kandisteiner's reviews
609 reviews

I'm literally dead. DEAD, I tell you. Shooketh from the amazingness that is The Bombshell Effect and Karla Sorensen's killer writing. Holy WOW. I absolutely devoured this book, from the very first word to the very last, and then proceeded to lick every juicy drop from my fingers as I sat there wishing the story wasn't over, wishing I could stay within this world -- with these characters -- just a little longer. And that is the BEST feeling.

The Bombshell Effect is proof that Karla Sorensen can write humor, heart, and angst in a harmony that should be illegal. I didn't just love this book, I inhaled it, making it a permanent piece of who I am -- and I'll never let it go.

Let me start by saying that my favorite thing about Sorensen's writing is how SMART it is. Her writing is so witty, so heartfelt, and so thoughtfully produced that every sentence pulled me deeper and deeper into the story. I could see the world, feel the characters -- hell, even taste the cupcakes shoved into Luke's pretty boy face. Sorensen has a way of pulling you into her worlds with ease, making it feel not as if you're reading a book, but as if you've closed your eyes and leapt into a dream world that you never want to leave. It's magical!

And, as much as I loved the Bachelors on the Ridge series, The Bombshell Effect highlighted Sorensen's talents even more so. This book was SO well-written. It was hilarious, steamy, and it held just the right amount of moments to pack an emotional punch. More than that? It was ANGSTY -- which is my favorite brand of romance. Enemies to lovers, with a boss/employee flair? YES, PLEASE! And Sorensen KILLED me with her angst. She nails the small touches, the lingering gazes, the heavy silences. It's all that broody goodness that makes me squirm and flip the pages faster. I couldn't get enough!

What was most surprising for me with The Bombshell Effect was the incredible tact with which Sorensen tackles feminism. Allie is perhaps the strongest heroine I've read this year -- and she owns it. She's fierce, battling issues of sexism in a heavily male-dominated industry as she takes on the role of football team owner. And she does it in ways that I didn't expect. For instance, there's this photo shoot scene where she (and her team) really grabbed sexism by the balls and squeezed hard, playing into the fact that just because Allie is an attractive woman doesn't mean she should hide it now that she's in a powerful position. You can be powerful without being "hot," but you can also be YOU -- hot, sexy, pretty, beautiful, whatever -- regardless of what title you hold. There are little gems like this sprinkled throughout the story that will give every female reader a little swell of pride, a little flame of power, and a little motivation to go kick ass on their goals. Truly amazing.

I could go on and on about this story, the author, and how much I absolutely loved every word I read. This is easily a top read of 2018 for me, and further proof that Karla Sorensen is one of my favorite authors.

If you like sports romances, angst, humor, and heat, this is one release you CANNOT miss. Pre-order now for 99 cents, or add it to your list to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription on June 14!

(99 cents at time of posting) ➔ https://amzn.to/2JBsxYc

You know what I love? Taking a chance on a new author and realizing you've just found a sparkling diamond in the middle of a rocky dessert. This was my first Karla Sorensen book and I am HOOKED. I'm already begging for the next books in this series - and just for the record, dibs on Tristan! :P But seriously, this book guys... THIS BOOK. Okay, let me try to wrangle my words here.

First of all, I have to talk about the writing. Holy cats with sweaters on Karla Sorensen can WRITE, y'all. I was immediately sucked in, immediately rooting for both characters, immediately picturing the life they were living. Sorensen paints such a beautiful picture of Colorado but not only that, she illustrates her characters so vividly that I swear I can STILL see them when I close my eyes. I mean, Dylan? HOLY HOTNESS. And Kat? Well, let's just say she's pretty much the most adorable heroine I've ever read. Loved them both hard!

Now, I knew going into this book that it was "low" on the heat factor - meaning there wasn't going to be descriptive sex scenes. But you know what? I DIDN'T CARE. I honestly didn't. The angst, the pull between the two of them, how hilarious they were, their adorable moments of honesty - THAT was what made this book so amazing to read. And you know what? The steam didn't disappoint me - it really didn't. In fact, I felt like it was PERFECT for this book.

What I loved most about Dylan is that Sorensen perfectly set up what is sure to be one of my favorite series. I'm already jonesing for everyone's stories (especially Tristan) and I can't wait to get back with the crew. So, write faster, Sorensen! I'm ready! <3

Dylan was a laugh-out-loud romance that had me smiling from the first page to the very last sentence. Five give-me-more stars!

Merged review:

You know what I love? Taking a chance on a new author and realizing you've just found a sparkling diamond in the middle of a rocky dessert. This was my first Karla Sorensen book and I am HOOKED. I'm already begging for the next books in this series - and just for the record, dibs on Tristan! :P But seriously, this book guys... THIS BOOK. Okay, let me try to wrangle my words here.

First of all, I have to talk about the writing. Holy cats with sweaters on Karla Sorensen can WRITE, y'all. I was immediately sucked in, immediately rooting for both characters, immediately picturing the life they were living. Sorensen paints such a beautiful picture of Colorado but not only that, she illustrates her characters so vividly that I swear I can STILL see them when I close my eyes. I mean, Dylan? HOLY HOTNESS. And Kat? Well, let's just say she's pretty much the most adorable heroine I've ever read. Loved them both hard!

Now, I knew going into this book that it was "low" on the heat factor - meaning there wasn't going to be descriptive sex scenes. But you know what? I DIDN'T CARE. I honestly didn't. The angst, the pull between the two of them, how hilarious they were, their adorable moments of honesty - THAT was what made this book so amazing to read. And you know what? The steam didn't disappoint me - it really didn't. In fact, I felt like it was PERFECT for this book.

What I loved most about Dylan is that Sorensen perfectly set up what is sure to be one of my favorite series. I'm already jonesing for everyone's stories (especially Tristan) and I can't wait to get back with the crew. So, write faster, Sorensen! I'm ready! <3

Dylan was a laugh-out-loud romance that had me smiling from the first page to the very last sentence. Five give-me-more stars!

I have been waiting for Tristan's story ever since the very first book in this series (Dylan) and let me tell you what... I am BLOWN AWAY and so much happier than I could have even imagined. Getting inside Tristan's head was everything I thought it would be and more. And THE ANGST. THE EMOTION. Sigh... this is such an excellent book, and Karla Sorensen's writing just gets better and better. It's clean, smart, sharp, at times funny and always heartwarming. Following these 5 guy friends through their bromances and falling in love has been such a treat over the last couple of years. Can't wait to see what Sorensen does next!

NOW AN AMAZON TOP 70 BESTSELLER! Thank you!



First, there was On the Rocks. Now, the Becker brothers are BACK in my new book... Neat!⁣

Grab Your Copy (FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription!) ➔ amzn.to/34TXYs3


⁣
Neat is a stand-alone book in the Becker Brothers Series. ⁣
➔ Small town⁣
➔ Country⁣
➔ Romeo & Juliet vibes⁣
➔ Angst paradise⁣
➔ Holiday romance⁣

"Rival families. Deep secrets. Exact opposites who can't help but cross all the lines. Neat will leave you thirsty for more Becker Brothers!" -- bestselling author Staci Hart

"I'm telling you, these Becker brothers will wreck and ruin you! They are beyond lovable and charming AF. Neat was so well written, so addicting, so refreshing and sexy and heartfelt and romantic. I'm just in love with this entire world of characters. CRAZILY obsessed!" -- Angie, Angie's Dreamy Reads

"I'm speechless, completely speechless. After finishing this book, my brain is a fuzz, trying to take what happened in. Neat by Kandi Steiner is angst personified. It is gritty, emotional and pulls you in instantly." -- Lozzie, ARC Recipient

And now, an EXCLUSIVE Goodreads sneak peek! (pre-edits, subject to change)

Even with all that being said, I shouldn’t have been so worked up over the fact that Patrick’s youngest — Mallory Scooter — would be walking through my door any minute now. I shouldn’t have been working my stress ball overtime, tapping one foot under my desk, biting the inside of my cheek as I ran over the words I would say when she got there.

Sure, she was the founder’s granddaughter and the current CEO’s daughter.

Sure, she beared the last name of the family I couldn’t escape.

And sure, she hadn’t earned this job — not the way I had. It’d been handed to her, just because of the blood flowing in her veins.

But it wasn’t even any of that that mattered.

What did matter was that I was the lead tour guide, and rightfully next in line to be manager — and I had a sneaky suspicion she was hired to thwart that.

Another thing that mattered — perhaps what mattered most — was that I’d had a secret crush on Mallory Scooter since I was fourteen years old.

No one knew that last part — not even my brothers, who knew everything about me. I’d never told a soul that I found her outspoken sass and open rebellion against her family and this entire town a huge turn on. I’d never once stared at her longer than appropriate, never showed the fact that my palms were sweaty every time she came around.

We were the son and daughter of a bitter rival sparked to life decades ago and still burning hot today.

There was no option for me to entertain my infatuation with her, and I’d known that. I’d steered clear of her with little effort over the years. It was easy to do in high school and even easier to do once she left for college. The past couple of years had been slightly more difficult, since I knew she was back in town and liked to hang out at the same places I did. Still, I’d avoided her in every way possible, shoving down any and every urge I had to get to know the blue-eyed girl with the septum piercing who I spied painting the most intimate, gruesome painting of my life our sophomore year of high school.

But now, I would be working with her every single day.

What was worse, I’d be training her — and likely to take the job I was rightfully owed.

That was why I couldn’t sit still, why frustration and giddiness battled inside me as I waited for her to show.

I wanted to see her.

I hated that I had to see her.

I couldn’t wait to talk to her after all this time.

I couldn’t bear the fact that I had to talk to her at all.

Not a single emotion made sense as they fought that war within me, and logic didn’t have enough time to show up and calm them all down before there was a knock at my office door.

I dropped the stress ball in my hand just before it swung open, and I followed that bright yellow, spongey ball as it rolled all the way across the office and knocked gently against the toe of dirty, white, high-top Chucks.

I’m not sure how long I stared at those shoes, only that it was a little too long. Because by the time my brain finally processed that I should stand and clear my throat and make my way around my desk to greet my guest, she was watching me with an arched brow and flat, beautifully painted lips.

“Logan Becker?”

I forced a smile, ignoring the way my name sounded rolling off her tongue. I couldn’t remember if I’d ever heard her say it before, though I was almost certain I hadn’t.

I’d have remembered.

She had a slight Tennessee lilt, which seemed a little out of place, given her appearance. She paired those high-top white Chucks with jeans that had more holes than fabric, revealing slivers of the tattoos on her thighs. Her t-shirt was black, with a band name I didn’t recognize, and more tattoos peeked out from under each sleeve. She had a blue and green flannel tied around her waist, accentuating a waist I wagered was just right for me to fit my hands around. Her hair — which had been purple just last week — was now a platinum blonde, parted down the middle and framing her face in a tight, shoulder-length bob. Her lips were painted a dusty rose, her blue eyes lined and shaped like a cat’s, and that septum piercing she was so famous for around town glittered in the fluorescent light of my office.

She was everything that every other girl in this town wasn’t.

And I loathed that it made me want her so fiercely.

Staci Hart's writing shines in this poetic installment to the Bennet Brother series. The characters were fresh and real, the story was absolutely captivating, and the romance was simply put: perfection. I fell hard for this family, these brothers, and this mesmerizing love story. 5 stars really isn't enough for the beauty in this book. Trust me when I say this is a romance you CANNOT MISS!

I am loving this series so much! The second book picked up right where the first left off, and sucked me back into this world. I honestly think I liked this one even more than the first. It was so action-packed and I can't wait to find out what happens!

Staci Hart has completely outdone herself with this series. Every time I read a new Bennet Brother, I think, "It can't get any better than this..." AND THEN IT DOES. There was so much depth to this story and to every single one of these characters. I was wrapped up from the first word to the last. It's impossible not to fall in love with not only Marcus and Maisie, but with the entire Bennet family. Romantic comedy gold. 5 stars!

Easy to Fall, the thrilling FINAL instalment in the Hard to Love series by USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Winters is now LIVE!!!! Start your binge read today!!!

“I never stood a chance without her. The two of us were made for one another. It's as simple as that. The world could try to rip us apart, but it would fail. Until this.
I won't stop fighting. Not until the very end.”


Start reading today:

Amazon ⧫ Apple Books ⧫ Kobo ⧫ B&N ⧫ Audio

Start reading the series with Hard to Love:

Amazon ⧫ Apple Books ⧫ Kobo ⧫ B&N ⧫ Google Play ⧫ Audio

THE HARDEST PLAY IS LIVE
Dive into this emotional and slightly forbidden sports romance today!





→ https://amzn.to/3bg6TXn

(Free in Kindle Unlimited!)

⭐️HERE WITH ME IS LIVE!!!!⭐️
“They say you get in life what you have the courage to ask for.
Well, I’m brave.
And I want him.”