Book review: LOVE HARD, by Louise Bay

Colorado Club Billionaires #3

Jack & Iris

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is basically a love letter to fated meetings—the ones we don’t expect, the ones we don’t think we deserve, and the ones that show up in the opening of the New York City ballet, wearing a tux, and taking your for a stroll through Central Park.

Iris is the kind of heroine who quietly breaks your heart and then stitches it back together with sheer determination. She’s spent years shelving her own dreams to keep her family afloat, sneaking off once a year to New York to breathe the air of the life she almost had. And then one night at the ballet, fate plops a ridiculously charming man right next to her.

Enter Jack Alden: handsome, wealthy, raised in a world of legacy and expectations he never asked for. He’s supposed to be the perfect society son, but instead he falls headfirst for a woman from a Colorado fruit farm who tips restroom attendants and has more heart than his entire social circle combined.

Their chemistry is instant, sweet, and a little bit magical—the kind that makes you believe in destiny even if you’re usually more of a “let’s be realistic” person. What follows is a story about two people trying to carve out a life that feels like theirs, not the one they were handed. There’s longing, heartbreak, found family, a very satisfying reunion, and a hero who is absolutely gone for the heroine in the best way.

“We were both lost before we found each other. Together we’re the best versions of ourselves. We’re stronger. Happier. Better in every way.”

It’s tender, hopeful, and full of that warm “we make each other better” energy that makes romance so addictive. And yes, the love scenes feel like connection, not choreography.

A charming, heartfelt read about choosing love, choosing yourself, and rewriting the script you thought you had to follow.

Purchase links

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱

https://geni.us/LoveHard

Amazon US: https://geni.us/LoveHardAmzUS

Amazon UK: https://geni.us/loveharduk

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F8RCGCQ4

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F8RCGCQ4

Audible US: https://geni.us/lovehardaudio

Audible UK: https://geni.us/lovehardaudiouk

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://geni.us/LoveHardGR

About the author

International, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes contemporary romance novels that make you laugh - the kind she likes to read.

Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.

Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

 

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To learn more about Louise Bay& her books, visit here!

 

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Book review: ALL MY KISSES FOR YOU, by Monica Murphy

Lancaster Prep Next Generation #1

Willow Lancaster & Rhett Bennett

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Definitely, Monica Murphy is the queen of YA angst!  This book gives such a perfect portrayal of two high school seniors as they navigate being in love, in the midst of typical high school mean girls, bad boys, football jocks, and in this case, being part of a legend.

Rhett Bennett is the new school football hero, he turned Lancaster Prep from an elitist school of uber wealthy and bored socialites into a football crazy student body.  The alumni are pouring money into the school now, wanting to be part of the glory and new football tradition.  And the best part? Rhett is Eli Bennett and Ava Callahan’s son!  Talk about bringing football royalty into Lancaster Prep! I was excited to see Rhett, see how similar he is to his father, loved seeing Eli and Ava with Rhett, the family love, the mentions of Drew and Fable and Jake.  Good memories!

Willow Lancaster is starting senior year after having a year of student exchange in Italy.  She came back as this insecure and awkward young woman.  She’s thrown by all the changes in the school and the new football craze. She’s very hesitant with boys, has self-image doubts, freezes when Rhett talks to her.  I could tell we had some journey coming up with Willow.

I loved Rhett’s self-assurance.  Being Eli’s son, I never expected less! He’s caring but also cocky, and he fixed his sights into Willow, nicknamed her Will, and the rest is just meant to be.

Willow’s best friend is her cousin Iris.  Willow’s father is Crew Lancaster (A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime) and Iris’ father is Whit Lancaster (Things I Wanted to Say). Iris has all the assurance that Willow doesn’t have, she’s also caustic and sometimes crass.  I thought she was rough with Willow sometimes, but it was good because Willow needed some shaking up.  

We get to enjoy Will’s evolution, getting more self-assured, taking on a little of the mean rich girl vibe, and getting involved with Rhett.  The sexy times started out cheesy and breathy, then went molten hot.  I loved Will and Rhett when she finally let go and got into being a couple. She’s lovely and kind-hearted, very adventurous in bed, perfect for Rhett!

There’s an itty bit of suspense, someone’s interference that gives the story some spice.  It’s entertaining, I loved Rhett, want more of him, and loved Brooks, another of the uber rich, bored but nice, and now turned into football. I can’t wait to get more of this Lancaster second generation stories!

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/ghiEu0V

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3HYWQYS

About the author 

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/monicamurphyreadergroup/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/msmonicamurphy/

Verve Romance: https://ververomance.com/app/monicamurphy

Book review: A SENSE OF BELONGING, by Laura Branchflower

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve had this book for ages and didn’t have a chance to read it until now, and wow, I loved it.  This author did such a good job of presenting these characters in such perfect form, just as you expect them to be.  I’ve been thinking about it, even days after I read it, it was that good!

Basically, this was a meeting between innocence and jaded.  A high-powered attorney with Washington DC political connections meet this young university student and they share a deep connection.  For him, it would be just sex, but she wears her heart on her sleeve and for her it’s much deeper, more meaningful. What should have been just a fling eventually turns into something more serious, more deep.  

Casey doesn’t change during this story, she’s the same wonderful, kind, big-hearted young woman with big lofty goals of helping those less fortunate than her.  Tony Prossi, son of a Senator and bound by a legacy of service in the Capitol, is very attracted to Casey and in denial that it could be serious.  He tries to live a double life, sexy nights with Casey apart from his professional life where Casey is not included.  

There are factors keeping them apart, mainly the age gap, she’s twenty-one to his thirty-five, his parents ambitions for him to run for Senator, and her father’s complete prohibition that she ever date Tony.

I loved Casey’s steadfast love and openheartedness, and I loved how Tony denied, refused, tried to compartmentalize his life but in the end, succumbed.  I loved reading their daily minutia about their daily lives and their sweet moments together, loved reading how Tony went slowly and kicking from lust to love.  It was inspiring and very satisfying to read this wonderful love story.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/44qJmOx

About the author 

Laura Branchflower has a BS in Journalism and a MBA from University of Maryland. An avid hiker and lover of anything outdoors, she lives with her dog Chandler in the suburbs of Washington, DC.

Contact Laura at laurabranchflower@gmail.com

www.laurabranchflower.com