Tag Archives: romance novel

Giving Her My Baby by Alexa Riley Review

blurbgivinghermybabyBrooks Renshaw has little time on his hands to deal with problems. But when his mom shows up after a weekend in Vegas married to someone he’s never met, he decides to do some digging. Turns out she’s hitched herself to a con artist with a trail of bad debts and abandoned women along the way. When Brooks finds out his new stepdad has a daughter, he decides to look into her, too. Only when he finds his new stepsister, he’s ready to give her exactly what she wants.

Eleanor works as a live-in baby nurse for new mothers. But her need to have a baby of her own has led her to take matters into her own hands. It’s not the ideal situation, but she can’t wait on Mr. Perfect any longer. But one phone call about a final job may change all her carefully made plans.

Warning: This book is filthy, gooey goodness, with baby-making galore! They might be stepbrother and sister, but hey, who are we to stop love? Turn the lights down low, because we’ve got some claiming to do!

GoodreadsAmazon

authoralexarileyAlexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut

FacebookWebsiteNewsletterTwitterAmazonGoodreads

reviewgivinghermybaby2

Oh. My. God. This book was everything. Seriously, it was everything. I’ve come to expect a few things from the dynamic duo that results in Alexa Riley, and they sure didn’t disappoint when it came to this book. What do I expect from her? Insta-love stories, with alpha males, drama that makes you want to bite your nails, and some caveman “I want my baby inside her” love, mixed with females that are strong in their own right, who want a family but are waiting for the right guy to give it to them.

This book was a little different, since Eleanor was almost ready to get her baby her own way, before she met Brooks. But still, she meets him, is instantly attracted to him, but questions how fast their moving, as any female would do. But Brooks is irresistible, and he gets what he wants. What he wants? ELEANOR. And he gets her.

This is a fast story, one that is dirty in all the right ways, but also has the love story too. The guy that’s so alpha, he does whatever he can to make sure she’s safe, even when he’s not around, while trying to find a way to keep her in his life, permanently. A guy not afraid to express his feelings, and a woman strong enough to recognize what’s happening and embrace it fully.

If the title didn’t clue you in: Brooks wants Eleanor to have his baby. But we all know practice is the best part of baby making ;). While fast, this book was totally worth five stars. The way Alexa Riley writes leaves me desperate for more. More epilogues, more of the couple, more baby making practices, more of everything. I feel like Oliver sometimes, begging for more!!

givinghermybaby35star

Keeping 6, Freya Barker Review

newarcbannerblurbd4416-252312bkeeping2b62bcopyBookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever.
The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.
Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.

Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.

Goodreads — Amazon(Coming Soon)

authorf4a14-publicity2bshotFreya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.

She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

GoodreadsAmazonWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramBookBub

reviewkeeping6 1.jpg

Keeping 6 was my first Freya Barker novel, and it was a doozy. This book was jam packed with action, alpha men, and strong independent women, and a huge dose of crazy. There were twists and turns everywhere. When I was almost at the end I found myself watching the page count going “HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE RESOLVED?!” (RELAX, there’s no cliff hangers here!) I was hooked.

Keeping 6 the story of FBI Agent Damien Gomez and book store owner Kerry Emerson. Damien and Kerry met each other a few years before, when Damien was involved in rescuing Kerry from a crazy kidnapping, but she was married at the time. When Damien stumbles into her new book store in Durango, sparks fly once again, except this time she’s no longer married (thank God, because in that prologue and from what Kerry talked about he sounded like a complete butt head.)

Damien, who is resigned to bachelorhood because of his career, tries to ignore the feelings Kerry evokes in him, which isn’t to hard because Kerry seems to dislike him and is completely rude to him when they see each other again. Kerry just got divorced from an overbearing dirtbag, so has no interest in dating or getting married again. She tries to ignore Damien and the feelings he seems to draw out of her.

These two were like cats and dogs at first. Over time, Damien came to terms with his feelings and became super alpha (hot) and Kerry tried to come to terms with Damien’s alpha macho-ness, but has some super hang ups. At the end, I was in love with these two. I thought Damien’s family was awesome, and he tried so hard to keep Kerry with him all the time, but when it came to his mom he threw her under the bus (typical male). Kerry was hard for me to like. I didn’t read the book where we meet Kerry and find out how she was kidnapped or anything, but reading her in the beginning, I wanted to shake her. She took awhile for me to warm up to. It seemed she was always snapping at people and then apologizing. Heck, she snapped at Damien and then he apologized. I felt sometimes she was in the wrong, and would admit she was, but would let Damien take the blame. I felt she still had to grow up. Her snipping at everyone in the beginning and refusing to allow an inch for ANYTHING, even with the people she loved like her friend Kim, was what really brought this book to 4 stars in my head. It was still a really amazing book, Kerry was just so hard on everyone and everything in the beginning, and even towards the end too.

This was also different for me because I tend to read romances featuring couples in their 20s, or with girls in their 20s. Damien and Kerry, from what I gathered because I don’t remember reading Kerry’s age, were in their 40s. Normally I avoid that, not on purpose, but because I feel like I connect more with characters closer to my age. But I really did love Damien and Kerry, and the story unfolding.
keeping6 3.jpg

4star

CRAZY SALE!!

crazymaybe

CRAZY MAYBE
by A.D. Justice

99c SALE!!!
for a limited time only

 

99c SALE!!! Crazy Maybe by A.D. Justice is only 99c for a limited time!!!

“Crazy Maybe completely captivated me from the first page to the last.” ~ A.M. Madden

“extremely original, fast paced, well written, emotional, and sexy!! This book that will take you to places you never thought you would go.” ~ Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

“Crazy Maybe is one of the best books I have read this year!” ~ Goodreads reviewer

US: https://amzn.to/2JQ0pRG
UK: https://amzn.to/2vfDvjz
CA: https://amzn.to/2qBcQZ2
AU: https://amzn.to/2HEvya7
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/mfbrrnd
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/y8yjub6k
iBooks: https://apple.co/2EPNCuR
Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/ya8kuxvw

Sometimes love isn’t enough.  Sometimes it’s all you need.

Strong. Smart. Independent. When I was younger, I never would’ve used those words to describe myself. But I’m no longer that scared little girl, all alone in the world. My friends are the only family I have now.

From the second Luke Woods steps foot in the gym where I work, I feel his presence. Tall. Handsome. Ripped. When our eyes meet, the hunger I see in them is for more than his place in the professional boxing ring.

We can’t deny the electric tension between us. But the day I inherited the family business, the living, breathing past re-emerges to threaten all I held dear…including Luke.

crazymaybe1.jpg

gmb.jpg

Blog Master List
for Promotional Posts

We have received many requests to create a master list for blogs wanting to sign up for ALL promotional opportunities

If this is something that interests you,
please enter your details on our Blog Master List form.

Thank you for your support!

 

Truck Stop Tempest by Krissy Daniels

arc review 1blurbtruckstoptempestMy stay in Whisper Springs was supposed to be temporary. A slight detour on my flight to freedom.
Then Tito Moretti stormed into town.
He was everything I wished I could be. Everything I’d been taught to fear.
Confident. Fearsome. Untouchable.

I wasn’t supposed to make friends. I never meant to fall in love.
When Tito learned the truth, would he break me,
Or help me break free?

Tuuli Holt was off limits
Young. Naïve. Pure.
I had no right wanting the blue-eyed bunny.
But damn, that little beast stormed into my life, and scattered my demons.

She had her share of secrets, but they were nothing compared to my sins.
Tuuli said my past didn’t matter.
I wanted to believe her, but when my crimes were exposed, would she bolt?

I should’ve stayed away, set her free.
We could never work.
Church girls didn’t fall in love with executioners.

GoodreadsAmazonTruck Stop TangoTruck Stop Tryst

author

krissy.jpgKrissy is a full time writer, avid reader, and lover of dark and dirty romance.
Growing up surrounded by the great outdoors, her childhood was full of adventure that fueled an overactive imagination and ignited a passion for storytelling. Whether it be dolls, or running free through the wooded areas surrounding her home, playtime always included a tormented villain, a damsel in distress and a larger than life hero.
After relentless encouragement from friends and family, she finally put the characters in her head to pen and paper. The only thing she loves more than curling up with a steamy romance novel, is cozying up to her desk and writing her own sexy adventures to share with others.

GoodreadsAmazonFacebook

reviewtruckstop2

OK FIRST THIS BOOK IS LIVE EARLY. Which means you should go one click the hell out of that button. This book is that good. After reading this, I went and bought Truck Stop Tango (which is free) and then bought Truck Stop Tryst as well. I’ve read all three books and can say, with full authority, Tito is mine. I don’t care what you say, he is mine.

Now that the ugly is out of the way…

I didn’t know when I read this that it was a continuation of two other books. It didn’t hinder my ability to read and enjoy this book thoroughly. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s probably better to read the book third. After reading the first two books, things made more sense (which means I need to do a re-read). Tito is broken, damaged, by the life he was dealt. He believes he is unlovable, and that he can’t love. When he meets Tuuli, he is drawn to her, but he tries to stay away.

Tuuli has her own secrets. Secrets that could ruin everything she built, everything she was trying to get away from. She is drawn to Tito, but her secrets, her past, and Tito’s feelings that he can’t do forever stop her from jumping in head first into Tito.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, for both of them, they are drawn to each other in inexplicable ways. Spoiler: they end up together.

One of my favorite things about this book (and ultimately about the series) is that each couple has something special, something just for them. Tango and Slade have dancing, Tucker and Aida have singing. Tito and Tuuli have “Tell me something I don’t know about you,. Something big.” Each moment, each secret revealed, results in a kiss. And they ultimately end up healing each other, giving each other the strength they need to heal.

I love, love, love Tito, and his journey to heal. Tuuli pulls him back from the souls that torture his heart. And Tito gives Tuuli the peace to move on from the secrets holding her back. Basically, I love everything about this book. And this series. I need epilogues, and novels of these three like 10 years in the future. I’m obsessed with this family. Because these couples, and those they bring into it, are family.

truckstop35star

~COVER REVEAL~ Jock Row by Sara Ney

We are very excited to bring you the first standalone in a brand new series from USA TODAY bestseller Sara Ney!

JOCK ROW hits e-readers on MAY 3rd!

 

Scarlett is always the sensible one: The sober driver. The planner. The one holding your hair back while you’re worshiping the porcelain gods.

Week-after-week, she visits Jock Row with her friends—the universities hottest party scene and breeding ground for student athletes. And if keeping her friends out of trouble, and guys out of their pants, was a sport, she’d be the star athlete.

Being a well known jock-blocker gets her noticed for all the wrong reasons; just like that, she’s banned from Jock Row. NO GUY WANTS A GIRL AROUND WHO KEEPS THEIR JOCK FRIENDS FROM GETTING LAID.

“Rowdy” Wade is the hot shot short-stop for the university’s baseball team—and the unlucky bastard who drew the short straw: keep little Miss Goody Two-Shoes out of the Baseball House.

But week-after-week Scarlett returns, determined to get inside.

ADD TO GOODREADS

 

FOR ALERT WITH THE BOOK GOES LIVE SIGN-UP HERE

 

 

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

She lives with her husband, children, and her ridiculously large dog.

 

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter | Website

~Defile Teaser~

Another teaser from Defile by Jessica Prince!!

Teaser Time💙

 

Defile, a Contemporary, Rockstar Romance from Jessica Prince is coming May 3rd.

SYNOPSIS:

Declan Forrester is arrogant, selfish, and insanely sexy.
He was the very first boy I ever loved.
Then fame and fortune turned
him into a man I no longer recognized. I tried to give him
everything he needed, and in return…
he broke my heart
Now he’s back, and he wants to make things right.
What started as love turned to hate. I told myself I’d
never fall for him again, but he’s determined to
prove me wrong.
He wants to win me.
He wants to own me.
He wants to defile me.
And if I’m not careful…
I just might let him

**The Civil Corruption series is a series of interconnected, standalone, rockstar romances.**
Defile Teaser 4.jpg
Meet Declan in Corrupt
#Free on #KindleUnlimited

Until We Meet Again…

blurbuntil we meet againA Club Alias Crossover

Justin, Kenton, and Nico did their job—catching and putting away the trafficker who had been kidnapping young women all over the state of Tennessee. But with all the money the bastard made from selling women as sex slaves, and lawyers as dirty as his bank accounts, Javier Flores was set free.

Frustrated and out of options, the Nashville boys call me, Brian Glover, a BDSM club owner and mercenary.

After a couple of difficult missions, I’m ready to get back to what I’m good at—eliminating bad guys and making it look like an accident. Plus, I’ll jump at any chance to spend time with Clarice, my best friend with benefits who meets me on all of my jobs.

Will this be the mission Clarice finally admits she wants more than friendship? Or will I have to wait… Until We Meet Again?

Happily Ever Alpha Kindle WorldauthorkdrobKD Robichaux wanted to be a romance author since the first time she picked up her mom’s Sandra Brown books at the ripe old age of twelve. She went to college to become a writer, but then married and had babies. Putting her dream job on hold to raise her family as a stay at home mom, who read entirely too much, she created a blog where she could keep her family and friends up-to-date on all the hottest reads. From there, by word of mouth, her blog took off and she began using her hard-earned degree as a Senior Editor for Hot Tree Editing. When her kids started school, and with the encouragement from her many author friends, she finally sat down and started working on her first series, The Blogger Diaries, her very own real life romance.

GoodreadsWebsiteFacebookFacebook Group

reviewuntilwemeetagain2.jpg

Um, EXCUSE YOU MRS. ROBICHAUX. How dare you give me this masterpiece without a proper ending? I need their HEA. I give this book NEGATIVE 5 STARS because it’s not done!

Ok, I’m being dramatic. Sue me. This book was more than five stars. It was short and sweet and I may have fallen just a little (ok, a lot) in love with Brian. He’s full of contradictions and I freaking love the giant. The title maybe should have given it away but it didn’t so I want more.

I’m usually a bit hesitant about BDSM club books. By hesitant, I mean I don’t read them. I have to look things up because I have no idea what they’re using, or the sub culture is just too much for me, or the guy is into voyeurism and I like guys that are too alpha to let their women be seen by other guys. BDSM clubs just aren’t my kind of kink.

Usually.

I have the first Club Alias book on my kindle, but haven’t read it yet because of my hesitance of BDSM. I’ve read books with it before, and I’ve liked them, but I don’t usually willingly read a book about it (I suck at reading blurbs!). Plus with all the new releases, I kept pushing it off. But, now that I’ve read this book, I NEED to read the rest of the series. I need to know more about Brian and Clarice. I need it. I’m like that Spongebob meme right now (you know the one so don’t pretend like you don’t). I also need their HEA, which I’ve heard they’re going to get, but obviously I don’t have it in my hands right now.

Like it should be. If I beg, will it come out faster? Please?

I loved reading this because it was all in Brian’s POV. It was so fun to see someone so tall (6’8″, hubba hubba) be so deeply in love with Clarice, be so gentle with her, yet also be a Dom. He loves her, and trusts her, to switch with her. He trusts her with info on his jobs, which I think I love more than anything else. It’s so different than the “I can’t tell you but it’s for your protection” thing. This book was short, sweet, and sexy, so I’m going to make my review short and sweet too (but not sexy). Go get this book, because you will LOVE it. This was my first KD book but it won’t be my last!
untilwemeetagain

5star

You can Run…

I received a copy of Run, Hide, Break & Chase, in exchange for honest reviews. Here’s my first one…

blurb

runjennifervesterOliva wouldn’t say she was paranoid. Maybe she read a few too many books on true crime, but it was all in the name of solid research. She was comfortable and cautious after a tragic event in her past. It worked for her.

At least it had, until she met Aiden Latimer. He was tall, muscular and did that eyebrow arch thing like a pro. The billionaire spotted her, and her life has been anything but comfortable ever since.

He was bossy and annoying. He even has a problem with her cussing. He’s done his own research on her and she’s convinced he even bugged her house.

She wasn’t prepared for her attraction to him, much less his ardent attention. Their worlds seemed so far apart that she was ready to end it on day one.

But things never go quite like you plan with an alpha male type.

Now, she’s being bossed around by Aiden, trying not to get into trouble with her best friend and dealing with a psycho, stalker ex-boyfriend!

The question is, when things finally do hit the fan, will she face her fears or run?

**Full-length standalone romance. 67,000+ words. No cheating, or cliffhangers with a Happily Ever After!

GoodreadsAmazon

author

Jennifer Vester is a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers with off-beat female characters and the over-the-top alpha men that love them.

Her books revolve around romantic suspense with a little something for every reader. Always an HEA….(but look out for those twists!) It’s romance suspense after all.

The Lakefield series deals with some very serious subjects at times.

Come follow me!
Facebook

Or, join my reader’s group on Facebook:
Vester’s Vixens

Newsletter  —   Website

review

run1

Have you had a good laugh lately? If not, then check out this book. Seriously. Olivia’s mind had me cracking up the whole time. I had a first hand experience with her brain and I wish I could have some more.

Run is the story of Olivia running from Aiden Latimer. Literally. She ran from him at the bar, the car, after their kiss. Aiden is your typical alpha with a little extra “stop cussing before I punish you”. I’m not sure if it’s insta-love between the two, but it’s instant awareness, instant attraction, and instant craziness. There’s danger, laughs, sarcasm, and a lot of wondering if the stranger kidnapping her is a serial killer. Oh and a lot of stalking. But if you’re gonna die, might as well do it in a Bentley or a Benz right?

Olivia has legitimate reason to be wary of the super-bossy Aiden. Her ex-boyfriend was not kind to her. And by not kind I mean the absolute worst. Olivia’s roommate, Julia, and her mother conspire against Liv and trying to push away a potential date (though if this was real life I would probably be screaming at her to RUN THE OTHER WAY. but it’s not real life so I can yell at her to stop running away from him.)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was full length- but it was a quick easy read. There was danger and excitement, as well as super steamy scenes, had some hilarious text messages, and guys that were like family to each other. It was definitely 4 great stars.

My issue with it was my issue with basically all heroines that have super hot, super rich boyfriends with awesome security: why do you try to ditch them?!? I’ve never needed security (knock on wood) and I definitely like to feel safe, so I don’t know why, when you get text messages from legit stalkers that you know are trying to hurt you, that you DITCH THE SECURITY TEAM. I understand independence and crap, but seriously stop running from the guys trained to take care of ya.

That’s my pet peeve though… maybe not everyone’s…

This was my first Jennifer read and I can’t wait to read the other three in the Lakefield series… Go add this to your TBR! Like… now! And do you have Kindle Unlimited? Well it’s free on KU!

run2

4star

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

untilarsen2.png

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?
untilarsen3
5star

Here I’ll Stay… and cry

blurb

hereillstayI wanted to give up.
I wanted to give into the hurt and not look back.
I wanted to let my demons win and succumb to the pain.
I didn’t want to live because leaving would be easier than dealing with it all.
But leaving wasn’t an option. Not when my best friends held onto me for dear life, and not when my heart had found one more person to beat for.
I was going to fight. I was going to love.
I was Daysie Flores and I was going to find every reason in the world to live—to stay.

Goodreads. Amazon.

 

author

16646808.jpgDominique Laura started off writing under the pen name Rosie C. but grew brave enough to transition to her real name (well, close enough to it). She loves to read and write whenever possible. She’s an advocate for love and happily ever afters, and she’s snarky and sarcastic. She lives in sunny Southern California with her dog, who she’s slightly obsessed with.

FacebookTwitterInstagram

 

review

hereillstay2.jpg

I’m not even going to lie, I usually stay away from Young Adult romances for a couple reasons. One, most don’t have steamy scenes in them. Two, if they do have them, I tend to get grossed out cause the characters are, like, 16. Three, I remember being an annoying teenager, thank you Facebook memories, really needed to see the song lyrics I posted 10 years ago, three times in one day, that spoke to my soul, and when I’m reading about 16 year olds, they’re annoying. Nothing against them, but I want to shake them, just like I want to shake my teen brother when he’s being stupid. But, hey, high school is the time to be stupid. Four, reading about people falling in love in high school makes me want to gag.

While there aren’t steamy scenes in Here I’ll Stay, the story of Daysie Flores is beautiful. This was my first Dominique Laura book, and I’m now going to go stalk her to see what else she’s written. This book spoke to my soul on a level other romances don’t often get to me. (Plus the teenagers, besides Jason, weren’t annoying like I was — which I’m pretty sure is not fair.)

Daysie is abused physically, emotionally, and verbally. Her father is an addict, to pain, alcohol, and drugs. Her mother is addicted to work. Neither should have ever been parents. Daysie has known pain almost her entire life. She has made a list of reasons to stay alive. At the top of the list are her two best friends, Maci and Sarah. Brenton Conners slowly makes his way to the top of the list. Although I would have loved to have seen him punch Jason, just once- please, he worked his way to the top of my list too. And he’s 18 so he can be on my “book boyfriends” list. He is sweet, charming, accepting, and honest. He openly communicates his feelings to Daysie and it is so important for her. Between Brent, and her friends, she makes her own family.

I think I was crying as much as Daysie did throughout the book. I’ve never been physically abused, but I have my own toxic people in my life. People that were supposed to be family saying nasty things to me, while I tried to fight my way out of their poison. Luckily, I had a support system that didn’t include those people, but did include family. Daysie didn’t have that. But I know secrecy, not wanting to tell people about what is happening, not being able to tell people about what’s going on, or how you’re feeling, making excuses for people that don’t deserve them. Coming up with reasons to stay alive.

I think one of my favorite things about this book, is something so little I didn’t notice till about halfway through the book. I was reading along, through tears in my eyes, when I noticed the chapters were reasons. Example, Reason One: Ice Cream. Each reason has something to do with the chapter, but usually they were little things. Things like ice Cream, coffee, or running. It caught me off guard in the worst and best way possible. I’m currently going through the chapters again to see what they all said. I’m mad at myself for missing it to start with.

This book was 5 stars, hands down. Thank you, Dominique, for writing this book. For making the characters believable. For making the teenagers not so annoying, while still making their emotions all over the place. Thank you for writing a beautiful piece of work about a topic that is not easy to write about.

Thank you.

Quotes_Creator_20180325_184923.png

5star