Review: "His Forbidden Princess" by Jeannie Moon (Contemporary Romance)

His Forbidden Princess by Jeannie Moon
	Publisher: Tule Publishing Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: April 30th 2015 Series: Royal Holiday "The Cinderella Princess" by Melissa McClone "Her Secret Prince" by Madeline Ash "His Defiant Princess" by Kathleen O'Brien (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Eight years ago, university student Ian Stuart fell in love with his sweet, beautiful classmate and he’s never forgotten her. Sofie loved Ian with all her heart in return, but she didn’t trust him with one little detail about her life she’d neglected to share. She was a princess, and they could never be together in the outside world. Now Crown Princess Sofia is in danger. An insurgent faction in her country has targeted the royal family, and while Sofia is visiting the United States, she is forced to go into hiding. Assigned to protect her is none other than FBI Special Agent Ian Stuart. Once again Ian and Sofie are in an impossible situation, fighting their feelings for one another, while trying to stay safe. Will their love for each other prove to be the most dangerous game of all?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was an enjoyable escape, which felt very much like a modern fairytale. But it there were some editing things that pulled me out of the story (some repeated info, some inconsistencies, typos, etc.). I was reading an ARC, so they may be fixed in the final copy. The amount of dramatic, flowery "I have always loved you" bordered on cheesy... I lost count how many times they each said "I love you" (usually followed by elaborate professions of that love). It reminded me of older romance, which wasn't bad, just different. It worked with the story part of the time, but other times was a bit much. The sex scenes left a bit to be desired, though I think it was mostly a lack of chemistry. Did I like them together? Yes. But I didn't necessarily get as much of a sense that they had undying passion and love for one another. The characters themselves were a bit stereotypical and shallow. There were too many times where I had questions (How did they know X or Y?). I wanted more information, and at least a bit more from the characters. Had a lot of promise, especially for a novella. Nice fluffy romance. I think it would have worked better as a full novel though.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Jeannie Moon
Jeannie Moon is a school librarian who loves that she has a job which allows her to immerse herself in good books and call it work. A native Long Islander, Jeannie still lives there with her family and a couple of well-behaved dogs and an equally misbehaving cat.

Review & Giveaway: "The Proverbial Mr. Universe" by Maria La Serra (Contemporary Romance)

	The Proverbial Mr. Universe by Maria La Serra Publisher: Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult Publication Date: June 27th 2016 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher: Dear girl with the red scarf, Love was never meant to be conquered, you have to surrender to it. Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe. When the universe conveys a message, you listen. Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancé cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong. Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt. Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.com for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own. As soon as I saw the title, I really wanted to read this! Then, I read the blurb and I REALLY wanted to read this. :) This starts out with Olivia being "good" and engaged to the man she "should" marry, living the life she "should" be living. Then, she starts to get messages with inspirational "I believe in you" messages from "Mr. Universe." I adore how she gets the very first letter, and it's one of the many quirky and unexpected things you'll find throughout this story! The real shining star of this, I thought, was Nick. He was sweet, charming, and had gone through a lot in his life without letting it keep him down. There were some things about this that felt a bit confusing, or off, but the overall premise and the story itself is solid and an entertaining read!
Maria La Serra, a fashion designer, turned writer, lives in Montreal with her husbandand two children. She will try everything at least once, except for skiing, hiking or camp- ing-okay anything relating to activities done in the great outdoors. The Proverbial Mr. Universe is her first novel. Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter
GIVEAWAY! a Rafflecopter giveaway

😍REVIEW: & GIVEAWAY: "Resisting the Rebel" by Lisa Brown Roberts (YA Romance)

Resisting the Rebel by Lisa Brown Roberts
	Publisher: Entangled TEEN: Crush Genre: YA Romance Publication Date: July 25, 2016 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Disclaimer: This book contains a villain pretending to be a hero, a hero pretending to be a villain, a disco-dancing heroine, two overprotective sidekicks, a little bit of bad language, and a whole lot of swoony kissing. Spirit committee leader Mandy Pennington is secretly in love with her best friend, Gus, but when he hooks up with her archenemy at a party, she decides to win him over once and for all. She just doesn’t know how. But who better to help than hot loner Caleb Torrs? Caleb’s got his own problems, but when he sees Mandy pining over Gus at a party, he thinks she’s finally smoked the spirit stick and lost her mind. Maybe he has, too, because he just asked Mandy to be his fake girlfriend.She’ll get her loser friend’s attention, and he’ll get his stalker ex off his back.It’s a win-win. But soon one fake date blends into the next and before he knows it, he actually wants to kiss Mandy. For real. Too bad their plan is working, and Gus is finally noticing the one girl Caleb just might be falling for…
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
Such an adorable story! Wonderful chemistry from the beginning (seriously, I was a goner for Caleb the minute he lit up his lighter in the dark), and two characters with just enough depth to keep them interesting without bogging down an otherwise lighthearted story. There was some serious heat between these two throughout! At first, I really didn't get Mandy and her rambling... until her learning difficulties were revealed. I really enjoyed the mantras and everything that exemplified what it was like for someone whose mind processes things a little differently. I always feel that a romance with heart is one with a good amount of bonding, and this story fit the bill. Even when these two are bickering, they are developing mutual admiration and respect doe one another that is a real treat. The supporting characters are well-developed here and help to round everything out. I especially adored J.T. :) The nerdiness was not lost on me and, proud nerd that I am, I adored every bit of it! Definite points for humor too, nerdy and otherwise. There were several LOL moments! Lastly, being of an older generation (HS class of '02 :P), I'm only slightly familiar with "prom-posals," but found the ones here amusing and all-around fun. I also appreciated the '70s aspect and the whimsy and character it added. Overall, this was a really great read and a fantastic addition to the YA Romance genre!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Lisa Brown Robert
Lisa Brown Roberts still hasn't recovered from the teenage trauma of nearly tweezing off both eyebrows and having to pencil them in for an entire school year. This and other angst-filled memories inspire her to write YA books about navigating life's painful and funny dramas, and falling in love along the way.
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

💑 REVIEW; "One Last Fling" by Leela Lou Dahlin (Contemporary Romance)

ONE LAST FLING by Leela Lou Dahlin
	Publisher: Dahlin Publishing Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: March 21st 2016
Categories:
Alter Ego, Friends with Benefits, Secret Lovers
Other Books by LEELA LOU DAHLIN
Description from Publisher:
Event planner Daisy Maxwell has never been lucky at love, but her family’s financial issues convince her to toss her hat in the ring to be the Billionaire’s Bride. If all else fails, she figures she at least has a shot at planning the winner’s wedding. She never expects to meet a man—the wrong man—at the first event, a sexy chef who charms her and makes her believe there’s love at first bite. Chef Ryder Blake has a problem…well, two. First, he’s met the most amazing woman at the best but worst time of his life. Daisy is a morsel of sexy and sweet all rolled into one dynamite package he’d love to sample. But his second issue is a little more complicated… He can’t tell Daisy—or anyone—he’s the secret billionaire seeking a bride before his thirtieth birthday or he’ll lose his inheritance. Daisy is definitely bride material, but he’s not sure he’ll survive the pressure, especially after she proposes one last fling before she plans to say “I do.”
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was a really fun modern fairytale-type fantasy. I really liked the alter ego aspect and felt it was done well, though I would have enjoyed a little more Kaleb time. (Who wouldn't?! ;) I really liked both Daisy and Ryder/Kaleb, and the side characters as well. Ms. Derry, our heroes mom, was especially likeable. This wasn't terribly deep, but it was fully satisfying and a really fun read! Daisy's motivation to help her family was a little weak, but it worked fine for the story. The added stipulations were a bit weird though - The entire thing was because of Kaleb's grandfather's will, which makes the contest rules and how they wind up affecting the ending feel confusing. The conflict and last 10% felt a bit rushed, but still wrapped everything up nicely. Fun story, great sexual chemistry, and a moderately-quick read make me recommend this to anyone who enjoys a bit of indulgence!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Leela Lou Dahlin
Leela Lou Dahlin has loved reading for as long as she can remember and writing for about the same amount of time. Molding letters into words, words into chapters and chapters into making love…one story at a time. Crafting stories that are spicy with a sidecar of sweet is what she likes to do best. An RN Case Manager by day and writer by night she juggles being a mom to 5 children with all the other hats she has the pleasure of wearing. She also writes contemporary MM romance under the name LL Dahlin.