Pull Me Close is one of the best books I've read all year. It's well written and emotionally satisfying, with just the perfect level of explosive heatPull Me Close is one of the best books I've read all year. It's well written and emotionally satisfying, with just the perfect level of explosive heat between Nico and Katherine, a realistic, sympathetic heroine in Katherine and a sexy, supportive hero in Nico. Although I've never experienced PTSD myself, the way it's written makes it all too easy to experience what Katherine goes through, all the fear, panic and pain that she suffers through every day. I love that the hero she juxtaposes with Katherine is just as amazing as Katherine, although it takes time before Nico shows just how amazing he is. I took awhile to warm up to him, as he was a complete asshat at first.
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Katherine meets Nico at his club, Panic, when she goes there for her sister's engagement party. Leaving her apartment and going somewhere with a lot of people in an enclosed space isn't something she's done for a long time, but she knows she has to do it for her sister's sake. But, when Katherine's PTSD and claustrophobia make being there impossible and she passes out, Nico sees and automatically assumes she's just another junkie. Their meeting is less than ideal, but it makes for an interesting beginning to their relationship. I love how they start off as friends, after Nico gets his head out of his ass, and how supportive and understanding he is of her PTSD and all that entails.
I do believe this is the first in a new series (Panic) and if so, I know that I will be reading all future books in this series!
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Merged review:
Pull Me Close is one of the best books I've read all year. It's well written and emotionally satisfying, with just the perfect level of explosive heat between Nico and Katherine, a realistic, sympathetic heroine in Katherine and a sexy, supportive hero in Nico. Although I've never experienced PTSD myself, the way it's written makes it all too easy to experience what Katherine goes through, all the fear, panic and pain that she suffers through every day. I love that the hero she juxtaposes with Katherine is just as amazing as Katherine, although it takes time before Nico shows just how amazing he is. I took awhile to warm up to him, as he was a complete asshat at first.
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Katherine meets Nico at his club, Panic, when she goes there for her sister's engagement party. Leaving her apartment and going somewhere with a lot of people in an enclosed space isn't something she's done for a long time, but she knows she has to do it for her sister's sake. But, when Katherine's PTSD and claustrophobia make being there impossible and she passes out, Nico sees and automatically assumes she's just another junkie. Their meeting is less than ideal, but it makes for an interesting beginning to their relationship. I love how they start off as friends, after Nico gets his head out of his ass, and how supportive and understanding he is of her PTSD and all that entails.
I do believe this is the first in a new series (Panic) and if so, I know that I will be reading all future books in this series!
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review....more
Connor Hart is getting older in a profession where youth is prized above almost anything else. As the catcher for the Indianapolis Bobcats, his[image]
Connor Hart is getting older in a profession where youth is prized above almost anything else. As the catcher for the Indianapolis Bobcats, his body, especially his knees, needs to be in top shape. Unfortunately, 27 years is considered old, and his body has been letting him know it. Connor hates doing press of any kind, especially interviews, but his sister, Sophia, who is also his publicist, insisted. But then she starts screeching at the interviewer, and at Gia Kubic, the team's publicist, Connor just can't deal. And he really can't deal with Gia distracting him all the time. Two years previous, they had a moment, but it's not going to happen now that she works for the team. Or is it? Who's to say they can't sneak around? All they have to do is keep it secret and everything will be fine.
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Except it won't be if Sophia has anything to say about it. And Sophia, right there, she's the reason for 3 stars. Well, she and the fact that Connor is kind of a jerk, a judgey asshole who constantly compares Gia to his overbearing, psychotic sister. If I were Gia, I would have kicked Connor to the curb the first time he judged me and accused me of lying like he did to Gia. I did like Gia, and the story itself, though. Sports romances are one of my favorite things, and this one could have been great if only Sophia weren't in it and if Connor weren't a dick and didn't allow his stupid sister to control him and his relationship with Gia.
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So I'm giving this a non-passing review, but the writing is good so I'll probably read more of this author in the future.
Connor Hart is getting older in a profession where youth is prized above almost anything else. As the catcher for the Indianapolis Bobcats, his body, especially his knees, needs to be in top shape. Unfortunately, 27 years is considered old, and his body has been letting him know it. Connor hates doing press of any kind, especially interviews, but his sister, Sophia, who is also his publicist, insisted. But then she starts screeching at the interviewer, and at Gia Kubic, the team's publicist, Connor just can't deal. And he really can't deal with Gia distracting him all the time. Two years previous, they had a moment, but it's not going to happen now that she works for the team. Or is it? Who's to say they can't sneak around? All they have to do is keep it secret and everything will be fine.
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Except it won't be if Sophia has anything to say about it. And Sophia, right there, she's the reason for 3 stars. Well, she and the fact that Connor is kind of a jerk, a judgey asshole who constantly compares Gia to his overbearing, psychotic sister. If I were Gia, I would have kicked Connor to the curb the first time he judged me and accused me of lying like he did to Gia. I did like Gia, and the story itself, though. Sports romances are one of my favorite things, and this one could have been great if only Sophia weren't in it and if Connor weren't a dick and didn't allow his stupid sister to control him and his relationship with Gia.
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So I'm giving this a non-passing review, but the writing is good so I'll probably read more of this author in the future.
It's time for Violet's reckoning. She betrayed Leon and he's going to make her pay. But when he finds out why she betrayed him, he just may have second thoughts on how he plans on treating her, how he plans on taking his revenge. His feelings for her are complicated. He knows she sold him out. But he's starting to love her, starting to feel more than just some possessive lust and fascination. In his world, love isn't exactly the norm, though his brothers have found it with their partners. But can he feel it for the woman who betrayed him so badly?
Violet's been through it. Her mother never accepted her imperfections and it left scars on her psyche. Her stepbrother is blackmailing her into betraying Leon in order to protect that same mother. And now Leon is furious with her and his behavior is hurting her. What's a woman to do? Well, Violet does the best thing - she stands strong, and grows more than I ever thought she was capable. She isn't sure she loves Leon, her scarred heart might demand a bit of distance from her sometimes cruel partner, but at some point she's going to have have to make a decision - go all in with Leon, or flee.
Anti-hero, dark love, less than perfect behavior - all signature Charmaine, all present in this duet. Leon was definitely an anti-hero - sometimes cruel, definitely morals somewhere in the grey, but by the end I had fallen for him. Violet though, she was my favorite part of this story. She grew so much, changed and became the woman that peeked through in Imperfect Intentions. I was rooting for her backbone to show up and damn did it, and I think it made Leon even more fascinated with her. Their journey was a sexy, suspenseful and very intriguing addition to the Diamond Magnate world.
It's time for Violet's reckoning. She betrayed Leon and he's going to make her pay. But when he finds out why she betrayed him, he just may have second thoughts on how he plans on treating her, how he plans on taking his revenge. His feelings for her are complicated. He knows she sold him out. But he's starting to love her, starting to feel more than just some possessive lust and fascination. In his world, love isn't exactly the norm, though his brothers have found it with their partners. But can he feel it for the woman who betrayed him so badly?
Violet's been through it. Her mother never accepted her imperfections and it left scars on her psyche. Her stepbrother is blackmailing her into betraying Leon in order to protect that same mother. And now Leon is furious with her and his behavior is hurting her. What's a woman to do? Well, Violet does the best thing - she stands strong, and grows more than I ever thought she was capable. She isn't sure she loves Leon, her scarred heart might demand a bit of distance from her sometimes cruel partner, but at some point she's going to have have to make a decision - go all in with Leon, or flee.
Anti-hero, dark love, less than perfect behavior - all signature Charmaine, all present in this duet. Leon was definitely an anti-hero - sometimes cruel, definitely morals somewhere in the grey, but by the end I had fallen for him. Violet though, she was my favorite part of this story. She grew so much, changed and became the woman that peeked through in Imperfect Intentions. I was rooting for her backbone to show up and damn did it, and I think it made Leon even more fascinated with her. Their journey was a sexy, suspenseful and very intriguing addition to the Diamond Magnate world.
Luke is one of THOSE Jamesons. And he's inherited all their traits - the ruthlessness, the distrust of everyone, the ice running through his veins...you get the picture. Then a beautiful, kickass woman finds her way into his life, burrows beneath his skin and into his heart. But trusting her could be the biggest mistake of his life and it will take everything in him to keep loving her after her secrets come to light.
Duchess has many, many secrets, and one of them is the big one, the one that can upend her life, the life she's making for herself with the man she can't resist. But if Luke can't trust her because of all her secrets, what hope does she have at making a relationship work with him? And more importantly, what hope do they have at making it out of this mess ALIVE if they don't have trust between them?
Wow, so freaking intense! Luke and Duchess make one hell of a couple with all the twists and turns and secrets that make up their relationship. I can't say that Luke is all that likable, anti-hero, ruthless Mafia criminal that he is. But along came this amazing, sassy DJ who had the right combination to unlock his heart, they just had to hurdle a few obstacles, learn to trust each other, learn to love each other, and they were finally able to have something neither ever could have imagined when they first met. If you're a fan of Luke's family (Road to Nowhere series), you'll definitely want to read Luke's story. I personally loved his story because of Duchess, though. She's amazing - a survivor with a strong backbone, a feisty mouth, and a big, tender heart.
When Remington "Rem" and Elouise "El" had a memorable night, they agreed it wasn't to be repeated or spoken of after. Their friend circle would never be the same, and she already doesn't feel like she belongs in their world, so she isn't about to do anything to rock the boat. And then there's Rem...he's a bachelor who doesn't do relationships or commitment. But when a relationship he never wanted or thought he'd have is dropped in his lap, El is the only one he can think of to help him. But will she agree to his high-handed demand?
I normally love me an alpha, but he has to have something redeeming about him that isn't just the person he loves. I didn't find anything very likable about Rem. Not only was he high-handed with El (and others) from the very beginning, he was determined she do everything, give her all, while he gave nothing. Nope, not even. But aside from disliking Rem, there were a few other reasons why I couldn't give this 4 stars - the writing was choppy, especially in the dialogue and inner dialogue. I feel as if the author doesn't either believe in contractions, or doesn't like using them, and it took me out of the story every time. There are things I like though - El is sassy and strong, and her circle and Rem's circle are awesome, and the chemistry is sizzling hot.
Rosalie Kapoor and Nova D’Cruz are bound to each other in marriage thanks to their fathers' arrangement. What should have been a simple marriage of convenience/arranged marriage, though, becomes much more comlex and complicated when it becomes obvious that both have agendas going into their marriage. She's not who he had thought she would be. And he's definitely what she expected him to be. Or is he? One thing is sure - their marriage is going to be a deal that won't be simple to call off.
Nova's flustered by this slip of a woman. Suddenly he's feeling in over his head with his Rose. She's stirring up feelings he never expected and the agenda he had going into his marriage is falling by the wayside. He's more fascinated and more obsessed with her by the day and forgetting what his real reason was for agreeing to marry her. If he's not careful, he may just find himself in love and vulnerable, which is not a state someone in his position should be in.
Rosalie has spent her life being a pawn in men's games. Her marriage is just the latest example of something she wants no part of, yet she has to go through with it because her father deems it so. But she can get through it because she's more than what her father (and her husband) think she is - she's smart, strong, and certainly more cunning than they think. Even if she's developing feelings for Nova, she has to remember her heart can't get involved if she wants to stay safe. But how will she go through with her agenda if she's fallen in love with her husband?
Now this is how you do enemies to lovers! All the snark and the contempt that positively sizzle with lust - whew! Nova is a typical alpha male confronted with pesky feelings, and reacts accordingly. Nothing new about him, but Rosalie is awesome. I love her character and how she brought him to his knees in every way. Their story is fraught with betrayal and pain, delicious chemistry, and finally love. I can't wait to read the next story in this series now.
To say that Miles is upset at Tabitha when they see each other again is a serious underestimation. She had her reasons for leaving, but perhaps (definitely) he doesn't care to know what they are, or care about her at all?
Whew, harsh! Miles' behavior at the beginning was incredibly, incredibly harsh toward Tabitha. And yet, I could sort of understand where he was coming from, even if I didn't agree with how he treated her. The story itself is interesting, especially Tabitha's job and the way she helped in the police investigations. It's really the second chance relationship where this story didn't work as well for me. Miles' behavior was really mean in the beginning, even if I understood why he was so upset. And Tabitha's backstory was very hard to read, yet a good explanation for her own behavior too. It's just their actual relationship I didn't really like, that's why the 3.5 stars. The writing is good, the police investigation is interesting, though, so I'd say this is a partial success, just not completely a success.
Harrison and his 3 brothers by choice made a vow to care for their niece after their sister passed away. Harrison stepped up as Claudina's dad, and at the same time made a promise. But now the time has come and Harrison's thinking, going to have to break that promise, because he's met someone he cannot get out of his mind - a beautiful once ballerina Juliette. He can't not be with Juliette, so his brother Sebastian is going to have to understand that Juliette is the one.
Juliette used to be a dancer but when an injury ended that dream, she's now come home to help her mom run her bakery. It's at the bakery when the gorgeous guy she might have had one (and only one) night with accuses her of stalking him and his daughter, to whom she's teaching a baking course. Harrison's giving her whiplash, now claiming her, or trying to anyway after the accusation and telling her that he could only give her once. What's a girl to do when she can't control herself around the man who can't make up his mind?
Juliette and Claud are absolutely my favorite part of this story. Juliette is awesome, doing whatever she can to help her mom, never letting it get her down that she had to give up her dream. Then along comes Harrison, who barges into her life, and after some back and forth, never leaves. I can admit it took me a long time (most of the story) before he kinda redeemed himself in my eyes, but by the end I was satisfied that he deserved Jules' and her big heart. I love it when an alphahole gets brought to his knees by a woman and has his world tilted on its axis like Harrison did. Now I'm really excited for all the brothers' stories.
Had to DNF at 7% because the "hero" is a complete asshole. Their first meeting he lectures her on her parenting skills, tries to guilt her into givingHad to DNF at 7% because the "hero" is a complete asshole. Their first meeting he lectures her on her parenting skills, tries to guilt her into giving her son swimming lessons, all because he feels guilty her husband died in his arms. F him....more
When Piper's dad is arrested for financial crimes, it doesn't just affect him, it affects his whole family. Now Piper's homeless, penniless and mostly friendless. Walking up to Nathaniel and brokering a deal with him is like making a deal with the devil, because he's got an agenda behind helping her. Piper knows more than just her virginity is on the line - her heart is going to be broken, but protecting her Nana is more important.
Nathan had a clear agenda in mind when he offered to get Piper ready for the auction. He didn't count on actually developing feelings for her though. So now he's got a choice on his hands - push her away and go through with the auction, or admit to his feelings and allow himself some real happiness.
Nate, Nate, Nate...I will be the first to admit that he wasn't my favorite for most of his and Piper's story. He really was quite cruel, even though he knew he had feelings for Piper. Thank God he took his head out of his ass, because Piper really deserved a man who would not just spoil her, but love her unconditionally. Nate finally came around and I was cheering! For me, Piper is the star of this story though - she's strong, sassy, and has a big, tender heart. She put up with a lot, not just from Nate, but what her father put her through, and she came out the other side stronger than before, with the love of her life by her side.
Zander's a manwhore, plainly speaking. He doesn't usually have to chase women, nor does he stick around or do repeats, but Harlowe's different. He wants her so badly that he actually asks her to spend a couple weeks with him. They go, they have a lot of fun, and feelings develop on both sides. But he doesn't do attachments, so once they get back to reality, he ghosts and blocks her, and moves on with his life, leaving Harlowe to figure out how to move on herself. Now let's not be hasty, Zander may have blocked her, but that doesn't mean he hasn't thought of her plenty in the years since their fling. Now she's back in his orbit thanks to her social media posts, and Zander's really thinking of finding her again. Will she give him the time of day? And what of that adorable son of hers who just may be his too?
Harlowe's learned how to love herself since Zander ghosted her. She's had to in order to be the best mother she can be. She may not have been enough to keep a playboy like Zander, but she's damn sure enough for her son, and she's not about to let the man who tried to break her, come along and do it again, and risk hurting her son. So she'll let Zander into their son's life, but he's not getting back into her heart. Is he? He's the one who told her forever was a lie, so why's he trying to say otherwise now?
I gotta get this out of the way in the beginning - I cannot stand Zander. Harlowe and her adorable son are enough to lift this from 3 to 3.5, rounded up to 4 stars. But Zander is awful, a shameless playboy who knowingly hurt Harlowe because he was a selfish prick. I never thought he deserved a second chance with Harlowe, but she loved him, and the heart wants what it wants. The story itself is great, though, with serious chemistry, and an excellent heroine in Harlowe, and the cutest little boy.
Nova's lost everything - her man, her home, her job. So her bestie has arranged for her to spend some time at her friend's brother's home in the mountains. Except, it's not actually his home, it belongs the grumpy ass guy who rescued her when her car slid off the road. Now she's in Lake's home until Snowmaggedon ends, and she can figure out what to do with her life. She'll do her best to stay out of his way, keep her dog Steve out of his way, because he has made it more than clear that she's just an unwelcome burden. She doesn't realize there's a lot going underneath Lake's grumpy exterior. And she's finding she wants to help him heal - if he'll let her in and realize she's not like all the other women in his life who have done him wrong.
Forced proximity always brings out the feelings. It certainly did in Nova, but honestly, I felt bad for her because Lake treats her horribly. He takes the grumpy to the extreme, and not in a fun way. Nova and Steve stand out in their story. She's just trying to find her way after losing everything, and Steve is horribly obnoxious but loving. I like this story but would have loved it if Lake hadn't been such a dick for 3/4 of the storyline.
At one time, Cillian and Isla were on the track to forever. They met as youngsters, fell in love as teens, and were set to go all the way to the altar, when he derailed them after leaving for his hockey career. Oh, they tried long distance but when he cheated (yes, cheated) of course things fell apart. Now, though, he's back after being traded to her dad's team. Yikes. He may want her back, well he did, but she isn't seeing things the same way. And when he finds out something she thought he already knew, yeah...things are unsure now. Unless they can get past it and realize the love never disappeared, and they can have it all.
Cheating is normally a hard pass for me. Here, it's not really the worst kind of cheating I've ever read, and not the only reason for 3 stars. I like the basic premise, and like Isla. I can't fault her for not telling Cillian, as she honestly thought she had told him and that he didn't step up. Cillian on the other hand...he's the reason for 3 stars. Not only did he cheat, but he kept the woman in his life up until Isla told him what she had done. What an idiot. So cheating, a horrible male lead, can't go higher than 3 stars even though I like Isla and the writing itself.
Mila and Gio aren't exactly friends, or even on good terms, when he calls in a favor and gets her a gig at his company. Though she's always been attracted to him, even had an unrequited crush on him, she doesn't particularly like him with his cold, stoic personality. But working with him has allowed her a glimpse of a different side to the ruthless billionaire, a side she's really beginning to like. But when he proposes a surprise engagement, she really shouldn't say yes. What would happen if she does say yes? What would happen if he mistook her reason for saying yes?
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Gio is driven to distraction by his new fiancée. He doesn't want to be affected by the woman he just found out is exactly like all the other women he's ever dated - only likes him for his money. So he treats this engagement of convenience exactly as it is - a convenience, and not real, as if his feelings for her aren't real, feelings he can't even admit to. If he doesn't take his head out of his ass, he may lose his fiancée, even when he realizes exactly where he went wrong.
The miscommunication, or should I say NO communication trope is alive and well in Reckless Deal, and it's maddening. I wanted to smack Mila for not being transparent about her reasons for saying yes, but especially Gio for being such a freaking bonehead and assuming he knew Mila's feelings, without even bothering to ask. My God, their whole drama could have been avoided if they'd simply talked to each other. Sigh...but aside from their communication issues, I like their story. Their chemistry is hot, their banter is witty and fun, and they both actually do some character growth by the end.
"I know what it's like when a monster falls in love with an angel."
Sabella and Angelo are at a standstill. As before, he doesn't trust her, but knows his strong feelings for her are keeping him from doing to her what he'd normally do to someone in his crew that he didn't trust. But what if he's wrong about her? What if something forces his hand and he FINALLY comes to the realization that he should have known from the very beginning?
"We started like a hailstorm that mutilated flowers and crippled trees, and we ended like a soft drizzle that nurtures the soil and leaves crystal drops on delicate petals."
The Corsican Crime Lord series has been one of Charmaine's best (and most divisive) for me. On one hand, Sabella is one of my favorite heroines of Charmaine's with her pure, innocent heart. On the other, Angelo is definitely my least favorite with his dark, angry soul, and refusal to see what was right in front of his face the whole time. He took so long to redeem himself, and he almost left it too late. Their story goes the entire spectrum from black as night with pain, anger and hatred, all the way to the other end filled with love and joy. I can't remember the last time I wanted to smack a character more than Angelo, but I will give it to him - by the end he turns into a very loving, albeit in an alphahole way, husband. I'm going to miss this couple.