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.

Tarnished Crown - Caitlyn Dare

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

Once again, I found myself at the edge of my seat. In her continuation of the world of the Gravestone Elite, Caitlyn Dare spared no detail. There is a few points that I will admit definitely need the warning provided in the synopsis, but I felt they were critical to the tone of the story. Starcrossed feels like incomplete terminology for Bexley and Mia. But in this world, where decisions are rarely their own, it fits better than anything else I can come up with. 

This second book shows us more of Mia's capacity but also had me shaking my head at her, like a parent witnessing the antics of a child with misplaced confidence. That said, she has progressed from fickle to calculated; weighing her decisions, following her gut more than her heart. And Bexley, dear Bexley. I have to say that he disappointed me in parts of this book. I understand his choices, but that doesn't mean they weren't unfortunate. But fear not, I sincerely feel that he was merely biding time, through those choices.

"We are but pawns in his game, and as I'm learning, the price of dissension is sometimes far greater than the price of submission." - Mia Thompson

The cliffhanger on this one left my heart racing, for many reasons. I'm so deeply grateful to Caitlyn for releasing Gravestone in the manner that she has. Because absolutely cannot wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy soon. If Shattered Legacy was the foundation, Tarnished Crown is the framing. And I can't wait to see this house completed, in all it's glory. In the meantime I'll be over here, mulling over the countless possibilities of the conclusion. Granted, I'm not sure anything will actually prepare me for what's to come. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 9/10 

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis

Waking up the morning after the night before, Bexley soon realizes his life will never be the same.

He’s Electi now.

One of them.

Everything that Mia despises.

She says she’s done, that his betrayal is too much of a burden to bear, but Bexley refuses to let her go.

When Mia wakes up the morning after the night before, she realizes she has two choices: accept her fate or fight.

She’s stronger now.

Unwilling to submit.

Determined to uncover the truth.

But to defeat the devil sometimes you have to walk through hell. Even if you risk losing the one person you really care about.

As the lies and secrets pile up around them, will Bexley be able to protect the girl he’s falling for...

Or will he lose himself and Mia to Gravestone’s dark history for good?

Tarnished Crown is the second book in the Gravestone Elite trilogy. It contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing. You have been warned. 

Paper Hearts - Brittany Taylor

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

Once again, Brittany Taylor has captured my heart with her beautifully written words and dynamic characters. 

Experiencing the ups and downs that are Asher and Charleigh was both heart breaking and heart warming. Between their flashbacks and barely concealed insecurities, both characters were relatable and expressive in their own right.

He is tattooed on my past, forever influencing the kind of people we have become. I attempted to move on after he left, but I was foolish to think I could erase him from my heart. Tattoos are permanent after all.

The overall theme and reasoning behind the title had my entire being fan-girling, complete with tears at the cuteness of the whole thing. But no good story is complete without a gut-wrenching back story that makes you feel, and Paper Hearts had that in spades.

*Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited*

Rating

Book Boyfriend: 9/10

Flow: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Asher Owens. 

Gorgeous. Arrogant. Liar. 

It’s been ten years since Asher left me with nothing but the remains of our shattered dreams.  

The last place I expected to see him was at a small bar in a city of over eight million. 

With my heart set on expanding my business, I needed one of New York City’s best real estate executives. Little did I know it would be the same man who had torn my heart like a piece of paper before setting it on fire.  

Once my gaze lands on his, I know Asher is no longer the boy I loved when I was eighteen. No, this Asher treated me like a stranger. All for the sake of not wanting to sift through the ashes of our past.  

Yet Asher’s arrogance rivaled any sort of rejection, even mine. Using his own selfish ambition, he needed me to claw his way to the top. 

Despite his true motives, I had foolishly let him back in.  

I’d fallen in love with Asher Owens once before and this time I would try my best not to make the same mistake twice. 

Glass Heart Hero - Lindsey Iler

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I'm going to be honest with you, I've been WAITING for our boy Breaker's story since the first chapter of Glass Heart Savage. Since the very moment we were introduced to the boys from the glass house. Lindsey has this innate ability to create characters that feel like I've known them forever. And every time I doubt that I can become more enchanted with them, she peels back a new layer, further embedding them in my heart.

“Broken is beautiful. A guy like him may not see it, but the rest of us do, Delaney. When you’re ready for us to show you, you know where to find us.” - Breaker Davenport 

Breaker and Delaney were shattering for me. Their love story is everything and completely heart breaking, simultaneously. Delaney Chambers, the girl from a family steeped in expectation. Who holds me in awe of her strength and self awareness. And Breaker Davenport, the boy with a heart, living among monsters. A golden heart and a haunted soul. Together, they are a nearing thunderstorm. Flashes of lightning and crashing thunder, tumbling across the sky out of sync with one another. Until they are directly overhead and finally convene into a masterpiece. One that you can't look away from.

“I’ve looked in the eyes of true evil. Don’t think for a second that you scare me.” - Delaney Chambers

It's no secret that I absolutely adore Lindsey's writing. It moves me in unexpected ways. This one, maybe more than any others have. But that could just be because there is little I love more than a deeply misunderstood book boy. I can't wait to wrap my head around the remaining two Glass House Boys. And any future worlds she grants us the opportunity to fall in love with. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Loyalty. Corruption. Family.

A gauntlet rooted in love and jealousy may be the destruction of the students at Glass Heart Academy.

Delaney

Parts of me were stolen in the confines of a dark room. No matter how hard I fought, I got nowhere. The damage has already been done.

Now I find myself in the arms of an unexpected boy. He catches me in the darkness, where I’m too afraid to face the cruel world I now know exists.

He wants every piece of my heart. But how far is he willing to go when it already belongs to another?

After everything, Breaker Davenport haunts my dreams and loving me quickly becomes his own worst nightmare.

Breaker

I have always been certain of a few things in life. Birth doesn’t make a family and when you find someone worth dying for, you fight until you bleed.

Delaney Chambers is worthy of painting the world red.

Fighting for her hadn’t been something I expected to do. Little did I know, he wasn’t the only one trying to take her away from me.

They won’t whisper her name, but I’ll make sure they curse mine.

The monster inside of me won’t stop until they’re buried amongst all their skeletons.

Carnal Pleasures series - Summer Stanton

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

Bane

Never before have I read such a beautifully written BDSM book, involving petplay at that. Combine that with my love of supernatural, and I don't think anything could have been more perfect.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the BDSM community, but Summer Stanton hit the target of what it really is like.

Reading about an Alpha wolf divulging in puppy play was one of the best things I've ever read. Pair him with a stoic dominant vampire, and it makes for a truly magical story.

Layla

A mermaid and a dragon... what could possibly go wrong? 

One thing I loved about this series were the different types of mythical creatures; typically, when you read supernatural, they stick to the three "modernized" species - vampires, witches, and werewolves, but Summer Stanton pushed the boundaries and brought to life all types of creatures from some of my favourite fairy tales.

Beautifully written, with such diverse and eccentric characters in all three books, Carnal Pleasures is a must read in my opinion for anyone who is even remotely curious about BDSM, and also loves worlds containing mythical creatures.

Caleb

A wolf, a vampire, an elf, and a witch walk into a bar... and you have the start of Caleb's story. 

A beautiful depiction of something a lot of people don't fully understand - polyamory. I've read poly books before, but I have yet to come across one that can show the true nature and beauty behind these relationships. 

4 vastly different men discovering how to love one another, each coming from various upbringings, was a truly remarkable journey to witness. Their chemistry was unmistakable, and reading this take on fated/bonded relationships was inspiring. 

*Available on Kindle 

Synopsis

Carnal Pleasures is the most exclusive BDSM club in the supernatural world. Renowned for their specialized Dominant and submissive training, people from all over to explore what the club has to offer.

Cold and commanding, Adam Archer is the club manager. Though he hasn’t taken on a submissive in years, he agrees to see to the newest member of the club.

After surviving a horrific attack, Bane is left broken. The lost wolf is sent to Carnal Pleasures at the bidding of his Pack Alpha. Wrapped in pain and self-doubt he doesn’t want to be there. After all, who would help a damaged beast?

Their attraction is instant, but Bane is distrustful of the demanding vampire. Not used to following the orders of anyone but his Alpha, he fights against his temporary Master at every turn.

Determined to make him let go, Adam submerges Bane in a world he never thought to dream of. A place where trust and submission go hand in hand.

Both men are stubborn and fight tooth and nail to make their arrangement work. When they do figure it out, they find they have more in common than mutual attraction. Together, they might heal more than just Bane's broken confidence.

Thomas Harrow is new to Carnal Pleasures. Though an accomplished Dominant, not everyone is impressed with him at first sight. In an effort to prove that he belongs, he sets up a public demonstration that has a disastrous end.

Layla Marks is a dreamer who works behind the scenes at the club. Night after night she watches the playing, secretly longing to be apart of the lifestyle.

The pair couldn't be more different: Thomas is demanding with little patience for Layla's naiveté. With a rocky start already between them, they enter into a tentative D/s relationship, hoping that the other can be what they need.

But Thomas is not the only one who covets the shy beauty, and Layla soon finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Caleb Knightly is a Professional submissive at Carnal Pleasures. After escaping a dangerous situation and reluctantly being turned into a Vampire, he is finally happy with his life. He doesn't need, or want, anything else. Until fate decides to turn his world upside down—again.

Callum Rutters and Eli Dran have been together for an amazing sixty years. They love the time they spend playing together at Carnal Pleasures. Their complex relationship keeps things interesting and they couldn't be happier. Until fate throws them into the path of someone they never knew they needed. Now, they have to convince Caleb that being bonded doesn't mean he'll lose his autonomy. Instead, he'll gain a family, something he thought he lost a long time ago.

Just as the three men are beginning to find their footing and learning how they work as a three, Eli's past returns to haunt him, and fate steps in once more. This time in the form of Lucian Drake, local Pack Alpha. Lucian doesn't know what to make of the threesome, he just knows he wants more with them all, in whatever capacity they'll allow.

However, Eli isn't the only one facing danger and Lucian will have to fight, not just for the three men he is growing to love, but for the Pack he's spent his life building and protecting.

Separately, the four men are vastly different, but together they have something extraordinary. It may not be conventional but it can be all theirs—if they can survive.

Shattered Legacy - Caitlyn Dare

 

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I have read a few of Caitlyn's books, to date. And every single one held my attention for a very different reason. Our introduction into the world of the Gravestone Elite followed suit, keeping me completely intoxicated by every detail. Caitlyn handed us a world that felt almost tangible on a silver platter. A world filled with all sorts of unexpected. 

"The need to rebel burns through my veins like acid, as if my soul knows it’s wrong." - Mia Thompson 

Mia Thompson is a heroine I had a hard time connecting with. Not because of her foundation but because she felt fickle in the beginning. She is strong, smart and determined. But she's also so conflicted that it almost gave her rubber legs. Torn between her destined world and the one she actually wants, the girl has so much going on. I don't quite fully understand her yet, but I am dying to learn more about her as her story unfolds. As for her counterpart? It was again unexpected, but I am so here for it! Bexley fills out the story like I don't think any other could quite accomplish. With every page, he grows in some way or another.

By the end of this book, Bexley is larger than life and Mia is frantically seeking the connection that only he can give her. I lost track of the number of times I gasped or whispered "nooooooo" while reading Shattered Legacy. And I was straight up panicking at 95% when I realized this was going to have a cliffhanger. But thankfully, more of the story is coming very soon! When I tell you that I'm counting down the days until Tarnished Crown?? Is it April yet?

Rating:

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

Overall: 9/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis

Mia Thompson wants only one thing: to survive Gravestone University, graduate, and get far far away from her hometown and its archaic traditions.

But she’s about to become a pawn in a game she doesn’t understand.

Bexley Danforth wants only one thing: to keep his head down, survive four years at college, and get far far away from his past and the mistakes that haunt him.

But he’s about to become an initiate in a test he might not survive.

One fateful night entwined their lives on a path neither of them saw coming... and now she can’t forget about the guy who made her feel worthy, and he can’t forget about the girl who can never be his.

But the things about rules?

They’re made to be broken.


Shattered Lies is the first book in the Gravestone Elite trilogy. It contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing. You have been warned.

Change My Game - Kelsey Clayton

Ruminations of an Insomniac.. 

Change My Game was a LOT. I really can't put it any other way. I loved the character growth and the story tugged at my heart. But there was just so much to unpack in the process. History. Pushback. Resentment. Trauma responses all over. Loss. And at the center of it all are 3 lifetime best friends, treading water.

Jace is a disaster. Like epically so. But the synopsis could tell you that much. His character development was the one that I loved the most. He hurts a lot of people through the course of his growth, but love is a fickle thing. It's all too common for someone to lash out at those who love them most when they get backed into a corner. And Jace is no exception. Most of all he hurts his cradle to grave best friend, Carter. And the one and only Paige. She also has a lot going on. I found myself questioning her a lot, but also deeply understanding some bits of her fiber. She was infuriatingly frustrating at times, but I also broke and cried with her at others.

"Trust me, baby. I don't want anything to do with me either." - Jace London

All in all, I had to finish this book. I absolutely needed to see these characters through. I got so wrapped up in them that unpacking ALL that was Change My Game felt worth it. Like I said, it was a lot. The pages were filled with hard hitting things, so I will leave my fair warning. Kelsey Clayton made so much of it feel real. Would I respond to anything in this story how the characters did? I don't believe so. But I also remember how it felt, especially emotionally, to be 20-21 and that recollection is what made this prose work for me.  

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 8/10

Flow: 7/10

Plot: 8/10 

Overall: 8/10

Please note that there are several potential trigger subjects in Jace and Paige's story. 

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

My name is Jace London,

And I may have screwed up.

I’ve always been the guy who had it all.

Privilege, entitlement, and a life of luxury.

But after one college night gone tragically wrong,

Nothing has ever been the same.

Everyone thinks I should be happy.

With a trust fund like mine, who could be sad?

But no one knows what’s going on with me,

Or the nightmares that keep me awake at night.

I finally found salvation in a parent’s worst nightmare.

The only thing to ease the pain just enough to breathe.

My friends are worried I’m going to ruin myself.

What they don’t realize, is I’m already dead inside.

Now they’re ready to pull out all the stops,

Including a therapist that gets paid an ungodly price.

No amount of money can bring back the guy I was,

But the girl that got away might be enough to try.

Gorgeous, strong, and confident to a fault.

If anyone can save me from myself, it’s her.

Change My Game is a standalone and part of the North Haven University series. It deals with sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.

Damien, Forever - Tempest Phan

Ramblings of a Bookworm...

I don't even know where to begin... Damien James Mortensen stole my heart from page 1. Halfway through chapter 1, I knew I wouldn't make it out of this novel tear-free, and boy was I right... I have a soft spot for the damaged bad boys, and the more ink and piercings, the better - both of which he had in spades.

Tempest Phan sent me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just when things start looking up, everything comes crashing down again to start at square one.

There is so much more to my boy of whispers, all of it carefully layered and hidden from the world. - Mirabella Davenport

Soft spoken, dark, and brooding, Damien is every girl's secret fantasy and every dad's worst nightmare. With demons that I could never even begin to fathom coupled with a heart of gold, paired with Bella's kind soul and the patience of a saint, they are a force to be reckoned with.

She deserved so much better than a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. She deserved caviar and champagne and luxurious getaways. Not a run-down shack and nights filled with nightmares and demons. - Damien Mortensen

This slow burn friends to lovers masterpiece put me through the wringer, and easily soared to my top 5 of 2020 - a book I will happily read again and again.

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Flow: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

*Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited*

Synopsis 

An angsty, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance with a dash of new adult and a twist of rockstar.

Damien

She's everyone's favorite princess. Gorgeous girl next door. Homecoming queen. But to me, she'll always be so much more. The light in my dark, my best friend, my everything. But there's one thing she can't ever be. And that's mine. Because I'll make damn sure to keep my filthy hands off her. Even if it kills me.

Bella

He's the boy of broken whispers. The one dripping ink. The one sowing fear. But to me, he'll always be so much more. The music in my soul, my best friend, my everything. And pretty soon, he'll be between my sheets, too. Because what baby girl wants, she gets. Just watch.

The Villian - LJ Shen

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

You know what I think my favourite part of LJ Shen books is? I could say the robust characters. I may note the steam that is off the charts. The intricate details warrant mention. But more than all that, the quick wit and verbal sparring that float seamlessly through the dialogue? That's my favourite part.

Persephone Penrose appears to the text book definition of the pre-k teacher she is. Overshadowed and underseen because of an exuberant sibling. But the girl is more than meets the eye. She is brimming with fire, matching Cillian turn for turn. And no one can walk through fire quite like Hades. He thrives when surrounded by it. 

"There were twenty-seven emotions? That seemed completely unmanageable." - Cillian Fitzpatrick 

On the surface, they couldn't be more different. His icy demeanor and her undeniable warmth should, theoretically clash like titans. But her fire scorches through him, burning down the barriers he had worked so hard to construct. The moment I turned the final page, I wanted to start it over, just to stay submerged in their world, in their story for a while longer. Once again, LJ Shen bewitched me. 

Rating:

Book Boyfriend: 10/10 (Even LJ Shen's villainous men shatter me) 

Flow: 10/10

Plot: 10/10 

Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.

Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.
To the media, he is The Villain.
To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.
Now I need him to do me another, small solid.
Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.
What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?
Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.
The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.
Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.
To play, to mold, to break.
Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.
Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.
He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.
He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.

The Not-Outcast - Tijan

Ruminations of an Insomniac..

I will admit, this one threw me at first. While I read the beginning of the book, I found myself questioning, “This is Tijan, right?” I’ve been a fan of her work for a long time now, so I put my trust in her as an author and kept reading. And I’m so beyond glad that I did. The writing style in the very beginning is intentional and absolutely necessary. I won’t tell you why, but it 100% aides in painting an accurate picture in this story.

Cheyenne is complex. There is no other way to put it. She is a beautiful creature, at every level of her being. And the girl barely realizes it. She is a forged steel blade. Stunning, but dangerous if not handled with care. Then he skates into her life, or back in I should say, and both of their existences shift. Cut may be an athlete; however he is anything but the stereotype. This giant man brought me to tears, baring his soul. The dynamic of the two of them made me wish for more people in the world to find a love like that. A love that isn’t all sunshine, but one that is real and raw. One that pushes and pulls but at the end of the day, the effort and understanding is what will always stand out.

“But damn, I just wanted to be loved. And he was here. And he had stayed.” - Cheyenne

Stars align in this second chance (sort of?) sports romance. Tijan, once again, amazed me with this one. The depth of the prose and the vivid dynamic characters are everything. She challenged & captivated me with her words. And because of how hard and deep I fell in love, my personal top ten this year would be absolutely incomplete without The Not Outcast.

Rating:

Book boyfriend: 10/10
Flow: 10/10
Plot: 10/10 
Overall: 10/10

Currently available on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited).

Synopsis:

Cutler Ryder was everything I wasn't.

He was the hockey star. I was an outcast.
He was best friends with my stepbrother, that same stepbrother who hated me.
His two parents loved him. My mom was a junkie. My dad barely knew me.

Years passed.
I got my life together.
Cut went onto NHL stardom.

Then there was a text.
I was drinking.
There was a party.
Cut was there...

I loved Cutler Ryder since the first moment I saw him.
The only problem? He never knew I existed.