BOOK REVIEW: Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren

From the New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger, and Beautiful Player, Book Two of the brand-new Wild Seasons series that started with Sweet Filthy Boy—a story of friends, love, and lust.

Despite their rowdy hookups, Harlow and Finn don’t even like each other...which would explain why their marriage lasted only twelve hours. He needs to be in charge and takes whatever he wants. She lives by the Want-something-done? Do-it-yourself mantra. Maybe she’s too similar to the rugged fisherman—or just what he needs.

Published November 4th 2014 by Gallery Books

“I let my eyes travel lower, because—let’s be real—I’d be a fool to not drink in the sight of this man before telling him to go fuck himself.”

Dear Christina Lauren, 


“I crave the edge, the point just before I fall where I know the relief comes and he gives my body everything. But I know he’ll make me wait for it, and the anticipation has me shaking.”

How do you do it? How do you make me love each book more than the last? Witchcraft? Hypnosis? No. I know what it is. The dirty talking. I thought Ansel was good, but he needs to step aside for FINN. Finn has freaking mastered the dirty talk. I know I'll never look at rope the same way again.

“I remember the first moment I knew we would hook up, in Vegas. Drunk, I’d pointed to him and dropped out loud to everyone, Probably gonna fuck him tonight.
To which he’d leaned over and said directly into my ear, That’s sweet. But I like to be the one doing the fucking."

Now to the writing. LOVED. It was refreshing that Finn didn't have to have a trail of broken hearts to make him desirable. And it was so nice to read about Harlow (Whorelow) only to find out she isn't what her nickname makes her out to be. 

“I now know what would go down if the four of us were ever trapped together in a bomb shelter: murder.”

Both families were well developed. Harlow's was heartbreaking but so wonderful at the same time. It made me want to go tacklehug every member of my family. I loved reading about how close Harlow was to her dad. It really brought the warm and fuzzies. And Finn's family! Levi and Colton need their own book, do you hear me Christina&Lauren? Also.. anyone up for a trip to Canada? Maybe for some fishing? Anyone?

“... my second favorite thing to do with guys is watch them get drunk.”

I was so freaking happy to see that we got more of Mia and Ansel (and their extremely loud activities) and we also got to see a lot more of Oliver and Lola. That is one story I'm looking forward to. COMIC BOOKS. Gah. I want it noted that I could have done without seeing stupidPerry's name on any of the beautiful pages though. *grumbles* 

“He could only do rowdy because he felt what I felt: that whip-crack unleashing that comes when you meet the person who frees you.”

It was everything I could have wanted for Finn and Harlow and I absolutely don't know how I'm going to wait until SEPTEMBER2015 for Dark Wild Night. WHAT. 

“The stars could fall, the ocean could take over the land, and I wouldn’t even realize it until long after Finn slows his hips and runs his hand up my leg and along my side, until he reaches my jaw, cupping it and telling me he’s never wanted anything the way he wants me.”

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BOOK REVIEW: Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

Published May 13th 2014

“He’s the guy who’ll do a ridiculous robot dance to make you laugh, who’ll lick the tip of your nose, make a fool out of himself for a smile. I’m sure if I tried to wrestle him to the ground, he’d let me win. And enjoy every minute.”

Okay so first off, I loved this book! After devouring the Beautiful Bastard series, I put these authors on my auto-buy list, and I wasn't disappointed.  

Lately I've been reading so many books where the hero is an alpha but he's an asshole a lot of the time. The whole "treat them mean, keep them keen" thing doesn't really fly with me so this book was definitely refreshing in that aspect. This is totally not the case with Ansel. He's sweet and shy but also confident and - yes you guessed it - filthy. The dirty talking alone puts this book on the must-re-read-shelf.

Mia was sweet, if not a little broken. From previous relationships, home life, responsibilities that seem to be dragging. And after graduating and spending the weekend in Vegas, she definitely didn't expect to wake up married. Especially to someone she just met.

I thought his relationship with Mia was really sweet and unfolded naturally. However, I do have to say I figured out Ansel's secret pretty early on so the big reveal wasn't that surprising. It also kind of seemed like there was no good reason for him not to tell Mia. The excuses he came up with were just that - excuses. 

Overall I loved this story and I can't wait for the next one, bring on Whorelow ;) 

“Their eyes meet from either side of me and hold. There’s some sort of silent acknowledgment there, like they’re on the same team—them against us—each trying to see which one can mortify their friend the most. And this is when I know we’re only about an hour and a half from Harlow riding Finn reverse-cowgirl on the floor somewhere. Lola catches my eye and I know we’re thinking the exact same thing.”

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About Christina Lauren:

Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced eight New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 24 languages.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 14 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

Connect with Christina Lauren

Website - Twitter - Facebook - Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: Owning Violet by Monica Murphy

I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.

Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.

My everything.

Expected publication: December 2nd 2014 by Bantam

Wow. What to say? Ryder and Violet are the definition of dysfunctional. They both work at Fleur Cosmetics, and they both have extremely different backgrounds. Ryder was orphaned at a young age and turned to the streets to survive. Violet grew up in wealth with three sisters and a father (however hard he may seem).

Ryder is super ambitious. Will do anything to get ahead. And one thing he's willing to do is use Violet to get a promotion from her father. 

I wish I'd liked Ryder more. Don't get me wrong, he's a bad boy turned kind of good, but I still felt like in the end he would have chosen furthering his career over Violet. But in real life nobody is perfect and it's kind of refreshing to read MCs who don't act perfectly to situations.

I wish we'd gotten more of a back story on Pilar, who took Ryder under her wing, amongst other things.. but I suppose she'll be used in the future books. 

As for Violet, I feel like she needed more of a backbone. She had made herself think that she had to be this perfect human to counteract her two somewhat out of control sisters. Even planning on marrying a man that stepped out on her. She stood up for herself more towards the end, but still seemed like kind of a pushover, worrying about what people thought about her way too much.

I did end up really enjoying it though, finished it in one day, and I'll be continuing on with the series. Really looking forward to Rose and Lily's books. Lilly sounds like a hot mess and those are the heroines that are my absolute favorite. 

Favorite Quotes:

"I can see the delicate line of her throat as she swallows and I want to rain kisses on the fragile skin here. Whisper exactly what I want to do to her in her ear. Jesus, I have it bad."

“I’m … just a man. A man who fucks up, who makes mistakes and sometimes doesn’t think. I’m reckless. I’m arrogant. I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I grew up fast and didn’t have a real childhood.” I pause, not sure how much more I should say. I don’t want to scare her before I get my one last chance. “I … don’t know how to love.”

"I can’t believe it. I don’t deserve her. But she’s mine. And no one can take her away from me. No one."

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

A SHORT REVIEW: With Everything I Am by Kristen Ashley

One night, Callum is driven into the woods by instinct, an instinct to protect… what, he does not know. Until he, in the form of wolf, meets a young, human child who he is instantly drawn to in a fierce way he doesn’t quite understand.

But in the end, she protects him. Then he finds this human child is his destined mate.

Sonia Arlington has lived a lonely life. She has certain abilities that make her strange and she has a rare disease that, if untreated, could kill her. Her mother and father are assassinated but before, her father makes her vow that she will never let others discover her abilities. This forces Sonia to stay distant from others, no family, no close friends and always guarding against exposure.

Then the intelligence leaks that Sonia is Callum’s human mate. He is now King of the Werewolves and therefore she becomes targeted by the wolves who have aligned with other immortals to enslave the human race. Callum has war on his hands and is forced to claim his mate and quickly integrate Sonia into a world that is strange and frightening to her.

As Sonia attempts to adjust, not entirely successfully, Callum attempts to cope with the knowledge that his mate is mortal. He will have her beauty and gentleness only the length of a mortal life and as werewolves only have one mate their entire lives, their union for him is unbearably bitter as well as unbelievably sweet.

Then he finds that due to her illness, her human life will be even shorter and he is forced to endure the increased bitter while doing everything he can to make Sonia’s short life incredibly sweet.

Published November 21st 2012

“If I could have wished what I thought was my perfect mate on the wind and had her come back to me in a storm, I could never have come up with anything as exquisite as you.” 

Definitely not my favorite Kristen Ashley book so far. I think I expected it to be more like the first book, with surprises and plot twists and craziness. But I didn't get much of that. I wasn't shocked by most anything that happened in this book, besides Sonia. 

How she didn't figure out what Callum was earlier on is beyond me. She had SO MANY clues! Callum and "his people" weren't human. But did she ask what the heck they were? No. And she didn't ask for MONTHS. How can you go on that long and be not in the least bit curious about the person you're with?Other than that, this book felt like just another KA romance minus the PNR stuff. 

At the end of this book, there's an epilogue that shows you a little peek at the last two lifemates of The Three and it made me super anxious for the last book.

“Every day, I would wake up and think you were perfect and every night I’d go to sleep thinking, somehow, during the day, you got even more perfect. If I could have wished what I thought was my perfect mate on the wind and had her come back to me in a storm, I could never have come up with anything as exquisite as you.”

4 stars.

BOOK REVIEW: Until the Sun Falls from the Sky by Kristen Ashley

Leah Buchanan’s family has been in service to vampires for five centuries. Even so, Leah wants nothing to do with her family’s legacy. But when she’s summoned to her Selection by the Vampire Dominion, under familial pressure, she has no choice but to go.

Lucien has been living under the strict edicts of the Vampire Dominion for centuries but he’s tired of these ancient laws stripping away everything that is the essence of the vampire.

So he’s taking it back.

And this is because Lucien has been watching and waiting for decades for Leah to become available for a Selection and he will not be limited with what he can do with her. He will have her, all of her.

Therefore, Lucien is going to tame Leah, even if he gets hunted and killed for doing it.

What neither Leah nor Lucien expects is the strong bond that will form between them, connecting them on unprecedented levels for mortals or immortals. And what will grow between them means they will challenge their ways of life and their union will begin The Prophesies which makes them one of three couples who will save humanity… or die in the effort.

Published February 24th 2012


KRISTEN ASHLEY WRITES VAMPIRES. Is this real life?

Truth be told, I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I started Until the Sun Falls from the Sky but it was a Kristen Ashley book so I knew I would like it. And like it was an understatement!

In this world, the vampires have a male or female concubine who feed them blood for a few years at a time until they are released from service. In return, they're taken care of extremely well with houses, clothes, pretty much anything they want. Leah's family have been concubines for generations. At the Selection where the concubines are chosen, Leah gets chosen by Lucian, the top dog (vamp?) who has been waiting and watching Leah for the past 20 years. 

“You can't stalk what's yours", he returned.
I looked at his shirt. "Yes, I suspect that's what all the stalkers say.”

Leah has spunk, and doesn't act like the typical concubine, which is very refreshing.

“Don’t try me,” Lucian warned in my head.
“Kiss my concubine ass,” I returned in his.”

I think the thing I loved most about this book/world was it seemed so REAL. Like it could totally be happening right now, that's how real it felt. and the sexual tension was crazy. Lucian was a total alpha (a common theme in KA books) and the storyline made you not want to put the book down for a second. I had SO many emotions reading this book, which is something that I look for in book. Too often I read a book and feel happy or sad or annoyed or whatever, but I don't actually care what happens to the characters. Kristen Ashley made you root for these characters to find their happiness.

I'd have to say my one problem with the book was Lucian. Especially in the beginning. So many things he did or said made me want to reach through the book and smack him upside the head and maybe knock some sense into him! He was so manipulative, controlling and a hypocrite. He wanted to "break" and "tame" Leah and have her be his "pet" (which annoyed me greatly). But later in the book we get some insight into Lucians life and you come to understand why he acts the way that he does.

“In fact, when he wasn’t being a jerk, controlling or a pain in the ass, he looked at me…
He looked at me…
Oh hell, he looked at me like I was his life.”

I don't want to give the plot of the book away because that's what made me fall in love with it. How unsuspecting and original it was!

This book is the first in a series, so the ending leads right into book two and the prophecy that will be fulfilled.

If you're a fan of Kristen Ashely's contemporary romance and want to give PNR a try, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!

“If you give me you, Lucien, then I promise. I’ll give you me.”

4.5 stars.

NOVELLA REVIEW: Beyond Solitude (Beyond #4.5)

When a motorcycle accident leaves Derek Ford riding a desk at the O’Kane compound, the last thing he needs is a sexy new assistant upending his office and his life. But Mia isn’t scared of her domineering boss. The friction between them generates an undeniable heat—but Mia will not be kept, and Ford will do anything to protect what’s his. 

A few notes:

Unlike Beyond Temptation, this story stands separate from the main series plotline, with a tight focus on the hero and heroine as they travel through some parts of the Sectors we don’t usually get to show.

Published May 1st 2014 (first published April 1st 2014)

I loved the story of Ford and Mia. I loved that Ford was gruff and scowl-y but has soft spots for the people he cares about (although, he is one stubborn ass man). Mia went on a huge journey in this book, and I loved reading about the strength she finds living in Sector Four after living in Sector Two her whole life and being trained to do… what they do in Two. This novella is chock full of O’Kanes and I know the wait until the fall for Beyond Addiction is going to hurt like a mother fucker. Amazing novella. Kit Rocha does it again, people. 5 stars.

Favorite Quotes 

“A woman only had to be seen with him once to be safe throughout the sector, and that was seductive in dangerous ways. Power was attractive for a reason. You could curl up close to it and bask in security, in the warmth and safety… Until it went wrong. And then no one could help you. No one dared.”

“Strength. Tenderness. Holding her close without holding her down. That was the promise of Dallas O’Kane, of all the O’Kanes.”

“… because squeezing every possible drop of joy out of every spare moment seemed to be what the O’Kanes were all about.”

BOOK REVIEW: Beyond Jealousy (Beyond #4) by Kit Rocha

She’s been looking for the perfect man. She found two. 

When Rachel Riley sacrificed a life in Eden to protect the O’Kanes, she earned her place in the powerful Sector Four gang. But the former crime princess is tired of being everyone’s sweet little sister . It’s time for her to get wild, to embrace her fantasies as only an O’Kane can—with a delicious exiled soldier and the gang’s wickedly sinful tattoo artist.

A saint… 

Lorenzo Cruz is a warrior, taught by his commanding officers in Eden that involvement equals distraction. Emotion is a liability, and desire a sin. In Sector Four, he finds decadence, shameless sex—and his own dark urges. No battle strategy prepared him for how Rachel makes his heart race…or the way his rival for her affections sets his blood on fire.

…and a sinner. 

Ace Santana has a dirty reputation and a mind to match, especially where his new lovers are concerned. He’s eager to help Cruz embrace his dominant side, and to explore the lines between pleasure and pain with Rachel. But corrupting them quickly becomes an obsession, a need he can’t deny—and a love he never imagined.

Three hearts on the line means a hundred ways their ménage a trois could go wrong. After all, even O’Kanes do forever two-by-two. One of them could be the missing piece that makes them all whole…or a temporary diversion destined for a broken heart.

Published March 16th 2014 (first published March 15th 2014)

If I could sum up my review in one gif it would definitely look like this:

Beyond Jealousy was everything I wanted from Rachel, Ace and Cruz. I’ve been waiting for this book for what feels like forever and I know I wont be able to adequately describe how much I loved it.

The authors have a way of making you feel all of the emotions the characters feel, with meaningful dialogue and powerful words.

You felt Ace’s insecurities and understood why he did the things he did. Ace has always hid behind his flirtatious mask and dirty words. You find out where he came from. Why he is who he is.
You felt Rachel come to terms with and accept her feelings for Ace and Cruz. Her need and love for Ace was different, but no less intense as her need and love for Cruz.
You felt Cruz’s strength and power and the need to protect the ones he loved. He fought his inner demons because of the military code that was ingrained in him his entire life, but he only needed a little push from Ace to show him he could have everything he wanted. And how good it could be.

You also get to see the rest of the O’Kanes, and a few POV chapters from them.

I loved every. single. word.

Some (okay, a shit ton) of my favorite quotes–

“Sorry, I forgot the rules. Everything’s a joke until it’s not, and words don’t mean anything until you want them to.”

“Almost nobody knows what they really want. Figure it out before they do, and you own them.”

“They’d been living alternate lives, crossing just close enough to grind salt into the wounds because neither thought the other was bleeding.”

“That was the one lesson they’d all learned, even Ace–you showed the world your strengths because they earned you respect, and your flaws because they earned you trust. But your weaknesses you held tight in your heart.”

“His dirty words came cheap. Cruz’s were precise, each one slamming home with the impact of a hundred of Ace’s, and doled out in servings so small you were ready to beg for the next taste.”

“What was the benefit of climbing to the top of the damn pile only to pretend you’d always been there? No one who cared would ever believe you belonged, and no one who mattered would care.”

“But he wasn’t a corrupter, slinking into their lives and forcing them into sin. He was a liberator, reaching inside them to draw out what they really needed.”

“He has you strapped in this time. Helpless.” She always was, whether she was shackled or not.”

“You could have had us both, all of us. All that filthy sex, all that love. But we pay in honesty. And if you can’t do that, all we end up with is heartbreak and jealousy.”

If I could give this book a million stars, I would. Thank you Donna and Bree for creating such an amazing world with deep, complex characters. And that last chapter? ZOMG. Thank god Trix’s books is next! Loved, loved, loved.

*I was provided an ARC by the authors in exchange for an honest review*

BOOK REVIEW: Carnal Secrets (The Phoenix Pack #3) by Suzanne Wright

A pack Alpha and his estranged, true mate wrestle with painful secrets, ruthless enemies, and their own irresistible attraction, in the sexy third book of the Phoenix Pack series.

Half-shifter Shaya Critchley may hold a submissive role in her pack, but she’s done taking orders. After her Alpha wolf mate refused to claim her—but committed to interfering in her life—she took off. Now she hides from him, posing as a human in a town full of anti-shifter extremist groups. She thinks he’ll never find her again, and that suits her just fine. But she’s wrong.

Nick Axton can barely control his feelings for Shaya, but he could never claim her—not if he truly cares for her. The degenerative brain condition he keeps secret would ultimately leave her with a burden rather than a mate. But when Shaya runs away, Nick can’t bear the thought of never seeing her again. After tracking her down, he discovers Shaya’s feisty and passionate side in the process…a side he’d never seen before.

Under the menacing gazes of territorial local packs and violent human extremists, Nick vows to finally claim the spirited Shaya…and despite her initial resistance, Shaya just might find his fiery determination to be the ultimate aphrodisiac.

Published February 11th 2014 by Montlake Romance

Well it should come as to no surprise to anyone, but I LOVE THIS SERIES! I hounded the publisher for an ARC as soon as I thought I could, without making me seem like a crazy person. (Which was about two weeks ago, I know, I have serious self control- right?)

I was a little hesitant at first when I found out it was going to be about Nick and Shaya, because Nick isn’t in the Phoenix pack and Shaya was a new member (albeit Taryn’s childhood friend), so we didn’t really know these two characters as well as some of the enforcers in the Phoenix Pack. I thought we wouldn’t be seeing a lot of the old gang that I’ve come to love.

Well thankfully I was wrong about that!

The first half or so of the book Nick is trying to win Shaya back and they’re in Arizona (where she fled to, to hide from Nick after he rejected her). I felt like there wasn’t much going on in the first half. No action, no sexy times, just a lot of dialogue, plot set-up and some SERIOUS sexual tension (okay, okay, maybe that is a lot! But I need ACTION!) However, once it got some action and sexy times it got good. And when I say good I mean staying-up-until-7am-to-finish good. Let me just say that Nick can dirty talk to me anytime, anywhere. *fans self*

To those who haven’t figured it out yet, Suzanne Wright is the queen of banter! She writes strong leading characters that never back down from a good verbal sparring session. It doesn’t matter if they are dominant or submissive wolves, she was a way of writing them with such strength that you forget the way they’re “supposed” to behave. You end up rooting for them, laughing with them and feeling their pain.

All in all I really liked this story, it was a great addition to the series and I’ll be (im)patiently waiting for book 4! I hope it’s Marcus! Or Dominic! Or Tao! Or.. Oh heck, I don’t care which one it is I just want it now! Definitely worth reading if you liked the first two books in this series, or if you’re a fan of Suzanne’s other series (which is awesome because VAMPIRES!)

4.5 stars

Was provided an ARC from the publisher (thank you Montlake Romance!) in exchange for an honest review.