Giveaway and Review: Every Rose by Lynetta Halat

Synopsis

What do you do when you realize you were foolish enough to throw away true, unconditional love?

Lorraina Dabney turns her back on her creativity and tumultuous upbringing to embark on a college career that will lead her to law school and to becoming what she values most in life—a controlled, powerful, respected woman. When she stumbles upon her childhood friend's artwork, she feels inspired to reconnect with him and her former self. This onslaught of emotion will send Lorraina in a tale-spin to figure out exactly why she abandoned all that she was, all that she could've been.

Coming from his own chaotic upbringing, Michael falls quickly and deeply in love with Lorraina at a tender age. Even her rejection can't stand in the way of his obsession. When she starts to date other boys, however, Michael finally relents, causing him to spiral further into a world filled with violence, drugs, alcohol, and women. Realizing this lifestyle will only lead to his further estrangement from Lorraina, Michael sets about to turn himself around before going to get his girl.

Michael Bang will have Lorraina questioning everything.


3.5 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Allison East

 

 Mike Bang has been in love with Lorraina since he was in 9th grade, and even told her he would marry her someday. They had a friendship, and nothing more- it was almost a secret. He proposed marriage regularly and she always turned him down. Their relationship continued until Lorraina was 18 and about to leave for college. They had one final fight and didn’t speak for the next four years.

 Lorraina and Mike both had kind of rough upbringings, so it made sense that they were friends. I always wondered in the beginning what was stopping Lorraina from being with Mike? She definitely had daddy issues, which is why she ended up dating a much older man- and that was coincidently why Mike and she had their fight.

Lorraina comes home on break her final semester of her senior year in college- stops by a coffee shop, and sees Mike’s artwork. She then discovers he comes there to sing at night- and decides to come back to hear him. Thus begins their whirlwind romance. The story is super sweet, and they seem so in love. Lorraina decides how big of a jerk she has been and gives Mike a real chance.

 

“He turns and takes two long strides back to me. This time when he grasps my head it’s anything but gentle. He pulls my lip in and nudges my lips open with his. All rational thought escapes me. I mirror his grasp and enjoy the fullness I feel with him in my mouth. I give as good as I get. This kiss is nothing like our two before. I savor it. When he turns to walk away, I release a long pent up breath. If he would’ve looked back, he would’ve seen that I was the one on my knees now.”

I will admit- I love angst, the back and forth fighting then finally getting back together- it’s awesome. I would have liked a little more angst. Then BOMB OF THE CENTURY- at 86% or so happens and it wrecks me. I mean obliterates me completely. I can’t say what happens, but you will ugly cry- I mean UG-LEE.

I thought the ending was a little rushed. I wished there was more time to explain things, like a longer ending, or an epilogue. Maybe even a promise of another story (hint: Lynetta Halat) Overall the story was well written, just a little sad about the ending.

 

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What to look for in the month of June

Here is a list of books that we are all looking forward to.  Click the Goodreads link below each title to put on your TBR list

Broken Wings by Cameo Renae ~ 6/01/13
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Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn ~ 6/03/13
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Entwined With You by Sylvia Day ~ 6/04/13
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Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley ~ 6/04/13 
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One Sweet Ride by Jace Burton ~ 6/04/13
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Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack ~ 6/04/13
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Breath of Fire by Lilianna Hart ~ 6/04/13
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Fierce by Ginger Voight ~ 6/4/13
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Take Me Back by Kelli Maine ~ 6/04/13
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Before Now by Cheryl McIntyre ~ 6/04/13
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Dragonfly by Leigh Talbert Moore ~ 6/6/13
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Fallen For You by Carlie Sexton (The Killer Next Door part #1) ~ 6/6/13
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Conquer Your Love by J.C. Reed ~ 6/08/13
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Destined to Succeed by Lisa M. Harley ~ 6/9/13
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Irreparably Broken by KJ Bell ~ 6/10/13
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Savor You by Emily Snow ~ 6/10/13
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Redesigned by Denise Grover Swank ~ 6/10/13
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Just My Luck by Kelley Vitollo ~ 6/10/13 
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Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines ~ 6/10/13
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Off the Record (Off Series #3) by Sawyer Bennett ~ 6/11/13
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The Impact of You by Kendall Ryan ~ 6/11/13
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One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker ~ 6/11/13
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Being Me (Inside Out Trilogy #2) by Lisa Renee Jones ~ 6/11/13
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One by Leighann Kopans ~ 6/11/13
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Bad things by R.K. Lilley ~ 6/11/13
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His Wicked Games by Ember Casey ~ 6/11/13
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Picturing Perfect by Melissa Brown ~ 6/12/13
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Recovery (Mending Hearts #1.5) by L.B. Simmons ~ 6/13/13
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Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec ~ 6/14/13
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Tie Me by Olivia Cunning ~ 6/14/13
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Epilogue by C.J. Roberts ~ 6/15/13
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Secret Maneuvers by Jessie Lane ~ 6/15/13
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House Rules by Liz Crowe ~ 6/16/13

Fatal Mistake by Marie Force ~ 6/17/13 
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Clicks by Amy Evans ~ 6/18/13
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Blessed Fate (Blessed Tragedy #2)  by H.B. Heinzer ~ 6/18/13
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Until Fountain Bridge by Samantha Young ~ 6/18/13
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Shattered by C.C. Brown ~ 6/19/13
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Hollywood Lies by NK Smith ~ 6/20/13
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Remember When 2 by T. Torest ~ 6/20/13
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Anguish by Lila Felix~ 6/20/13 
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Fading (Fading # 1) by E.K. Blair ~ 6/21/13
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Following Me by K.A. Linde ~ 6/21/13
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Black Heart (Cursed Heart Series #1) by R.L. Mathewson ~ 6/22/13
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Playing for Keeps by Emma Hart ~ 6/24/13
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A Love Like This by Kahlen Aymes (The Remembrance Trilogy #3)~ June 25/13
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Choices by Sydney Lane ~ 6/25/13
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Leo's Chance (Sign of Love #2) by Mia Sheridan ~ 6/25/13
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The Game Changer by J. Sterling ~ 6/25/13
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Forged in Steele by Maya Banks ~ 6/25/13
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The Favor by Megan Hart ~ 6/25/13
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A Matter of Heart (Fate #2) by Heather Lyons ~ 6/25/13
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Addicted to You by Colina Brennan ~ 6/25/13
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Branded by Abi Ketner ~ 6/28/13
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Search Me by Katie Ashley ~ 6/30/13
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Sizzle (Bad Boy Rockers #1) by Lexi Buchanan ~ June 2013
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Promise Me by Sarah Ashley Jones ~ June 2013
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Ambrosia by Erin Noelle ~ June 2013
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Rock My World by Michelle Valentine ~ June 2013
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Fractured Souls by Jessica Sorensen ~ June 2013
Goodreads 











 



 

Review: Afflicted (Battlescars #2) by Sophie Monroe

Synopsis

Fresh off tour Blake Potter, the sexy bassist for Battlescars, is in Smithville, Ohio to work on their next album ‘Coming Clean’. Still pining after Aubrey’s best friend, Piper, it’s going to be harder than he expected to see her back with her long-­‐ term boyfriend, Cole. He’s trying his hardest to forget her, but not matter how hard he tries to stay away circumstances keep bringing them together. Being burned before, he refuses to let it happen again. He’s still struggling to let go of Rowan, the girl that made him the way he is.

Piper is fighting an uphill battle of her own. She’s working her ass off trying to make a name for herself as a tattoo artist. Her long-­‐term boyfriend, Cole, was recently discharged from the Marines turning her world in a way that she never expected. When he begins leaving for days at a time Piper starts struggling to help him pick up the pieces. She calls the one person that might be able to help, Blake. He becomes the friend that she needs no matter how much it’s killing him.

What will happen when one phone call changes everything for both of them leading them in a path that neither anticipated? Pasts will come out of the shadows and threaten to ruin everything.

4 star review 

Afflicted is a sequel to Battlescars, but you don’t need to have read Battlescars first to enjoy Afficted.  This book involves secondary characters from the previous novel. 

Blake is the lead guitarist for a popular band.  Five years ago he and his band members left their hometown to hit it big.  He also left behind his girlfriend, Rowan, and despite the feeling of distance between the two while he was gone, he still proposed to her.  She turned him down, but they still maintained a sexual rendezvous.  He’s never been able to give his heart away again.
 
Piper is the best friend to the lead singer’s wife.  She is in a relationship that is ready to combust at any moment.  Her long-time boyfriend, Cole, is a time-bomb waiting to happen.  He has issues since returning back from war and those issues include drug use and bouts of anger.  He also disappears for days at a time without letting Piper know where he is at. 
 
Piper and Blake have a night of passion while Piper and Cole are on one of their many breaks.  What does this mean?  Blake wants more, but Piper doesn’t.
 
“What now?” I asked her.  She leaned in and pecked my lips. “I don’t want to think about what’s going to be after this. I just want to live for now.” 
 
This wasn’t what Blake wanted to hear.  Blake is caught up in the whiplash on/off relationship of Cole and Piper.  Cole says he is going to change for Piper and Piper keeps taking him back.  Ugghh… enough already…drop his ass.  Okay, finally she does.  It’s time for Blake and Piper to be together.   
 
“If we do this I need to know that you’re going to be mine, Pipe. This going back and forth thing isn’t working anymore. I’m done sharing you.”

But Piper never is able to remove Cole from her life completely.   He keeps coming back like an unwelcome rash.  Piper has too much  time invested in him to completely walk away.  When the call comes that Cole really needs her, she makes a choice to walk away from the best thing to happen to her.

“I didn’t want it to come out like this. I wanted to wait for the perfect moment to say it back, but since that looks like it won’t ever happen I might as well just get it off my chest. I love you, Blake. I’m so sorry it has to be like this. Maybe if things were different we could be together, but it’s just too much right now.”

Now we begin an emotional and angsty road to healing.  I had tears in my eyes reading their paths to forget and live without hurt.  I really enjoyed this book, in fact I can say with certainty that I liked it more than Battlescars.  The author upped the ante in the steamy sex scenes and there were more of them.  I enjoyed hearing both character’s POV throughout the book.  I loved hearing the male POV and Blake really lets us into his head.   This author has a wonderful sense of humor.  She had some classic lines in Battlescars, and new ones appear in Afflicted. 

“I’m going to bang you so hard we should probably exchange insurance information.”
 
Blake is a very good guy.  You’ll be in his corner the entire time and you will be relieved once he finds his happily ever after.
“…now he had another girl to be afflicted by.”
 
 

Review: Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine

Synopsis

135,789. That's how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.

As one of the internet's most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name Sam Green. As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn't know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes o delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West's hope for romance seems more and more in reach.

But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same I love Sam Green T-shirt Harper promised she'd have on. To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him. ~ Amazon


4 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Alison East

This was such a great YA novel, and it was written from a guy's perspective- which I love. It was so authentic and real. The voices of these two teens were just so genuine.  When West loses his mother in a car accident, he blames her death on his father. If he hadn't been driving drunk and ran a red light then that truck never would have run into their car killing his mother on the spot. His relationship with his father is damaged beyond repair. They barely exist to each other and constantly argue and belittle each other. By the end they have worked a little of their problems out. But West will never get over what he did. Unable and unsure how to cope with the loss of his mother and rising tensions with his father, West creates a video blog and spills his innermost thoughts to a bunch of strangers...135,789 strangers, but who's counting? Nobody around him knows about his blog, or so he thinks. The vlog gives him something to invest his time and energy into, and along with the help of his best friend, Cat, he's able to manage his emotions.

And then the pizza loving Harper Knight comes along. Every day at the same time (2:02pm) she leaves him a message. They instantly connect and after months of conversation they finally agree to meet. Much to West's surprise, Harper is actually his best friend Cat. While his feelings for Cat are changing, he's still not willing to give up his best friend. She's the only one he can rely on who's always been there for him. He's too afraid to love her for fear of losing her just like he lost his mother. I love Cat, and I can totally relate to her voice. I was much like her as a teenager. She was nerdy and cute in all the right places. West was totally loveable. Funny, and nerdy too. I couldn't believe they never saw the potential for more. They seemed perfect for each other. I am typically not a YA fan. I like the older characters, but I am so glad to have given this one a chance. It has some great and very real teenage emotions; that everyone can look back on and remember what they felt. The moment someone tells you they love you. How hurt you are by your friends, parents, loved ones. Click to Subscribe is more like, one click to buy! Great story!


 

**COVER REVEAL** HeartStrings by Heather Gunter

 

Synopsis:

Everyone thinks of me as this happy and upbeat person. What they don't know, is that I carry a deep, dark secret. Something horrible happened to me a year ago, and I have kept it quiet all this time. I was fine for a while, but somehow it’s chosen this time to come back, and it's eating at me--like a cancer.

I need to tell someone about it, I just don't know how. I'm pushing everyone I love away, including my mom and my best friend Charlie.

Then there is Will. Handsome, sweet Will. We went out on a date a while back, but then the incident happened leaving me crushed and him confused.

How do you tell someone you care about all of your secrets, and will they still want you when the truth comes out?

 

 About the author

When not writing or updating her Into the Night Reviews book blog, you will find Heather curled on the couch reading, surrounded by her children and four dogs. Her cravings for music and books are insatiable. One of her favorite things to do is sing and used to have a dream of becoming a singer. The dream has since changed and is now to become a full time writer. She holds a strong anti-bullying conviction and voices it regularly. This is her second book in the Love Notes series. She resides in Canton, GA with her husband, 3 boys, 4 dogs, 1 cat and 2 ferrets.

Goodreads

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Review and Giveaway: Waiting on the Sidelines by Ginger Scott

Synopsis

Nolan Lennox had things figured out. Named after a baseball legend, she enjoyed being the Tomboy, her closet filled with her brother’s hand-me-downs, cut-off jeans and soccer shorts. But when her first trip to high school results in a broken heart from the first boy to ever make her heart flutter and cruel words from an older girl she once thought a family friend, Nolan starts to question the very person she thought she was and wonders if her humble upbringing can compete with the afforded luxuries of her privileged peers.

Throughout the next four years, Nolan struggles to maintain herself throughout her path of discovery, learning just how cruel teenagers can be through the pressures of underage drinking, sexuality and class. And despite how life seems to continue to work against her, she still manages to listen to her heart, falling deeper and deeper for the guy the entire town adores, even if he only sees her as a friend. Can Nolan strike a compromise between her own integrity and the boy she loves? And can she make him notice her before it’s too late?

Reed Johnson came to Coolidge High School with a lot of fanfare. The son of a hometown football legend and the brother of a local football hero, Reed wore all the pressures of carrying a town without hope into the spotlight. Thankfully, he had the talent to back it up. But when he meets a girl who makes him think twice about exactly what being a hero means, he starts to wonder if following in his brother’s footsteps might be all wrong.

Nolan Lennox was everything that was opposite of expected. She didn’t flirt, she didn’t drink and she didn’t sleep around. Nothing about her was easy, but something about her made Reed want to try harder. Though she didn’t look the part, she seemed to be spending a lot of time in Reed’s thoughts, and he wondered if she could be the one who made it all worthwhile. But could Reed handle letting her down? And would breaking her heart break him beyond repair?

Waiting on the Sidelines explores young love to its fullest, exposing how real young heartbreak and passion is and how important it is to discover yourself and hold onto your own identity. The story follows two young characters as they deal with mature situations, including the prevalence of bullying and promiscuity in today’s high school setting. Ultimately, Waiting on the Sidelines is a story of hope, honesty and those powerful, first true loves—the ones worth holding onto at any cost.



4 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Nicole Lorenzo


Nolan Lennox is a tomboy. She prefers basketball shorts and converse over dresses and heels. And she would rather be playing sports with the boys instead of playing around with hair and make up. Her family lives in a trailer; they have an old beat up car and do most of their shopping at K-mart instead of the mall. Nolan is completely content with the way she dresses and her two best friends except her for who she is.

When she starts high school her first experience with peer pressure rears its ugly head, when the cool kids make fun of her name, lack of wealth and the way she dresses. Among them is Reed Johnson, son of the hometown football legend. Despite his cruel words Nolan finds herself really liking Reed and they become friends. It hurts her when Reed starts dating the hot cheerleader, Tatum, who also happens to be Nolan’s bully. Through the next few years Nolan’s crush on Reed forms into full-blown love. They both date other people and dance around their feelings for each other, until finally they give in and admit their feelings and start dating. But their happiness is short lived when the pressures of college, and an injury that could change Reed's life forever, seem to be too much to handle. Nolan knows she will never love anyone as much as she loves Reed, and the idea of moving on without him is scary.

“I was done. I knew it the first time I saw him, but tonight solidified every stray emotion rattling in my body. I loved Reed Johnson, and I was pretty sure I always would.”

Reed Johnson is privileged. As the high school quarterback and the son of a local football legend he has everything a kid could want. He got a shiny new car for his 16^th birthday, he’s dating Tatum the older hot cheerleader, scouts are already sniffing around for college, and he has a great group of friends. One of those friends is Nolan Lennox. The first time he saw her he made fun of her. Once he got to know her he couldn’t get her out of his mind. She was beautiful, insecure, loyal and knew him better than anyone. He found himself jealous when she was dating other guys, even though he was dating the hottest girl in school. He knew he had feelings for her but found himself not being able to admit them. When they finally do get together, its not for long. An accident leaves Reed second-guessing everything and he winds up hurting the one person he loves most in the world. 

“I mean it and I want you to hear me. You. Are. Beautiful.”

This is a sweet story about first love and heartbreak. Meeting as freshmen high school students; Nolan and Reed grow up together and go through all the trials and tribulations that it entails. Peer pressures on fashion, drinking, sex, and class don’t deter Nolan from staying true to herself. She’s strong but very insecure. She loves Reed with her whole heart and proves it to him time and again. Reed on the other hand is confident but has trouble not succumbing to the peer pressure. He’s scared of failing everyone including himself.  Together they journey from teens into adults. It’s a very sweet coming of age story. I enjoyed every minute of it!

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Hot Pick : Giveaway and Review: Skin Deep by J.M.Stone

Synopsis

Oh, who was she kidding? Emma knew that going to the tattoo shop with her best friend, Allie, would result in getting badgered until she ended up with some sort of needle piercing her flesh in one way or another. What she didn’t plan on was ending up face-first on the floor of the shop with a busted lip. Or doing it in front of the hottest guy she’d seen since…well, ever.

Mortified, Emma never thought she’d ever step foot back in Skin Deep again. But fate, with a little help from Emma’s flighty best friend and a chance encounter with a fudge bar, steps in. Now Emma’s torn between taking a chance on getting her heart broken by the enigmatic, gorgeous Lucas, and playing it safe with good ol’ trusty B.O.B.

Lucas lets Emma know that he gets what he wants, and what he wants is her. When Emma gives in and quits pushing him away, she’s surprised at how quickly the walls around her heart crumble. She’s even more surprised that her unconventional, zany family just endears her even more to him.

But no one knows there’s someone that wants her more, and they’ll stop at nothing to get her.

*Recommended for readers 18+ due to HOT sexual encounters, adult situations, and language.

4.5 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Allison East

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It had me laughing and blushing at the same time. I couldn't stop reading it. Let's just say 4 AM is not a good look for me. Hi my name is Allison and I love a good strong alpha male- plus side, he is tattooed, pierced and in my age bracket! Ding ding ding, we have a winner for new male book boyfriend crush. Luke- hubba hubba.

"'Aw, sugar, don't be scared, the stack of deliciousness said, 'Why don't you come on up here and pick something out? I'll do you myself and I promise to be gentle."

 Whoa, talk about a double entendre.

Lucas works at a tattoo shop called, hello, Skin Deep. Emma goes with her friend Allie because she wants her tongue pierced. This is where Emma meets the stack of deliciousness as she said, and the brother- who is equally as yummy.

Emma is a great heroine. She's not a typical size two; she's a size twelve on a good day- fourteen on the others.

"For those of you who aren't as unlucky as me in the bedroom department, BOB is my battery operated boyfriend. Honestly, it's a pretty good relationship. I don't have to fight him for the remote, he doesn't hog the covers, and I get mine every time."



And Luke is funny- but also has a dark side. He has a little bit of a Dom side going on, and I like it.

 "You. Are. Moving. In. With. Me. I want you in my bed, every night. I want to wake up with you in my arms every morning. And sugar? Next time you order me around, I won't take it so lightly. I'll have you tied up in no time and you will feel the bite of my hand as I spank that tight little ass of yours until its hot and red and you're screaming for me to f### the s### out of you."

WHOA- my legs are trembling!

At every turn, hilarity ensued. I described this book to a friend as a mash up of Wallbanger, Seduction and Snacks, with a little bit of Rock Me in there and a tiny bit of suspense like Ms. Kristen Ashley likes to provide.  Are you one-clicking it yet?  

I loved all of the characters too. Her best friend Allie was awesome, and sassy! Lucas brother Brandon was a trip too! Then throw in the smexy friend Jackson- holy hell, I'm in love!

Did I mention the sex? I didn't? If I thought Lucas was hot before having sex with Emma, he damn well got hotter after.

The story was really well written, and developed in all the right areas. It wasn't too rushed. The love story was totally believable. And after reading all of these New Adult, 18-24 love stories it was nice for a thirty something one! There was a tiny bit of angst- which got remedied pretty quickly, thank God. And a plot twist at the end I could have dealt without, but other than that- great read! You will NOT be disappointed!

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