Betty Dawsey knows that breaking things off with Thom Lange is for the best. He’s nice, but boring, and their relationship has lost its spark. But steady and predictable Thom, suddenly doesn’t seem so steady and predictable when their condo explodes and she’s kidnapped by a couple of crazies claiming that Thom isn’t who he says he is.

Thom is having a hellish week. Not only is he hunting a double agent, but his fiancé dumped him, and thanks to his undercover life, she’s been kidnapped.

Turns out Thom is Operative Thom and he’s got more than a few secrets to share with Betty if he’s going to keep her alive. With both their lives on the line, their lackluster connection is suddenly replaced by an intense one. But in his line of work, feelings aren’t wanted or desired. Because feelings can be a lethal distraction.

Title: Lies
Author: Kylie Scott
Series: /
Pages: 242
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Romantic Suspense
Hot Buttons: death of minor characters <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

Release Date: 21st July, 2019


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I rarely delve into the world of romantic suspense and it’s this kind of book that makes me wonder why I don’t read them more often. We get a bit of everything - action, romance and a touch of humour. All the good stuff. The whole storyline of them being together and then kind-of not, also gave this a second-chance vibe that I totally got behind.

This particular book features Betty and her dull, soon to be ex, fiancé, Thom. It’s written in first person present tense and it’s 100% in Betty’s POV. By writing it this way, we’re just as in the dark about Thom’s true character and motives as Betty. It’s infuriating and very, very clever. We’re all in with Betty in this book and that’s no bad thing as she’s a great character. A curvy florist thrown into a very bizarre and dangerous set of circumstances while dealing with the equally bizarre ‘transformation’ of her formerly dull, maybe ex, fiancé. She’s real and likeable - and at times, hella funny. We also get very few ‘Bettys’ in romance so it was refreshing - and really fit with her character who had a very 50s style vibe.

Then we have Thom. And why oh why does having that extra ‘h’ in his name make him all the hotter? He’s a bit of an enigma but I immediately liked the way he was dedicated to Betty and really wanted to convince her to give their romance a try. He was obviously smitten even if Betty herself couldn’t see it. Of course, the kick-ass, super spy thing was just icing on the cake!

I was a wee bit confused why Thom felt he needed to temper his feelings for Betty while they were in their relationship before the events in the book. There was some excuse of ‘I have to maintain my cover’ by having sub-standard sex with you which baffled me no end. I was kind of under the impression that people who are not super-spies are also capable of hot sex but maybe I’ve been wrong all this time! Betty also had problems about her feelings for Thom as the book went on. Understandable - but she told him she loved him for the first time during the events of the book. She agreed to marry a man she didn't love? Weird. But hey - the book was fast paced, interesting and I was really enjoying the excitement so these were just tiny things that confused me.

Up until about 80% this was a solid 5-star read for me. And then something happened in the conclusion of the book that knocked it down a star for me, unfortunately. I’m not going to spoil anything for anyone… but the whole way that Betty resolved her issues with Them towards the end of the novel was just too ridiculous and far-fetched for me. And that’s after all the kidnappings, gunfights, deaths etc etc etc. I also simply didn’t like what she did. But please don’t worry - this book still concludes satisfactorily and it’s a happy ending. Phew!

This is the first book by Kylie Scott that I’ve read and I enjoyed it a lot. It was interesting, compelling and with a storyline that was easy-to-follow yet very engrossing. I’m not sure if this is the start of a new series but I’d love to read Bear, Crow and even Fox’s stories and will look out for other books by Ms Scott in the future. A very high 4 star read.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUY NOW!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR BIO!

 

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, 2014 & 2018, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films.

Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR LINKS!

                                 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click to see other books by Kylie Scott

 

Marshall Dyson wants one thing and one thing only: to raze his grandfather’s island to the ground. Everything is ready to go––except for the freakin’ bunnies! Hundreds of the furry critters hopping about and multiplying before his eyes. And then there’s the American Bunny League, along with one distractingly beautiful veterinarian, taking him to court to save them...

Dr. Augusta “Gus” North can’t believe the grumpy–and annoyingly hot–builder she’s facing in court cares more about demo-ing some cabin than the lives of 200 bunnies. But when the judge orders Marshall to stay on the island and help her rehome the rabbits – the entire month – she knows they’re going to need to lay some ground rules.

Like, for example, absolutely no kissing. Might as well go ahead and get that in writing. Sure it’s on a napkin, but that still counts.

How hard could it be to keep their hands off each other amidst all the fighting? Surprisingly, harder than wrangling 200 bunnies...

Title: The Kissing Contract
Author: Amy Andrews
Series: /
Pages: 365
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: grief <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have newly discovered Amy Andrews and hugely enjoyed her last book (Nothing But Trouble). However, I’m going to be honest and say that this worried me slightly when I started this book - would I enjoy this one as much as I did the last, and would it live up to expectations?

The answer to that is oh my god, yes!

Amy Andrews just has a way with words that pulls me in and makes me 100% absorbed in the story she’s telling and the characters she’s writing. She’s also so damn funny. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud while reading this book. And I mean proper laughing out loud as well as those very ladylike snorts of laughter!

While the underlying story of saving the bunnies may sound slightly silly, the book certainly isn’t. While it’s definitely light, fun and very humorous, it’s got smarts, is interesting and has depth as well as heart. Oh, and I forgot to mention it’s sexy as hell.

Which is surprising given that our main couple don’t have sex for the majority of the book due to said kissing contract they initiate after finding themselves on opposing sides yet irritatingly attracted to each other! Everyone else is humping like bunnies - including the bunnies - but not Gus and Marshall. But when they do…boy oh boy! This book is a masterclass in how you do sexual tension!

I really liked Marshall. I mean really liked him. He’s a bit of a guy - he does alright with ladies and he’s sexy as hell. But he’s also a good man. And for a girl like Gus who has been judged and objectified for her looks for most of her life - he’s a surprising godsend and exactly the right match for her. I want a Marshall for my very own. Dirty mind, dirty mouth, a good body and a good heart!

Gus was also a character I could really root for and get behind. She was passionate and down to earth…until she was provoked which is when she turned haughty. And the way it riled up Marshall just made so happy. I love a bit of annoyance in a love story! And I have to admit that I liked how Gus handled the pair’s reconciliation. It made me appreciate her as a character as well as making me believe that this couple would stay together after I closed the book!

I want to keep going and tell you all the things I loved about this book - all the scenes, all the jokes, all the sexy bits and all the genius writing. But instead I’ll just tell you again how much I loved this book and recommend that if you like your love stories with a humour and fun (and bunnies) then you’ll love this book, too. 5 stars from me.

* I received this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. *

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

BUY NOW!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

AUTHOR BIO!

 

Amy is an Aussie author of hot contemporary romance who believes in multiple orgasms, mighty wangs and happily ever afters. She’s been penning them for over twenty years and has 70+ books to her name.

As well as unforgettable characters and great sex you’ll also be treated to some laughs and a dollop of quirk because Amy doesn’t seem to know how to write a book without a bit of both. You might also cry a little because there’s nothing she loves more than a laughy-criey book!

She also loves sunsets and rainbows, unicorns and mermaids, booze and travel. And her home that overlooks the ocean. She may also happen to believe she was a Roman goddess in her past life because it's the only thing that explains her adoration for all things Italy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

AUTHOR LINKS!

                  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

EXCERPT!

He could operate a fucking crane. There was no sensitive in the seat of a thirty ton crane.

“What are you even doing there?”

Now that was a good question. If Marshall was honest, he didn’t really know. But he sure as shit wasn’t going to admit that to his brother.

“I was supposed to be here this week anyway. We were supposed to break ground on the project, remember?”

“Yeah. But that got delayed. Remember?”

If anyone, other than another lawyer, had ever had any success in arguing with a lawyer, Marshall hadn’t met them. “Thought I’d be here for when the ABL people arrived on Monday.”

“To throw a welcome party?”

“To...keep an eye on things.”

“They’re rescuing rabbits, Marshall. What in hell do you think they’re going to get up to?”

“I want to make sure they’re being efficient.”

That sounded better. Marshall wanted this done. Over. He wanted his grandfather expunged from this island. He couldn’t expunge him from all existence but he could remove every last trace of his presence here.

And he wanted it done yesterday.

“So, what? You’re going to oversee the project or something, now?”

“No.” He didn’t have time for that. But...Maybe he did have time given that he’d cleared his schedule for starting work on this job quite some time ago?

No.

“I just want to get a feel for them.”

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click to see other books by Amy Andrews

I’m a good girl—until I got drunk in Vegas and married a panties-flaming-hot Irishman.

Oops.

I’ve always lived my life by the rules. Unlike my two sisters, I’m the good one. The responsible one. Going outside my comfort zone is when I wear red lipstick before five PM.

That comfort zone of mine? It’s smashed to smithereens on a wild night in Las Vegas when I met—and married—Liam Gallagher.

After one shot of tequila, then two, then too many to count, a good girl’s rules tend to disappear. And so do her panties, and her bra, and various other articles of clothing when she’s with an Irishman who knows his way around a woman’s body.

Now my husband wants us to stay married. For six months. He says it’ll be worth my while. Considering our chemistry underneath the sheets, I can’t say that he’s wrong.

Liam isn’t safe, though. Liam definitely isn’t comfortable. He’s like the male equivalent of wearing red lipstick in the daytime all wrapped up in an irresistible, dangerous package.

Yet this stubborn Irishman isn’t about to let me go, drunken Princess Bride-themed Vegas wedding or no.

Now I have to decide if I’m brave enough to break the rules for love.

Title: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Author: Iris Morland
Series: The Flower Shop Sisters Book 2
Pages: 228
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Rom Com
Hot Buttons: n/a

Release Date: 16th July, 2019


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the second book in the Flower Shop Sisters series and the second to receive the full 5 stars from me. It stands completely alone although Dani and Jacob (but mostly Dani) from Petal Plucker, do appear in this book as Mari did in theirs.

Like I said, this book received the full 5 stars from me and it deserves every one of them. It’s such a fun tale with a relatable heroine, a swoon worthy hero and enough laughter and sex to make every page turn faster than the last.

Mari has gone through some tough times, romantically, in recent months so it doesn't take much to have her ridiculously drunk and seriously married on a trip to Vegas. Despite this random act of craziness, Mari is actually quite a straight-laced, responsible and calm person. Or at least she is around everyone except Liam. Liam makes her crazy which makes for great reading for us. But aside from that, I really liked Mari and could identify with her. I wanted her to do well and reach her dreams. I’ll even admit I shed a little tear when she worked out her issues with her mum.

So now to Liam. Liam Gallagher, to be precise. While thoughts of gobby northern singers (Oasis presumably didn’t make it big over in the US) did freak me out for a few pages, our Liam is fun, bold and sweet enough to make him his own person in my head. He is Irish but I'm happy to note that Ms Morland doesn't go all ‘fiddle-dee-dee potatoes’ on us which means Liam is a very likeable, and realistic, hero. Even more so because he's so adorably dense with his ‘I don't believe in love and marriage’ schtick. Bless his heart!

And while our pair are equally wonderful characters separately - together, they are just amazing. They have chemistry for days and have a real buzz about them. That translates to some sizzling sex scenes. Oooh boy - they really hit the spot! And often.

Ms Morland is onto a winner with the Flower Shop Sisters series and the books seem to just get better. I’m looking forward to seeing if the youngest sister, Kate, (with possibly Lochlann?) will get her own story and I’m already anticipating another great read. In the meantime, if you're a fan of romantic comedies with likeable, relatable characters in extraordinary situations - I would highly recommend this book to you. 5 stars.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUY NOW!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR BIO!

 

A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland is the author of over a dozen sexy, small-town romances and romantic comedies. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR LINKS!

                  

To subscribe to Iris's newsletter, click here.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click to see other books by Iris Morland