The Deal Dilemma - Meagan Brandy

Ruminations of an Insomniac...

I mean, at this point, I'm convinced that Meagan is incapable of writing something that doesn't blow me away. Once again, this story is fluid. Her world-building is vivid and her characters are robust. Their complicated, messiness always makes them feel more real. The Deal Dilemma is no exception. 

Davis is naïve, at best, and more brilliant than I could ever fathom being. She is clever and unfailingly sweet (as if all the candy she consumes has melted into the very fibre of her being). But she isn't without her flaws. It feels like Meagan broke her female character mold for this one. While all of Meagan's leading ladies are vibrant and complex, Davis felt so much softer to me, than the rest of them. And I adore her for it. 

"Everything I do. Everything I've done for as long as I can f*cking remember, has been with you in mind." - Crew Taylor

And Crew? Crew made me laugh and gasp in shock more than once. He's so much rougher around the edges than Davis, but that's the beauty of it. Davis' softness has the power to fill the jagged gaps where his hardness pokes out, unforgivingly. He fights hard for everything he wants, relentless in his pursuit of the life he dreams of. And (even putting his ballcap, tattooed arms and hard-to-catch smirk aside) he's everything I look for in a book boyfriend. 

Every part of this book was exactly what I needed, without knowing I needed it. I've worked in the bar/restaurant industry most of my adult life, and everything about the environments that Meagan crafted in this book felt a little like home to me. The banter is on point and the angst is off the charts, making the spice drool-worthy. I devoured this book and it might be my favourite for 2022!

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 11/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

 Ever wonder what would happen if you bribed your brother’s ex-best friend to pop your cherry?

Yeah, me either, but I did it anyway. Now the moody man is madder than ever, but I came prepared to strike a deal.

One he can’t refuse…

Crew Taylor is the picture of perfection, if gruff, grumpy, and prone to throw a punch is your type. Clearly, it’s mine or I wouldn’t be begging him to bite the bullet and claim my virginity as his own.

Sure, he’s a bit of a caveman, broody and bossy and oh so naughty, but that’s sort of the point.

He’s experienced, his heated hazel eyes promising sinful skills in seduction, and I want him to teach me all he knows.

Lesson by lesson.

Night after night.

The problem?

He says he won’t allow me in his bed … but I wonder what it would take to get him to play in mine a bit?

Say You Swear - Meagan Brandy

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

Yet again, Meagan made me both laugh and cry. My heart was in my throat, more than once when I read Say You Swear. Now, I'd normally launch into details with all the names and heart-eyed imagery. But I think this one needs a different approach. Because I feel like I walked through the first several chapters, a little clueless. And it made the experience of this story so much sweeter. 

“I don’t want to be seen anymore... I want to be loved.” - Ari

The entirety of the book is such a journey for our heroine. Climbing metaphorical mountains and traversing calm seas. She thinks she knows what she wants and life pushes her down the hill. But she's a determined creature. She just needs to build the courage to turn the page. Her man though? *sigh* Hard body, soft soul. He's everything that love is supposed to be. Patient, kind, humble, selfless.

Meagan's writing has a unique ability to tear you to shreds and then sew you back together. She takes special care with both her destruction and her repairs. Say You Swear is no exception. I'd argue that it's her most emotionally driven story yet. And I was SO here for every "noooooo", smile and tear. 

Oh. And Meagan? PLEASE tell me that you're giving brother dearest and the crew of besties books too? I simply cannot live without them. ❤️

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 11/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis: 

For years, I’ve dreamt of what college life could bring and while some things changed, there was always one constant.

It didn’t matter how wild I allowed my imagination to run, it always led me to the same place in the end.

It led me to him.
My future was clear, and he was it.


Until suddenly ... he wasn’t.


Now I’m a shell of who I was, on a path too blurry to follow, and I see no way out.
No way up.


They say first loves last forever.
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Little Devil - Bethany Winters

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I saw Little Devil, by Bethany Winters, on my instagram feed and knew I needed to read it. She's a new-to-me author and I'm so glad I found her! With the perfect blend of steam and some of the best banter I've ever read, this book checked all the boxes. 

Jordyn was absolutely not what I expected, but I'd love to be her friend. Her humor is dry and she comes into herself as this story progresses. Xander though? I think that everyone needs a boy like him in their lives; even if it's platonic. The guy is nice to look at and just bad enough to make a girl smirk, plus he's funny and bursting with adventure.

"When I first saw you I thought you looked like a quiet loner boy, but then you opened your mouth and turned into this cocky, big headed player with no chill." - JJ (Jordyn James)

The dynamics between the JJ and Xander were gold. A cherry pie, straight from the oven. Sweet, sour, and a little salty all at the same time. But most of all, Hot. All in all, Bethany Winters pulled me into this story - hook, line, and sinker. Her words gave me the perfect distraction, one that I really needed. I can't wait to read more of her writing. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10 
Flow: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

 

Synopsis:

JORDYN

My life’s been laid out for me since before I was born.
Graduate high school, marry the mayor’s son, get my degree and take over my mother’s company.
I don’t want it – I don’t want any of it – but I’d never say that out loud.
Girls like me aren’t supposed to speak our minds. We’re supposed to smile and look pretty and do as we’re told without argument.
I keep my mouth shut for an easy life.
A boring life.
But then I meet him.
Xander Reid doesn’t follow rules.
He’s a cocky bad boy with a devil may care attitude and a tongue bar I can’t stop staring at.
He treats life like a game and dares me to play with him.
And even though I know he's bad for me, I’m not sure how much longer I can resist.

XANDER

Lakewood is supposed to be a punishment.
A way to fix me and my unusual take on life.
Seven months before the end of my senior year, my parents ship me off to live in a strange town with a family I barely know and a private school full of entitled rich kids.
They seem to forget change doesn’t bother me.
I get bored easily, can’t sit still for five minutes and nothing holds my attention.
But then I meet her.
Jordyn James isn’t as innocent as she makes out to be.
She’s a bad girl trapped in a life fit for a princess, desperate for freedom from the chains that hold her back.
Making her mine just might be the worst thing I’ve ever done, and yet I regret nothing.

This is a full length, opposites attract romance with themes some readers might find offensive.

Complete standalone with a HEA and no cliffhanger.

Suicide Season - Yolanda Olson

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

I'm going to start off this review with a warning, since the book itself contains none, and I wish it had: This book is not for the faint of heart. It contains gore and disturbing scenes in the first few chapters.

Maybe it seems obvious, given the title and the fact that it's classified as an MM Vampire Romance, or if you've heard of the author before, but oh boy... I was not prepared. 

Now that that's out of the way, let's review...

Overall, the story was interesting. It was a very quick read, separated into three parts with three different perspectives. It was unique and very different from anything I've ever read before.

The characters were complex enough to be believable and the detailed imagery of the scenes was enough to create a movie in my mind.

I feel like I was left with a lot of questions, but as this is only book 1 of a series, I feel like that's to be expected.

Knowing what I know now, I probably won't be grabbing the next book because it simply was not my genre, however I can see and appreciate the appeal. Whilst not your average romance, the relationship between the two mains was unique and oddly adorable.

Rating:

Flow: 6/10

Plot: 6/10 

Overall: 6/10

It’s a vicious cycle.

Stop, start. Stop, start.

We move when the hunt has ended in one place, only to begin again.

It has nothing to do with the warmth of spring and summer or the chill of autumn and winter. Our seasons are measured by something else entirely. And while I sometimes wonder if he’ll ever tire of his god games, I also know that he enjoys it far too much to ever stop.

Hunger is never an issue for us, and because of that, what we are isn’t apparent. I prefer animals, and so does he in a roundabout way. It’s how he sees humans—as animals that lack the common instinct to survive when presented with something beautiful.

As we leave our current home for the next, I wonder what time has in store for us. Whatever it may be, as long as we’re by each other’s sides, nothing else will matter.

We’ve already gone to the end.

Now it’s time for the cycle to repeat itself.

Dirty Curve - Meagan Brandy

Bookworm and Insomniac- Dual Review

Ramblings of a Bookworm..

 Meagan Brandy, once again, "hit the ball out if the park". With one of the best character arcs I think I've ever read, Dirty Curve has secured its spot as one of my top 5 books of 2021, no question about it.

She’s fire, I know it, and call me a fuckin’ pyro ‘cause, goddamn if I don’t crave the flame. - Tobias Cruz

One of the many things I've always loved about Meagan Brandy's books is her strong female leads, and this one was no exception. Meyer is brilliant, hard-working, and an all around beautiful person. Tobias is a hard-headed stereotypical golden boy, but there's more to him than meets the surface.

Not going to lie, I struggled for the first few chapters. Not because of the story in itself, but because of Tobias. The texts I sent to my partner in crime whilst reading were less than stellar and I labeled him a firm 0/10 on the BB scale. But like I said, this book had one of the best character arcs I've ever read, and he definitely redeemed himself as more of him was revealed. It was a solid reminder that there's more to people than meets the eye, and you should never judge someone at face value.

 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 
Flow: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

 

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

 I've said it before and I'll probably repeat it again, but it takes a lot to render me speechless. Yet Meagan never fails to do it. Dirty Curve tested my patience in the beginning, but I know that nothing is ever quite as it seems. 

Meyer and Tobias made my heart stutter. Their dynamic isn't one you come across often, even in book world. The girl has secrets and the boy keeps his promises. She was bold and brave and brilliant. He was a smoking hot, arrogant asshole. The heat he brought, melted the walls of wax she built. While her reality lit a spotlight on his soul.

 "Expect it. Whatever it is, expect it, want it, demand it even... Girl, you didn't even want the spot, the way I remember it, but you stole it regardless." - Tobias Cruz

 I was in so deep, and Meagan threw curveball after curveball. Hitting the mark every time, she pitched a no-hitter. And in the final inning, she wound up at bat. And in the moment her bat connected to the ball, the echoing grand slam stole my breath. (I couldn't help myself, ha, sorry) But in all seriousness, Meagan has this way of dropping these catalyst moments, building a world and making you get lost in it; before she snatches the ground out from under your feet. That said, she may shatter us with her words, but she always makes sure to catch all our broken pieces on a soft place to land.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 9/10 
Flow: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10

 

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

 

Synopsis:

You know how in college there’s that one guy everyone wants to be?
That’s me. 
I’m the top dog. 
The number one. 
The big man on campus.

Some say those things are solid wins. 
My new tutor would disagree. 

My title means nothing to her. 
My status lost on her. 

And now my mind? That sucker is stuck on her. 

She was told to make our sessions priority over all, to drop everything when I need her, and come to me. She does.  
But I don’t want to steal her time anymore. 
I want to earn it. 
If anyone can do that, it’s me. 

I’m Tobias Cruz, the king of the curveball. I don’t lose. 
Not the game, and surely not the girl. 

Little did I know, this girl has a secret...and it’s the dirtiest curve yet. 

Fractured Reign - Caitlyn Dare

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

Caitlyn Dare has tied her Gravestone Elite series up with a pretty bow, in the form of Fractured Reign. A book just as vivid as it's predecessors and filled with answers to so many questions. After a tumultuous time following archaic rules, through the first two books of this trilogy, the time has finally come to take their lives into their own hands. To write some new rules.

Mia blew me away in this conclusion. The girl, trying to carve her way through the first two books, finally comes into her own. Strength pours from her as she heals and grows. Mia changes so fast, she barely recognizes herself. But once she has a moment to catch up and collect all of her pieces, nothing can stop her. And Bexley is by her side through it all. Waiting for his moment. The moment she's ready to be seen again for everything she is. 

"..Sometimes there is no villain. There’s just pain and heartache and a series of unfortunate events." - Mia Thompson

I questioned a lot through this story, whether Mia and Bexley would get their happy ending. And while so many corners held something unexpected, truth and love prevailed. Like I've said before, Shattered Legacy built a solid foundation and Tarnished Crown gave us elaborate framework. Now, the house is complete. Every intricate detail of Mia and Bexley's world fell into place. Not necessarily where I expected, but exactly where it was needed. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited). 

Synopsis:

When Mia wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there, she braces herself for bad news.

But nothing can ever prepare her for the truth.

Betrayed by the very people who were supposed to protect her, Mia no longer knows who to trust.

All Bexley wants is to fix things for the girl he loves, and keep those around him safe.

Even if it means embracing his legacy.

Can Bexley and Mia fight their own demons while fighting the enemies closing in around them...

Or will it be too late to save each other?

Fractured Reign is the conclusion to Mia and Bexley's dark and twisted story.

Fractured Reign in the final book in the Gravestone Elite trilogy. It is a DARK BULLY ROMANCE and contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing. You have been warned.

Badly Behaved - Meagan Brandy

Bookworm and Insomniac- Dual Review

Ramblings of a Bookworm..

I am proud to say that 90% of the times that I read a book, by about 25-30% in, I'm able to guess the endings, and I'm usually pretty spot on. Badly Behaved falls into that 10% category that always leaves me baffled, my eyes darting over the words frantically trying to weave together what is going on.

With characters deeper than many I've read before, a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and a social class that always leaves me dumbfounded, I am completely in awe of Jameson's story.

"Who really cares to hear what’s on your mind when it’s not of benefit to the one forced to listen? No one, that’s who." - Jameson Filano

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when diving into a book about the lifestyles of the rich and the privileged, but I can wholeheartedly say that I was not disappointed. Once again, Meagan Brandy has hit it out if the park.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 
Flow: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I went into this book, completely unaware of what to expect. And even a quarter of the way through, I found myself questioning "where is she going with this?" But Meagan is an expert weaver of worlds and this book is no exception. I put my trust in her storytelling and was rewarded with an amazing ride.

At first, I wasn't sure of her intent with this story, she said herself that she specifically chose not to trope it so the reader sort of goes in blind. But it holds so many facets that I'm not really sure she could have, even if she wanted to. The dynamics Meagan bridges between Jameson and the rest of the cast are all so vast and beautiful.  As with many of her arcs, hard issues are delicately balanced with witty characters. And each one has their own deep history, as we all do outside of book worlds.

"Like an acrobat on a tightrope, I balance like a pro, never allowing myself to fall over the dreaded 'did you hear about the Filano's daughter' line." - Jameson Filano

Suffice to say, I can deeply recommend this story. It had a lot of unexpected turns and several wide-eyed, what-was-that moments. Even the big "Aha" I had, wasn't the end of the curveballs here. Take a ride with the crew from Badly Behaved. Fair warning though? Bring a hair-tie, convertible hair sucks.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 15/10 😉 (I can't explain this, you'll just have to read it)
Flow: 8/10
Plot: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

I’m a Monet.
A chameleon.

I’m whatever I must be.

And what I must be is a flawless daughter, a skilled socialite, and the perfect prize to the man who signed along the dotted line.

Not that I’m complaining.

I’m all for a contractual agreement, a quick and clean catapult into the next phase of rich girl life. One that takes little thought, less effort, and zero devotion.

It’s exactly what I want.
An impassive life.
A calculated future.

Or, it was until the lights went out, darkness took over, and I learned what it meant to live.

To feel.
To fall.
But everyone knows what thrives in the night burns in the light and flames were among us.

There is no escape.
No turning back.
No ending within my control.

My mother always says our choices determine our consequences.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.