Reading Between the Wines Book Club

A book blog that provides readers with quality reviews from their favorite authors throughout the romance genre as well as fun interviews, guest posts and fabulous giveaways for our readers. 

Beautiful ending to the Ruin series, so glad that Lisa got her much-deserved HEA. I loved Tristan as well, but what happened to Erica? She was kind of thrown in and then forgotten about.

Jessica Sorensen is the pirate ninja of cliffhangers - I need the final book NOOOOOW! Pretty please. I loved the story and can't wait for more. However, one thing that bothered me was the atrocious editing for such a well known author.

Sam Water's has tried to protect his best friend and girlfriend, Ever, from her father for as long as he can remember. When the abuse reaches a breaking point though, Sam can't help protecting her one last time. Even if that means leaving everything he has ever known behind...
On the run, Sam finds a position on a farm in the town of Nelson Island where no one knows him with every intention to return for Ever after the dust settles. Never did he expect a monumental promotion and possible future in the small town, nor the sizzling chemistry he instantly feels between him and the boss's daughter. But Aston Hopewell is leagues above Sam, so it shouldn't be hard to keep his mind focused on his purpose and the girl he left behind.
Aston is not a girl easily forgotten though and with her strong personality, neither is she one to be pushed to the side. Sam seems to be the only person who see's behind her tough-chick exterior and though he has secrets, Aston knows he is worth fighting for. But when Sam's past finally catches up to him will it rob him and Aston of a forever?

The blurb for Wanting Forever, does not accurately represents the story, I was expecting something entirely different in this book. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the story, but it was difficult for me to get in to and here is why;

I was intrigued by Ever, Sam's girlfriend, and her story from the beginning. But the only time we see her is through several short letters and then a pivotal and heart-breaking scene in the book that I don't think clearly represented the situation. I was a little let down that her role wasn't bigger in the story.

Second, I liked Sam. I liked him a lot. He was a warm, charming character that was easy to love. But because I started out intrigued by Ever and her back story, I did not like that he was developing feelings for Aston which dragged out for quite a bit. And I didn't like him and Aston together. It wasn't until about 70% in to Wanting Forever that I felt that the characters finally reached some depth and I started connecting with the story. Aston was a strong, smart leading lady who at times was a little rough around the edges. And though I never totally got on board with Sam and Aston as a couple, by the end I enjoyed them.

There is no physical cheating in this book, but if you believe in emotional affairs I would say that this book is rife with it. The writing was good and the story line was okay. But I think that if the story started out differently, without the focus being on Sam and Ever, or if more insight and resolution with Ever was provided, this could have been a great book. It just missed the mark by a smidgen.

MMA fighter, ex-military, club bouncer, gorgeous alpha male with a sweet, protective side? How could I resist Once Perfect?

Evelyn Preston use to have it all, but then her father was caught embezzling and not only did she loose him to suicide, but she also lost the life she knew and the friends she had. Now, struggling to scrape by, Evelyn juggles nursing school while waitressing at Club Excess. While working one night Evelyn comes face-to-face with one of her biggest fears and bouncer Mateo comes to her rescue. In the beginning, his size and ability to perform violence so easily scares her. But when another bouncer reveals part of Mateo's past, Evelyn finds a kindred spirit. When devastating secrets she doesn't even realize she was keeping though surface, will Mateo and Evelyn's bond remain strong or will ghosts from the past tear it apart?

I really liked the premises of Once Perfect. Mateo was a easy to love hero with depth. He protected Evie and seemed to have a sixth sense of what she needed. The sexual tension between the two as their relationship grew from friendship to something more was wonderfully written and really had me squirming in my seat. The climax to that build-up though left me wanting with it's lack of steam. Evelyn on the other hand, while a nice heroine to read about never really wowed me. Her past is dark and devastating but I think predicable. And while the ending was pleasent and happy, I felt it was tied up too quickly and neatly.

All in all, If you're looking for a sexy, sweet, and swoon-worthy hero to read about then I recommend Once Perfect. It was an easy, quick read that I enjoyed.

3.5 Stars
A sweet story and I loved Rowdy and Salem, but this one was missing the emotional impact I have come to expect from the Marked Men series. Full review to come...

So glad Connor got his HEA!
Dislike when the last 30% of a book though is previews for other books. :-/

Molly McAdams always delivers emotion-packed stories and From Ashes is no exception! Another great story from this talented author!

Loved seeing the whole gang together in Stay With Me! Review to come...

Loved this ending for Rachel and Kash!

I'm feeling a bit love/hate for Ms. Molly McAdams right now. :-/ This was a solid 5 stars until the end and then BAM! - cliffhanger!

A cute story, review to come...

A dark contemporary romance with some suspenseful elements. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and found the romance to be lacking. Danny and Tyler may have had a past but they were dispassionate. I did think the pictures in the story was an interesting touch though. A quick, one-sitting, read.

4.5 Stars
Amazingly enough, I think I loved this book more then the first!
Review to come...

Very sweet. :-)

Review to come...