Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

This is a standalone book.

JORDAN

He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.

He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.

He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can’t happen.

My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.

Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one.

I am.

PIKE

I took her in, because I thought I was helping.

She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.

As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.

The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.

But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.

And her boyfriend’s father.

Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

I loved this book. The story was brilliant and I loved the characters.

Jordan was a brilliant character. She was strong and mature for her age. She knew her own mind and how she felt. I loved her quirks and I loved that she didn’t change herself for Pike. Her wouldn’t want her too. Cole practically pushed her into Pikes arms with how he treated her. I loved the banter and conversations that Pike and Jordan had. She pushed his buttons and it was exactly what he needed after being alone for so long.

Pike, my God, that man was perfection. I love that he was a solitary grump, and you have to admire how hard working he is. He was perfect. I loved how he and Jordan first met and that chemistry which was instantly there. They were perfect together from the start. They knew that each other was off-limits and I loved how he didn’t make a move until Cole was out of the picture. He loved his son, but how could he deny the spark between him and Jordan when she was still living in his house? He refused to let her leave because he loved having her around. It was more than a physical connection between them. It was companionship.

This was definitely a slow burn, but once it got to the steam, it was worth the wait. There weren’t too many scenes between them, but the ones that were there were enough to satisfy. They were hot and they displayed exactly how much Pike and Jordan were meant to one another.

Pike frustrated me at the end when he lacked the courage to be honest. I think he needed to lose her to realise what he had. It also allowed the relationship between him and Cole to not be completely shattered so it did work out best. It was just frustrating because they loved each other and I was routing for them to get a HEA. I loved it when he found Jordan and gave her the speech of a century. I would have fallen back into his arms too after that.

The ending was perfect, especially with the epilogue. Slow burns often frustrate me because I love the action, but this one was perfect. The characters were fantastic and I loved the story.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book.

My rating: 5/5*

Power by Cassandra Robbins

This book is a standalone.

Jett Powers is brilliant, nasty, and forbidden.

He takes what he wants, has no regrets, and makes no excuses.

Not to mention he’s tall, dark, and irresistible.

From our first secret encounter, I’m addicted.

He’s the last man that should be making my stomach flip, and heart pound.

Unfortunately, my mind and body are not in sync.

Because Mr. Powers is not mine.

He can’t be.

He’s my mother’s fiancé.

This book was brilliant. The characters were fantastic and I loved the story.

Jett Powers was brilliant. He had a great character development. He held absolutely zero guilt or care about the fact he took Raven. The fact he really didn’t love her mum and that it was going to be a marriage of convenience made it ok for me. He didn’t believe in love and he just wanted to sate a desire and urge.

Raven was fantastic. She was strong willed, realistic and down to earth. She was instantly attracted to Jett. When he made a move, she was powerless to fight it and say no. She hated her mum and the forbidden aspect only made it more appealing.

My god, the chemistry between them was explosive and the scenes were smoking hot. They were meant for each other. I loved the plot with Jett coming to terms with his feelings and realising that it was more than a simple urge. He fought it and messed up which hurt Raven. I loved the fact that Raven made him grovel. He needed to accept his feelings and it took losing her see it.

I loved the happy ending. Jett and Raven belonged together and it was brilliant to see them building a life together.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. The characters and plot was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it.

My rating: 5/5*

Falling for Them (Cinderella’s Daddies Book 1) by Calista Jayne

This is the first book in the Cinderella’s Daddies series.

Don’t settle for the prince.

I’m dating the son of a successful CEO. But because I work as a maid, my boyfriend treats me like a shameful secret.

When my boyfriend drops me, his father and his father’s best friend are waiting.

They both want me to call them “Daddy.” It’s so depraved, so filthy.

And I must be filthy, too, because I love it.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great and I liked the plot.

Ella was a great character. She was down-to-earth and relatable. I loved Kingston and Sebastian and how she met and got to know them. She had time with both of them individually as well as alone, and both of them had good individual personalities.

The scenes between them were hot and spicy, but I also loved how there was a plot as well. I loved how Kingston and Sebastian treated her, especially compared to Joel. I loved how Kingston put his son in his place and defended Ella.

After the small cliffy at the end, I’m looking forward to reading the next.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It was a good quick read with good characters and a good plot.

My rating: 5/5*

Daddy’s Angel (Forbidden Reads Book 1) by K.A Knight

This book is a standalone.

I never wanted to need him.

But when my boyfriend cheats on me, I decide to get a little revenge…by sleeping with his father.

Tyler, Mr. Phillips. The silver fox that fills my fantasies and has been off limits… until now. Our one night together turns into more than we could have ever imagined, but when real life explodes into our torrid romance can we handle what it brings?

Hearts are broken, lives are ruined, but if we can survive the world pulling us apart, we just might have a chance at a happily ever after.

Buckle up daddy, I’m about to be your angel.

Screw you Justin, your dad does it better.

I loved reading this book. The characters were brilliant and I liked the story.

The plot was minimal, the book mostly spicy scenes and relationship based. The story did take an unexpected twist which deepened the plot. It actually hit the feels far more than I expected, and I think it was because the characters were so likeable.

Daddy Tyler, my God, he was perfect. He was so attentive and his love for Lexi was clear. I loved Lexi too. She was really down to earth. Tyler and Lexi had a spark well before they got together which they fought against. When they gave in, it was explosive. They were soulmates, which made the twist hit me even more.

I loved the happy ending and the epilogue. It was great to see Lexi amd Tyler getting the ending they deserved, especially after what they had been through.

Overall, this book was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it. Even though it was mostly spice, the minimal plot there had an impact.

My rating: 5/5*

Sweet Possession by Kelly Kelsey

This is a standalone.

Asher: They say everything happens for a reason even if you don’t know that reason at the time. Being screwed over by the two people closest to me, I thought I lost everything. I thought that statement was the truth until I saw my angel and at that moment I knew she was my reason. I can’t take my eyes off her and I will do anything to make her mine. Even stalk and manipulate situations if I need to. Everything starts to fall into place but things out of my control want to interfere and try to change my plan. They can try all they like but they don’t know how far I will go to keep my Angel in my sights.

Remi: They say everything happens for a reason even if you don’t know that reason at the time. What a load of rubbish that statement is. Life seems to want to break me at every turn. But I won’t let it. I’ve been through hell and won’t be beaten. Everything I want is within reach and then I meet him. A mysterious, gorgeous man. He wants to turn my world upside down and it’s tempting… but then secrets are revealed and people want to break us apart. How far will they go to succeed? How far will Asher go to keep me as his?

This was a good story with great characters.

The characters were good. I loved the forbidden aspect amd enjoyed the student/teacher relationship, and I liked how they met before that. I loved Asher, but he was definitely overbearing and when he saw her, nothing was stopping him from getting her. He knew that he was being a stalker and he didn’t care. I quite liked how possessive he was towards Remi, even if it was too much at times. It was clear that he loved her and how much she meant to him.

Remi was great. She was strong and independent, even when Asher did come along and insisted on looking after her. She hadn’t had that in a long time and it took her a while to just let him. He also knew that she wanted some control and so at least have her illusion of it, even if he was controlling some things. He just wanted to make her happy.

The spice between them was great. They just clicked, and were clearly meant for one another. It made his overbearing and controlling ways a little better.

I liked the story. There was enough drama to keep it interesting amongst all of the spice and relationship stuff.

The only thing which bothered me at times was the way which some of the sentences were written. There was a lot of short ones when they could have been worded better. It didn’t take away from the story though.

Overall, this was a good read and I would recommend it.

My rating: 4/5*

Your Dad Will Do (A Touch of Taboo) by Katee Robert

This is the first book in A Touch of Taboo series which is a standalone novel.

I’ve been harboring a dark secret for two long years. I’ve been fantasizing about my fiancé’s father, thinking filthy thoughts that a good daughter-in-law should not be indulging in. So when I catch my fiancé cheating on me, there’s only one revenge that will fulfill all my needs.

I’m going to seduce his father. It’s dirty and it’s wrong, and I don’t care. I want him, so I mean to have him.

After this weekend, my ex won’t be the only one who calls his father Daddy.

This was a quick and spicy read. I enjoyed it and liked the characters.

This book is mostly spice, but the minimal plot and reason for her turning up at his door was good. Max got what he deserved.

Shane was just 🥵. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. My god, that man knew his way around a woman’s body. The spice was top notch.

They fell for each other quickly, but they had also known each other for two years. They shared a connection and I loved seeing him wait for her after that weekend. They deserved to be happy together.

Overall, this is a quick spicy read and I would definitely recommend it.

My rating: 5/5*

Joined By Magic (Ruled By Magic Book 3) by Zara J Black

This is the third and final book in the Ruled by Magic series.

Talia

I’m Prince Adante’s prized possession, his to punish, train and protect. And he’s lost everything except me.

Hiding in a strange country, he’s plotting revenge. But I get a taste of freedom, and an offer that seems too good to be true. When I discover a hidden underworld, the chance for a new life opens up, but there’s a downside.

The prince isn’t part of the deal.

Liv

I’m Leo’s good girl. His beautiful toy. And I’m hopelessly in love with my former captor.

Fighting for a place in a society that doesn’t want me, I walk a tightrope between obedience and a life of my own.

A reckless gamble leads me into danger and rips away the last shreds of my old life. I’m caught between two countries, and a target in both.

Who can I trust when every ally holds a knife behind their back?

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are fantastic and I loved the story.

It was fantastic seeing both couples stories come together in this book.

I loved Leo since the first book, but Adante grew on me in the second. Seeing the differences in how Leo treated Liv in comparison to Adante and Talia in this book just made me love Leo more. I actually felt a little sorry for Talia, especially when she saw Leo willing to put Liv first. Comparing them, Talia really had little freedom, even when they were on the run. Adante treated her as a possession.

I think both women were brilliant. Both were strong and independent, yet obeyed their men, especially in the bedroom. Of course, Adante was far more demanding and didn’t really give Talia much choice until nearer the end. It was great seeing his feelings develop and I loved seeing him realise that he loved her.

I loved seeing both of their relationships grow and develop. Both had come so far. I enjoyed seeing Liv and Talia grow and find their positions in the world. Of course, it was probably a little easier for Liv because Leo was willing to do anything for her. It took Adante a lot longer to treat Talia as an equal.

The story was good and I loved how it developed. I loved seeing Adante learn the truth and actually accept what Leo said to him. It was nice to see both men working together.

I felt sorry for Adante when he thought that he lost Talia, but I also think that he needed it. It made him realise that he loved her and I absolutely loved seeing him finally admit it to her. He had a fantastic character growth and I loved seeing him change things for the better at the end.

The spice was brilliant and I loved how dominant both men were. I also loved how they incorporated their magic into the bedroom.

The epilogue was fantastic. I loved seeing both couples in the future and seeing everyone get their happy ending. It was also great to see them still in contact with one another.

Overall, this series is fantastic. Everything came together in this book and I loved seeing where everyone’s stories ended up. It was the perfect ending to a great series. I would definitely recommend it.

My rating: 5/5*

Filthy Rich Vampires: Second Rite (Filthy Rich Vampires Book 2) by Geneva Lee

This is the second book in the Filthy Rich Vampires series.

He wore darkness with such graceful ease…

Thea Melbourne has a broken heart. A month after her world turned upside down, she’s struggling to return to the life she left behind. Her mother is in a coma, she’s selling off designer gowns to pay the bills, and her roommates seem to think she’s made of glass. But when the vampire who broke her heart shows up at the hospital, she learns a devastating secret.

To save the love of his life, Julian pushed her away. Now he has to live with the pain and regret or find someone to put him out of his misery. When it becomes clear that Thea is still in danger, he has a choice to make. He can stay away like the Council demands or risk everything, including their lives, to win her back.

Convincing her means facing his own dark secrets and resisting the temptation to claim her as his mate once and for all. But Thea isn’t going to make that easy for him.

My God, I absolutely devoured this book. I haven’t been this excited for a book in a long time. It was brilliant. The characters are fantastic and I love the story.

I think I’m in love with Julian. I went into this book angry with him. I’ve actually been angry with him for months, ever since reading the end of the first book, so I was so looking forward to this book coming out.

It’s safe to say, Julian redeemed himself, and then some. I love him. He is romantic, sexy, strong and such a gentleman.

Where can I find a vampire like Julian? Everyone needs one in their life.

Thea is a brilliant character as well. She grows as the book goes on and she stands up for herself. I love the twists and revelations about her and her background.

Her relationship with Julian is brilliant. They are so suited and I loved that he finally gave in to his desire. They are mates and it was about time that they both accepted it and acted on it. I loved the spice and spark between them. I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship continues to grow as the series continues.

The story is great. I was surprised about how it developed, especially when we found out what the second Rite was. I guess that was the whole point though, to not see it coming.

I like seeing them defy the Council by not only going through with the Rites, but already deciding that they want to go the whole way. They are mates after all. I’m intrigued to see how things go.

It was good to see more of Julian’s family. His mother is a piece of work and I’m looking forward to seeing how things develop in the next book regarding her.

I think the way vampires are in this series are great. They have their uniqueness while also keeping to what we know. I love learning more about Julien and his kind as the book goes on.

I wish this book didn’t end, especially how it did. I wanted more, and that ending was just painful. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what will happen next. I have a suspicion but we’ll see.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this series. I have absolutely loved it and it is definitely one of my top books I’ve read this year. The characters are fantastic and I love the story.

My rating: 5/5*

Loving Whiskey (Falling For Whiskey Book 2) Brittanee Nicole

This is the second book in the Falling For Whiskey duet.

All it took was one shot of whiskey to let myself burn.

Cash told me loving him wasn’t a risk. He promised we would dance in the moonlight.
He swore he was nothing like the ones who broke my heart.

And he was right. He was so much worse.

But what do you do with an addiction you can’t kick?

Drink in the shadows, take shots in the dark,
and savor the buzz knowing the next morning won’t be worth it.
Because it’s not enough.

Nothing is ever enough when the person you hate is also the one you love.

I absolutely loved this series. This book was a brilliant ending with Cash and Grace.

Cash is the best, but I was mad with him at the start after the end of the last book. He is such a romantic and he worshipped the ground that Grace walked on and I loved it.

Grace had every right to be mad at him but she did make it hard work for him to make it up to her. I loved her character. She was strong and independent, but she didn’t lean on him enough when he was right there giving her the world.

I found it hard reading the beginning. I felt the feels at times. I loved them together and seeing them apart was horrible. However, watching Cash earn her forgiveness and watching her learn to trust him again was great. I loved seeing their relationship really grow into something stronger than what they had before. He wooed her properly this time.

They had a communication problem which is what caused every mess they encountered. Even at the end, if they were just honest and open, it probably wouldn’t have gone how it went.

I loved them together though and loved seeing them grow close. I liked how he gave her the world and everything she could ever want, and then watching her learn to lean on him. Cash is a dream man for sure. The spice between them was brilliant and the ending was perfect.

I also loved seeing more of his family, especially Cat. I’m intrigued about what is going on between her and Jonathan, and about who Chase’s mother is. It’s been left open enough to make you want to read the next book without leaving too many gaps in Cash and Graces story.

Overall, this series was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it.

My rating: 5/5*

Whiskey Lies (Falling For Whiskey Book 1) by Brittanee Nicole

This is the first book in the Falling For Whiskey Duet.

He says I’m his soulmate. But I’m also another man’s wife.

It was supposed to be a simple weekend away to forget the heartache caused by my cheating husband. But the man sitting next to me in 1B has different plans. Cash’s whiskey-colored eyes and easy smile beg me to dance beneath the stars, kiss in the moonlight, and walk hand in hand down the streets of Boston. Unfortunately, life has other plans because I’m still married, and Cash James is the billionaire playboy standing between me and my dream promotion.

My job is simple—find Mr. James a wife. But nothing is easy when simply walking into his office and inhaling his woodsy scent makes me feel a buzz like I’ve just sipped straight from the whiskey bottle. He makes me tipsy with emotion. Breathless, fearless, and stupid.

Because no matter how good it feels in the moment, our love burns on the way down.

I absolutely love this book. The characters are fantastic and the story is great.

I absolutely love Cash. God, he is such a romantic, but he also knows how to take charge. I loved how he met Grace and I loved how persistent he was towards her. Spark flew instantly and the spice was hot. I loved seeing them fall in love.

Grace was a good character. She’s going through a lot and you have to feel sorry for her. I do think that she made things harder for herself though by not being honest from the start. Cash would have supported and helped her if he had known. When he did find out the truth, he was there for her.

The story was great. They are both being with their problems but can’t help falling for on another. The ending made me mad. Grace should have known better and said no and Cash should have known that her words were twisted. I really hope that he sees some sense and calms down enough to talk it through.

Overall, this book was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it. I can’t wait to read the next book.

My rating: 5/5*