Red, White, and Blue: Uncorked Book 6, Shea Balik

There's not much you can do when your own mother understands nothing about who you are and what makes you happy, and even less when she's intent on making a scene in public places because of it.  Poor Blue, but one moment of a guilt-induced wardrobe gets him noticed by someone who he'd never have picked for himself.  Everything that Lowen is matches Blue and they get along really well, both bringing out strengths in one another.  While there was a ton of potential here, it was merely a nice story with a lot of sappy endearments, moments of passion, and a happy ending with more love than I expected.

I wish I was more thrilled with this story.  Apple Blossom really had potential to be a fantastic comedic element to the story, but instead she was a serious embarrassment and a disappointing human being.  Whether the direction with her character was supposed to me more dramatic or more funny, neither were fully realized and that was a shame.  Similarly, Blue could have really developed some grit in response to the first or more acceptance of himself and peace with the second, but again, without working to either of those ends, he was made to be an insecure young man and was left feeling less than complete as a character.  Lowen was nice with his encouragement and conflicted relationship with his parents, but if he weren't an MC I fear he'd be forgettable most of the time.

It's not that the story was bad or disappointing, it was just underwhelming.  There were a ton of moments that I was excited for when they came around, but very few of them bore any fruit.  So overall, it was a nice story.  This was my first book by this author and according to their catalogue, they've got quite a few under their belt so I'm hoping this isn't a true representation of their work.  I may or may not look for more from them.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Blue Moon tried to live a fairly ‘normal’ life. To him that meant working, paying bills and keeping as far under the radar as possible. He’d had enough of being the center of attention to last a lifetime. Although, to be fair, it usually wasn’t him that found a way to draw a crowd. That would be his mother, Apple Blossom. Blue was just the unfortunate person she used to gain the spotlight as often possible.

Lowen Delany loved his new job at The Twisted Vine as a Wine Tasting Assistant. His bosses didn’t even mind his multicolored hair and tattoos. It didn’t hurt that he got to try the vineyard’s new wines every year either. Best of all, he was able to meet new and interesting people every day, including a man who tried to hide behind a fake tree while wearing a colorful outfit that couldn’t have been missed in the dark from a mile away. Although, Lowen was fairly sure, even dressed in black, he would have noticed Blue.

But when Blue’s mother decides to butt into their budding relationship, thankfully, they both find that family is more than just about genetics. It’s about who is there for them when things get tough that matter most.

Apex Shifters Boxset, Emilia Hartley

Book 1: The Bear's Home

A giant of a bear-man who knows very little about his past, a sly feline-woman whose avarice might just ruin her chance at a future with that bear-man, and an unknown danger threatening everyone.

Starting off the series with a simple-minded bear and a crafty feline, there's a lot of drama both in the relationship and in the danger behind the scenes.  I enjoyed the story more for the plot surrounding the town of Ripple and involving the "villain's" machinations of the MC's rather than for the characters themselves.  Thorn and Felicity were likable in an aloof way, but not relatable, admirable, or even charming.  There was an immense amount of objectification and brawn over brain that threatened to tank the story, but the direction of the series just may save it.

Book 2: The Jaguar's Romance

Helping an innocent bear shifter caught in the middle of a feud brewing into a war, the jaguar player might just have met his match in the curvy, insecure, subtly passionate woman who needs him...in more ways than one.

I can't say my opinion of Sally and Oscar was very good going into the story and wasn't holding out much hope for them.  They weren't bad, just not really my cup of tea.  With the drama in the story heating up, there's a lot more that drew me in and along the way Oscar managed to win me over with his heart and acceptance of all the changes he's willing to make to keep Sally and the love they've found.

Book 3: The Grizzly's Vendetta

Elathan is finally being brought to justice.  But the type of justice staring him in the face is none other than a past he swore to avenge...and to love.

Ending with a bang, there were a lot of surprises that kept drawing me into the story.  I don't feel the ending was complete enough and there was a lot of unresolved tension surrounding the MC's and the main players from Ripple, Oregon.  The dramatic story line throughout this series is brought to a satisfying conclusion, though only for us as readers, not for the rest of the characters from it.  I was so glad to get the full story, the bigger picture surrounding Elathan's actions and what goes down is definitely a doozy.  I'm glad I kept up with the series and didn't give up before getting to this point.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 44

  

• Something to Believe in, Sloan Parker
• Shark: Shifter Kings Nashville Book 3, Holly Gunn
• Sleepless in San Francisco, Ryan Field

This was a very short story with two young men who are beyond down on their luck and find friendship during hardship.   Their relationship took longer to come together (off page) and when they finally did, it was mostly awkward confessions and a physical connection.  There's nothing in the synopsis to hint at how they come into the money, and it's not an easy situation in the least.  I'm not too uncomfortable with their situation or how it was described, though it was difficult to "witness" the specifics of what they had to do.  The holiday and resolution to the story was full of sweetness and hope for a better future but a bit too ...sappy?... for the tone set in the beginning.  It did end on a very happy note with all the warmth of holidays, family, and love which provided a tender counterpoint to where we started.  3 stars.

Right from the start there's a whole lot of nerd.  I liked both Shark and Lexie right away because they were definitely unique and we were given a pretty clear picture of who each of them are and why we should like them.  The big reveal was a little awkward, to say the least, as was the first intimate moment between the MC's.  It's not that their sexy times didn't pack a steamy punch, it certainly did, but I think it was the lead up, it just didn't feel well timed.  As for the mystery surrounding Nashville's shifter population, there's not a whole lot of explanation or progress.  In a book this short it just didn't have enough page space to get things really rolling without giving us enough of a relationship build sufficient to carry the story.  What it did give, however, was a sweet, sexy, quirky romance, a great set up for the next story (hopefully Wolf and Sera's!!), and a general sense of the turmoil that's brewing and what we might expect as the series continues.  The dialogue was mostly incredibly quirky and sometimes cringey, but the whole thing was silly, sexy, and I found myself utterly charmed.  I'm definitely going to read more from this series.  4 stars.

Holy inappropriateness, Batman!  From their very first encounter there was all kinds of behavior that was shocking, to say the least.  I was so turned off that I was tempted to stop reading after chapter one.  But it had to get better, right?  Well, the sex became frequent, there was virtually no relationship building, no communication, lots of awkward dialogue and unmoving "confessions", no dealing with grief in a sustainable way, and a whole lot of questionable relationship statuses flying around everywhere.  I don't care if established couples want to add someone for a night or more, I don't care if non-exclusive couples see other people...what I do care about is when it's within the realm of cheating.  The dog drama was unnecessary, as was the East Hamptons scene and all the various sexual partners and situations surrounding them, the seeking of signs rather than pulling your own head out, not being honest with everyone, no discussion with the son about the relationship (even though we know the son would be on board, there still needs to be at least a talk of some kind)...  I'm just so thoroughly and immensely dissatisfied by the entire story.  At least it was short.  1.5 stars.

Bodyguard to the Billionaire: The Billionaire Duet Book 1, Nana Malone

Packing a sensual heat, mystery, intrigue, passion, and interesting characters all at the start, Nana Malone has created yet another powerhouse beginning to what's promising to be another fantastic duet.  Mia is a strong, independent woman who has been burned by romance.  Theo is a capable, complicated man who has been burned by life's circumstances.  While secrets cloud who they could be to one another, there's no denying that their chemistry and personalities mesh incredibly well and promise a whole lot of awesome to come.

Theo is the strong, brooding, more mysterious hero that I actually like.  He has an honesty streak a thousand miles wide and only for the care of his mother is he willing to take on the role of duke and billionaire.  His inner turmoil and conflict are believable and while I wish he were open with Mia before he gets outed in a pretty extreme way, I kind of don't trust Mia to hold to her word.

Mia is a strong woman.  She's also moody and reactionary.  There's no denying that she's stellar at her job.  Her hacking skills I just know are going to play a huge role in the second book and I can't wait for her to grow into herself, to find herself and really accept all she is and what she's truly worth.  For now, though, she's so contradictory that I don't trust her with all that Theo is and is protecting.  She says she knows who he is inside despite his secrets, that when he's ready to share she hopes he'll open up to her, and then she vents to her bestie that she can't handle his secrets...I'm seriously hoping she doesn't pull an emotional runner under some guise of his dishonesty when his truth comes out.  I have high hopes for her, so I'm hanging in there to see if she lives up to who I feel Theo deserves.

This story has a mix of tropes I'm both a fan of and some not so much.  The fake relationship, the bodyguard scenario, those are totally my jam.  But mixing that with extra secrets isn't my favorite.  There are quite a few mysteries that are actually really predictable, but the way they're weaved into the story, the burgeoning relationship between Mia and Theo...there's so much magic that I don't mind the predictability.  And the "reveal" at the end for our cliffhanger?!  Damn.  I didn't see that happening that way.  I'm on the edge of my seat and wish I could read their conclusion RIGHT NOW!  Definitely a book worth diving in head first.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

Derrick Arlington is one of the world's most eligible billionaires. Voted Sexiest Man Alive--two years running. 
And I just so happen to look exactly like him. 

It's never come in handy until I get offered an actual job out of it.

It was supposed to be so simple.

Go to the Winston Isles, stand in as his body double for a few weeks, go back to my life.

But when our carefully constructed plan goes awry and the billionaire goes missing, I have no choice but to take his place and hire a bodyguard. The best in the business: a smart-mouthed, tight-assed, lady bodyguard.

Zia Barnes is the LAST thing I want, even if I need her. She's determined, smart, and has no idea I'm a total imposter.

Good thing I have no intention on falling for her, or I'd be royally screwed.

Coming Soon...

*Releasing September 17, 2019

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY

About Nana...

USA Today Bestselling Author, NANA MALONE’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since.

With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters. Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.

The books in her series have been on multiple Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble best seller lists as well as the iTunes Breakout Books list and most notably the USA Today Bestseller list.

Until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find Nana working hard on additional books for her series as well as other fun, sassy romances for characters that won’t leave her alone. And if she’s not working or hiding in the closet reading, she’s acting out scenes for her husband, daughter and puppy in sunny San Diego.

Want to hit me up? Just email me:

nana@nanamaloneromance.com

Follow Nana...

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Falling for His Scars: Soldiers Support Group Book 3, Jamie June

The most painful scars aren't always the ones we carry on our skin.  Often it's the ones buried beneath that can rob us of our happiness, confidence, our future.  For Kevin, he's tired of the consequences of his job and his last deployment was rough.  Dealing with the fallout brings him closer to James, the young man he's always felt comfortable with, but moving from friends to lovers isn't easy and both men make a bunch of mistakes along the way.  Their story isn't an easy one.

Again with all the words.  I like the stories, for sure, but it just takes so long to sink in, to get lost in them, that I admit I don't jump in with both feet.  In this particular story, it starts out with a lot of buddy-buddy discussion, a bit more concealed feelings than previously recognized, and a couple events that change their dynamic in pretty drastic ways.  Neither man snags my attention as more than pleasant people that have some internal damage that will have to be addressed before anything romantic can really stick.

Their romance is fraught with saying and doing the wrong things with the right intentions.  At almost every turn both take the role of someone immature, reactionary, and unreasonable.  It was a little much at times, especially at the beginning of their change and again in the lead up to the huge accident that could destroy everything.  I was absolutely not expecting what happened to happen.  You think it's just something "simple" like overbearing family and careers that get in their way, but it becomes so, so, SO much more.  I'm actually still on the fence as to whether I'm okay with what happened, whether it was necessary or not.

Despite my reservations at the big conflicts and drama, I had a lot of things that I did like.  And Kevin's therapist?  She was straightforward, honest, and said all the right things.  She's one of the only therapists in a story that I've actually liked.  Kevin and James together were sexy, sweet, and ended with a ton of forward, hopeful planning.  They really were meant to be even if their journey was immensely difficult.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I'm not sure about anything anymore. Except him.

I tried so hard to join the military, but they didn't want me. Asthma. So I settled for being a military contractor instead. 

I've done well at it, too. But this last deployment... it was hard. Really hard. And I'm not sure I want to go through something like that again. 

I've got a friend - James. Younger man. Hot as hell, too. But I'm not sure about him, either. I keep finding myself wanting more - but does he? And even if he does, we're in two different places. Young buck like him, he's only started his career in the Army, while I'm ready to figure out what it means to have a home. 

Can we really make this work? Or will his overbearing parents and active duty career be the pressure points that tear us apart?

Cold Pressed: Seacroft Book 2, Allison Temple

Life has definitely dealt two raw deals to Oliver and Nick.  But when one meet-cute turns into a meet-hate and a second chance through a blind date turns that into a meet-hot-against-a-brick-wall, you know we're in for a bit of a roller coaster.  There are definite lows and a few highs that speak to their souls and give them glimpses into another side of themselves, one they fear, and they'll have to choose if they'll give up what they could have for something they may not be able to save despite their best intentions.

This was hard.  I wish I could say I didn't like this book because there were some really hard moments here that frustrated me, hurt me.  But that's just not what I can say at the end.  I think it was a bit jarring because a lot of it was reality and reality isn't all sunshine, rainbows, and happy conclusions.

Nick was my favorite of the two.  He was believable in his struggle and since we spent a lot more time in his head, we got to know him more, to know how deep his confusion, frustration, and dissatisfaction went.  By the end there was no clear conclusion or fix for all the things in his life, but it was very clear that the best partner he could have is the one he got.  The situation with his son was heartbreaking and there were zero moments of saying just the right thing, coming to a perfect understanding, mending fences, building bridges...or pretty much any other trite cliche you can think of to describe fixing years and years of doing the wrong thing.  Instead, we get honesty and that honesty isn't exactly pretty.  I think Nick could and should have made much bigger strides to saying at least something, but where we end up shows that there is a ton of hopeful potential between them.  They're on the right path and Nick is committed to staying on it because beneath all his failings, he's so full of love for his troubled son that there's no other future he's willing to settle for if it means a life without his son.

Oliver's struggles stem from trying to live a life that wasn't his dream.  Having his heart and expectations crushed by a weak man did him no favors.  Except maybe that was the biggest favor; freeing him to find and build a life in Seacroft turned out to be the greatest gift.  In Nick he found someone that could support him in an adult way and could give him the love and passion he didn't know was absent from his previous life.  I enjoyed his eagerness to connect with Nick even if it all just began as an FWB situation.  I do wish he had been a bit stronger at the end instead of being constantly tossed around by his emotional turmoil, that he were less reactionary and used his intelligence to think his way through his situation rather than to just keep ramming his head against the wall.  I also wish there were more on the page about his tentative connection with Nick's son and not just the one moment in the interrogation room.  There is a lot to heal there.

Without the harsher realities of life it's cliche, and yet so very true, that we can't fully appreciate or enjoy the triumphs and happier moments in life.  A lot of time was spent in their heads and less on the action of the story so we didn't even really see things get going until probably halfway through, and then the really big stuff didn't come until near the end.  I wasn't a fan of the pacing or the navel-gazing, but I respected and grew to appreciate the story as a whole because it really was closer to real life than some imagined idea of life with a knowledge that the cheesy HEA is right around the corner.  Typically that's the kind of book I gravitate towards, but then I get surprised with a book like Cold Pressed and have to reevaluate why I shy away from stories that echo a less idealized version of reality.  So overall it was a bit harder to read, but no less satisfying when we see where they end up.  I definitely want to see Avery get his own story and to see Oliver and Nick's progress on the periphery.

*$3.99 on Amazon

No strings attached is all Oliver can offer. He's hiding a broken heart that holds him back from diving into a new relationship, but he'll go on a blind date to make his family happy. Just one date, though; he doesn't have time for love to derail his plans.

Divorced and demoted to the night shift, Nick has his own problems. He's got an ex-wife who needs him and a kid with one foot in juvie. The last thing Nick needs is to butt heads—or other body parts—with a tempting hipster who wears a sad smile on their blind date. 

Their chemistry can’t be denied, though, in an argument or in bed. No strings sex is uncomplicated and that's what Nick and Oliver need. But getting into bed together is one thing. Staying out of each other’s hearts soon becomes so much more complicated than either one imagined.

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Falling for His Hero: Soldiers Support Group Book 2, Jamie June

When Yves finds Liam, there's a shy attraction there that draws both men into what could become the lasting love and family they've both needed.  What I liked about this slow-burn romance was that they spent time with one another, learning and sharing, in such a way that when the intimacy was added, they already had something worth building.

So I know I said slow-burn, and this next bit might seem contradictory, but I'll get to that.  The evolution of this relationship was actually very quick.  They met and progressed super far in only a few months.  What made it feel like it was a slower-burn book was all the telling.  I didn't actually realize things had a faster timeline until I was nearly done with the book and a season change was mentioned.  Prior to that moment, there was so much description of thoughts, feelings, mundane activities, procedural steps to get between those mundane activities...just so many words!  Once I got used to it and just accepted that this is the way it would be, I sank into the men's lives and yearned, hoped, and worried right along with them.

Both Yves and Liam were relatable, likable men.  Each of them had disappointments and hurt in the past that colored their actions and yet when they were together I didn't see virtually any of that emotional angst.  Their overall attitude of mellow stability predominated most things.  With the one bigger altercation in the story it settled very quickly in the name of moving on and moving forward rather than letting the negativity dictate their happiness.  It seemed rather simplistic and anticlimactic.  Despite moving on quickly from that, there was a smooth transition into a huge decision that I felt should have taken a LOT more time, thought, discussion, and planning.  While it would be considered rash and ill-cautioned here in the real world, it worked out very well in fictionland.  It gave the story a very sweet, hopeful ending with an amusing little teaser about the next story in the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I just need a win - any win. But with him by my side, I know I can't fail.

Fresh off a divorce and retirement from the Army, Yves is floundering. He feels stuck, certain that he should have done something by now to distinguish himself. The only thing this chef has left is his devotion to the warm, spicy flavors from his Louisiana childhood. Getting a business loan for his dream restaurant may be an uphill battle, but at least making people happy with his food comes easy... especially when he begins to make friends from the G-MIL support group. 

If he wants to feed one hot-headed young soldier in particular, well, that's his business, isn't it? 

He makes me feel a little less alone.

Making friends doesn't come easy to Liam. He never had to work at it back home, but now that his parents have disowned him for coming out, and moving onto base has removed him from any possible support system leftover from his school days, he's been keeping himself to himself and living off of determination and tv dinners. 

When Liam meets Yves at a G-MIL support group meeting, he can't help but be attracted to the older man. But when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will these two men settle for a fling… or have the courage to invest themselves in true love?

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 43

  

• I Swear to You, Sloan Parker
• Only in Time: Touched by Magic Prequel/Mystique Antiques Book 1, Kelli McCracken
• Seduced on Bear Mountain: Bear Mountain Shifters Book 3, Sloane Meyers

One mistake, one moment where Grady could have everything his heart and body wanted.  But his fear robbed him of that happiness.  It wasn't just he that was robbed, though, the object of all his desire suffered for his fear as well.  I always have a hard time with second-chance stories where their first parting was due to hurtful things said or done.  This was no exception.  Despite my misgivings, though, this story was full of love, confessions, and a path of healing was forged for those that needed it most.

The more dramatic elements were quite large for a story so short and detracted from the reconciliation.  As for the relationship, the story ended with so much promise.  Grady was difficult to like at first and without the earnest way he pursued Mateo once he pulled his out he would have remained unlikable, but he really won me over in the end.  There wasn't much about Mateo, though what we got ran the gamut of emotions from hesitant and besotted to fearful and resentful.  We got a pretty good idea of both guys but I felt that there was a bit of growth missing.  Were dreams really enough for Grady to accept himself?  The grand gesture wasn't exactly grand and seemed pretty passive.  Also, Grady's brother wasn't humorous in the least, in fact he was offensively obnoxious and unnecessary.  His job didn't even help them out in the end, it was just a side note that he was there.  If the story were more focused on the men and their evolution it would have been way better, but I will definitely say the tenderness and steam was absolutely spot on.  3 stars.

Miscommunications and lack of communication separated two friends who could have had so much more.  With the meddling of friends, family, and a mysterious watch, Ally and Jonah get a second chance at their love.  If this story rose above the overdone "I'm not going to listen to you," "You hurt me so I'll hurt you back," pettiness, I would have really loved it.  Unfortunately, it just gets a pass for me because the refusal to listen, the lack of strong communication, and the avoidance of reasonable reactions were all so predictable that I had a hard time looking past those things to the sweetness underneath.  If there had been more attention paid to their sweet moments, a true reconciliation, it would have been amazing, especially in light of what Ally witnessed between Jonah and her father.  The best parts were the prologue, the event with the mysterious watch, and the ending with the hints at their well-deserved happiness.  3 stars.

In a world where humans don't know about shifters, there's a mountain whose inhabitants are finding life mates in humans, something that could bring them all a danger they don't need.  If Evan had his way, he'd stay far away from all of them and hide out in his cabin on Bear Mountain, but one roadside rescue sets his world spinning.  His gruff manner is a little more off-putting than endearing, but mostly because we don't get to see a lot of the sweetness underneath.  And with very little actual words coming out of his mouth, it's a lot of cranky thoughts that are the only clues as to who he is and why we should have faith in him.

For a partner he gets the positive, hardworking, upbeat, and curious Jackie.  It's clear right from the start that she's the type to shake things up all while putting herself last in order to keep the peace.  She's aware that her life in California is comfortable but not something she's driven to hold on to and when she gets the opportunity to live closer to the enigmatic shifter, it's no wonder she goes about making things work.  Whether that sticks is up to Evan and if he can offer her more than she's leaving behind.  Their pairing bodes well for the mountain's clan, but when it comes to the increasing turmoil between the humans of the area and the shifters, it's clear that something big is brewing and I'm mildly interested to see how that all turns out.  3 stars.

Changed: The Imperfect Girls Book 1, T.S. Murphy

A surprising diagnosis throws a huge wrench in the future Kate dreamed of sharing with her brother's best friend.  I suppose having that guy only see her as a little sister puts a damper on that dream too.  But when Quinn's romantic situation changes it opens them both to the possibility of so much more.  There was quite a bit of angst with jealousies, changing perspectives, medical drama, personal insecurities, and withholding explanations which all worked together to make it read as appropriate to the ages of the characters.  It didn't pretend to be more mature but it also didn't sink into the land of immature young adults either.  The author found a good balance between the two to make the story feel genuine and the hard-won happy ending all the more worth the journey it took to get there.

I can absolutely do without all the jealousies and secrecy.  That goes for every book in the romance umbrella, so this isn't an attack on this book at all.  While those two issues did push the angst portion of the book forward, I feel like it could have been achieved a different way.  Struggling through a journey doesn't always breed strength and while they learn their lesson quite late regarding the value of supportive partners, they did eventually learn it.

The ending was much more upbeat and had a completely different feel from the majority of the story.  It was well-earned and ended on such a happy, humorous, playful note.  I wish that were included in more of the story because it felt like we went from painful situation to painful situation.  There were some lighter, sweeter moments, but even the tenderness of discovering the person you truly want to be with was overshadowed by a secret moratorium governing all of Kate's actions.

Watching Kate come to terms with her diagnosis as well as the passion inside her and finding an outlet for it within the bounds of her physical limitations was eye-opening and felt genuine.  I liked that this wasn't an easy story, I just have a few issues with how it was described.  This was a wonderful story overall that was both educating for the reader as well as entertaining.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Kate McGuire has loved her brother’s best friend for years—an older guy who didn’t know she existed and whose smoking-hot girlfriend could punch her into next week. But now Kate’s eighteen and Quinn Haley is girlfriend-free and looking at her like she’s outside the friend zone. Everything is working out perfectly—until she receives a surprise diagnosis, one that may prevent her from ever having sex.

Quinn has dealt with abuse and rejection his entire life, but when he finally breaks up with his cheating girlfriend, he realizes his best friend’s little sister has always been there for him. 

Kate’s entire future will be a lifetime of no. No children. No sex. No Quinn. And when Quinn won’t take no for an answer, she fights him every step of the way.

Mending Heartstrings: Forging Forever Book 1, Aria Glazki

A much slower-paced romance, Kane and Sabella have a subtle chemistry that carries through despite the distance and past hurts that threaten to keep them apart.  The relationship build is based on something much deeper than passion, but what I enjoyed was that their passions came through in other ways.  I always like steam in my romances, but sometimes I'm willing to overlook the closed-door moments when a couple comes through with the tenderness.  That was mostly the case here and I think the best word I can describe Kane and Sabella, their relationship, and their whole progression is "understated".

Sometimes the supporting characters upstaged the MC's and I can't say it wasn't well-deserved.  There was also a secondary conflict with Gina that could have dominated the story, but even though the situation was pretty serious, it only served to strengthen Kane's character and show Sabella for the concerned and observant friend that she is.  I loved that she wasn't like so many younger heroines who get caught up in all their own drama that they overlook, dismiss, or downplay the important people around them.

Kane was a great male lead with his patience, concern, consideration, and honesty.  A small spark led him to make some big changes in his life and his heart that were absolutely necessary to give him his musician's soul the boost it needed.  He did lash out and make some pretty hurtful assumptions at some points, but once he got over himself and his past he moved on to a future with Sabella.  He was determined and supportive and a tender man that had something really special about him.

Being that the pace was much slower it did drag at times and got a bit bogged down in the descriptions and exposition of so many things that happened in the story.  I wished the pacing had picked up at any point in the story, but aside from the Gina drama, it was just a slow read.  While the many details served their purpose and gave us a clear picture, it was a bit too much on the "tell" side of things rather than focusing on the "show" aspect of story telling.  But overall this was a sweet story with good, solid characters and a tender love story worth reading.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.”

On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress.

Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.