2019 ARCs – Page 2

Being blind doesn’t hold Ava Bennet back in the least. With her work, her shopping, and public transportation within walking distance, she’s totally at home in the big city. But she’s not in the city now. Temporarily back in her small home town to help her father has her struggling in a big way.
Luke Walker is done running from his troubled past. Finally home after years in the military, he’s ready to make amends with his family and set down some roots. But adapting to civilian life is much harder than he ever expected.
She has no intention of sticking around. He has no plans to run again. All they have is one month together. Will it be enough for Luke to prove he’s everything Ava needs—in light, in darkness, and most importantly, even in the rain?

RELEASE DATE: December 31, 2020

She reached for the can, brushing her hand along his thigh as she did and jerked her hand back.
“Sorry. If you’re going to sit right beside me you run the risk of being touched.
Being touched? If she only knew how many times the thought of touching her again had crossed his mind.

Not my first read by the author. I actually found her before all my bookstagramming and blogging and fell in love from book 1 and I have read all her books since and always look forward to more. Her writing style is something I enjoy very much.

I don’t know where to start, I guess a little from the beginning. The hero LUKE is the 2nd oldest Walker Brother, also one of the twins. The Walker family is from Hannah who married a McKinley brother. So I have been waiting on Luke for soooo long and finally, it was EVERYTHING!

Luke is a former Army Ranger, in his early 40s and a man just existing but not sure if anyone really understands him. His broken is broken if that makes sense, he is just quiet sexy. He first sees Ava the heroine at his brother’s wedding, she was by the cookie table and looking a little…inebriated…or so he thought. When he approached her, it’s not what h would have guessed in thousands of years. Ava so beautiful, petite, long almost white blonde hair and the most palest blue eyes he has ever looked into. It was the sweetest meet ever, and I won’t tell you because you must experience it. Ava has a past that will have you shatter with her, I cried and then was angry…I may or may not have even suggested to Claudia to kill off a character “accidentally” there may be a lot of heartbreak in this but Luke’s SWOON moments mend that…I absolutely loved everything about this, my expectation for Luke’s story over exceeded, *sigh* I couldn’t get enough of it all. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this!

A MUST READ!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Dark Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, November 2020 Reviews, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Illegal Formation by Shanna Swenson

November 11, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(The Gods of the Gridiron #4)

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AUTHOR WEBSITE

Hell hath no fury… especially if you’re Hades—the god of death.
TE, Quillan Layton, is settling into his role as the newest player for the Gladiators. He’s embracing his brooding and dark character’s namesake. Hell, it’s easy to be such when your life is as skewed as his is. After all, he’s a single dad and the widower of a former drug addict who’s not looking for love—not in the slightest.
Though when he sees bad girl, Veda Ryan, at Paxton’s Halloween party, he might just be eating crow. This tattooed, pierced, and cynical Irish “snake-charmer” has more up her sleeve than ink, and one scorching hot night with her isn’t quite enough to satisfy the ravenous god within just dying to be unleashed.
Veda, the sharp-tongued twin of Becca’s, is an unhappy cheerleader, reluctant stripper, and passionate model-wannabe with a determination as strong as her colorfully art-clad skin. She sees the tall, dark, and delicious half-Spanish sex god, Quillan, and knows immediately that she has to sink her teeth into him, come Hell or high water, and does so that fateful Samhain night in an ILLEGAL FORMATION of epic proportions.
But Quil and Veda are in for a rude awakening. The old saying goes that if one plays with fire, one is bound to get burned and burned these two lovers will be as they fight their sizzling attraction for one another tooth and nail.
Will a devastating secret be enough to bring them colliding together or will it doom Hades and his Persephone to a fiery pit of never-ending regret?

**This book is a single dad/bad girl/forbidden romance with a dark side; it deals with abortion, violent sexual acts, death, suicide, and addiction. READER DISCRETION ADVISED. HEA GUARANTEED**

RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read all the previous series books! This one was a 50/50 to as really strong heroine usually are, they aren’t my absolute favorite type. So personal preference. I think it was just a mix of the hero being very very controlling and takes a while to understand and the heroine being very strong yet vulnerable and I don’t know it didn’t mix well for me. It is the darkest I’ve read from this author and touches base on some touchy subjects, personally it’s a very touchy to me, yet it was beautiful to read and watch.

even though I have mixed feeling on this one, the author’s words are what captivates you, the form and the story line. It grips you and keeps you hold. Am so glad to have had the chance to continue reading in this beautiful series.

Romance: ♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 4 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Enemy-To-Lovers, November 2020 Reviews, Office-Romance, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ See Me After Class by Meghan Quinn

November 11, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

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AUTHOR WEBSITE

“Did you have relations with my brother . . .
Good question
I’d like to preface this by saying it was never my intention to ever get involved in a workplace romance, let alone get involved with the most surly, agitating, and pompous man I’ve ever met who just so happens to be my new friend’s brother
My intentions were to show students how English and reading books could actually be fun and make a new life for myself in the suburbs of Chicago
But so far, I’ve managed to be called into the principal’s office
Coerced into participating in the teacher’s badminton league
And instigated into passionate fights with Arlo Turner over education and decorum while losing my underwear at the same time
Known as Mr. Turns Me On, he’s the reason I might get fired from my first ever teaching job.

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2020

Not my first read by the author and not my last as always I love Meghan’s books! This one was a good and then a slight bad at the end for me, hence the 4.5 stars rating. Nothing actually bad just personal preference.

A fun heroine, loving and loves her job, and a hero that is very straight forwards, serious and on point…this was so much FUN to read. As Meghan’s books usually are, but this one I was laughing out loud through out the book. The attraction between the two was ADDICTING…the hero was enough grumpy, alpha, sexy…and the heroine, gosh i enjoyed her, she was the type that wanted to move on and make it a better one if you will. Co-workers that has such strong chemistry are bound to tip over the line, this adventure was done in a fun, sweet, sexy and exciting way!

The ending is the only thing that bothered me, and both I and my bookbestie both talked about and agreed, it just kind of…ends. That’s all I am going to say.

Romance: ♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Friends-To-Lovers, MUST READS!, November 2020 Reviews, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Beyond The Roses by Monica James

November 9, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

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AUTHOR WEBSITE

To the outside world, my life is perfect.
I’m young and rich, and some may even say I’m beautiful. But I would give anything to be somebody else because after being extraordinary all my life, all I wish for is…silence.
My name is Lola Van Allen, and there’s no easy way to say it, but…I’m dying.
When my doctors reveal all hope is lost, I decide to spend the time I have left sharing my experience at Strawberry Fields, a summer camp for terminally ill children. No matter my fate, I yearn to make a difference.
Things are quiet and slow-moving until I meet him.
Dr. Roman Archibald.
From the moment our lives entwine, he pushes me until breaking point. But for someone who has nothing left to lose, I push back twice as hard. Roman challenges me in ways I never imagined, revealing things aren’t always what they seem.
This is my story…and how I got a second chance at life.

RELEASE DATE: November 11, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I am a huge fan of her books. This one about KILLED ME! Warning: have tissue and also if you’re already emotional, wait!

To say I was a mess would be an understatement, talk about emotional with heart and sweet, and beautiful, and DARK PAIN! I will say now like everyone else here, have tissue handy and you will get lost in the story beware! Lola and Roman’s love… I can’t even express or explain it. This is so raw that it will break your heart, feel everything and put you back together. I won’t say more because this is a DIVE IN type of book and I got to say Monica really umped the emotion and real-ness in this!

A MUST READ!
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Enemy-To-Lovers, International Romance, November 2020 Reviews, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Wicked Truth by Jodi Ellen Malpas

November 8, 2020November 16, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(Hunt Legacy Duology #2)

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AUTHOR WEBSITE

A desperate passion, a dangerous love story…
Eleanor Cole had no idea that when she met the charmingly irresistible Becker Hunt, she was putting her life on the line. So when she discovers his secrets, escape seems to be her only option – but Becker isn’t ready to let Eleanor go.
She knows better than to fall into his corrupt world again, but how long can she resist when he’s stolen her heart?
Eleanor must make a choice, to stay and follow Becker into the heart of the danger…or risk losing him forever!
Becker Hunt is back and this time he’s not letting Eleanor walk away…

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2020

Not my first read by the author and luckily I have read the first part of this (not a standalone) and wow I do remember the ending of book 1 and I was SHOOOOOOOOOK! So I have been waiting on this to see what will happen! It did not disappoint!

The reason this story is incredible is that it takes you through a journey of two people, life happenings and love. When reading Jodi books you get lost fully into the book, this is one of them. Like I said earlier read together and beware of the book 1 ending and I gotta say I was not disappointed with the beginning of book 2! I loved both the characters, side characters a few I was not fond of and wouldn’t have been mad if they accidently fell off a roof. When I said adventure I mean ADVENTURE, the hero is not only alpha and sexy but smart SO SMART and sweet at times but also ruthless when needed. A genius. The heroine, at a certain time I had a little fuss with her because of her actions but putting myself in her shoes I think back and I’d act the same. I enjoyed this from page one in book 1 to the end. I won’t say too much because let me tell you when I say this needs no warning but just DIVE IN!

Adventure, excitement, romance, suspense, action…just plain brilliant!

Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 2 in Duo
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 4.5 STAR, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, November 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Preacher by Christopher Harlan

November 8, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

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AUTHOR WEBSITE

AMAZON

My preacher absolved no sins, because he was the sinner.
Lyric:
They say that you should give your heart away to the right guy, but mine was taken from me ten years ago, the moment Preacher moved into town and sent a blast wave through my life. He was my walking contradiction—gentle eyes set in a hardened face, an angel and an uncaged beast, mesmerizing good looks and terrifying ferocity, my savior and my destroyer.
When he disappeared senior year he broke me like so much fragile glass. I thought I’d moved on from what happened between us, but now he’s reappeared out of nowhere, upending my life and reminding me that I can never break his hold over me.
Preacher:
I was trouble with a capital T—the guy your mom warned you to stay away from because he’d ruin you. She was right. I had no business being with a girl like Lyric—it was against all the rules—but when the hell have I ever followed other people’s rules?
Never.
She was beautiful, delicate, and oh so breakable. I was forceful, aggressive, and cocky as hell. Ten years ago fate split us apart. But now I’m back, here in New York, to remind Lyric of what she knows deep down but has always tried to deny.
That she’s mine, and she always will be.

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2020

NEW to me author and books. After reading the blurb I was very intrigued to read. This was a rather interesting book, had me going back and forth between love and dislike. The only reason for the dislike honestly is because Preacher was a PRICK at times in a I don’t like him very much way, yes he redeems himself but there were a couple of times I had to put my kindle down and just put it down hehe.

The best part about this is what we get it all, the story, the before after, in between. I enjoyed all the characters, more the heroine so but all of them fit well together. This second chance had me grasping he kindle to find out what is going to happen and at the same time wanting to throw it across the room. Great start for my new AUTHOR and BOOKS and after this I will say that I will read more by the author.

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Friends-To-Lovers, Insta Love, October 2020 Reviews, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ McKenzie’s Turn to Fall by Harlow James

October 31, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

“Hey, Cookie Monster.”
I’m not one for nicknames, but this one comes from the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, and I can’t say that I hate it, particularly because I do have an affliction for cookies.
It all started when I became obsessed with this idea of two people falling in love over food in the grocery store. They’d reach for the same item, a spark of electricity would follow, and they’d live happily ever after. The end.
That’s the idea I had for my next romance novel, but no matter how many times I tried to start the story, it fell flat. I needed to see it in action, so I started trolling my neighborhood grocery store, people-watching while eating cookies straight from the package.
And then he said hello.
Who is he, you ask?
The insanely hot and charming butcher from behind the meat counter.
Apparently, while I was watching people, hoping that they would fall in love, he was watching me.
With encouragement from my bold and borderline inappropriate best friend, I give in to his charm and agree to date the man. And suddenly, my creativity sparks as well.
I write love for a living without having experienced the head-over-heels type myself. Until Dylan shows me that that there are men out there that are real-life book boyfriends.
But love can’t always be easy, and conflict is almost guaranteed to arise.
I watch people fall in love. Write about it too. But this time, is it finally my turn to fall?

RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2020

“There have to be more people that fall in love over food.”
-McKenzie

Not my first read by the author, haven’t read a lot but so far from what I’ve read I have enjoyed. This one was a spur of a moment ARC and I am happy I had the chance. CAUTION: SUPER SWOON-Y

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, I really liked the cover and then read the blurb and fell in love. This is a very sweet, romantic, fun and easy read story. The hero is a butcher at the local grocery store and the heroine is a well known romance author. The heroine visits the same store every Tuesday to scope out a MEET CUTE to get her writing juices flowing and while she was watching couple, someone was watching her. But not in a creepy way haha no when hero actually already named her the ‘cookie monster’ that said, THEIR meet cute was so much better than anything the heroine could have watched.

What I loved about this book was both main characters including all the side, I wouldn’t be able to chose which one better. The heroine is a plus size confident woman and the hero is a YOUNGER man that absolutely loves not only the look of the heroine but after meeting her, he was hooked. There are slight conflicts, lots of SWOONING, sexy senses, the most amazing first kiss and if I had to be very specific the story was predictable including the peak of the story, but I still enjoyed it and was happy to see a different look on reverse age gap which aren’t usually my thing ever, I just haven’t found a book I enjoyed the younger hero but in this one he was very mature and super super sweet with the biggest heart.

Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Chasing The Moon by S.M. Soto

October 29, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

A modern-day retelling of the Greek Myth of Selene and Endymion.

He was the sun, and she was the moon. A love like theirs was never destined to last.
Selene Drake has always been the girl that blends into the background.
The wallflower.
Quiet.
Unnoticed.
Sweet as can be.
It never bothered her, she preferred slinking into the shadows.
When she first laid eyes on Endymion Black, she fell irrevocably in love with him.
The bad boy.
Cold.
Distant.
Handsome as ever.
For years, she pined after the unattainable boy who had somehow burrowed his way into her heart.
Until everything changed.
One unforgettable night bridled with passion and forbidden lust destroyed her naïve heart and reshaped her innocent soul. It sent her fleeing from the only town she’d ever truly known.
Six years later, Selene is back in Dunsmuir and the boy she spent years loving in silence, has now turned into a man. A man with his sights set on her. Somehow, the tables have turned, and this time around, he’s the one doing the chasing, determined to claim her heart as his. Only, he doesn’t realize, she has a secret of her own.
One with the potential to change their lives forever.

Chasing the Moon is a full-length standalone romance with a guaranteed HEA.

RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2020

Not my first read by the author but I have not read a lot of her books, this one took me by surprise in the best way!

This was so beautiful and captive, I couldn’t stop reading. Selene and Endymion are as unique as this story and love. Second-chances are my favorite so I was super excited, you add a little small-town and lots of thrill…and I’m in. The connection between the hero and heroine will have you gripping to every page, the way the author told this story really wow-ed me! I don’t want to give out too much but express how this story and these two made me feel, every chapter I wanted to read faster but also slow down so it does not end. Highly recommend this beautiful emotional and sweet story!

Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Single Mom, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Far From Destined by Carrie Ann Ryan

October 29, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(Promise Me #3)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Macon Brady remembers every moment he lay on the ground, a bullet in his chest, his life bleeding out with each pulse. Yet his nightmares aren’t the only thing keeping him up at night
Dakota Bristol left her ex with nothing but the clothes on her back and her child in her arms. She’s been hurt before and wants nothing to do with the shadows in Macon’s eyes. The problem? Her son loves him, and the more time she spends with the man, the more she’s afraid she’ll come to love him just as much
Danger always comes back to haunt those who run. It was a lesson Dakota learned before. Now, it might be the man she refuses to fall for who makes the greatest sacrifice of all.

RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2020

Not my first read by the author. Not my first read by the author, this is my first in the series and holy molly did I fall in love! I really loved this type of trope and it gripped me from the beginning. These two were meant to be and i loved them together through it all.

Dakota Bristol was beautiful to get to know, something about her really had me hooked from the start. She’s a Single-Mom Coffee Shop owner and a woman that just is liked. Macon Brady our hero is everything. Broken, sweet, funny, handsome and just exactly what Dakota never saw coming. These two had it set to friends only, they tried their hardest but something did form between them, but how to you make that turn into a relationship from two people who have a heavy past and a complicated life as it is. The journey to that is thrilling, fun, sweet, romantic and sexy!

Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

2020 ARCs, 5 STAR, Angsty, Fake Relationship, Friends-To-Lovers, October 2020 Reviews, Slow Burn, Sport Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Pass Interference by Shanna Swanson

October 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

(The Gods of the Gridiron #3)

GOODREADS

AUTHOR WEBSITE

The god of the seas, Poseidon , is known for unleashing the Kraken
Paxton Guthrie, aka Poseidon, is in the prime of his young life. He’s one of the best linebackers in the league and has a carefree attitude that rivals his chosen profession
When a charity date takes place and he’s the raffle prize for the lovely, diehard #52 fan and local historian, Rebecca Ryan, a promising night on the town ensues. But these two unsuspecting souls are in for the surprise of their lives after the media catches them red-handed in a compromising position
All bets are off as they must fake an impromptu engagement, deal with their angry friends and families, and “play house” while the Gladiators’ reputation hangs in the balance… along with the real possibility of a Super Bowl
But Poseidon never imagined he would find his Amphitrite before he was ready! And neither the sweet-spoken Irish lass nor the jealous god himself anticipated falling in love
Their characters aren’t the only things at stake here. Family ties are perhaps sturdier than anything the Greek gods can invoke. PASS INTERFERENCE must be run in this instance—even if it’s from the defense
Will Pax and Becca’s love be strong enough to withstand a raging ocean of mistrust or is the arrogance of the sea god enough to knock him off his pedestal on Mt. Olympus?

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read all the books previously in this series!

This one was INTENSE! That said, I mean that in a goo way and also Shanna really just wowes you with her characters because there isn’t one that is badly written or expressed. Again, I fell in love with the hero and heroine equally along with the side characters. This intense and sweet book really took me by surprise, Just what I needed from this series. When a one date turns into a long fake engagement for the right cause, neither of them thought what would come out of it. We have the hero Paxton aka Poseidon who is living his best life, care-free of relationship and a playboy…and the heroine Rebecca who I really loved her because she was shy but sweet and cute and nerdy and of course so in love with this football player with the # 52. They truly jumped into this without even thinking of the outcome but what comes out of it is TRULY BEAUTIFUL! Fake it till you make it, right?!

Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

Category: 2019 ARCs

R E V I E W ➠ Waiting On The Rain by Claudia Connor

R E V I E W ➠ Illegal Formation by Shanna Swenson

R E V I E W ➠ See Me After Class by Meghan Quinn

R E V I E W ➠ Beyond The Roses by Monica James

R E V I E W ➠ Wicked Truth by Jodi Ellen Malpas

R E V I E W ➠ Preacher by Christopher Harlan

R E V I E W ➠ McKenzie’s Turn to Fall by Harlow James

R E V I E W ➠ Chasing The Moon by S.M. Soto

R E V I E W ➠ Far From Destined by Carrie Ann Ryan

R E V I E W ➠ Pass Interference by Shanna Swanson