter. These two know they need to keep their distance, but circumstances keep bringing them together and as they continue to grow closer, lines become blurred and they find themselves more drawn to one another.

I absolutely loved these two. Their connection was so natural and genuine right from the start. They just had an ease about them that felt right. I loved how Halley was so strong and able to overcome all that she had been dealt in life both individually and with the support of Reed, Tara and Whitney. Reed was a great guy all around, trying to do his best by Halley as well as his daughter. He was caring and kind, and I loved that he was so passionate about helping others. Reed and Halley’s circumstances might not have been ideal for anyone involved, but the chemistry and connection were undeniable, and you could feel the love between them growing.

I will say that my rating on this one was based mostly on feeling and the fact that I know this book won’t be far from my mind for quite awhile. This one is definitely one of my favorites from Jennifer Hartmann, but I do wish we had been given a bit more to this ending. It felt a bit rushed and I wanted to see more of them actually being a couple after everything they’d been through. Ultimately though, I loved this book and thought it was a five star read. I highly recommend this one, and I already can’t wait to go back and read it again.

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |

 

ARC Review: Wild River by Laura Pavlov

 

I am loving the Magnolia Falls series by Laura Pavlov, and I couldn’t wait for Wild River! This one was really good, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Laura Pavlov is a great writer and this series is one that I think contemporary readers will love!

River and Ruby were so good together. I loved that they were different, yet worked perfectly. These two were independent and strong on their own, but I enjoyed seeing them let the other in. Things didn’t always go easy, but the connection and chemistry was there and it was easy to see that they made a great pair. 

The thing I love most about this series is this group of characters.They are just so lovable and their friendship and bond is truly a testament to family being those that you choose at times vs. the family you were born into. I just can’t get over the dynamic here and these characters never stray far from my mind! The one that absolutely steals the show 100% of the time though is Cutler/Beefcake! This kid is beyond the best and honestly I just can’t get enough of every moment he is around! He alone is worth reading this series for! I can’t recommend this series enough though, it is one I am enjoying so much and I just have so much fun each time I get to read one of these books in this world Laura Pavlov has created.

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |

ARC Review: Is This Love? by Kaylee Ryan

Is This Love? Is the second book in the Everlasting Ink series by Kaylee Ryan. Each book in this series is a standalone story, though you do get to see characters from previous books as the series continues. I loved the first book in this series and this one was just as good! Kaylee Ryan is an author that never disappoints, and I think readers are going to love this one!

Legend and Monroe were everything. I loved them so much! They were so sweet and had tons of chemistry! I loved seeing them take their friendship to more. It was such a natural progression and just felt so genuine. They were so good together and it just felt right. 

I felt so invested in their story from the very first page and didn’t want to put this one down. I am absolutely loving this series and already can’t wait for the next one. I highly recommend this one, Legend and Monroe are just so easy to love and root for. They are the kind of couple that makes readers love romance stories!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

 

ARC Review: The Surrogate by Penelope Ward

I always hoped that Penelope Ward would give us Sig’s story after finishing The Aristocrat, so I was so excited when she announced The Surrogate! This book can easily be read as a standalone story, though you do meet Sig in The Aristocrat and Leo and Felicity’s story will be a bit spoiled if you don’t start there. I highly recommend reading The Aristocrat if you haven’t as it is one of my all-time favorites and I just loved it so much that I have read it multiple times now.

Sig’s story is an emotional one, and I was fully invested right from the start. I think even if readers are new to Sig, they will be just as drawn in as I was. Sig has been through a ton, and I felt so much for him. Abby was exactly what he needed and I instantly loved her. She has such a kind heart and was a heroine that you can’t help but fall for right along with the hero. While these two were ones that I felt like I could relate to, their journey is anything but easy. Their situation is unique and honestly unlike any i’ve previously read about. Things are a bit messy, but the ride was so worth it. These two are just such great characters that I never wanted their story to end. 

Penelope Ward never disappoints, but The Aristocrat and The Surrogate are some of my absolute favorites of hers. I just felt so connected and invested in all these characters and they are definitely ones I think of often. I know i’ll reread this one again, and I think that fans will love this book. It is emotional, heartfelt and while it wasn’t always smooth sailing, it was filled with hope and some really funny moments as well. Penelope is one of my all-time favorite authors and The Surrogate is a must read!

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |