booksandmeforevermore13's reviews
300 reviews

So I'm continuing my buddy read with @eliv_bookstagram for this series, and I had the best time. I did end up spamming her with all my rants and thoughts, and she's the sweetest for bearing with me.

This is my first book with ménage, and I wasn't sure how I'll feel about it. I can't say exactly how I feel. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it all that much either since I feel like I needed more depth in their relationships. Also, when I went into this, there was no hint that Drake and Hunter had a thing for each other, apart from that one vague statement Hunter made during the prologue. And it stayed that way till almost halfway through the book, and then as soon as the three had fucked, the focus shifted to more these two and how they always had feelings for each other too. Idk how I feel about that honestly.

I feel like the dynamics between Isabel, Hunter, and Drake were already set even before the book began, so when it started, it kind of felt like picking up a story midway through. Since Drake and Hunter had known each other basically all their lives, I wish there was a little more backstory given, a flashback here and there to understand how they got to where they are in their friendship, and I also wanted to know more about Hunter's past and his criminal history too. The same goes for Hunter and Isabel, but at least there was one flashback scene to sort of establish how they met. Again, I wish there was a flashback scene from Drake's POV about how Hunter and Isabel met and that whole situation.

When I went into this, Drake was kind of meh in my head after the first two books, but I ended up falling in love with this man. Honestly, he deserved so much more. I wanted so much better for him because he was just being tossed around the whole time. Reading about all the emotions he was feeling throughout the book made me feel so bad for him. This man did everything Hunter asked him to do, always taking his lead, always backing him up. The way he basically put his own life on hold for these two, and I didn't like that neither of them took notice sooner. He was just being dragged along with this couple, not a total outsider but not on the inside either.

Isabel was okay. She was smart, reasonable, and kinky and called Hunter out on his bullshit (almostttt always). I did like her bond with Drake and I liked them together, but we weren't given much time to understand their relationship as friends before the sexual tension between them started out of nowhere. I wish things had eased in slowly for them rather than them having confused thoughts about each other right from the very first chapter. I was worried their chemistry wouldn't be able to help me get over the fact that she's married to Hunter, but they seemed good together.

Although when Hunter first proposed the idea of Drake fucking Isabel, and Isabel said no, I didn't like how she tried to convince Drake to go ahead with it for the sake of her marriage. It felt like she wasn't actually into it and only convinced herself so she could keep Hunter happy. She could've avoided that statement, and the two could've slowly explored this together, and I wouldn't have had an issue.

Isabel also seemed like a buffer for Drake and Hunter to finally realize their feelings and act on it, because as soon as Drake and Isabel had slept together, she was sidelined and the focus shifted to the guys. After this, her only role seemed to be to push these two to realize that they want each other and admit it.

Coming to Hunter....

I hate that Hunter almost manipulated both Isabel and Drake for his own fantasy. Even after Drake confesses his feelings about how getting involved could lead to him getting attached and that these two were his only family and he didn't want to jeopardize that. Immediately after that, Hunter still went ahead with his own wishes and practically threw his wife in his arms. I also hate the fact that Drake said that it didn't matter if both him and Isabel had said no to sex, what Hunter wanted, he somehow got it. Like NOOO!!

I was absolutely fucking pissed at Hunter for the way he left Drake in that club in that position without a single word after what went down. Absolutely NOT!!! He's been your best friend for decades, and that's not how you treat him.

And I feel like Hunter basically cheated on Isabel when he slept with Drake. Yes, he did tell her that he had confusing feelings for Drake, and she encouraged him to explore them. But when the time comes, Hunter decides to sleep with Drake—and in their house—he doesn't even have a conversation with his wife before. Or bring it up the morning after; she's the one who asks about it, and then he admits to sleeping with Drake.

The audacity of Hunter for not wanting to own up to his own feelings, not communicating anything clearly with Drake or Isabel for that matter, and then being pissed when Drake tries to move on. And my god, Drake. This man did everything Hunter asked him to do, always taking his lead, always backing him up, 'cause that's just how it had always been, and I felt so terrible for all the whiplash he got. His feelings were a mess, and he tried so hard to not get attached and be left heartbroken by the only family he knew.

Hunter's feelings were all over the place, and he just couldn't own up to it. I didn't understand his whole hangup over liking Drake. I mean, you run a sex club, ffs. You see men fucking on a daily basis, and you know it isn't wrong, so for him to say he couldn't accept that about himself because of his dad was homophobic wasn't reason enough to drag things out for so long. And then he spends a few months away from Isabel and Drake, visits his dad's grave ONCE, and ta-da! bye bye to all my hangups about being bi.

Also, I wish Hunter had come out as demisexual since that would've made more sense in his case, as he says he had no interest in any other man ever, and it was just Drake. Knowing his bond with his wife Isabel, this would've worked better than him being bisexual.

The spice, I did enjoy some scenes, some not so much because of all the whiplash again, and the sort of manipulation from Hunter (to put it lightly).

I loved, loved, loved this novella so much. Seriously, how am I supposed to even consider real men after coming across Luke Darling? 

The audiobook was perfection, with Noah B. Perez and Venessa Vasquez as the narrators, who've done such a brilliant job, just like the other books in this series. These two are a dream team. Noah B. Perez as Luke was the perfect choice, and I could stop smiling and blushing with all the joking and teasing Luke did.

Lauren never fails to write about deeper topics and handles them so well. Even with a holiday novella, there were topics that hit hard and made me emotional (check TW). As two people working in the medical field, death is a part of their lives, and I liked how this was addressed with certain situations. They were a little hard to read, but that also made it more authentic.

Catalina was a character I could really relate to because I could understand what it's like to be shy and closed off but be perceived as rude by others because of it. Her reserved personality earned her the title of ice queen in town, which also led to her being unable to form a lasting relationship because no one had been patient with her to try. After a point, she gave up on ever finding someone, so she stuck to constantly traveling as a nurse, going for casual relationships with no real future.

She also felt a lot of guilt for dating her sister's now-fiancé, however briefly, although she didn't know about her sister's feelings for him at the time. But I liked that Catalina and Gabriela communicated these feelings and cleared things up.

Luke was honestly so damn thoughtful, patient, and just so present. He was a calming presence in Catalina's life. He slowly blended into her life and was always exactly the person she needed in every situation. He let Catalina take the lead, knowing she was flighty and needed the time to feel comfortable and open up. However, he also made his feelings abundantly clear to her and kept showing up, putting in all his efforts for her, and giving her reasons to return too.

Aiden and his family were truly the only family Luke had known, his own family being more focused on his achievements and status than him as a person. Striving for perfection was something that was ingrained in him while growing up by his parents, and needing their attention and appreciation led to Luke holding himself to an unreal standard and becoming a perfectionist. As he spends time with Catalina, Aiden, and Gabriela this Christmas, he realizes how unrealistic the standards he'd set for himself were, and how it wasn't always about winning, but the moments you spend having fun with the people who matter in your life.

Even though this was a novella, the romance between Luke and Catalina unfolded gradually, as they both had insecurities of their own that they had to face and deal with while they tried to explore this connection between them. It was quite the journey for both of them as they put themselves in a vulnerable position with each other by slowly accepting their growing feelings and taking a chance.

Their moments together were just so adorable and filled with so much love. They made such a great team, whether it be with assembling the Lego set, brainstorming the maid of honor speech, knowing what the other person needed after a rough day at work, or knowing just what to say to each other to put the voices in their minds to rest. The spice was just the perfect amount, not taking away from the story or being the main focus. The intimate moments between them were also so good and right.

Another thing I loved is how Catalina and her mom take that step to fix their strained relationship. When her mother opens up about her own childhood and acknowledges the ways in which she was wrong, Catalina opens up about how she's felt with all that pressure from her mom. It was a heartfelt and much-needed conversation for them both to heal and move forward. It also shows that her mom was also still learning how to let go of her own issues even at her age and do better by her daughter.

That maid of honor speech honestly got me to the verge of crying. It was so beautiful and overwhelming and perfect. And that epilogue? My goodness, I can't express how amazing this man is, and seriously, why can't he be real?

I'm continuing my buddy read with @eliv_bookstagram with this book. I'm not usually a fan of the step-siblings trope since it's rarely done without getting too weird, and though this did get weird in some situations, I still enjoyed it overall.

Garrett has been feeling a little lost lately. With most of his friends happily in love, he feels this pang of loneliness that he can't quite seem to be able to shake off. Which leads to him getting drunk alone at home, which in turn leads to him downloading an app that would allow him to find someone online for some company. What he doesn't expect is to see his stepsister working as a cam girl on the app. What is even more shocking is that he's enraptured by her.

Before his mind can follow up with his actions, he gets in touch with her via the app anonymously, and that interaction leaves him feeling things he hasn't felt ever. He decides that taking a break and visiting his parents and Mia would be a good way to figure out where all these feelings are suddenly coming from and hoping to put them to rest.

Mia has been in love with her stepbrother for as long as she knew the meaning of it, but he's never seen her as anything more than an annoying little stepsister. So she'd resorted to being bratty in order to hide her true feelings from him. When Garrett shows up to their lake house, things seem different between them somehow, but she can't pinpoint how or why. As Garrett voluntarily spends time with Mia, her feelings get even more tangled up with this change in his behavior, and he can't help but feel drawn to her the more he understands who Mia has grown into as a person.

Firstly, what I'm liking in this series is the way the sex club and these kinks are explored. As someone who wasn't into reading anything to do with sex clubs or BDSM-related stuff because I couldn't make sense of why someone might enjoy a certain kink, this series helps with understanding just that.

In Mia's case, who was an exhibitionist (as someone who never got the appeal of it), even when she's on display for everyone, she holds a sense of authority and power as she decides how much she's willing to give and what she allows others to see. There's also a certain thrill in holding the attention of a crowd that way, who are just as invested in your pleasure as you.

I liked Mia. She was strong, confident, and curious; however, she was also too easily influenced by Garrett. I didn't get why she thought Garrett was the love of her life when their relationship has been strained for years and they know next to nothing about each other, so it seemed more like a teenage crush to me. In some ways, Mia kept changing her statements regarding Garrett, and I didn't know what to believe, and it felt like she kept justifying his actions in her own head and rearranging her thoughts accordingly to maybe make herself feel better.

Garrett definitely pissed me the hell off with the dual identity he kept dragging. It felt manipulative and downright diabolical since Mia kept feeling guilty for wanting two men, especially since she confessed to loving him. He was sweet and comforting online but rude and antagonizing in real life. The whole situation of him sending her a sex toy as "Drake" to use with Garrett just made me lose it. Although we do get why he was this way when his past is revealed and I do sympathize with his situation, in that moment his actions were inexcusable.

Garett's flashback chapter from a decade ago was hard to read, and it made me so emotional, and I wanted to hold him and hug him. Learning about his struggles with depression made me understand him better and why he did certain things. Why he was so closed off, afraid of looking too closely at his feelings when the voices in his head kept making him feel a certain way.

But I liked that he finally took that step to open up about his struggles with Emerson and Mia after feeling ashamed, weak, and vulnerable for so long and having to hide his emotions behind easy smiles and charm. And being with Mia and finally letting his feelings out also helped him take a step towards working on his mental health more seriously.

Romance-wise, I do wish these two had had more substantial, meaningful, important conversations, which didn't happen. Half the time they were fighting and the other half they were screwing. Even from the start, they just randomly started bringing up sex and making comments about fucking each other, which was kinda icky. So I wish there would've been a way to establish a genuine bond or connection between the two for it to be more believable. Mia, in her own words, was too accommodating when it came to Garrett, and she needed to ask for more for herself and much sooner, in my opinion.

I didn't like the way Garrett was being a total asshole with Mia from the start. His feelings about their relationship over the years also kept altering with chapters. First he said she's a brat who always wanted both their parents attention, so he kept his distance from her, then he said he always loved her and was distant because he wanted to protect her from himself and his mental struggles, then it was also said that they were close and had good sibling moments like teasing and bickering, then in the flashback scene they didn't seem to even tolerate each other. So it was a little all over the place and kept me confused.

However, once Garrett makes the decision to give their relationship a chance, he is all in, and I liked him more when he started being honest about his feelings. Also, I have to mention what an absolute gem Emerson is for being a true friend to Garrett.

The way their parents accepted their relationship far too quickly and easily made me a little uncomfortable because they'd been in each other's lives for 15 years, and even if they weren't close, they still had a sibling relationship at least.

Mental health is considered a subject of taboo in itself in so many ways, so I liked that Sara helped Garett transition from that to owning up and seeking help. This is something that could resonate with many readers as well.

The spice I most definitely loved, and it was hot as hell. Even things I hadn't previously liked in books were doing it for me here. I loved how confident Mia was in her skin, how she was unapologetic for liking and wanting what she did and took it without needing anyone's permission. That was sexy as hell. I liked the scene when Garrett apologized to her on the stage 'cause wowww!!!

This was a quick, cute, spicy, and fun holiday read with a magical twist, and I enjoyed it. Tor Thom and Savannah Peachwood have done a great job with the duet narration.

After a very public breakup with a pop star and a career-ending injury that altered the course of his life without his say in the matter, Gray wants nothing more than to escape the limelight and the invasion of his personal life in the media. He decides to spend this time in a small town in Maine, the place where his parents met and fell in love, and has always held a special place in his heart. When his latest investment in town makes him the part owner of the TimeKeeper Inn, he comes across Aurora.

Aurora runs the TimeKeeper Inn with her adoptive aunt Tash, who has informed her that this December is supposed to be her month to find her soulmate during the winter solstice. Misinterpreting Gray as the person coming for her, she kisses him before she finds out he's the new owner of the place she calls home. She tries to navigate this new reality while trying to figure out this intense connection she feels towards him and what his presence means for her future.

I liked the bond that grew between Gray and Aurora. After being in a rough place for so long and feeling lost in his life with all that was going on, Gray had a lot to think about, and there was some self-reflection too. As someone who had based his worth on his ability to be a baseball player for far too long, he needed to come to terms with the fact that he would be accepted for him as a person. That he could love and want more than one thing in life.

Aurora has spent her life on the sidelines of the town, never feeling like she truly belonged. Deep down, she's always wanted to find her person. The one who she feels complete with, at peace with, and like she's found her home. So when she realizes that this December will be her time to find her soulmate, she's thrilled.

Their romance did pick up quickly since it's a novella, but I still liked them together and their chemistry. Their flirting and banter was cute, and these two had a way of knowing what the other needed, which felt more like a natural instinct and added to the magical theme of the book. I liked how Gray stood up for her even when he barely knew her and how he adored her mind and her skills for all the things she loved to create. I also liked that he wasn't above apologizing when he knew he'd messed up. I liked how she took care of Gray. How she made him feel seen and appreciated for him as a person. She was understanding and patient with him and also reassured him when needed.

The spice was well written, and I loved how both were open to asking for what they wanted. Gray had a commanding way about him, which was hot, and I also liked Aurora for not being shy or holding back. Although the use of the term frosting in that context here instantly gave me the ick.

Thank you to Victoria Wilder and The Author Agency for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review💗

This is a quick and lighthearted novella, and I listened to it in one sitting. The narrators, Alexis Paige and Grayson Owens, were new to me, and they were great as Cassie and Nolan.

Cassie's plans of a vacation on the beach in Honolulu get sidetracked by all the flights being cancelled due to a storm, along with her plans of losing her v-card to a sexy surfer/bartender. She ends up staying at Nan's B&B while she waits for the next flight out, and this is how she meets Nolan. 

Nolan has been going through a rough patch, feeling a little lost and filled with regrets about not giving his family the time he should've the last few years and wants to make up for it while also trying to find himself again.

The two feel an instant spark, and as they spend their time getting into the Christmas spirit, talking, opening up, and celebrating each other's holiday traditions, they feel a deeper connection. And what was supposed to be just a fling while waiting for the storm to pass slowly turns into something more. Nan was just here being the perfect matchmaker, spreading her Nanta Clause magic to get these two together.

I really liked how Cassie and Nolan bonded over their love for academics and their interests being along the same lines. Nolan was also the first person whose opinion on her pursuing music therapy gave her the push she needed to consider it more seriously because she knew he could relate to her work as their fields were closely related. The spice was also definitely steamy (hot tubs always seem to do the trick).

Although I wish the two had the more important conversations on page. Like what had happened with Nolan's ex to make him distance himself from his family and how it factors into him feeling like he didn't know himself anymore.

I also wish he'd had a more in-depth conversation about his ex with Cassie so things felt more resolved or helped in giving us an understanding of his relationship with his ex. She just randomly popped up and then disappeared, and I didn't even know what happened between Nolan and her after Cassie left.

The drama towards the end felt a little dragged out and unnecessary in my opinion since it kind of took away from their budding romance, and then their reunion just didn't seem satisfactory to me. Just a 2-minute conversation to clear up all that had happened over the course of months was not convincing enough for me. Also, the reasoning felt sort of weak and lame. I also wish there was a chapter from Nolan's POV side during said period, trying to put in his efforts to get to Cassie so we could know how hard he truly tried rather than just saying it.

Thank you to Brit Benson and The Author Agency for providing me with the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I had a smile on my face the entire time I was listening to this. It's the perfect holiday read, and you've got to check it out.

Firstly, this audiobook??? WOW!!! It was phenomenal AND with a full cast with all my favorite narrators. I was squealing with joy. I freaking loved it so much, and I will absolutely recommend the audiobook to everyone. Samantha Brentmoor as Fable and Jason Clarke as Wilder were absolute perfection. This is the second book this month with these two as narrators that I've listened to, and they have this sort of ease and just feel right.

Just as Fable is reeling from the emotions of catching her boyfriend cheating on her during Thanksgiving dinner, her sister's boyfriend proposes minutes later. Her ex, who happens to be her sister's now-fiancé's cousin, is also part of the wedding as a groomsman, and all her plans to put distance between them are no longer an option. Adding insult to injury, he asks the woman he was cheating with to be his plus one to the wedding immediately after.

With the week full of annual holiday competitions in Evergreen Falls leading up to the wedding on Christmas Eve, avoiding her ex would not be an option, and Fable can't allow him to see her be affected by his actions, which leads to her concocting a fake dating scheme with her boss of all people.

Wilder has no interest in being set up with someone new for the holiday season by his aunt, so in order to avoid the situation altogether, he goes along with Fable's ruse. The two decide that this would be a mutually beneficial situation where she can show her ex how he didn't humiliate her, and Wilder can stay blissfully single without his aunt and sister meddling. Wilder also promises to show Fable exactly how a woman deserves to be treated while dating during the course of their fake relationship.

What starts off as a charade quickly starts getting out of hand as lines get blurry and feelings get real. Between hosting the bridal shower, teaming up in the games, and sharing a room and a bed in the cabin chalet, the two start questioning everything they thought they wanted. 

Wilder had a lot of baggage from his childhood and with the way things went down with his father and how it affected his entire family. This led to him never entertaining the idea of settling down or opening himself to that kind of hurt, and he couldn't find it in himself to trust anyone. He was the kind of person who was used to taking care of everyone in his life, making sure they had everything they needed, even if he felt a bit lonely at times.

Fable is the kind of person who feels more comfortable blending into the background while making sure others get the focus they deserve. Watching her own father be unfaithful and self-absorbed and watching her mother give him more chances than he deserved, she had no intentions of putting herself in a position like that. And although she had her goal set on starting her own business, she still held back due to the doubts that plagued her mind.

Wilder and Fable were similar in this way, where both of them were deeply affected by the actions of their fathers growing up, which left a permanent mark on them and left them feeling closed off, unwilling to show vulnerability, and with trust issues. 

As the two continue fake dating, they start to see how well they fit, how right they are together, and how they complement each other. Wilder always paid so much attention to everything Fable said, and his love language was definitely acts of service. It was so beautiful how she'd mention something and he would immediately turn it into a reality, pamper her, and make her feel cherished and special. And vice versa, Fable was always so attentive to everything Wilder said, making the perfect gifts for him that she knew would mean something to him, really hearing him out, even quoting him word for word. It was honestly so, so heartwarming, and you couldn't find two people more right for each other.

These two made the best team for real, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the competitions. I was totally cheering them on the entire time. And it also slowly transitions into understanding what's truly important in life. What's real, what needs priority, and how they don't need to prove anything to anyone for any validation.

Holy fuck, the spice was so incredible!! These two were fucking feral for each other, and I loved it. The entire experience was enhanced even more by the duet narration. The scene in Wilder's office, the one with the lights, the ribbon, under the tree. Basically, all the spicy scenes were spectacular and left me wanting more. Wilder was so sexy with how he took control, and then add all that dirty talking. FUCKKKK!!!!

Mac was the star in this book, and I loved her. She was so sassy, bold, smart, loving, fun, confident, and also really good at all that scheming. She was an absolute genius and the perfect sidekick. Watching her bond with Fable felt so natural and genuine. These two bonded over their love for being creative, and it was so fun to see how they explored that. Wilder and Mac had a very beautiful relationship, and they were more like friends.

The side characters all added SO much to this book and made it so magical. It truly felt like you were a part of this celebration along with everyone else (not you, Brady and Iris). Fable's friends were all so amazing and supportive and didn't buy her bullshit when she tried to deny her feelings.

Brady got exactly what he deserved, and Wilder putting him in his place like that was oh so satisfying.

I'll never get tired of reading forbidden, age-gap romance, and this hit all the right spots for me. A perfectly cute, cozy, and spicy Christmas read.

Bram and Sophie have been secretly pining after each other for over a year, ever since Sophie started working for his company. But they've never expressed or acted on these feelings because Bram is Sophie's best friend's dad, her boss, and 20 years older than her.

I really liked Sophie. She was funny, loyal, strong, and hopelessly in love with Bram. After having feelings for him for so long that seemed unreciprocated, she tried her best to move on. She also felt guilty and like a terrible friend for feeling attracted to her best friend's dad and having to hide these feelings from her. Given her past, it was understandable why she feared opening up. But when the two are forced to spend a few days together while being snowed in, they no longer have an excuse to avoid their feelings.

When Bram finally made his move, Sophie was reluctant to dive headfirst into things with him to avoid heartache while also feeling awful for betraying her friend. But as she spends time with Bram, his words and his actions slowly bring hope about the possibility of a future together.

Bram had a lot of conflicting thoughts regarding wanting Sophie due to their work relationship and her friendship with his daughter. Over the course of the year the two worked together, they slowly developed a bond and a friendship, which led to Bram having serious feelings for Sophie that could no longer be ignored. Bram was so patient yet firm on not letting Sophie run away due to her fears. He waited for her to lower her guard but was completely honest with her about where he saw them going. He was also so thoughtful once he found out more about Sophie's past and made her Christmas special even while being snowed in, doing his best with what he could put together.

Holy shit!!! The spice was totallyyy spicing. Bram was so hot, and I loved the way he took control and all that dirty talking. From the moment his restraint snapped, he was unstoppable. I loved how Sophie matched him every step of the way and wasn't shy. Their chemistry was explosive. 

I liked how close Lenora, Honor, and Sophie were, and that first chapter had me laughing so hard. I really loved their friendship.

Thank you to Cleo White and Luna Literary for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked right from that first sentence, because what? This series had been on my TBR for quite some time, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to get into it because of the sex club and the BDSM aspect. But I was so glad I did because this was so different from what I'd previously read or expected. This was also my first buddy read, and it was with @eliv_bookstagram, which was honestly so fun.

Emerson and his friends, Garrett, Maggie, and Hunter, founded the Salacious Players Club—an exclusive, members-only sex club that allows men and women to indulge in their kinks in a safe environment and without being judged.

Although he was proud of the club, this caused a serious rift between him and his son Beau, who couldn't get past the fact that his dad owns a sex club. When Charlie goes over to Emerson's place to collect her half of the deposit money for her apartment after she breaks up with Beau, things start off with a little misunderstanding between her and Emerson. He feels like Charlie might be the key to him reconnecting with his son and offers her a job as his secretary. What he doesn't expect is how he can't deny his growing attraction for her.

Emerson Grant is honestly SO HOT, and I'd be on my knees for him too. Pure perfection. The way he took care of Charlie, always hyping her up, praising her, making her see herself the way he does, making her believe in herself. He always showed up for her and made a genuine effort to know her family too. Their banter and flirting were all so sweet and filled with SO much sexual tension.

He was also a dedicated dad. Even though he knew Beau was not on board with him owning a sex club, he still kept hoping that one day he'd see things differently. Emerson wasn't ashamed of what he did or his interests, but he was sad how they'd impacted his relationship with Beau.

I loved Charlie's relationship with her mom and her sister. Especially how protective she was of her sister, how she'd raised her and would do anything to make her happy. She was so unaware of things regarding the club but had a curious mind and wanted to learn more. She questioned herself about what she might be into as she learned more about sex and kinks, and realized that they're not something to be ashamed of. She slowly started feeling more confident in her own skin and like she was precious and adored when she became a sub for Emerson. His praise quieted the voices in her head and also gave her a sense of power at the same time.

From being the timid girl who'd been constantly put down by the men in her life and felt like she wasn't enough to her slowly building her confidence, speaking up for herself, setting boundaries, being unashamed for wanting the things she did, and asking to be treated the way she deserved. That was a wonderful growth to witness, and I loved and cheered her on the entire time.

Their romance built up gradually. What started as a work relationship with Charlie being Emerson's secretary slowly turns into Charlie becoming a sub for Emerson. While they try to keep it on the low and just as a learning experience in a safe space for Charlie to explore her kink, it quickly turns into their feelings getting more tangled up. There is a lot of pull and push, especially from Emerson's side, who doesn't want to acknowledge his feelings because of his already strained relationship with Beau, being Charlie's boss and 19 years older than her.

The spice was so well blended with the plot, and even though this book gets into different kinks, dom/sub in this case, what I loved was how we as readers are slowly eased into it along with Charlie. It wasn't like she was randomly told to do something that she had no clue about and ended up loving it instantly. This was more about Charlie testing her likes and dislikes, doing her research, and learning more about it. And as a reader, watching Charlie go through that process gradually was convincing, which is what made the whole experience hotter because I was able to understand why a certain kink might be enjoyable to someone rather than simply being told it's good.

That being said, the spice was fucking explosive. There was so much tension between these two right from the start, and as their relationship slowly evolved, things only got hotter. The club opening scene was insanely sexy, and the audiobook just made me drop my jaw. The scene in the voyeur hall towards the end... OH. MY. GOD!!! Every single one was hot AF. I was basically blushing throughout this book.

What I also loved is that though this book is about them running a sex club, the club doesn't take away from the plot. The focus is on the club, yes, but without it being overwhelming or being the main focus. Everything was very evenly paced with just the right attention.

Emerson groveling on his knees for his stupidity was something I totally relished in, and I also admired Charlie so much for holding her ground despite it and making him truly work for it. That moment showed the growth Charlie had undergone over the months.

HOLY FUCK... WHAT A RIDE!!! I fell in love with Storm and Briar right from the start.

When life as she knows it turns on its axis for Briar Lane, she runs and reaches Crimson Ridge, to the cabin that she recently found out she owned. What she didn't expect was to be cornered by her estranged adopted uncle and ex-rodeo star, Stôrmand Lane, who she hasn't seen in over a decade.

With nowhere else to go, Storm and Briar come to an agreement to stay at the cabin as roommates until Briar decides what she wants to do next. But what they don't account for is the undeniable attraction they feel for each other. It's wrong, and they try their best to deny it, but being stuck in a tiny cabin in the mountains tests their restraint at every turn.
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I loved Briar. She was honestly so relatable with the way she used to overthink every little thing, was so easily flustered, and the fact that she couldn't stop wanting Storm (girl, same). When she initially came to the cabin, she was almost a shell of her true self after living in an environment that never let her be herself or choose for herself. Years of control and deceit had resulted in her feeling on edge, unsure of everyone around her. But as she spends time at Devil's Peak Ranch while she accompanies Storm, she slowly starts forming bonds with Layla, Kayce, and Sage. For the first time, she feels like the people in her life are in it for her and not what her family name could get them.

I loved watching her growth throughout the book in every aspect of her life. How she opened herself up to trusting new people and letting her true self show without fear of judgment or being reprimanded. Even in terms of her sexual experiences, where she'd been neglected and made to feel lesser than or unattractive, being with Storm helped her learn more about herself—her desires, needs, and likes. When she gave up that control over to Storm, she could let her mind relax and stop worrying and just focus on her pleasure. And I liked how she grew confident with time and with Storm's adoration and undivided attention.

I was intrigued by Stôrmand Lane right from the time I read Chasing the Wild, and I was desperately waiting for his book. There was so much shit in his past that he'd endured and overcome. Getting to know his past, what went down, how his life changed overnight, and how he saw himself truly broke my heart. Even as he came off as unbothered, cocky, and self-assured in general, when it came to Briar, he could feel the doubts and insecurities creeping in. He wanted to be enough for her and didn't think that was possible.

He was grumpy and kept to himself, not one to socialize or care too much about people given his experience. But he was a true friend and loyal to a fault. He was always there for Colt, Layla, Kayce, Beau, Lucas, and OBVIOUSLY Briar. The way he slowly softened up and paid such attention to Briar was adorable. 

Both have their own pasts and demons that follow them, and with time they are forced to face them. And they needed to face it to be able to put it behind them to make space for a better future. The suspense regarding their pasts was something I didn't see coming, and I loved how the two supported each other through everything—communicating and giving the reassurance that was needed. I loved the flashback scenes between the two because it honestly felt so heartwarming in that situation. The commitment, determination, and dedication these two had for each other were so touching, and it really tugs on your heartstrings.

Briar, towards the end, turned into a total badass, and I was so proud of her for giving it her all to go after what she wanted even when she had to do it all by herself. She was willing to do whatever it took to be with Storm, and it made me love her so much more.

The sexual tension between these two right from that very first chapter was soo intense. And the way it kept building the more time they spent around each other. All those subtle, sidelong glances, being holed up in such close quarters, unable to escape that proximity, and all that jealousy. DAMNNN!!! So much teasing, and I was sooo here for it. Loved every second of it. These two tried to ignore their growing attraction, their feelings for the longest time, because of how wrong it would be to cross that line. But eventually they snap, and once that happened, it was fucking ON!!!

The spice.... good lordd the spice was fucking phenomenal. I don't even know where to begin. The way he so thoroughly used AND worshiped Briar simultaneously was epic. That girl is just living the dream.

The mouth on that man is something else entirely and should come with a goddamn warning, because OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD!!!! I'm not the same person I was before reading this book. I have no words to explain just how irresistibly hot Storm is. My head is spinning with images of him with his inked hands and rolled-up sleeves, the cuff, and the hat. Briar, girl, I get you, because there's absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for this man. He has me in such a chokehold, and I can't stop thinking about him. I'm such a slut for Stôrmand Lane.

Thank you to Elliott Rose and Luna Literary for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm so, so thrilled to receive and review this book.

I'm stunned and in awe. What an incredible debut, and I'm obsessed with this series now.

Nothing was as it seemed, and I was constantly struck speechless by the turn this book took. This book never stopped surprising me and keeping me on the edge of my seat from the first page right till the very last sentence. AND there's a dragon. A very very hot dragon.

When the book started and I saw where both these characters were headed, I was initially confused, but as the two took their own paths, I was amazed at how the author brought the two narratives together with time and also set things up for the future books really well.

I liked how the author took her time to build the world and show us how it operates. What the roles and rules are. It does start off slow, but that was very much necessary to establish this world so when things eventually start clicking, we know why and how. So many things were happening in the beginning that at first felt like they might not make sense, but as we keep going, we see how everything comes together so well, and I was just here like, OH DAMNN!!!

There was so much action throughout the book that keeps you hooked and won't let you put it down. Many nail-biting, hand-wringing moments. There was also the mystery regarding who was behind the attacks. The fight scenes were so well written and described, it was like you were present in the field with the others. The final 10% was so intense that I couldn't stop reading, with my fingers crossed and screaming at the characters. Fan-fucking-tastic!

The politics in Glenn and the hierarchy within the guara were also something that I found interesting. There's so much going on in the guara with all their manipulations, secrets, and deceptions that I can't wait to see them revealed.

Tate was an absolute badass, and I'm so happy to see such a strong, resilient, fierce FMC like her. I liked the duality of her character as the prey within The Glenn and as the predator on the other side of the veil. Her hate for the guara was so valid given their role in her mother's death. Tate went through so much throughout this book, and she still found her strength and determination. Watching her go through some changes and what made her act the way she was was also a mystery that we got into. 

She kept fighting her way through all that she had to go through over and over, even when she was by herself and even with her physical drawbacks. And I liked that she didn't pick up a weapon one day and suddenly knew how to wield it like a pro, but it was shown that she was really inexperienced, but she stayed and fought with the rest regardless.

The scene with Fletch being questioned absolutely broke my heart, and I felt just as hopeless as Tate. It was honestly so brutal, and my hate for Collin Dale is something fierce.

I really loved the side characters who played such a major role in the book. Shae, Vala, Jared (although he was a little pissy at times), Holland, and OBVIOUSLY Aether. That man is literally the best, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him and getting answers about what's going on between him and Tate. I want more about his history and how he became in love with Arithi. He is honestly so swoon-worthy, perfect, protective, strong, sexy, caring, and so much more. *SIGH* There are also some things unknown about Jared, if that revelation towards the end is any indication.

The spicy scenes were definitely hot, especially with all that tension, but it didn't take away from the plot. More like it was woven as a part of the plot in some cases.

I honestly didn't care much for Chance's character right from the first appearance he made. When I initially saw that the other POV was his, I was actually taken aback that he might be the MMC. He truly got on my nerves sometimes. He was so stupidly stubborn and willingly turning a blind eye to the facts and logical reasoning, constantly shutting Holland down without even considering her very valid points, which pissed me off.

If Chance by any means becomes Tate's love interest in any future book, I will hurl my book/Kindle across the room for sure because I absolutely do not want him with her after everything he did to aid the guara with her mother's case AND especially after that ending. He was more concerned about his wounded ego and pride rather than the severity of the situation they were all in, and he still acted like a fucking coward by hiding and then leaving his so-called love to die because he knew she wouldn't forgive or choose him.

Thank you to Rebecca Parcha and InkSlinger PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review💗