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.