She's his for the holidays...and he's unwrapping her every night!

Dark and brooding hotel magnate Will Walker is exactly what Laura Edwards wants for Christmas. Too bad he can't forgive her for disappearing from their unhappy existence in foster care without a word. But when a snowstorm leaves her sharing Will's penthouse over Christmas, the passion between them burns brighter than Times Square. This time, can Will trust Laura to stay?

Title: Sinfully Yours
Author: Margot Radcliffe
Series: n/a
Pages: 148
Genre(s): Harlequin / Mills & Boon Dare, Second Chance, Christmas
Hot Buttons: Difficult childhoods

Release Date: 29th October, 2020

Sexy, festive and enjoyable

4 stars

I was a huge fan of the Mills & Boon / Harlequin Blaze line and I’ve never felt the subsequent Dare line has ever lived up to Blaze’s standards. This book, however, is the first Dare book I’ve read that reminded me of the Blaze line with its strong heroine, deliciously broody male, and an interesting story that was both romantic and sexy.

Will and Laura bump into each other 15 years after their traumatic time as neglected foster kids. Back then, the pair were inseparable - protectors, best friends and each other’s safe space. Until Laura is fostered out and away from Will. Their past - and Laura’s leaving - has caused massive emotional issues in both our characters in the story.

Laura was a great character. For the most part, she’d put her difficult past behind her and had become a successful, strong and happy person. She was fairly chill, except when it came to her guilt regarding Will. Her inner thoughts show us how conflicted she is - and she knows herself well enough to know that she won’t ever be able to keep Will at arm’s length. Yet she also respects herself enough to know that she can’t accept half measures - she wants all of Will or none at all. I admired and liked her.

While Will was probably a typical grumpy, alpha billionaire - he, more than most, had reason to be a little bit wary and standoffish. He had issues regarding his past and yet he was still playful, kind and a good guy. He was my favourite kind of hero - the kind that just needs a big ol’ hug from a good woman.

I loved the connection between Will and Laura. From their first (re)meeting, they fall back into an easy friendship - this time with more adult vibes. And those adult vibes led to some very adult situations which were deliciously hot - exactly what I’m looking for from this kind of book.

We get to a very satisfying conclusion and HEA with this story…but I’m going to admit that when I turned the last page, I screamed in frustration. If there was ever a story that was crying out for an epilogue, it was this one. I can even picture it - Will and Laura celebrating Christmas perhaps 5 years later. Kiddos, dogs, fireplaces, love - I wanted it all. I’m still bitter. Give me epilogues, dammit!

And speaking of Christmas - this book had a nice festive vibe to it. New York in the snow. Family. Presents. Cookies. Christmas movies. Fireplaces. Flannel jammies with reindeer motifs. It was happiness.

Overall, this book was a fun read and while the characters were overcoming difficult childhoods, it never got too angsty or overly emotional. The writing was fresh and readable - drawing you into the story and making you want to keep reading. Sexy with emotions - I really enjoyed this book and Will and Laura’s story. Margot Radcliffe’s writing style reminded me of the Blaze of old and I will be looking out for more from her in the future. A very high 4-star read and recommended.

 

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One night only.

Just think of the possibilities…

The second she sees Mr Oh-So-Delicious, Jennifer Hayes knows she needs one night of crazy. No names, no strings, no rules. Except that Jennifer's naughty one-nighter is actually Marcus Wright—her new business partner! Now they're mixing business with all kinds of pleasure. But when it comes to falling in love her sexy Mr Wright is either Mr Wrong or the best mistake of her life…

Title: Mr One-Night Stand
Author: Rachael Stewart
Series: /
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Mills & Boon Dare
Hot Buttons: /

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Great book after the first couple of chapters

After the demise of Mills & Boon’s previous sexy line, Blaze, I’ve been looking for something to take its place. While the Dare line raised my hopes - none of the books really knocked my socks off. or captured my attention fully. As I started to read this book I feared that this was more of the same.
And I felt that way for the first couple of chapters. The writing was good but for some reason I find that the Dare line like the opening scene of meeting to really be drawn out. I need a book to really be fast and snappy right off the bat to catch my attention and make me excited for what’s to come. Two chapters of the couple flirting at the bar and then meeting and having over-explained banter is just too slow for me.

The first sex scene came and I admit I was surprised - it was sexy and nicely explicit with a bit of fairly dirty language thrown in. Now this is what the Blaze line excelled at and this book brought me right back to those gems. There were a good number of sex scenes throughout the book - all very much part of the bigger story and not gratuitous.

For me, the book really started to pick up steam when the initial meeting and hookup were out of the way. That’s when we really got to know our two main characters - Jennifer and Marcus - and they really got to know each other. From this point, I loved their interactions and their banter. They were always coming from slightly different angles and it was fun to watch two strong people essentially want the same things but not be sure how to go about getting them. Having said that, the pair were honest with each other and I liked how there was no faux drama or misunderstandings used to keep the pair apart.

I also liked the setting of the book - the business aspect. It was done in such a way that made it seem real but still left enough out so it wouldn’t overshadow the romance.

And as I mentioned, I really liked the writing style of Rachael Stewart. After those first couple of chapters, the writing really flowed, pulled me in and really made me want to keep reading to find out what happened. There were enough different aspects to the story that kept you entertained and kept you interested right to the very end. But speaking of the end - I get so disappointed when there’s no epilogue. I love an epilogue and feel it really rounds out a story.

I really didn’t know how to rate this story. The first two chapters notwithstanding, it really was a good read. I enjoyed the story, liked the characters, it was well-written and had a good plot. But I have to rate it as a whole, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Still definitely worth a look and I’ll be keen to read more from Ms. Stewart.

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

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"I want everything.”

She’s taking control. And it’s driving him wild!

Lucy Baudin’s ex dented her self-esteem and it’s time to regain control. In her job as a lawyer she’s bold, confident. But in the bedroom…she needs inspiration to reawaken her inner seductress. Asking her friend Gideon Novak for help seems wrong, yet so deliciously right!

Title: Make Me Want
Author: Katee Robert
Series: Make Me
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Mills & Boon Dare
Hot Buttons: /

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This is the second book I’ve read in Mills & Boon’s new Dare line and it’s exactly what I was hoping and expecting from books that are billed as sexy, passionate and bold.

Make Me Want is the story of Lucy - a kick ass New York lawyer who needs a husband to convince her bosses that she’s partner material. And while she rocks her professional life, a douche of an ex has left her feeling a little bit unsure about her skills in the romance department.

That’s where Gideon comes in. A former friend of her crappy ex, Gideon is a head-hunter - perfect for finding her a husband. And equally perfect for teaching her how to bring out the sex kitten in her and teach her a few new things. Ah but the best laid plans…

Lucy was the perfect heroine. She was feisty and smart in her chosen career but had been hurt by her ex and had lingering issues due to his treatment of her. At times I was frustrated with Lucy because of the way she let Jeff’s treatment affect her even 5 years later. Having said that, it was very honest and exactly the way that any normal person would think and act. Yes, it was frustrating but also quite refreshing at the same time.

And of course I loved Gideon. You just have to. He thinks he’s in control and can help Lucy with her ‘problems’ without losing the heart that he probably lost to her years before. Silly man. He was slightly arrogant, big, brash and in control - except when it came to Lucy. As I said - loved him.

The pair had banter and sparked off each other. I loved their interactions both sexually and otherwise. Speaking of sex, it was fun, exciting and didn’t eclipse the plot of the book - which is ultimately the love story of Lucy and Gideon.

I loved the writing style of the book, too. It kept the pages turning, making this a quick read.

The only reason I didn’t give this book the full five stars is because I was a little bit baffled by the conflict at the end. Gideon left Lucy because he thought it was for the best - but I couldn’t figure out why he thought that. And then he did a quick 180˚ and I was a bit confused by that, too! It wasn’t a problem, it was resolved perfectly in the end I was just a tiny bit confused. Oh and epilogues - pretty please give me an epilogue!

One more think - I honestly wouldn’t let the line about Fifty Shades Freed either tempt you to read this book or put you off reading this book. There are two people and they have sex - other than that, I honestly don’t see a comparison.

As I said, this was exactly the kind of book, story and characters that I was hoping for when I heard Mills & Boon were bringing out a new line. I loved the previous M&B Blaze line and this is the kind of book that reminds me of that line but amps up the sex just a touch. It’s fresh, fun, flirty and dirty - and I honestly cared about the characters and wanted to see them happy. The writing is excellent and the sex, while enjoyable, is not there instead of a storyline. All in all, if you’re looking for a sexy romance - I would recommend this one to you. I’ve already got other Katee Robert books on my wishlist and if she writes another Dare, I’ll be sure to snap that one up, too.

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

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She’ll play his game―but only by her rules!

Alex Lancaster is an adrenaline junkie. He’s also a sexy British billionaire who should come with his own warning signs. When Libby insists she is done with men who live on the edge, Alex coaxes her out of her comfort zone―professionally and very, very personally. Libby’s taking a high-stakes gamble, but the pay-off could win her everything…

Title: A Week to Be Wild
Author: JC Harroway
Series: -
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Mills & Boon Dare
Hot Buttons: Death of a Fiance, Ill Baby

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I was so excited when I saw that Mills & Boon were releasing a new line of books. Perhaps this would fill the hole that the recently defunct Blaze line created for me. Man, I loved those books of sexy, successful men and feisty, strong, take charge women. Looking back, I think that my excitement - and subsequently high expectations - were never going to be lived up to.

The book started off well. The writing style of J.C. Harroway flowed well, was fresh and really kept my interest and the pages turning.

Alex was a British billionaire who was also a little bit of a daredevil. But he had a heart of gold and it was just as easy for me to fall for him as it was for Libby. He was also never written as a stereotypical Englishman which pleased me no end. No ‘jolly good old chap’ for this hero. Can’t really say the same for - och, was it the wee Scottish assistant? - but he was barely there so I glossed over that part.

I also liked Libby (although I’m pretty sure Libby is a derivation of Elizabeth - not Olivia). I liked her sassiness, understood her motivations but…then her damned internal monologue just wouldn’t quit.

I have a very dirty mind and I do enjoy my filth - but even I was getting frustrated with Libby and her constant forays into sexual fantasies about Alex. How on earth had this girl managed to build a successful business when she couldn’t keep her mind off what she wanted to do to Alex - or what she wanted him to do to her? Her thoughts seemed more befitting a 12 year old boy and I felt a little dirty reading it and not in a good way.

About 50% of the book was build-up to the initial sex scene rather than a chance to get to know our main characters. I like a bit of sexual tension but half the book? That’s overkill and I got seriously bored.

And then came the second half of the book.

The story picked up. Alex and Libby really got into their relationship and their little games of oneupmanship - excitement inside and outside the bedroom. The pair had banter and you really started to believe in them and feel for them as a couple. They opened up to each other (and the reader) more and you got to understand their back stories, their quirks, their hangups and their baggage. And the sex was pretty darn sexy, too! Finally!

The ending, and happily ever after, was nicely done and it made me smile. It felt real and I liked the way that Libby acted and reacted to the whole situation. If she’d been the girl she was in the latter half of the book, during that first half, this would have been a 5 star book without a shadow of a doubt.

This was definitely a book of two halves for me. I would still recommend it if you like your billionaire romances, are a fan of Mills & Boon or are just looking to pass the time on a rainy afternoon. I’ll keep my eye out for the next from the Dare line as this book did show promise and I’m still hoping that this will be my new favourite line to make me forget all about Blaze. 3 stars.

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

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