My review:

When I started reading Village in the Dark, I didn't know it was a sequel. Needless to say, I hadn't read the first book, so I went in blind. Thankfully, author Iris Yamashita gave me enough information about characters and circumstances that I was able to follow the story with no problem. Am I curious about that first book? After reading this one and meeting the characters, yes, I am, and I intend to satisfy that curiosity. As for this book, it's very well written, and the pacing is equally good. It's the kind of pacing that, when combined with such a good storyline, you find yourself awake late into the night, one more chaptering it until the sun rises. The characters are so well developed that you'll feel like you've met them, and you'll want to know all their secrets - there are plenty of secrets. Between what looks like a conspiracy to figuring out who's bad and who's not, the story steadily builds in intensity as it reveals its secrets. Some elements of the story seem a bit farfetched, but the characters feel so real that I barely noticed. I won't reveal those elements because I think every reader should learn them on their own as they follow these characters through each clue. So, I'd have to say that I enjoyed this mystery by Iris Yamashita. The story pulled me in and held on through each clue the characters uncovered, and I loved how the author paints such vivid pictures with her words.

My Review:

I love the sparks between Troy and Lizzie! If you read the first book in the Bellehaven Hotties series, you met these characters. They weren't the stars of the show, but they were star-adjacent, so we got to learn a lot about them. With the way they butted heads, I fully expected their story to be full of fire, and Chasity Bowlin and Laramie Briscoe deliver. Troy and Lizzie have some history, and their romance touches on the forbidden, but darned if they aren't good together.

Like the first in the series, Locked Up One Night is a quick read, and this one has even less angst, so it's definitely an easy read. The chemistry is so good between this pair. Right from the start, I was rooting for them. I also liked getting to visit the couple from the first book, as well as so many of the secondary characters. So, it's like another trip to Bellehaven!

So, another quick, entertaining read in the series, and this pair definitely generates some steam. This book picks up right where the first left off, so I'd recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of it. 

My Review

What a way to wrap up a series! I've fallen in love with several Melanie Moreland couples, and while I still love them all dearly, Nicholas and Mila have a special place in my heart. Not only is their story the final for the Vested Interest: ABC Corp, which makes it bittersweet, but this couple brings all the feels - and they do it without the big 3rd act breakup. They still have their share of things to work through and overcome, and I love how well Melanie Moreland handled the mental health stuff. I say stuff because I don't want to spoil the story, but the seriousness of the topic is handled with complete respect, as well as accuracy. 

I love how totally sweet this couple is, and they have such good chemistry right from the start. Plus, this is a next-generation series, so we get some catch-up time with several past favorites. The story does have its share of seriousness, but true to Melanie Moreland form, we also get some wonderfully well-timed wit and humor, which is always welcome as far as I'm concerned. The whole thing is well-written, and this is a couple I won't soon forget.

This is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. Fair warning though,: once you've met these characters, including the secondary ones, you'll be hooked. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and the BAM world is one big found family.

Reading Nicholas and Mila's journey was all kinds of emotional, and to be honest, I wasn't sure the audio would have the same impact - I love Maxine Mitchell and John Lane, and they are both terrific narrators. That said, I had the voices of these characters in my head, as well as the tone and even the feeling behind the words, and I just wasn't sure it would all come through in the audio. There are a serious amount of feels in this one. I should have known better than to doubt these narrators because they pulled out all the stops. Every bit of emotion, good and bad, comes through loud and clear. Lane and Mitchell took these characters and became them, and I was just as immersed in the audiobook as I was when I read it. So, yes, Nicholas and Mila still hold a special place in my heart, and I'll be revisiting both editions of their story. 

My review:

I love a morally grey hero. Seems like a contradiction in terms, right? And maybe Aldo is a shade or two darker than grey, but darned if he's not sexy as sin while pushing the limits. He's fierce in his work and equally fierce when it comes to taking care of Violet. There's just something about those guys who know from the minute they see the one, even when they don't realize that they know. I love that Violet has the sass and strength to stand up to Aldo when necessary and be willing to walk that grey line with him. Maybe not in actions, but she's not squeamish either.

I fully expected to enjoy this one - it was written by Melanie Moreland, after all - and I did. It didn't take long for me to be completely smitten with Aldo, and Violet is a terrific heroine. The story has some grit, but we also get to see Aldo's softer side, as well as a bit of a sense of humor. I can't wait to see what's in store for Roman in the second part of the duet!

I'm pretty new to Samantha Chase, which means I've barely touched the surface of her Montgomery family romance, but I'm already invested. The first book in Chase's Wylder Love series focuses on Lily and Noah - Lily being a Montgomery and Noah working for them. Of course, families are involved, so we get time with several of the Montgomerys. For me, that means I got to visit with some favorites as well as some I look forward to meeting.

As for Lily and Noah, I'd have to say that I haven't been so frustrated with a couple in quite some time. I wanted to shake the daylights out of one or both of them several times, especially Lily. The thing that kept me rooting for their HEA was Noah. He's an absolute sweetheart, and just between you and me, I think he wanted to shake Lily a few times as well. But he didn't, and I just loved him to pieces.

Amy McFadden gives voice to the characters, and she does a good job. She really captures Lily's spirit and spunk. I'd have liked a male narrator for Noah, especially since the story is in dual POV, but I don't feel like that hindered my enjoyment of the book.

In this first in a new series, Samantha Chase has introduced some fun characters that I can't wait to learn more about. I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next for the Wylder Love series.

The Billionaire and I by Leigh James is now live!

Down-on-her-luck escort Jenny never dreamed of having a billionaire client. But in the glitzy world of Boston's elite society, where glamour and secrets collide, she finds herself entangled with Cole Bryson, a charming, gorgeous CEO. Escaping a life of hardship, Jenny seizes the chance to accompany Cole to a high-profile society wedding, believing it to be a temporary escape. But when the lines between reality and fantasy blur, she's caught in a whirlwind of passion and uncertainty. Jenny knows better than to dream of a happily-ever-after with a man like Cole. Her goal is simple: take the paycheck and run. She can't afford for her heart to become collateral damage in this billionaire's game. Cole Bryson has never been interested in commitment. A self-proclaimed bachelor, he revels in a life of fleeting pleasures. That is until he hires gorgeous Jenny to be his fake girlfriend and gets more than he bargained for. Jenny is an instant roommate, sizzling-hot lover, and...a best friend? Cole doesn't know what to do with his feelings, because he's always been convinced he didn't have any. But when his father uncovers the truth about Jenny and threatens him, Cole must choose between his newfound happiness and his family's empire. This captivating billionaire romance will keep your heart racing as Jenny and Cole navigate a world of dazzling luxury and undeniable passion. Can their relationship survive the secrets and obstacles that come their way? Find out in The Billionaire and I!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

https://mybook.to/tbai

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ubn3iZ

🎉🎉COMING SOON!🎉🎉

NEEDING SHIANNE by PJ Fiala is coming February 22nd! Check out the gorgeous small town romance and be sure to pre-order your copy today! 

Amazon: https://geni.us/Shianne-All 

~*~ 

USAT author PJ Fiala, brings you the next generation of GHOST operatives set in the small-town of Glen Hollow, Kentucky, where a long-standing rivalry is brewing into an all out war, and love comes calling even in the worst of times.

GHOST: Government Hidden Ops Specialty Team. They eliminate the threat when no one else can.

#MyReview

I do not like kidnapper "romances." I've tried reading a few, and while I love dark romance, I don't think Stockholm syndrome is love. There, I said it, and I know it's not really a popular view in romance books, but it is what it is.

What I do like is pretty much anything I've read by Melanie Moreland, and I figure if anyone can win me over with a kidnapper romance, it will be her. So, I started reading - and I didn't stop until I absolutely could not hold my eyes open any longer. I absolutely love this kidnapper romance. It's definitely not what I would consider anything close to Stockholm syndrome, but I'll just tell you that even if it were, Dante is so darn lovable, I don't think I would've minded.

The story is all about the insta-lust, but honestly, I can remember being pretty attracted to my man when we first met, so insta-lust away, Dante and Brianna, because I couldn't get enough of this couple. Then, there are the cakes! I was ready to hit the local bakery and just bring everything home. (I'm not much of a baker, but I can order up a storm at the bakery counter.)

To sum it up, My Favorite Kidnapper is funny, it's sweet, and it's sexy. That's a hard-to-beat combination, in my opinion.

Turns out, reading this one wasn't nearly enough of this couple, so I listened. The audiobook was everything I hoped for, and when I reread the book (because I definitely will), Maxine Mitchell and John Lane will be the voices in my head. I've listened to and enjoyed both narrators several times, and they pull out all the stops on this one. Dante's arrogance, Brianna's insecurity, the mutual attraction that becomes so much more... all of it comes through in the performances of John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. Melanie Moreland couldn't have placed My Favorite Kidnapper in better hands. So, read it, listen to it, or follow my suggestion and do both! You won't regret it. 

@melanie-moreland-author

I've been reading Janie Crouch's books for quite some time, and I always count on her for a great combination of swoon and edge-of-my-seat suspense. She delivers once again with Code Name: Gemini, plus she's partnered with Danielle M. Haas, which gives me a taste of a new to me author - one that I'll be reading more of. I love the Zodiac Tactical series and its characters, and the crossover with Danielle M. Haas's Injured Heroes works so well.

In addition to Andrew and Tasha and Andrew's adorable girls, of course, we get to catch up with some favorites from the Zodiac Tactical world. Then for me, I got to meet some pretty great characters from the Injured Heroes world, characters that I want to know more about.

Andrew's story is absolutely heart-wrenching., and the connection between him and Tasha is nothing short of magnetic. Of course, there are secrets to be uncovered, but I won't be revealing any of those here. You'll have to read the book to find them, and I definitely recommend it! So, grab a warm drink, a cozy blanket, get comfortable in your favorite reading spot, and spend some time in the fascinating world these ladies have created. 

My Review

I've been waiting for Cory and Benedict to get their HEA since the beginning of this series. Now, here we are, and knowing it's also the last in the series, I kind of want to go back and start over. I feel like the Spearmans are friends or even family adjacent, so seeing the series come to a close is like saying goodbye to old friends. Thankfully, I can visit them anytime, which makes saying goodbye much easier.

Now, for Cory and Benedict - this pair is everything I hoped for and then some. I seriously wanted to give them both a good shake at times, but if the way Benedict goes about proving his love to Cory doesn't make you swoon, nothing will. Throw in that he's a sweet single dad, and he's a keeper all the way around. He and Cory are so good together, and even when they were driving me crazy, waiting for them to get on the same page, I was all in for their happy ever after.

If you haven't met the Spearmans yet, you don't know what you're missing. This is the kind of family everyone should have. These siblings take such good care of each other, and they go the extra mile in that endeavor. So, this may be the final book in the series, but it won't be the last time I spend some time with this family.

As if Where We Belong isn't good enough already, Claudia Burgoa takes it a step further and puts it in the hands of Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright for the narration. I've listened to both Clarke and Cartwright, and I've liked everything I've heard. From the sweet to the steamy goodness and everything in between, these two bring all the feels.

The Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers and the Spearmans are the types of stories that drew me to Claudia Burgoa, and whether I curl up with the book or listen as I get things done, she never disappoints.

Thank you to everyone who got me to 50 likes!

#AudioBookReview #LovingYou #TheDonovans #SweetbriarRidge #Book1 #SamanthaChase #CarlyRobins #SmallTownRomance #SingleMom #GoingHomeAgain #SweeRomance #ValentinePR #NetGalley Read my review here: https://www.mommasaystoread.com/2023/09/audio-book-review-loving-you-by.html

🏍️ 𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🏍️ Found family is one of my favorite romance tropes, and the Reynolds Restorations crew is a perfect example of found family. I've loved each couple in the series as well as the way the characters have grown through each book. I think Chase may very well be the "family member" who has grown the most. He is just the sweetest, and I'm so glad he finally got his turn at love. He and Hannah have crazy good chemistry, and they're both so darned lovable that you can't help but root for them - even when one or the other is being difficult. They're roommates, so we get a bit of forced proximity, which is as fun as it is frustrating with these two. As I mentioned, this is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. That said, I'd still recommend reading from the beginning because once you've met any of these characters, you're gonna want to know more about them. Regardless of trope or even reading order, this whole series is just one more reason I can't get enough of Melanie Moreland and her characters that are like old friends I can visit from time to time. What can make an already five star read even better? Stellar narration, which we always get from John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. From the mutual, while secret, attraction to the vulnerability of these characters to steamy goodness, it all comes through in the performance by Lane and Mitchell. Whether you read the book or listen to it (or both), you can't go wrong with Under the Radar. Amazon #Kindle Unlimited https://geni.us/UnderTheRadar

Also available Audiobook & Paperback 🏍️ ABOUT THE BOOK One of the Donner boys. Troublemakers.

That was the reputation that followed Chase his whole life. Until he grew up and realized he could do better. Be better.

But that choice cost him. His freedom, his family, his chance at love.

By making amends, he found a different path. A new set of friends. A new family.

Life was good. He thought he’d finally found everything he needed.

Then she answered his ad.

Now the roommate he needs is the woman he wants.

Desperately.

How long can he keep his feelings under the radar?

Or is Hannah Gallagher the one to help him break free of his past once and for all?

🏍️𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 🏍️ Narration by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell Available on Audible & iTunes https://geni.us/UnderTheRadarAudio 🏍️ ABOUT THE BOOK One of the Donner boys. Troublemakers.

That was the reputation that followed Chase his whole life. Until he grew up and realized he could do better. Be better.

But that choice cost him. His freedom, his family, his chance at love.

By making amends, he found a different path. A new set of friends. A new family.

Life was good. He thought he’d finally found everything he needed.

Then she answered his ad.

Now the roommate he needs is the woman he wants.

Desperately.

How long can he keep his feelings under the radar?

Or is Hannah Gallagher the one to help him break free of his past once and for all?

@melanie-moreland-author

#AudioBookReview  

The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates

Lake Starlight, Book 2

By: Piper Rayne

Narrated by: Connor Crais & Melissa Moran

Okay, does anyone else really want to move to Lake Starlight, or is it just me? I absolutely love Piper Rayne's characters. This duo has a talent for creating characters that practically leap off the page. They're that real. And they've done it again with Van and Brinley, which brings me back to moving to this small town.I could relate to Brinley on so many things, including her reluctance to move on. It made my heart happy to see her spending time with Van and even considering something more. And Van! Holy moly, is this guy pullin' out all the swoons! I just don't think it's possible to read, or listen, to this book and not be head over heels for Van by the end.The only drawback for me was the conflict between Brin and Van - you know, that thing that leads to the big aha moment. I kind of felt like this pair deserved an easier go of it, considering Brinley's hurdle. That said, I still totally loved the story, and I can't wait for book 3 in the series.I had the pleasure of listening to this one, and I'm just gonna say that duet narration is spoiling me. It's so easy to get completely lost in the story, and Connor Crais and Melissa Moran give an awesome performance. Melissa Moran brings out Brinley's hesitation about moving on and her back and forth about her attraction to Van, and she does it quite convincingly. Connor Crais is as good as ever, and that voice is just perfect for the so sexy Van Adler.If you haven't gotten swept away by a Piper Rayne romance, I highly recommend it, and The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates is a good place to start. It is part of a series, but the authors give enough information so that it can easily be read as a standalone. Not that it will stand alone for long once you've met any of these characters.

https://www.mommasaystoread.com/2023/06/audio-book-review-issue-with-bad-boy.html

Are you looking for:

🎬 Celebrity with a secret

✍️ Novelist with a pen name

🛏️ Close Proximity

💚 Mental health/Medical rep

Read my full review of  Unscripted With Mila here -

https://www.mommasaystoread.com/2023/06/book-review-unscripted-with-mila-by.html

🎬 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 🎬

Mila Morrison prefers the silent company of her keyboard to that of people. She lives vicariously through the characters she creates.

Nicholas Scott only feels comfortable when he’s playing the role of someone else. He would rather be anyone but himself.

Both of them are hiding, too afraid to let anyone in.

Their attraction is unscripted, as is the bond that forms between them.

When the world around them threatens to tear them apart, are they strong enough to make the final scene?

𝘖𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳?

LIVE on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited https://geni.us/unscriptedwithmila

Audiobook 🎧 https://geni.us/UWMAudio Paperback 📗https://geni.us/UWMpaperback

@melanie-moreland-author

🎬 NOW LIVE 🎬 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗬𝗧 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁. #LIVE Unscripted With Mila ➡️ https://geni.us/unscriptedwithmila

Amazon Exclusive #kindleunlimited Audiobook 🎧 https://geni.us/UWMAudio Paperback 📗https://geni.us/UWMpaperback

🎬 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 🎬

Mila Morrison prefers the silent company of her keyboard to that of people. She lives vicariously through the characters she creates.

Nicholas Scott only feels comfortable when he’s playing the role of someone else. He would rather be anyone but himself.

Both of them are hiding, too afraid to let anyone in.

Their attraction is unscripted, as is the bond that forms between them.

When the world around them threatens to tear them apart, are they strong enough to make the final scene?

𝘖𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳?