Category Archives: 4 Stars

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Contemporary Romance, Release Blitz, Reviews, Romance. Bookmark the permalink.

Review: Bewitched by Laura Thalassa

Posted on April 18, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

Come to me, Empress …

At age twenty, Selene Bowers desperately hopes to be accepted into Henbane Coven, an academy for young witches. Since one of the requirements for entry is to connect with her powers via a quest through the wilderness, Selene books a trip to South America. When a nefarious supernatural force tries to drag her plane from the sky, Selene’s magic awakens to save her life―at a cost. Using her powers devours her memories, one by one.

Worse, when Selene braves the jungle and discovers the source of the attack, she finds herself awakening an ancient evil, Memnon the Cursed, who mistakes Selene for his long-dead wife. The wife who betrayed him. Selene manages to escape and begin her studies at Henbane, but when Memnon turns up at the coven and witches are found dead across campus, Selene becomes entangled in a dangerous plot. Accused of the murders on the basis of her memory loss, Selene must rely on Memnon’s help for answers―and his plans for her will change everything.

MY REVIEW

Bewitched is a thrilling and intriguing witch fantasy that is sure to grip readers and keep them on their toes…

All Selene ever wanted was to be a part of the Henbane Coven, but her unfortunate memory loss keeps holding her back. The only way she’ll ever be accepted into her dream coven is by meeting their new requirements for her. The tasks seem easy enough, but when nefarious forces come into play, Selene awakens her magic at a cost she never expected….

Bewitched is a unique and enthralling story. The story is well-written and the writing sucks you in from the very first page. From the moment I met Selene, I felt like Alice falling into Wonderland. Each interaction left me curiouser and curiouser. The author built an intriguing world and complex web of mystery that left me with a ton of questions and anticipation for the answers. Now, this wouldn’t be a Laura Thalassa novel with a questionable hero and a romance that would stand the test of time.

Bewitched kicks this series off to a great start. I’m intrigued and I can’t wait for more. I loved the world-building. I loved the characters. I loved the enemies-to-lovers/ betrayed soulmates vibe. This book checked off all of my boxes when it comes to a paranormal/fantasy romance and yes, it does end on a cliffhanger. Hopefully, the wait for the next installment won’t be too long. I for one can not wait to see what happens in this story next!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Reviews, Romance. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Blitz with Review: Only You by Samantha Young

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

A second chance, friends to lovers romantic suspense set in the Scottish Highlands.

Only You by Samantha Young is now live!

Once upon a time, Monroe Sinclair was Brodan Adair’s best friend, but now he’s a stranger and one of Hollywood’s leading men…

It took Monroe Sinclair eighteen years to return home to Ardnoch after a fateful night that devastated her friendship with Brodan Adair. She fled her unrequited love for him, as well as her difficult family life, and tried not to look behind her. Only a daughter’s guilt could lure her back to the Highlands and the assumption that Brodan Adair rarely ever sets foot in their hometown. She can handle seeing the rest of the Adairs so long as she can avoid her ex-best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.

Nothing is more important to Brodan than family, and only his demons have the power to keep him from them. For years, acting was something he was lucky enough to be good at, yet it wasn’t his priority—Ardnoch and his siblings were. But when a ghost from his past returned out of the blue, Brodan tried to outrun its haunting, taking him further and further from home. When exhaustion finally forces him back to the family fold, the last thing he wants is to encounter another ghost. But that’s exactly what Monroe Sinclair has been to him.

When a promise to his nephew obliges Brodan to work with Monroe, it forces them to face their past. The explosive connection that has always existed between them resurrects truths long buried. Yet, just when they might be on the brink of a second chance, the ghost from Brodan’s past finally catches up to him and threatens not just their happiness, but their very lives.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ydm4yV

Apple Books: https://apple.co/37Z8u7N

Nook: https://bit.ly/37dOE8e

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3Fdrw6u

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ybi5D5

MY REVIEW

Only You is the fifth book in the Adair Family series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. That being said, I truly recommend reading all of the books in this series, not just because of spoilers, but so you can get full enjoyment of this series.

Only You follows the story of Brodan and Monroe. Brodan and Monroe we once the best of friends until one fateful night destroyed everything. It will be eighteen long years before these two are reunited and the sparks are still stronger than ever. You see, there is a lot of pain and heartache between Brodan and Monroe, but when the air finally gets cleared, all bets are off. Brodan is in for the most important fight of his life and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants.

Monroe and Brodan’s story is one filled with heartache and the most delicious angst. You could tell just how much these two meant to each other, but let fear lead them into horrible decision-making. You see, Monroe has had quite a tough life and the only thing she really had going for her was Brodan. But, Brodan was too stubborn to see what was in front of him and only succeeded in pushing Monroe away. The push and pull between Brodan and Monroe tugged at my heartstrings, and I just couldn’t wait for the air to be cleared. I knew that once Brodan got over himself and opened his eyes, things would never be the same. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Only You is a beautiful and heartbreaking second-chance romance that will tug at readers’ hearts and leave them wanting more. This story is filled with pain, heartbreak, misunderstandings, delicious angst, and suspense. I loved the unexpected twists this author threw at our beloved characters. There was never a dull moment, I was certainly glued to the pages.

I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end and had the best time getting lost in Brodan and Monroe’s story. And while I’m sad that the Adair Family series has come to end, the author did a stellar job wrapping up this incredible series.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

Meet Samantha

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FWgYdn

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2H47kEP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaYoung/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520019958258238/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsamanthayoung/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorSamYoung

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2D241eO

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/samyoungauthor/

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/authorsamanthayoung

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Contemporary Romance, Release Blitz, Reviews. Bookmark the permalink.

Feature and Review for The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lesterdelivers an unforgettable story of an orphan turned WWII spy turned fashion icon in Paris—perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Fiona Davis.

1943. After spearheading several successful advertising campaigns in New York, PR wizard Alix St. Pierre comes to the attention of the U.S. government and finds herself recruited into a fledgling intelligence organization.

Enlisted as a spy, Alix is sent to Europe where she is tasked with getting close to a Nazi who might be willing to help the Allied forces–but there’s also the chance he might be a double agent.

1946. Following the war, Alix moves to Paris and takes a position as head of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past and bring him to justice.

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a thrilling, sumptuous work of historical fiction told in three timelines: before, during and after WWII. This completely immersive story takes readers from the dangerous, intrigue-filled rooms in Switzerland where elites of both sides mingled and schemed during the war, to the glamorous halls of the House of Dior in the golden age of French fashion and journalism.

Photo Credit: @natashalesterauthor

MY REVIEW

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a well-written and intriguing historical fiction. As someone who struggles with historical reads, I’m always on the fence about reading one, yet looking for one that will sweep me off my feet. I’m happy to report that The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre was a hit for this reader.

I was intrigued from the very first page and easily got swept up in this story filled with intrigue, danger, war, fashion, and of course romance. You could tell the author put a lot of heart and research into this story and I loved that it was told in three different timelines; before the war, during the war, and after the war. You really get a feel for who Alix is, what her struggles were, and how her life was forever changed.

Overall, I found this book to be a really enjoyable read. It’s not my normal read at all and I’m so glad I took a chance on this book. I can’t wait to discover more of Natasha Lester’s books!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via Forever Romance, in exchange for an honest review*

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Historical Romance, Reviews, Romance. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Blitz with Review: You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks by Piper Rayne

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks by Piper Rayne is now live!

Brady Banks.

The Kingsmen’s best wide receiver.

Rich AF.

Hot as hell.

A stallion in the sack.

How do I know that last fact? I may have shared a one-night stand with him six months ago when I was rebounding from a broken heart.

I didn’t forget him, but I was done with him, until I discovered he’s the single dad of the boy I’ve been hired to nanny.

It’s near impossible to ignore my attraction to him now that we’re living under the same roof—but I have no choice.

First, this job pays well, and I need the money to move out of my parents’ spare room.

Second, he’s a public figure and there’s no room for me to get caught up in a scandal with him—I can’t disappoint my parents again.

Third, men like Brady were built to break hearts. I barely managed to piece mine back together after my failed engagement and Brady would do irreparable damage if I gave him the chance.

Let the longest three months of my life begin…

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GQ3dug

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3JFDcA2

Nook: https://bit.ly/3rP7BWs

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gE5tKK

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3I0MAgT

Audible: https://books2read.com/ycktnbb

Narrated by: Cindy Kay & Aaron Shedlock

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Bsywu8

MY REVIEW

You Can’t Kiss The Nanny, Brady Banks is a fantastic addition to the Kingsmen Football Stars series! This book kicks off with an unforgettable night shared between Brady and Violet. Despite their intense chemistry, Violet isn’t looking for more and leaves Brady without her name and no way of contacting her. It will be six months before Brady and Violet are reunited. They should keep things simple, and professional, and forget about the night they shared together. But, forgetting chemistry like theirs is easier said than done.

You Can’t Kiss The Nanny, Brady Banks was such a fun read. You can’t help but fall for Violet the minute you meet her. She’s worked hard to handle the disappointments life has thrown her way and would do anything for those she lets into her circle. Being a nanny for Brady Banks was the last thing she ever expected, but turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to them.

I have to say, I applaud the author for the way that she handled Brady and Hannah’s situation. It was so refreshing to see a couple who truly wanted what was best for their child and worked hard at being co-parents. There was no baby mama drama and that made this reader truly happy.

Brady’s son, Theo, definitely stole my heart and the show of this book. He was such a sweet and adorable little boy. He was wise beyond his years and I just wanted him to have it all! I adored that Brady always made Theo his priority and never wanted to let him down.

In the end, this book was just the read I was looking for. It left a huge smile on my face. I fell hard and fast for Brady and Violet and I just loved every second of their story. You Can’t Kiss The Nanny, Brady Banks is a wonderful single dad, sports romance that will leave you swooning and devouring each and every word. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us with the next book in the Kingsmen Football Stars series!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via Valentine PR and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

Meet Piper Rayne

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperRayne/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpiperrayne

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/PiperRayne

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Contemporary Romance, Release Blitz, Reviews. Bookmark the permalink.

Review: Secertly Yours by Tessa Bailey

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and TikTok favorite Tessa Bailey comes a steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn…

Hallie Welch fell hard for Julian Vos at fourteen, after they almost kissed in the dark vineyards of his family’s winery. Now the prodigal hottie has returned to their small town. When Hallie is hired to revamp the gardens on the Vos estate, she wonders if she’ll finally get that smooch. But the grumpy professor isn’t the teenager she remembers and their polar opposite personalities clash spectacularly. One wine-fueled girls’ night later, Hallie can’t shake the sense that she did something reckless–and then she remembers the drunken secret admirer letter she left for Julian. Oh shit.

On sabbatical from his ivy league job, Julian plans write a novel. But having Hallie gardening right outside his window is the ultimate distraction. She’s eccentric, chronically late, often literally covered in dirt–and so unbelievably beautiful, he can’t focus on anything else. Until he finds an anonymous letter sent by a woman from his past. Even as Julian wonders about this admirer, he’s sucked further into Hallie’s orbit. Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian’s gray-scale life. For a man who irons his socks and runs on tight schedules, her sunny chaotic energy makes zero sense. But there’s something so familiar about her… and her very presence is turning his world upside down.

MY REVIEW

Secretly Yours is the exciting new slow-burning romance from author Tessa Bailey.

Secretly Yours follows the story of Hallie and Julian. Hallie is a bit of a hot mess, trying to find her place in the world, now that her grandma has passed. She gets into a lot of shenanigans, but her heart is in the right place. When the object of her affection, Julian returns to town, he turns her world upside down in more ways than one…

Overall, I thought this book was a really cute read. I loved the premise of it. I loved how over-the-top and messy Hallie was. She has a heart of gold and isn’t afraid to stand up for the things that are most important to her. She is the complete opposite of Julian in every way, but you know what they say, opposites attract 🙂 Julian is a reserved and grumpy professor. He likes to have everything in order and isn’t sure what to make of Hallie. Everything about her should make him want to run in the other direction, but somehow, Hallie pulls him out of his shell and he can’t fight the pull he feels toward her. I adored the slow burn between Julian and Hallie and loved watching the two of them try to figure things out.

As much as I adored this story, I did have a few issues with it. The first one being a personal issue, I still very much struggle with the third-person point of view. It’s not my favorite and is always something that takes me a while to adjust to. My other issue with the story was the pacing. It started off a bit slow in the beginning and the slower pace made it feel like forever before anything happened.

Even though I had a few issues with this story, I still found it to be a delightful read. The characters are full of life and you can’t help but want to get to know them more. This story has entertaining shenanigans and light drama for the most part. But, don’t be fooled, this book has all the spice one would expect from this author. I think this series is off to a great start and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Contemporary Romance, Reviews. Bookmark the permalink.

Review: When a Moth Loved a Bee by Pepper Winters

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

New York Times Bestseller, Pepper Winters, delivers a brand new High Fantasy Romance.

“It’s taking everything I have not to touch you. Not because I want to make you mine but because every part of me screams that you already are.”

A pack of wolves hunt a girl who takes her last breath by a river’s edge.
She is found and nursed back to health by the kind-hearted Nhil people.
She has no memory.
No past.
And is given a choice that could change her forgotten life forever.

A pack of wolves adopt a man who begs for death in the grasslands.
Blood revives him. Flesh strengthens him. All while the alpha watches him as if he knows who he is.
He has no memory.
No past.
And yet…he’s drawn toward the smoke of a faraway clan.

And in that smoke, he finds a girl with the same mark on her thigh, the same empty mind, and the same forgotten language on her lips.

He’s convinced they know each other.
She’s certain they are strangers.
But the more time they spend together, the more tangled the truth becomes.
Their forgetfulness was deliberate.
To keep them apart.
To keep them lost.
To keep them from claiming their true power.
Because in that power exists a terrible choice.
A choice that could destroy the world…
…or each other.

When a Moth Loved a Bee is the first volume in the Epic Fantasy Romance Destini Chronicles.
A heavily romantic, spice-filled fantasy set in a world where life and death, shadows and stars watch over two forbidden lovers whose powers are best left forgotten.

Recommended for readers over R18 due to explicit scenes, content, and darker elements.

Author Note:
This Fantasy is 100% romance. It isn’t a quest where they spend most of the book apart. If you want a rich world, magic, intrigue, oodles and oodles of page time with the two characters together, all brimming with longing, forbiddenness, and butterfly-winging moments, then this is the book for you.

MY REVIEW

“Through every star and every sea, I’ll watch over you.” “Neither time nor distance, nor war or disaster can stop what is true. You’re mine and that can not be undone.”

“No wonder I’m drawn to you.” “You are light itself, and I am just a moth…a moth desperate to bask in you.”

As a fan of Pepper Winters’ dark romances, I couldn’t wait to see what she would bring to the table with a fantasy novel. And let me tell you, she does not disappoint. Pepper Winters weaves a fantastical tale of fantasy, magic, and forbidden love.

I’ll be honest with you, when I first got my hands on this book, I was completely intimidated. When a Moth Loved a Bee is a beast of a book sitting at 968 pages. Despite the intimidating page count, I was hooked the moment I started reading this book. I found myself completely enraptured with the story of Girl and Stranger and had to know more. Their story was so unique and intriguing. The longing and emotion made it feel as though you were experiencing everything right along with Girl and Stranger.

Pepper Winters did an amazing job with her storytelling and world-building, making it very easy to visualize what was happening. However, if I had to make one complaint, it would have to be about the page count. As much as the story flowed and captivated me, I felt like it took forever for things to happen. Please don’t get me wrong, I know that is expected with fantasy books, but with that high of a page count, I guess I was expecting more. More drama. More action. Just more of everything.

Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read, but long read. I liked all of the characters and found them all easy to connect with. The author did a wonderful job weaving a truly unique and spellbinding tale of forbidden love. This story left me with a lot of questions and I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out in the next book.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

Posted in 4 Stars, Adult, Amy, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Reviews, Romance, Urban Fantasy. Bookmark the permalink.

Review: The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Amy-OUABB

How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant, and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams—who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s empathetic (and handsome) CEO half brother, Marco. The makeup mogul knows Craig for the ridiculously competitive rival he is. Whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play. All Anna and Marco have to do is pretend they’re falling in love and let the rumors begin. If the experiment in attraction works, a jealous Craig will swoop in and give Anna her happily ever after—if it weren’t for one hitch in the plan. There’s more to Marco than meets the eye. With every fake date, Anna’s feelings are starting to become dizzyingly real.

MY REVIEW

The Chemistry of Love is a fast-paced, super cute, nerdy romance that will suck readers in from the first page and leave them swooning.

The Chemistry of Love follows the story of Anna and Marco. When we first meet up with Anna, she’s completely smitten with her boss Craig. However, her crush might be a bit misguided. You see, Anna met Craig a few years prior to working for him and since that moment, she carried an unrequited torch for him. Sadly, when it came to Anna, Craig was completely clueless. That’s where Marco comes into play. Marco is the CEO for the company that Anna works for and whatever Marco has, Craig wants. What starts off as an experiment in attraction, quickly turns into more than they bargained for…

Overall, I found this book to be a quick and enjoyable read. I thought Anna was quirky and I loved her nerdiness. Sure, she was clueless at times and like a fish out of water, but I found her to be enjoyable and enjoyed her quirkiness. I thought Marco was a great match for her. Not only was he swoon-worthy, but he too had some serious nerdiness about him. Together these two kept me laughing and entertained and I couldn’t wait to see their story play out.

If you’re looking for a fun, nerdy romance, you won’t want to miss The Chemistry of Love.