Review: Free Me

Free Me by Mia Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Are you interested in being tied up?”

Tate’s reaction startles me as he visibly shivers in front of me, his breath releasing in a puff. “Whew.” He laughs shyly. “I guess I am.”

You know, there's something so beautiful about Shibari and whenever I get a story that includes rope play it's almost always a guaranteed good time. There's something so beautiful about the knot work that has always caught my attention.



Free Me definitely did just that! This is another fabulous outing in Mia Monroe's Tattoos and Temptation series, the third in fact, but it can be read as a standalone and not lose a thing! It's the quiet ones that usually surprise you, and let me tell you Tate's story definitely surprised me in the best possible way! You do get to see our faves from previous stories in the series and my love for them all just grows with every new word I read.

“We used to spend every waking moment together, lots of sleeping ones, too.”

“Oh?” Gen asks. “Spill the tea, darling.” He winks.

Nix chuckles. “We were kids, Gen. We had sleepovers.”

“Oh, right. Yawn.”

I shake my head. “Always about sex with you.”

“Sex is life, boo.”

“Amen,” Cairo says. “Preach, Sister Gen.”

When you have friends like this - and I have a couple so I know what it's like - everything is soooooo much more fun!

You've probably noticed that I have a fondness for Best Friends to Lovers - not even just the regular old Friends to Lovers but I mean like this is my BFF whom I happen to fall in love with is quickly becoming my jam. Tate and Nix have that, but they also have a Second Chance (kind of) happening and that's something that was beautiful to see. Not everyone gets to keep their bestie when they come out, especially not if there was some reciprocated attraction in the moment and a freak out from the bestie later. Heck, a lot of the time you don't even get to keep your family. Nix and Tate were inseparable as kids but that coming out moment at eighteen was what broke them apart. To watch them come back together and learn that their feelings for each other have grown so much despite time and distance? These two were meant to be and it's definitely true that it's better late than never. But also - Good things come to those who wait.

Nix and Tate are fire baby! Some of the scenes are just off the charts how hot they are, I have a feeling this is going to be on my all time favourites list for rereads.

Here are some of my...


Favourite Lines -

“It’s a gay rite of passage,” Gen says, smiling. “We know the best places to eat, to party, and to shop. We are icons of everything tasteful.”

“Mm, I’ve seen some pretty sketch gays in my day,” Cairo adds, shooting a disdainful look at nothing. “Some ratchet boys out there.”

“I didn’t say it was inherent good taste,” Gen explains. “I said it was a rite of passage. When you learn the ways of the masters you transcend basic-bitch level.”

“How do I know if you’re right for me? Is there like a quiz on Buzzfeed or something? ‘How to Find the Right Shibari Artist For You.’”

“Can I have like ten more minutes before you undo me?”

You could stay like this forever if I had my way.

“I’ve never been able to decide if I like the ropes more or the marks they leave.”

“Because I like my pastries the same way I like my men-sweet and tempting.”

I bite my lip to prevent laughing while Jude has to cough to cover his laughter.

“Oh.” Greyden’s face flickers with understanding. “I like my pastries the same way I like men, too.”

Jerica looks up confused.

“All of them,” he continues.

“Then please, for the love of all gay things, touch me.”

“So, the phone?” Pauly asks. “A love interest?”

“Kind of. What gave me away?”

“Because the only things that produce a look like the one I saw on your face are love interests and double cheeseburgers. Maybe chocolate cake.”

I decided it didn’t matter if I was gay or bi or pan or anything else. What mattered is that I was happy.

This series just keeps getting better! Hurry up an read this one so that you can wait for the next installment with me so I won't be alone in my impatience!



This one ticked all the boxes for me and left me with warm, happy feelings. So take my advice -

Run, don't walk, RUN and one-click this baby today! You won't regret it!



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Review: Hitched

Hitched by Pippa Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People… PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!

Is there anything better than going back to your favourite fictional small town to watch two of the most electrically charged (pun fully intended) people fall in love and get their explosive happily ever after? No, no there is not!



Welcome back to Happy Cat where the town is filled with handsome O'Dell brothers, cooky raccoons who dabble in Clown Costumes and garbage can surfing, hedgehogs who steal panties from clotheslines, and feisty women who are super fierce and sure of themselves and what they want! If you haven't read Hosed and Hammered, you don't really have to but….. I recommend them heartily! It helps to know what all the rest of the cast and crew of Happy Cat have been up to, especially those hunky O'Dell brothers! But Hitched is the fake relationship/marriage of convenience/friends to enemies to lovers that you've been waiting for, you just didn't know it. Ok, well it's at least what I was waiting for and sorry, not sorry but I LOVED it!!!!!

Lili Valente and Pippa Grant are the ultimate duo - they write so well together that I can't tell where one starts and the other ends - ladies, you really knocked it out of the park here and surprised me at the same time, and here's why…

This is where I should have a snappy comeback, because I know for a fact that Hope got married first.

But we don’t talk about that.

Ever.

Throughout the series, Hope St. Claire and Blake O'Dell have had this incredible chemistry - c'mon, you know I love my enemies to lovers bantering but what we all didn't know is that that this fake marriage isn't the first time that Blake and Hope have sauntered down the aisle. THAT'S RIGHT PEOPLE, THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Blake and Hope were married before - drunken Vegas escapades for the win! - and it didn't end the way that Blake was hoping, hence some of the angst between them. Hope and Blake have bantered their way into our hearts - especially with her propensity for shorting out electronics - because their chemistry is just so… ELECTRIC!!!! And when they come together (pun definitely intended!) it was nuclear!!!!!



I called their HEA from the first moment I saw them together. I CALLED IT!!!!! They were perfect - their banter was PERFECT and you could just tell that the banter was something that was going to become a playful part of their romance.

This is Pippa and Lili. If you think there weren't wacky moments of hilarity, you are sorely mistaken. Sex toy bingo and Baby Goat Yoga???

His lordship the trash panda flips me off—I swear he does—and scampers around what’s left of the enclosure, making yogis and goats scream. He tosses aside mats and knocks down more of the fence in his quest for baby carrots, careless of the Zen and property he’s destroying as he literally steals snacks from the mouth of babes.

“George, STOP! Bad raccoon! Bad!”

When did the little beast get so fast?

How is he so fast?

He’s the size of three normal raccoons, but he’s dashing around like he’s half-cheetah, and of course the babies are freaking out in response.

You’re welcome, friends!

There are also some incredibly sweet moments, because this wouldn't be a true romance without moments that make you go…



And I'm not even thinking about the impromptu picnic in the tasting room, but rather little moments like when Hope sleepwalks straight into Blake's arms, and his sofa bed, and he's so kind and gentlemanly about it. Throughout it all she thinks that she just can't have him, that relationships are always doomed for her because she's a St. Claire and all their marriages are toxic wastelands. When Hope finally accepts that she isn't doomed to be alone but meant to be loved is beautiful. Just beautiful!

So let me share with you just a few of my…

Favourite Lines -

“Your parents love me, boo-boo-cakes,” Blake grits out through his own smile.

Doubtful—also, boo-boo-cakes?—but I beam at him.

My heart is achy and empty, like it’s hit that point in a good romance novel where all is lost, only the author died before she could finish the story. And now the two characters she left behind will live in limbo, in the land where happily ever after never comes.

Blake: She’s the one who demanded the annulment in Vegas, not me. She doesn’t think I’m marriage material, except when she needs something.

Clint: But you went along with it AGAIN, Mr. “Marriage is for Love.” So clearly you see an opportunity here.

Blake: An opportunity to make her as miserable as she makes me.

Clint: Not buying it, bro. You’re secretly hoping it works out.

“Actually, I make love more like a giraffe,” Cara says.

It’ll be fine, they say. No ghosts or demons or blood in the elevators or creepy twins this time around, and absolutely no one will go insane and try to kill you with an ax. They’re probably right, but I’m still not setting foot in that hotel anytime soon. Maybe ever.

Normally, he’s far too lazy and spoiled to actually hunt for his food. But I guess being on an ice chip and cricket diet since his run-in with the peanut butter has made George hangry. And hangry George is actually kinda terrifying.

Do not get between tired Southern mamas and Publix fried chicken on a Friday night. They will run over your feet with their cart and not even bother to bless your heart after.

"To give you what you really need instead of what I think you need, you know? And…listen better and shit.”

She laughs softly. “That’s the most important part, I hear. The ‘and shit’ part.”

“Go on, get,” he says, shooing the would-be cake bandits back toward the gate enclosing the backyard. “I’m serious. Mom and Dad used to raise show wieners. They’ve got a kennel plenty big enough for all of you.”

Only I get to make her moan like that, Mr. Taco.

“Chewpaca. You in, dude?”

Chewy hums and nods.

Hope giggles at their interaction. “I love how normal and down-to-earth your family is.”

“Al-poker!” Mom and Pop cry together, then burst into giggles, making all of us laugh too.

“Well, you were very heroic during the argument part. It was pretty hot.”

“Yeah?” he asks, his chest puffing up, making me laugh.

“Yes. But now you look like a rooster on the verge of a victory strut.”

“I’ll do that when we get home,” he says, wiggling his brows. “Naked. The way god intended.”

I can't wait for more from Happy Cat! This has been one of my most favourite series I have ever read - and while I hate seeing that it will soon come to an end (we only have one O'Dell brother left people!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!!) but I know that it will be everything I could want and more!

One-click this baby today and fall in love with Hope, Blake and Chewpaca (his bonus epilogue is TO DIE FOR!!!!) and then you can wait with me for more from this hilarious cast of characters.



Seriously, I'm trying to be patient but gahhhhh!!!! I can't wait for more!!!!

Read this one - you're going to love it!



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Review: Damage

Damage by Mia Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ohhhhhhh, how do I explain how much I love this story!!!

“Let’s go back in time to three years ago when I begged you to stay. Or how about when I begged you to let me come. You told me you didn’t want to be in my way. Well, Seppe, you’re in my way now. Go on with your life and leave me out of it. You’re good at that.”

Welcome to the second book from an author who’s becoming one of my autobuys - Damage: A Love in the City Novel is another fantastic read from Mia Monroe and she had me hooked from the first line! The promise of a second chance romance (yes, I love these too!!!) between a chef and a teacher/aspiring author was too strong for me to resist.

I loved the introduction to Nolan Brooks and the town of Beacon at the end of Deviate: A Love in the City Novel. You don’t need to have read it to enjoy Damage but JPK does make an appearance and his lovely other half Quinn is mentioned. I’m guessing this is a series of standalones set in a singular universe - Mia, please correct me if I’m wrong! I’m loving the town and the residents we’ve met so far, so I’m anticipating a fabulous series of stories that prove the only thing that matters is love and that love always wins. It definitely wins when the universe conspires against you!



Nolan Brooks was crushed when Seppe Stilo pushed him aside and took off to teach in Italy for a year. It was a dream chance, he would have never asked him to turn it down - he would have followed Seppe anywhere because he loved him that much. Unbeknownst to Seppe, and Nolan, he felt exactly the same way but somewhere in his thinking and planning for his future he’d never seen meeting the man of his dreams before all that travelling had happened. He didn’t recognize what was right in front of his face in the relationship he had with Nolan -

His hand grips the base of my neck, holding my mouth a prisoner to his, but I’d happily belong to him if he kissed me like this every day. This is more than a kiss. This is an experience. This is a beginning.

They had chemistry, a happy domesticity and yet… When Seppe leaves for Italy, he lets it all crash and burn because he doesn’t want to take Nolan’s dreams of being a Michelin star chef of his own restaurant from him to have him follow along behind him. Worst. Mistake. EVER! Watching them come back from that to find each other? Absolutely beautiful!



Can I just say, I love the friendship between Trina and Nolan? Everyone needs a friend to help them pick up the pieces and move on with life when their hearts get broken - Trina does this for Nolan beautifully. Their banter constantly made me laugh and her advice was touching and on point for someone who knew what Nolan had been like in the aftermath of the breakup.

“Unless you want to try talking to him.”

“I’ve had four shots. Ain’t no talking happening tonight.”

“Then you could angry fuck him.” She giggles. “Then kick him out in the morning. That would be so hot.”

I laugh. “For who?”

“You while it’s happening, and me when you tell me about it.”

There were so many great moments in here for both of them with Trina - that she could be a friend to both men, see that this was the great love of her friend's life and know that Nolan needed to actually deal with the pain and heal from their separation in order to see what they could have together in future was beautiful. She was like their wise woman and their biggest fangirl!

Nolan and Seppe still have a smoldering spark between them and they learn through honest talks and trying to rebuild a friendship first that they were always meant to be. This is a fabulous second chance story for that reason. It's not ignored that Seppe caused him pain when he left - they deal with those ghosts several times throughout their tale and many authors seem to have their characters "get over it" way too quickly. It takes them time to build some trust back and there are moments that shake that trust between them but they work through them by communicating openly and honestly.

I'm so in love with this series, I think you need some of my…

Favourite Lines -

”He was married. I was pissed when I found out. That’s not my style, you know.”

“Husband not cutting it at home?”

“Wife doesn’t have a dick.”

“Ooh.” I scrunch my face. “Hate that shit.”

“You and me both.”

His words may say we’re just friends, but his kiss says we’re so much more.

“Want to come over? Or I’ll come over there.”

“Come to me. Took my bra off. Not putting it back on.”

I laugh. “On my way.”

When the music starts and the first performer comes out, I try to ignore the growing desire to take him home with me tonight. We’re just friends. Who’s brilliant fucking idea was that? Oh, that’s right. It was my dumb ass.

“God, Brooks. Me too. So much. If you ever give me the chance I will blow your mind. I will love you so hard. You deserve nothing less than my entire heart. It’s yours.”

His bottom lip quivers, but he pulls me close and kisses me again. Soft, sweet, sensual kisses. “You’ve owned me since the day we met,” he whispers. “I love it, and I hate it.”

Pull up a seat and wait with me for more from this author - and one click this baby today!!!! You need these two in you life, you don't know it yet - BUT YOU DO!!!!



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Review: Master Baker

Master Baker by Pippa Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the very first line of this book, I was sold. Grady Rock became the new gold standard. Everybody deserves someone who will talk to them like Grady Rock talks to his pastries.

"That's right, baby," I whisper as I ease deeper into her creamy depths. She's tight. So full already. "Oh, yeah, just like that. You feel that? Is that good for you too?"

The donut doesn't answer, but she does grunt under the strain of all the pudding I'm stuffing inside her.

EVERYONE!!!



People, welcome back to Shipwreck (SPOILER THE FIRST - and SARCASM!!!!!!) for a story that had me laughing 'til I cried and crying because Pippa Grant tugged on every possible heartstring with Master Baker! If you read my review of Flirting with the Frenemy, you'll know that one of my lingering questions was would we ever get to see the town of Sarcasm. OMG YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!



WE DID!!!!!

Although we had to travel back in time to see Grady finally get the one the that got away, who just happens to be his former best friend who's opened a bakery in direct competition with his in her home town of Sarcasm. There's so much going on here - it's not a friends to lovers, but it is. It's not an enemies to lovers, but it is. It's not a second chance but it kind of is? Wait, maybe it's frenemies to lovers! And a little bit of a secret romance? I don't even know…



All I know is that this book is the one you want to make you laugh, to make you cry, and to make you fall in love with Pippa Grant's world all over again!



(SPOILER THE SECOND - this is another wonderful unusual pet love story with Sue the Goat. I flipping love Sue!!!)



(SPOILER THE THIRD - Are you really surprised that this is another book with a hilarious animal? I mean, we're talking about [Pippa Grant] here?!?!?)



There's something so beautiful about the relationship between Grady, Annika and their feuding towns. There's the mountain Pirate town of Shipwreck and the Unicorn crazy town of Sarcasm and they have a ridiculous feud that's been going on for years! But these two, they found a way to come together despite what other people might think of being that he's from Shipwreck and all. But Annika and Grady cultivate not only a beautiful friendship, or they resuscitate a beautiful friendship, and a beautiful romance!



And YES there are cameos! Obviously, Cooper Rock is there (we want his book!!!!) being that he's Grady's brother but there is also a surprise cameo in the form of the Berger twins during the hilarious baking competition. Definitely, don't be drinking something during this scene!!!!!



(SPOILER THE FOURTH - this book takes places before The Pilot & the Puck-Up in the timeline of Pippa Books so don't be a fool thinking Zeus or Ares would ever do their ladies wrong! They wouldn't, and you know nothing about them if you even entertained that thought… FOR SHAME!!!!)



So are you ready for some of my…

Favourite Lines -

His dark beard is streaked with gray, and he keeps shooting a glance at the kitchen like he's hoping to be paid in double chocolate fudge cookie.

Which I won't be baking, because I've turned committing sins against sugar into an art.

I still wasn’t who she wanted to see standing there, and the knowledge opened every last scar I’d forgotten I had.

Turns out, my heart’s still bruised too.

“Fuck you and the unicorn you rode in on,” the parrot says.

Which means I’m going home.

To my goat.

Who loves me even though I never asked him to, and even though I tried my damnedest to get rid of him when he invaded my yard a year ago.

She had her dream for three days before she couldn’t see it anymore. And I’ll be damned before I fail her.

“Yes, Sergeant Paranoid. I’m on Facebook and I’m posting nude selfies and telling all the child molesters where to come find me and that they can score a hot lady soldier and a blind chick who still has it while they’re here.”

“Some guy Annika used to know who came over yesterday acting all you can’t open a bakery in my county, because I licked it first."

“Fire in the hole! Fire in the fucking hole!” Long Beak Silver calls from his perch on Pop’s shoulder in the stands.

“Until you can convince it that Go, team, go is a cuss word, we’re doomed.”

I’m still grateful for the cup that’s trying to hold my dick in check.

Fuck, this is uncomfortable.

His chuckle sends a pleasant buzz arrowing between my legs. “What’s tomorrow? Wednesday? Is that still blue sock day?”

“No.”

“Fucking Army.”

I’m a food snob who eats cereal for dinner.

“Because your body might’ve been born in Shipwreck, but your soul belongs in Sarcasm. But only because there’s not an Egoville around here.”

Star and I both look at the judges’ table, where there are two men roughly the size of mountains poking at each other over the head of a third man who would be impressively sized if he weren’t between the twins.

Although the middle guy’s chin cleft keeps sparkling when the light hits him right, which is weird.

“Maaaa!” Sue hollers, and while Pops and Cooper are distracted, my goat takes off like a shot past my kitchen station to leap up and snag as many donuts as he can get in his mouth.

“Stay on your own side,” Ares Berger says. “Goat says chocolate donuts win. Be nice to all girls.”

He grunts a displeased sound and deposits me back at my own station, then stands there blocking me from getting to Annika, arms crossed, deep blue eyes threatening to impale me with my KitchenAid mixer.

Possibly through my head.

When Cooper and Georgia hold out the unicorn cookies, she stuffs them into her cleavage and keeps walking, signalling her bodyguard on the way.

Not all that different from Zeus Berger shoving cookies down his pants, which he’s doing right now too.

“Rawk! Mind your own fucking business! Rawk!”

Long Beak Silver swoops from his perch over the door and dive-bombs me, like I’m the one in the wrong for walking in on my grandparents doing the horizontal mamba.

“Rawk! Eat that pussy! Rawk!”

“Someone please shoot that bird,” I mutter.

He swoops through the dining room and poops on my head.

“Are you—master baking—me?” she pants.

“I’m loving you.”

Sue looks up at my parents, one at a time, and then lifts his leg and pees on Dad’s shoe.

Go grab this book!!! One click this baby NOW because you are not going to regret it!



Have your tissues handy and make sure you don't have a drink to your lips whenever Long Beak Silver or Sue hit the page - trust me, my laptop is still a little miffed that I spit my coffee all over it again. Thank you, Pippa!



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