Raw and beyond bittersweet, with a side of steaminess, & let's not forget the angst!
933553
Wow! After rating Crash 4 stars due to a somewhat over-dramatized, unbelievable-at-times plot, not to mention the time lapses in the first book (loooong ones) that made it difficult to become as invested in Jude and Lucy as I could have.... But I am SOOOOO happy I bought Clash! I thought it was ten times better than the first one.

If you are a reader who likes angst at it's finest (ahem, Travis Maddox, Kellan Kyle, Jack Howard, Cage York, etc...), you will LOVE this book! There are so many disappointing indie books out there whose pages are either polluted with overly-sexual details that diminish from the point of the story or who tease readers with the build-up of the sexual tension, only to then skim past the best bits. I must say that Nicole Williams gets it PERFECT! There are bathroom mirror-fogging scenes in there that will leave you hot, but far from bothered. Probably a couple of the hottest scenes I've ever read (And I've read 50 Shades!) ... I live for the unconventionally hot scenes where the author takes the road less travelled as opposed to going for the obvious. She had me thinking "I never knew THAT could be so hot!" And the build-up..... oh boy...

To say Luce and Jude's relationship is a rollercoaster is the understatement of the year. Jude is now the star quarterback of Syracuse, while Luce is dancing at Juliard. The main conflict that the first book centered around isn't even close to the focal point of this book, which I was happy about. I liked that Nicole Williams decided to focus mostly on the tumultuous relationship between Luce and Jude as they start college. All the typical college experiences add even more juicy conflict to Jude and Luce's relationship. There are trust issues brought about by a barbie doll skank head chearleader who will do anything to tear Luce and Jude apart so she can get her slutty talons on him, while Jude continues to struggle with his jealousy over Luce's male dance partners. Jude begins to question why Luce isn't able to trust him, and Luce realizes she's becoming all the things she doesn't like about Jude (ie. green-eyed monster) and starts to lose herself in the process.

I can't overstate how SPOT ON Nicole Williams is with capturing how raw and bittersweet Jude and Luce's relationship is, because it's relatable and honest. Clash is a story about being so deeply in love with someone, but realizing loving someone simply isn't always enough. Who can't relate to that? This book tore my heart out, mended it, and then smashed it to pieces again right along with Luce and Jude. Luce tries to do what she thinks is best for her by staying away from him, while Jude shamelessly is on his knees begging for her to just give him some hope, promising he'll do anything to change her mind. Well, if you read the first book, you know Luce is stubborn as a mule, right!? I wanted to rip my hair out, but then I found myself living for the temporary reprieve Nicole Williams graciously delivered just as I began to lose all hope.

"And even though I'd cried in my bed every night since, feeling his phantom arms around me, it had been worth eight hours Saturday night. The pleasure then was worth the pain now."

The secondary characters are lovable, and I found Luce's relationship with her parents to be endearing, having come quite a way from where they were in the first book. The book doesn't delve too deeply into Luce and her parent's relationship, and again, I'm glad for that. Jude and Luce's relationship really is the main focus in Clash and I became so invested in them, but the secondary characters, like Luce's roommate India (loved her!) and Jude's teammates, who frequently played hilarious pranks on each other throughout the book, gave the book a well-balanced dynamic that only added to Jude and Luce's endearing qualities.

Overall, I loved this book and felt compelled to tell the Amazon world so! If you are hesitating still, why!?! Go read this now!
3107648
Chelsea has a HOME-RUN here...this is where we get all the guts and back-story to Dina & Michael's past, and their story, and we also learn about Ryder & Brayden's relationship, before they settled down! I loved the way Chelsea took us back, back to where it all began...she shows us how Dina felt after her parents died, how Maggie's family became her "own", and how she clung to all of them for dear life. She laid it all out on the table here for us...Chelsea dug  deep for this one, so the reader really FELT like we were on this journey with Dina...dark, yes, deep, yes, intense, yes...Chelsea made us feel all these emotions, and yet she did it in the most amazing way! I love the way Dina had to go through what she did, to essentially come out on the other side, and realize what was waiting for her, see what she was worth, and KNOW what, and WHO was there for her. This was a roller-coaster ride, for sure, which set us up for the rest of the Daddy's Girls' series, all of which I read, and loved! Reading this one, however, just gave us a better, and deeper insight into Dina's world, and her mind, and showed us what she went through, and actually how much she had to overcome, to be ready for Ryder! I LOVED it...Chelsea, you laid it out there, you bared your soul, and baby, you did it...<3
1441627
I was very fortunate and would like to thank you so much Jessica for this ARC! What can I say, I loved this installment the best! What a story and beautifully told I might add. The story of Olivia and David hit close to home for me. It was a bitter sweet ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. Olivia's dilemma wasn't a simple black and white ordeal as most things in life aren't. She had experienced an emotion so raw and unbeknownst to her that it left her struggling to stay afloat. Olivia faced the biggest battle of her life. To say she was frustrating and exasperating at times in this book is putting it mildly. However, her constant wavering was certainly understandable considering the situation. It's not something you can be hasty with.

I was surprise how much MORE I fell in love with David. His intensity and passion definitely did not make things easy for Olivia. David was so sure of himself and what he wanted that I felt he could be exactly what Olivia needed. This book was filled with angst, passion, love, frustration, and hot, steamy moments that left you wanting more. So much more! To find out how this amazing story ends, I strongly recommend that you read this book. I loved this series (I am going to miss Olivia and David so much) and would absolutely read more of Jessica's work. Well done!
4860274
This book was so intense, raw, passionate, and honest that I could feel all of the writer's pain, joy...every emotion. I was totally caught up in her story and couldn't put the book down until I saw how it wrapped up (not ended, because this is life, and that never ends)! Kudos to our heroine for her strength and determination!! Looking forward to a sequel!
771685
What would you do if you were torn between a set of smoking hot, identical twins? One - a respected surgeon who's also a friend, and the other - a world famous motorcycle racer? This is Kayla's current predicament. Sounds like any woman's fantasy, right? Kayla thought so, too, until it became all too real.

I'm sure by now you've already read the blurb, so I won't bore you with a regurgitated version of the synopsis. What I will say is that there is MUCH more to this story than meets the eye. It's not your typical menag story or love triangle. It's raw. Gritty. Heartbreaking. And so damn real that my heart was in my throat while I devoured each page. This is a story of love and sacrifice. Beauty and pain. I couldn't get enough.
3194365
Where do I begin with this book? 

Charlotte and Noah each lived for the rush of adrenaline and living in the moment that comes from their passions- music and extreme sports.

Each is struck a blow that keeps them from being able to pursue the passions in their "former lives" and lives as a shell of themselves. Noah reacts with anger and hatred, lashing out at those who care the most about him and pushing them away. Charlotte buries her pain and mourns her loss internally.

A rough financial situation causes Charlotte to take a job as Noah's assistant. Her refusal to give up on him may be just what he needed. But can he put aside his rage and move on, accepting his loss and the care and love that is being offered, or will he drown in his own despair? Will Charlotte reclaim her love of music, or will she continue to deny her great talent.

I loved this book and its alternating POV (which is rarely written so well- and this author really nailed it). To see what each is thinking, finally starting to come outside of themselves/their situations to heal each other with love, caring, and patience and therefore healing themselves.

This book made me feel so many emotions- hope, pain, love, anticipation, and a million more. There are some hot scenes too. I loved it and will probably re-read this week. I read this book and its follow-up novella on one sitting to give you an idea.

I loved following Noah and Charlotte on their heart-wrenching intertwined journey. Beautiful story written with real gritty emotion- this is a must-read for fans of the romance (and or beauty/beast type) genre.

Bravo Emma Scott! You have won my heart and room on my to-read list. I'm one of your fan girls now.
2393619
An emotional roller coaster indeed!  Ooooommmmggggg!!!My stomach is still flip flopping!  Im so happy I didn't have to wait long to read this second part, after reading the first book I was ready to vomit with all the emotions I was left with!
Through this whole second part I was going back
And forth with my feelings on which way Charlie would go!  I went through so many love, hate moments.  These three characters have gone through so much, my heart ached so much for them.  I really do love reading raw angsty reads.  Kandi brought each and every moment with a wave of emotion that brought me down.  Then like a life guard a swoony moment picked me up from the deep murky depths.  I was able to breath, but the ache still stinging strong!  I need a therapy group for this one!!! This is one review that is so hard to write, not wanting to write what this series is about for the surprise of the reader, my emotions were very deep, leaving this one story I will never forget!! I high recommend this for readers who love feeling deep raw emotion through the characters and angst at the max!
4892062
Driven was the first book I've read since EL James (Fifty Shades) & Jodi Malpas (This Man) that I actually thought the female lead character deserved her Alpha male.  She's smart, strong, sincere & not "perfect" in terms of being plastic.  She holds her own, & those previously mentioned attributes make for a realistic & heart wrenching love story.  The Alpha in this book is every girl's walking, breathing fantasy.  He's also somewhat damaged, & who doesn't love that kind of challenge?!  Throw in a hilarious roommate, an orgasmic wing man, and some endearing loved ones, and you have your newest reading obsession with an optional FB support group.  Read this one with tissue & a beverage handy.  The playlist is also essential. Happy reading!
4441983
Some of you are not gonna be a fan of the circumstances going on in this story. This book is not what the book world would deem safe. You've been warned! Now, I hope everyone gives this story a shot because it's realistic fiction. THIS happens. A lot. And until you've walked a mile in the shoes of the people it has happened to, you have no business judging...just my opinion.

B.J. Harvey does an excellent job with Kenzie & Millen. They're ridiculously well suited. You can feel the connection thru the words in the story. That's really important in these situations. My heart was invested in these two (almost) from the start. Yeah, I said almost LOL because I too almost passed a little judgement but then I kept reading and all was good :)

This journey was both a little on the angsty side and on the flip side, a lot of fun. Kenzie & Millen made it fun. Both very strong characters with a ton of wit in their banter that made me smile thru most of the book! Their chemistry was ridiculous *fans self* They just made for a really powerful force together. I really liked them a lot! I could have read a ton more pages of just the two of them going thru life! Excellent read all around!

Copy provided for blog tour review
545134
So, this is the sequel to Always the One and I personally believe it was even better! You can read this as a standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it because you won't get as much feel for the characters and you will be clueless about their past! Oh, and the other characters! Trust me you wanna know about Kingston and Lana just as much as Shayla and Trey!
  Now here's the part that you really want to know... Why did you love this book? Well, I loved it because it was real! Raw and as real, as real can be! I mean it is fiction, so it does have the touch of fiction to it, but the feelings that CC made happen in this book were crazy. I am not a crier of any sorts and I wouldn't say that this book is an ugly cry or even a book that will definitely make you cry. BUT, I cried! I felt for the characters so much that the mom or real human or whatever in me, wanted to wrap them up in a huge hug until the world was a better place! That's not super easy to do in a book. So, if not for anything else, that is why I would totally advise checking this serious out!
  This is CC Monroe's second book and her writing is developing wonderfully. Her stories are intriguing and connectable. They are well written and make you want more. They make you laugh and they make you swoon. I am ecstatic to read the next project she is working on!
249050
Definitely an adult book! Karma Points will do anything to lose her virginity. She feels it's holding her back from everything she wants in life. Every time she gets close & has found "the one", something happens to stop it. As a last ditch effort, she uses a fake ID to get into a club for the sole purpose of hooking up for a one night stand. Imagine her surprise when she gets back to his place & he says NO! This story takes you on a path of heartbreak dealing with Karma's parental dysfunction, laughter at the situations Karma puts herself in and love at the feelings & honest emotion that comes through.

I read this book in 1 sitting! It was fast paced & kept my attention. I found myself rooting for Karma & Jax at different times. It was hard not to skip to the end to see if Karma found what she wanted or what she needed.  I loved the banter between the Dads. I can't wait to see what comes next!
508503
My heart hurts right now as I've just finished another one of H.Q. Frost's mind-bending, gut-punches that leave you in tears. Mind you, this is why I love her stories so much, she peppers hopeful romance with grit, and the dark side of humanity.
In this one, you meet Nayla and Dom, both attempting to make it in an urban nightmare, struggling for survival. Each battling their own demons, they find love in an incredibly unexpected place. Attempting to overcome insurmountable odds, I found myself rooting for these two to make it through the depravity and darkness thrown at them around every turn. I can always count on Frost to throw some curve balls to leave me winded, in tears, and devastated for these characters you become so invested in. Angsty, heartbreaking, not an HEA in sight, but leaves you with a tiny glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe it may come in the next in the series. Truly vivid, elaborate, layered perfectly, and induces a book hangover of epic proportions!
2257135
Wow! This book was AMAZING! It is by far my favorite book written by Ella Fox. I loved the female lead, Darby. Even from when she's a little tike, you see that she's strong and full of spunk! When she's four she meets her new neighbors, Trace & Tristan. From very early on, you know that something is just not right with that family. Trace & Tristan are being raised by their Grandmother and they suffer great verbal & physical abuse while in her home. But they find an oasis with Darby's family, who treat them  well.  Darby & her brother Austin are inseparable from Trace & Tristan & we see their relationships deeply develop. The book moves around a bit from the beginning. You see "3 years later", "4 years later", etc. But it is just the right amount of time to move the story forward & to see the characters fully develop. This book reminds us that sometimes you really have to hit the very bottom and see what you have to lose, before you realize what you already had. Ella Fox takes us through a roller coaster of emotions and creates gut wrenching, emotional read. Bravo!!!
4842962
WOW!! Loved this story. The story was so heartwarming & heartbreaking at times.  It was about finding & discovering yourself, facing your fears, experience new adventures & someday begins today.
*SPOILERS*  Baylee Morgan packed her bags & left the only life she ever knew & moved across the country on her own, to start over after ten years of marriage.  Her first day in LA walking her dog Sport, she runs into Sebby, who she finds out later is her next door neighbor in her building.  Baylee finally digs into her moms journal & discovers the bucket list that her mom was never able to finish.  With some coaxing from Sebby, Baylee decides to finish her moms bucket list & hopefully gets to know her mom more through her journal entries, since she past after giving birth to Baylee.

The quirky friendships that Baylee forms from meeting Sophia in the hallway that lead her to weekly game nights & the others in her building.  But it was the special bond between her & Sebby with their daily morning walks with their dogs but he has a girlfriend on the other coast.  Can guys & girls really just be friends?  Baylee tries to go on a couple of dates which turn out to be hysterical incidents.  -read by RazzReader with Pop Fizz Clink Read
3467140
Woods Kerrington gives me big time feels...when its right down to his very heart!

In the beginning I felt like Woods was being a bitch, not pussy whipped I mean acting like a needy possessive insecure little bitch and it annoyed me. I felt suffocated as a reader! He was so wound up in Della he wasn't thinking straight. It wasn't the picture of a man thats for sure.

If Della hadn't of left him for a while I'd probably dislike him in this book but I'm happy Braden put him in his place. From then on I started to love Woods again, he took a back seat & let her find her way back naturally. Which was beautiful. She was coached but it was done in such a way I couldn't help but giggle at  her friends. To battle through her demons the way she did it was a nice reward to see her " fixed ".

Nile seemed a bit too alpha male & I really wished Woods had of said more to him. He needed to earn his way back not insert himself wherever or whenever he pleased.

Abbi sure does know how to write a steamy sex/lovescene, Rush & Blaire have serious competition when it comes to Woods & Della. Both couples have some serious passion.

* Scenes that stood out

* Rush & Nate & Blair - so cute the small scenes we got to see.
* Rush & Jace stopping Woods from smashing his house to bits. Finally! There was some bromance - we need to see more of that happen. Less drinking more bromance!
* Rush, Woods, Grant on the beach after " that " event. I don't know what was sadder - the fact Woods wouldn't leave or Rush standing to the side by himself with no one.
* Tripp! I was really hoping he'd return for good - didn't see the history coming though but damn he needs his own story.

I felt like this wasn't just Woods & Della's story but everyones. It WAS about Woods & Della but the fact the girls are so close now & the guys too, it just made it all the more special.

Oh & Abbi made me cry 4 times! Well done.
4139078
Finding A Way - T.E.Black  (5 Stars)

* Gifted A Copy By Author For An Honest Review .

  Callie is still struggling with the demons that haunt her nightly surrounding the death of her boyfriend. Her Parents & Friends, Countless shrinks & The pills they prescribed haven't helped her deal with the Agonizing Depression  and the fact that it was all Her Fault.
Could a new start & a New Man help her Break free & Forget about the past ?
 Max is a womanizing Player who only keeps them around for playtime & calls them a cab before morning, but that all changes once he meets Callie and she gets under his skin.
Will Max & Callie have enough Chemistry to fight  both  of their dark pasts ?

T.E. is a new author to me & her beautifully written debut Novel is a Masterpiece .I will now read anything she writes......I'm Hooked !!

  Callie & Max's story was Raw , Emotional and Sexy as Hell . I knew from page one I was going to enjoy every word within this books pages until the last ink dot. I just couldn't put it down , although I had to a few times , but it irked me until I was able to begin the story again.
 The Characters Are written so warm on paper that they feel like your best friends and immediately draw you to them.
  Callie is that  Quiet girl , vulnerable , yet so approachable & easy going once you get to know her, but she also breath's fire ...You instantly want to be her best friend.
 Max on the other hand is a Smolderingly Hot, bad boy who takes a while to see  underneath all that tough exterior & selfish ways is a broken man that needs to be fixed .... and every woman loves to fix a bad boy.
Although their are a few bumps & Broken paths within their  relationship I loved being taken on the wild , rollercoaster ride with them.
632028
One thing I know SH is good at is she can write a book that will make you swoon, smile, sad, gasp, and happy all in the span of a few pages....hell, sometimes a few words. Living Out Loud had such a beautiful meaning, in title and in emotion. This book was chock full of emotion and not just a few worthy quotes here and there. It was on a different level. I highlighted so much because the love was so apparent, but the way it was written, it was very......floral, fluid, flowy.....what word can I use?? I tried to explain it earlier like I felt like I was riding a merry-go-round. That's a horrible analogy, right?? It is. I promise you that, but I know how I felt, and it was sigh-inducing. I just felt light and right and comforted. It wasn't gritty. It wasn't angsty. It was just a different kind of read for me. This one felt.....grand.  And, without fail, this cover was EVERYTHING!!!

The quotes, the love, the depth, the meaning....this book had it all and I loved this one!!!!