Category Archives: happily ever alpha

A Lion is Called “the King of Beasts” for a Reason… and it’s LEO.

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untilleo.jpgHaving been burned in the past, Leo wasn’t sure he believed in the boom. Not even seeing the happily married Mayson couples had him convinced…until he met Carrie and felt it for himself.

Carrie wasn’t looking for love when she crashed into the hot cop, but that’s exactly what she found. Then his past reared its ugly head, and she found a strength she didn’t know she had…until Leo.

 

 

author

rochellepaigeI absolutely adore reading – always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.

I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

When I told my mom that my new year’s resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me “About time!”

review
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Guys, I’m a big blubbering mess right now. Until Leo is part of the Happily Ever Alpha Kindle Worlds Crossover, along with 15 other authors. When I heard Leo was going to get a story I was jumping up and down, literally. From the moment Aurora Rose Reynolds originally had him freaking out about his cheating ex, I’ve wanted his story. And now I have it and I’m never giving it back. I’ve said it once, and I’ll keep repeating it because it’s true: single parent books get me. Every. Single. Time. This wasn’t my first Rochelle Paige book (it was my second-still writing the review for her Blythe College series) but I know for sure, it will not be my last.

Leo was introduced in the Until series in Nico’s book, and this is his story. He is a cop who meets Carrie at a daddy-daughter class to help teach father’s how to do their daughter’s hair. Carrie is the teacher for the class, and the minute Leo sees her, he believes in the boom. Until then, he had always thought the Mayson’s were full of it when they talked about it. Carrie immediately falls in love with both Leo and Lynn (who’s ovaries don’t explode when they see hot guys with kids? I mean seriously.)

They move fast, and he takes a few pages from the Mayson brothers, but Carrie seems to move along with it just fine. Their love is fast, but so utterly amazing. I’m a blubbering mess because I am in absolute love with Leo and Carrie. And it’s even cuter because Carrie’s father met her step mother when her step mother taught her father how to do Carrie’s hair. I’m sure there’s a literary term for this somewhere, but I’m sleep deprived since I stayed up all night to read this book.

I absolutely devoured this, and I’m giving it 5 bright, shining stars because it deserves it. And there’s only one epilogue (can I petition for another one?) but it made my heart so happy to read. Carrie’s love for Lynn and Leo is so pure and amazing, and Leo loves Carrie HARD. And he goes so alpha so quickly, I got goosebumps. God, I love this book.

This book, and the rest in the series, release April 3rd… TOMORROW SO GET YOUR KINDLES READY!

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5star

Until Kayla, CC Monroe

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until kaylaKayla Mackey
I was ready to run from my loss and find something to make me breathe again.
I didn’t know it could happen. Until Jase.
Jase Riding
I felt desolate and alone when I lost the best part of me. I didn’t know where I would find someone to mend the broken parts in me. That was… Until Kayla.
We met, and with a brief hello and a hushed profanity, we were hooked.
I swear we heard thunder when our eyes met.
Boom. And our lives were changed forever.

Goodreads

author

22687879_379655212464978_1373405913340945735_n.jpgAuthor CC Monroe is from the hottest city in the world, Phoenix, Arizona. She spends her days working in fashion and her nights with her face in her laptop telling the stories of the voices in her mind. She left Arizona a few years back and now lives in the beautiful snow state of Utah, where she married her true love!

When she isn’t writing or working, she is making people laugh with her mad sense of humor and tip of the tongue one liners.

Facebook

review

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For some reason, single dad/mom novels are my favorites. There’s something about a dad opening himself up to love, and about a woman opening her heart to kids that aren’t her own that just get to me. And vice versa.

This was my first CC Monroe novel, though I do have a copy of Loving Ben Cooper. I haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet due to all the new releases- but since Sadie and Kate make their appearance in Kayla’s book, I’m going to have to crack that one open!

Until Kayla is the story of Kayla Mackey moving from Portland to Tennessee for school, two years after her parents pass away. Jace Riding is a single father who lost his wife three years earlier. He and his little girl, Avery, live in Tennessee and Jace is looking for someone to share his life with. Not actively, since dating with a daughter is difficult, but he does miss sharing his life with someone. But how could anyone take the place of Lainey?

Kayla is trying to move on, but the death of her parents hit her hard. but she’s hoping the move to Tennessee will help her feel closer to her parents. While unpacking her things, she meets Harlen and Harmony (from Until Harmony! Yay!). Did I mention Harlen and Jace grew up together? (BOOM!-yes I did that)

I really love the instant connection these two have. The kind that makes of them stupid for a minute… or two. And Kayla tries to deny her feelings for a hot minute. Jace ain’t havin’ that. One of my favorite things is that Jace curses a lot. I have the mouth of truck driver and I think Jace drops the f-bomb every five minutes (love it!). And he takes care of Kayla the best way possible. I also love the fact that Jace’s reactions feel real! I don’t want to give it away– so I won’t– but CC Monroe captures reality in her characters.

And can we talk about how she captures Harlen and Harmony? I do love the growly bastard.

5 Stars for this amazing read!

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5star

Setting me on fire wouldn’t make me as hot as Until Arsen…

blurb

untilarsenLove is a novel creature.
Mysterious, heart pounding, like smoke on the wind.
We find it, only to lose it.
Until Arsen Daniels…
Marina Parks didn’t think she’d ever have it.

 

 

 

 

author

Krystal is a proud Canadian girl, hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta. She has a strong dislike for the winter, and a love for spring. Married to her husband Steve, for 13 years, they have 4 beautiful read headed spawns ranging in ages 5-12. She has a strong love of coffee, sarcasm, and wine. (Not necessarily in that order either.)
She has been a published author for over 2 years now. With 9 full length novels (1 unpublished) and a dozen novellas with 3 published, 3 waiting to go into edits, 2 being rebranded, and 1 being extended into a novel.
Krystal loves to write about instalove between couples looking for love. She has a passion for contemporary romance and springs into menage as often as she can.
Currently, she is working on 2 new series, the Adair Empire (with the first 3 books already written). The Adair’s are a whole lot darker, dirtier, and grittier than what her readers are used to, but boy has she had a ton of fun writing them.
The What Happens When series will begin with Anonymous Bride on Oct 19 and continue with untraditional love stories. Bringing you all the good feels, a ton of love, and maybe – if you’re lucky 😉 a surprise baby or two!
With the exception of Anonymous Bride, you’ll be able to find all her books on all platforms!

You can find KL in any of these places! She loves to hear from readers all over the world!!
Contact her in any of these places:
Facebook — Friend — Reader Group — Twitter — Instagram — Email

Or stay up to date with all her latest releases here:
Amazon — Newsletter — Website — Bookbub — D2D release

review

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I’m not crying, you’re crying… Fine, I’m crying. K.L. Donn’s contribution to the Happily Ever Alpha world was absolutely fabulous. Marina Parks and Arsen Daniels are so perfect for each other it’s crazy. K.L., in her style, effortlessly (it seems) tells the tale of a damaged woman, and a detective who wants her to see she’s perfect.

This wasn’t my first K.L. Donn book; in fact, since I read her first Hogan Brother’s book I’ve been trying to get my hands on everything she’s written. So I can say this with full authority- K.L. Donn keeps the essence of the Mayson brothers, while keeping true to her own characters. This is the first in a new series for Ms. Donn, and I can’t wait to read about Kol and Ember. (By the way, these names? Love ’em!)

Marina Parks is a twenty-two year old kindergarten teacher who suffered an accident the year before, and has tried to move on. The scars are all internal. And while she loves teaching her children, she’s afraid they’re the only kids she’s going to have…

Detective Arsen Daniels is thirty-five looking for love. My favorite quote from him is “My name is Arsen Daniels, and apparently, I’m a fucking sappy little girl.” Usually, that would piss me off (hello feminism!) but honestly, he does sound like a girl looking for love in the beginning. And then what happens? He meets Marina Parks and, boom, his life is changed.

We get to see these two fall in love, with a little help from Sophie and Nico (*sigh*) and it is magical. And the pain that Marina goes through to try to open herself up makes me want to hug her tiny self. I almost feel like Arsen, and want to put her in a bubble so no one can hurt her. But she is strong, so strong, and seriously I wanna be like her when I grow up… even though she’s younger than me.

Or maybe Arsen can put me in a bubble, or in his truck so I can sit next to him.

If you had told me before reading this, I would be ok with the “Good Girl” thing I would laugh. Loudly. I hate that phrase, because my immediate response is “what am I, a dog?” But for some reason, I didn’t feel that way about Arsen calling Marina his good girl. I loved it. It wasn’t demeaning in anyway, shape or form. And Marina needed those words.

But if my man calls me good girl I will probably still stab him with a spoon or something. ANYWAYS…

My favorite part? MY FAVORITE PART WAS THE DOUBLE EPILOGUE. Ok, I’ll stop yelling. But seriously, I love double epilogues. And these were so freaking emotional that I’m still crying. Their love story was so sweet, and emotional, and I love Marina’s mom so much… I just had to sneak that in there. Her mom’s great. Can she adopt me?

Anyway, there are 5 days left until the big unveil of the Happily Ever Alpha world. I’ve got my countdown set, do you?
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5star

Until I Saw You…

arc review 1blurbuntilisawyouAt first glance, I knew you were mine.
Your smile captured me and refused to let me go.
I’m too dirty to touch you; too tainted from my past.

You deserve better.

But you’re the one thing I can’t run from.
I thought love wasn’t for me.
I was prepared to walk this world alone.

Until I Saw You.

 

 

author

jordanmarie.jpgUSA Today Best Selling Author Jordan Marie, is just a simple small town country girl who is haunted by Alpha Men who talk in her head 24 hours a day.

She likes to create a book that takes you on an emotional journey whether tears, laughter (or both) or just steamy hot fun (or all 3). She loves to connect with readers and interacting with them through social media, signings or even old fashioned email.

Join her newsletter to stay up to date as well as take part in giveaways and just let her know how you feel about her books!

Link: https://www.jordanmarieromance.com/subscribe

review

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This book wrecked me! Holy crap it wrecked me. This was my first Jordan Marie novel (shame on me!) and woah I need more. I don’t know what Jordan’s typical writing style is, but I know that this wasn’t Aurora’s, but only in the best ways. This Happily Ever Alpha Crossover is seriously wrecking my expectations for real life, so I’m going to need these authors to chill. This is a crossover into Jordan’s Filthy Florida Alphas series.

This is the story of Jessie Hart, twenty-four year old virgin, entrepreneur and sweet as freaking pie. This is also the story of Allen, an ex-junkie trying to make-up for his sins and trying to fight down the demons that continue to try to take him over. Until I Saw You is a novella that is short, super sweet, but it had the darkest past I’ve read in one of the Happily Ever Alpha novellas so far.

Jessie and Allen meet when Allen’s sister Ana goes shopping at Jessie’s store. Allen takes one look at her and and knows this is his one woman. Jessie feels the pull too, though she doesn’t understand it. She’s dated, but has focused on her store and getting it up and running. Allen tries to stay away from Jessie, because even though he is sober, he doesn’t feel clean. Jessie is so innocent, so sweet, he doesn’t want to dirty her up.

Normally, when a guy or a girl in a romance novel does the “I’m not good enough for her” b.s. I can’t help but roll my eyes want to shake them. But Jordan created such real, vivid characters that I didn’t feel like rolling my eyes. I wanted to hug Allen and tell him everything would be ok. Jessie and Allen were so believable in their vulnerabilities, but also wanting the best for their partner even after short time of knowing each other.

And seriously, when I heard this guy’s name was Allen, I did not know how Jordan was going to make this sound sexy to me. I had two crushes on two separate Allens in sixth and eighth grade, so all I could picture was tall(well compared to me tall), awkward kids that hadn’t come into their own skin yet. But OH BOY I will don’t think I will be thinking of them anymore.

I want to talk about the Mayson sneak peek, but I’m not giving anything away which means I’m not gonna say a THING about it ;).

I’m giving this 4.5 stars, which seems nit-picky, but honestly the only complaint I have, is that I know nothing about Jessie. I just wish there was one paragraph to talk more about where Jessie came from, who her parents were or something. That’s it. My one little thing that made this go from 5 stars to 4.5.

But I loved this book so much!  SUPER job Jordan!

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4andahalf

Until Avery, Brynne Asher Review

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Dreams.

I never had one. Never even knew what a dream was until a certain unassuming Carpino waltzed into my life. That day my world tilted.

It became unhinged.

I might not have been a dreamer, but she was.

She wrote the words missing from my life. Her notes ignited my heart. Her flame lit up my darkness.

Her dreams became mine and I’d move heaven and earth to give them life.

Especially when my past surfaced and threatened to kill every dream we had.
Until Avery, I had nothing.

But I’m Link Forester. I’d fight for her, for us, because right now, I have everything to lose.

Warning: The author will have a dramatic fit—Scarlett O’Hara style—if anyone under the age of eighteen touches this book.

author

brynneBrynne Asher lives in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she is running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys cooking, decorating, shopping at outlet malls as well as online and is always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World” ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.

 

 

review

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YES! THE CARPINOS ARE BACK! My kryptonite is families like the Carpinos/Maysons. Big, loud, in your face, gossipy families that have your back no matter what. Brynne does an amazing job of mixing these two families together. I’d like an epilogue with the Carpinos and Maysons meeting each other for some fantasy football. That would be a hoot.

If Gus, from Until Nox, was my spirit animal, Avery is me. The good girl who doesn’t break the rules, goes to class, and definitely doesn’t use fake ID’s to get into bars. Link is the guy that owns the bar that Avery is trying to get into.
Illegally.
Avery is going to Vanderbuilt, the college near Nashville, and the Carpinos up Nebraska are not happy about that. They are supportive in the Carpino way, which means guilt trips to come visit soon, and calls to make sure she’s coming home for the holidays. Link just moved back from Vegas, and is happy to be home with his family, the Maysons. He’s not a Mayson by blood, but they like to adopt people they love.

God I love Link and Avery. And Brynne did such an amazing job with this book, it’s 5 stars. No, wait it’s 4 because it’s not long enough. I can make it 5 when Brynne writes more…

ANYWAY, I fell in love with Avery the first rambling page of her trying to use a fake to get into a bar just to hear one song. And I loved Link for bouncing her. I really loved him trying to ignore what he felt for her, but in the end he just didn’t care. Not even when Nico threatened his balls repeatedly. And Nico usually makes good on his promises. Brynne wrote this novella in her style, while managing to capture the essence of Mayson crew and beyond. She didn’t show snippets of the Mayson’s; she threw a freaking party…

…and we all remember the Star Wars Party… (if you don’t know what that means, then shame on you and go read Athica Lane right now!)

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5star

 

Until You, Samantha Lind

arc review 1blurbuntilyouCameron Burgress was ready for a new start.

New city, new job, and maybe one day, a new love. She just didn’t realize how quickly that could all happen until she walked into a tattoo shop, finally ready to get the ink she’d wanted since her fiancé died, nearly four years ago.

Ethan O’Neill had everything. Until one day, he didn’t.

After an off-ice injury stripped him of his hockey career, he started over in life, pursuing his other passion—tattoos. He’d never been the kind of guy to want to settle down, but that all changed one day, when a knock-out beauty strolled into his shop and into his life.

An instant attraction and a little bit of ink is the perfect mix for two people ready for change.

Goodreads.

author

samanthalind.jpgSamantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey, and listening to country music. She can be contacted via email, found on Facebook at  or at her website.

 

 

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This was my first Samantha Lind book, and boy was it a good one. If you’re looking for drama, move right on along. The absence of drama didn’t lesson the intensity of this novel though. Ethan and Cam were SO cute.

Ethan is a tattoo artist (*swoon*) who does Cash Mayson’s tattoos, and Cam is Lilly’s best friend from college. After losing the love of her life, Ben, three years ago, Cam decides it’s time to move forward with her life. She decides to move from Philadelphia to Tennessee to be closer to Lilly. After moving, she decides she wants a tattoo, which is where she meets Ethan.

Ethan designs the perfect tattoo for Cam, and they decide to start dating. Ethan isn’t the typical Alpha caveman, but I think that’s perfect for Cam. He’s so understanding about Ben, he supports Cam’s mourning in the best ways possible. He knows Cam isn’t moving on from Ben, but she’s moving forward.

Well, maybe Ethan is the typical OTT Alpha, but there weren’t many examples of it in the short novel. This book was about two people finding love with each other in the world Aurora Rose Reynolds created. It was about Cam finding her love for the second time, and Ethan fully embracing his Boom!

I would have loved to have seen more of the growly man in Ethan, but I think that the guy Samantha created is perfect for Cam. And that’s good enough for me. Sometimes, though, I felt the parts where they were explaining their love fell a little flat. There was no emotional punch when there should have been. But there were no examples of highs and lows, it was like being stuck on the up part in the beginning of the roller coaster. I kept waiting for the high part to come, or to go down the other side, but I never did.

But, overall, I enjoyed reading Until You, and I really loved the part where they said the title of the book in it. It’s like watching a movie and hearing them say the title. I definitely snickered.

Amazing job Samantha, and I can’t wait to read more of your work!
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4star

Until You’re Mine, Jenika Snow Review

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blurb

untilyouremineA sugary sweet friends-to-lovers story featuring a virgin hero and heroine. Cameo appearances from Asher, Cash, and Trevor, from Aurora Rose Reynolds Until series.

Official blurb coming soon!

Add it to your Goodreads!

 

 

 

author

Jenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and has been a published writer since 2009. Jenika lives in the northeast with her husband and their two daughters. She prefers gloomy days, eats the topping off of her pizza first, and prefers to wear socks year round.

She can be found at:
WebsiteFacebookTwitterEmail

review

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I think I have a toothache and need to go to the dentist. This book was so freaking sweet it’s not even funny. This wasn’t my first Jenika Snow book, so I was expecting something super sweet. But honestly, this was so much better!!!

Cora and Xavier have known each other for a long time, and Xavier was Cora’s protector. When Xavier went into the military service, Cora was hurt but she didn’t show it, knowing Xavier needed to do this. For eight long years, both Cora and Xavier have held their feelings inside, not wanting to ruin their friendship, not sure how to express what they’re feeling. But when it’s time for Xavier to come home from the service, all bets are off.

If there is one thing you can expect from Jenika, it’s short, sweet, and sappy. Cora and Xavier’s story doesn’t include drama, just some uber steamy love scenes, and some men not afraid to show their emotions. Not having drama does not mean their love is less intense. They just both know what they want, and when they decide it’s time to make it happen, nothing can stop them. One of the things I love about Jenika, and this romance, was they met young but knew what they wanted, and didn’t try to go for something else. They both saved their virginity for each other. (Wait, can you make virginity plural? Virginities?)

I also love the inclusion of the Mayson family. It was simple and sweet, just like everything else in this book. They welcomed Xavier back with open arms, and it was so nice to get that snippet.

And double epilogues! *swoon* I’m of the firm belief that the more epilogues, the better. Reading this Happily Ever Alpha crossover is like getting 16 epilogues while falling in love with 16 new couples. What’s better than that honestly. Ok, bottom line? GO READ THIS! (On April 3rd, and yes I have a countdown set up on my phone. Just 9 days left!)

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4star

Until Nox, Happily Ever Alpha Review

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28698542_1984195591846450_4268691140309543124_oNot all heroes are good guys.

With a body count on his soul and blood on his hands, Killian Nox lived in the gray. Ruthlessly single-minded, if he wanted something, it was his. And when it came to the gorgeous lass with a fiery attitude, he didn’t just want her.

He needed her.

With southern-bred manners and a snark all her own, Augusta ‘Gus’ Allan was a connoisseur of cheap wine, delicious Mexican food, and good TV. Unfortunately, her taste in men wasn’t as well-developed. When her knight in shining armor turned out to be a douche in tinfoil, Gus never expected her real hero to be a sexy-accented, tattooed beast of a man.

But he was exactly who she needed.

Gus had no clue how comforting a monster in the dark could be…

Until Nox.

Warning: Recommended for readers 18+ due to awesome things like adult content and language… wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

This Happily Ever Alpha Kindle World novella is a crossover of The Hyde Series and Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Until Series. It features glimpses of familiar faces from Hyde and Seek, Best Kase Scenario, and Until November. However, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Goodreads.

author

Layla Frost has always been a rebel. A true badass.

Growing up, Layla used to hide under her blanket with a flashlight to read the Sweet Valley High books she pilfered from her older sister. It wasn’t long before she was reading hidden Harlequins during class at school. This snowballed into pulling all-nighters after the promise of “just one more chapter”.

Her love of reading, especially the romance genre, took root early and has grown immeasurably.

In between reading and writing, Layla spends her free time rocking out (at concerts, on the couch, in the car… Anywhere is a stage if you get into it enough), watching TV (the nerdier the better!), and being a foodie. Though she lives in NY (the state, not the city), she’s an avid Red Sox fan.

Social links
FacebookNaughty Cupcakes GroupGoodreadsMy Amazon StoreMy Site
— Twitter and Instagram: @LaylaFWrites — Email: laylafrostwrites@gmail.com

review
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I forgive Layla for being a Red Sox fan simply because this book was amazing. This was my third dive into the Happily Ever Alpha world and they just keep getting better. I haven’t read most of the authors involved in this Kindle Worlds crossover, but I have read Layla and she does not disappoint with this. I was obsessively and unapologetically checking my email to see if I received an ARC for this.

This is the story of Killian Nox and Augusta Allan. Gus finds her sorta boyfriend cheating on her and needs a place to stay, and Nox graciously lets her stay in his apartment while he’s out of town. Nox’s Scottish/Irish accent are panty-melting hot, and he does what he can to stay away from her. It lasts a week. In that week, Gus watches Nox’s house and his dog, and makes a mess. She is inexplicably drawn to the “beast” from the moment they meet but she doesn’t know why.

I loved this book for many reasons. One, we get to see snippets of the Mayson clan, and get to see Nico when he thinks the boom is bullshit *awweee*. Also, we get to see the Hyde clan again, with Piper being Piper and Harlow running circles around Kase. Get to see the guys come together and gossip, dishing out advice since they know relationships now.

One of my favorite things is Nox himself. He’s an enigma I’m still trying to figure out, though I’m not sure I will. He is not a good guy, and doesn’t pretend to be, but he’s not a bad guy either. In fact, I Gus says he’s “Batman levels of gray” and I think that’s the perfect description. Gus doesn’t try to change him, she accepts him (after some explaining) and they work well together.

And Gus, she admits she’s petty. I’m pretty sure she’s the character I’ve connected with most in a book. Between the pettiness, messiness, and the crazy leggings, I think Gus is my spirit animal. She is so petty, she went to MIT just to prove someone wrong, and that’s seriously someone I need in my life.

Before I keep talking about this book, because I’m 100% sure I could talk about it all night, I’m going to leave it here saying this book was AMAZING!! 5 Stars! This book releases April 3rd as part of the Happily Ever Alpha Kindle Worlds, so mark your calendars!

5star

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The OG Couple is HERE!

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blurb

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Coming April 3rd from Kindle Worlds and the world of NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Aurora Rose Reynolds. See how the Mayson clan began. You’ve read their sons’ stories, now it’s James and Susan’s turn. Experience the boom all over again in this action-packed novella of insta-love and suspense from Author CP Smith.

Add it to your Goodreads!

 

author

CP Smith writes humorous, ooey-gooey romantic suspense with OTT alphas, insta-love, and LOTS of dead bodies! She believes books should be about escape rather than reality. Ms. Smith writes what she likes to read and leaves the rest to those with better imaginations. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and five children. You can follow her on Facebook.

FacebookAmazonGoodreadsWebsite

review

That even after all these years together, I still wanted him like he wanted me.
Mind.
Body.
And Soul.”

Ok, I seriously loved this book. I’ve always wanted Susan and James’ story, since Susan told November about James asking her out everyday for two months, and about James being a playboy. But Susan Mayson is a big fat liar! In the best way possible of course. And I absolutely LOVE how CP stayed true to her writing style, true to her own voice, while effortlessly creating a story on characters she didn’t create. Susan and James are from Aurora Rose Reynolds, but CP kept their essence with her voice. It was AMAZING!!

The way the novel opens, with Susan in the present after shopping with November, with her thinking about her age and the laugh/scowl lines on her face, and showing some insecurity with the way she looks now, was perfect. I was absolutely captivated. And when they flashback, to when Susan and James first met, I was laughing, crying, and biting my lip in anticipation. What James and Susan went through just to be together, was both terrifying and so sweet at the same time. They fought to be together, and lord I’m glad they did.

CP Smith put her one liners throughout the novel that had me giggling, and thanking god I was in my house and not in public where people could see me grinning at my phone like a weirdo. I kept highlighting different quotes in the book, both parts that had me cracking up and parts that had me going awwweeee. And I love that it’s a running joke between the two that they dated for two months, or that James harassed her for two months, before they got together. Because she’s a “good girl”. And we can also blame James for Asher having all girls because “Cause God knows if he gives me grandaughters, I’ll end up killin’ someone…” and we know how that turned out! (Does anyone else picture Asher with gray hair when reading Until July because I sure did).

I give this 5 stars because I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. CP Smith stayed true to her writing style, with dual POVs and depth to the plot that goes beyond just one thing (multiple issues, crazy people, comedy to lighten the tension, with just enough tension to keep you hooked without being anxious) and I feel she truly did right by Susan and James. I think this would be the hardest couple to capture because they are the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Mayson crew, the first boom you read about, they are the ones who protect the new comers when they have no one else to protect them. Their love was the example for Asher, Trevor, Cash and Nico.

This was my second dive into the Happily Ever Alpha Kindle World, and I can’t WAIT for the release of all the books!

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5star

S. Van Horne, I need MORE!

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blurb

untilmoreAt twenty-two, Crystal Kopas didn’t know where her life was heading. Ghost writing romance stories for well-known authors isn’t an easy thing to do, especially when she couldn’t forget the one man who rocked her world. After moving to Hawaii, she thought she was finally getting her life on track. That is—until he showed up.

At twenty-five, Detective Vigo Conti decided it was time to take a vacation with his baby sister. After a grueling case that took everything out of him, he packed up Maddison and hit the beaches of Hawaii, praying to get his mind off the one woman who seemed to steal his heart when she disappeared after only one night together. He was finally starting to relax and enjoy his time with Mads uninterrupted. That is—until he sees her.

Without warning, disaster strikes and Conti vows he will do everything to get his family back. Because sometimes finding that special BOOM makes one cross lines never imagined.

Will Conti be able to save his family before it is too late?

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author

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She is from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up she did not have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it is the type that you get to pick for yourself. She met the love of her life at the early age of 20 and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a Navy wife, homeschool mother, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals play, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls days at least once a month.

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review

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This was my first dive into the Happily Ever Alpha world and it started with a huge boom. Seriously, S. Van Horne fit her characters into the Mayson world almost seamlessly, while staying true to her writing style. Horne was able to keep her voice in the story, while grabbing the essence of the characters from Aurora Rose Reynolds’ imagination. We got to see Conti and Crystal finally get together and we got to see snippets into Kai and Myla’s HEA (plus some bonus scenes with some other characters sneaking in! But I won’t ruin that for ya.) It was truly amazing.

Crystal and Conti are from S. Van Horne’s More series and have been running around each other for a year. A year! They met each other at a bar, had some wild, crazy, intense, monkey sex, and then Crystal snuck out avoiding Conti. Because Crystal didn’t want to clear up the misunderstanding, she made it worse throwing his words back in his face. She didn’t know what those words meant though.

So fast forward a year, to Crystal moving to Hawaii to feel closer to her parents, and Conti going on vacation with his autistic sister (and what’s hotter than a man who takes responsibility without hesitation for his siblings?!) and misunderstandings are cleared up. And I don’t think I’ve heard better advice, “C, pride is like a glass plate.” (I’ll let you read to find out the rest of that statement.)

Not only do Crystal, Conti, and Mads fit in perfectly in Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Mayson world, but they fit perfectly with each other. They were meant for each other. This is the story of insta-love, with the characters not quite believing in insta-love. They know they’ve wasted enough time not being together, but they fight to make sure they are in love.

S. Van Horne had me impatiently reading this book (which means I’ll have to do a re-read because I’m sure I missed something). From the prologue, to the last line, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I smiled, I laughed, I bit my lip, I bit my nails in anticipation. There aren’t many tense scenes, and it’s mostly a story about the love the two share, so it makes sense that the tense scenes weren’t too intense. I just wish it lasted a little bit longer. It seemed rushed.

But talk about epilogues, because these were seriously my favorite. I had tears (of joy) in my eyes at the end. And multiple epilogues! What’s better than multiples?! Nothing I tell you! Nothing!

So amazing job, and four stars for you Ms. Horne! I cannot WAIT to read the others in the series.

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4star