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August 2018 Review Recap with Giveaway

August was an AMAZING reading month! I don’t think I have EVER had four 5 star reads in a month before, I usually don’t even have a dozen in a year. PLUS, I had three 4.5 stars and a bunch of 4 stars! Even the 3.5 stars were still pretty damn great, and surprisingly, I actually thought I was a little harsh this month. That is seriously a record of amazing reading! I didn’t even have any DNFs. It was just one great read after another. We also had a few exclusive excerpts, which are in the Related Posts section in the bottom.

Here are my reviews, starting at the beginning of August.


Dr. Fellatio by Stella STARS_4FLAMES_4

Women hire me, pay me an exorbitant amount of money, to teach them the art of
oral stimulation. I’m what people have referred to as a “professional blower.” 

Dr. Fellatio was a fun read from Stella. The side characters made me laugh out loud several times. However, the side characters also overtook the book, to an extent. They were the most memorable characters and I would love to see more of Carl, Jasmine and Candi in another book. The second-chance romance was a good story, but it bothered me that he got the blame for their separation so it held me back from completely loving Lexi. Dr. Fellatio is a great attention-grabbing title, but the title and blurb don’t really fit the story, there is actually much more to it than the title suggests. I actually enjoyed the book very much and look forward to more from the writing duo, but I wish I got some more of those BJ tips!

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Unbreak My Heart by Lauren Blakely Audiobook Review

“Life is short. Make it count. Don’t have any regrets
there is no magic cure
The magic is in how he lived, how he died, and in the way he loved.”

Read this book! Seriously, don’t be afraid because you see the words “heartbreaking” and “healing” thrown about. Lauren Blakely delivers an emotional, powerful story of family love, healing, living life to the fullest, second chances, and going after your bliss. Though Unbreak My Heart is a more serious, emotional read that most of Lauren Blakely’s other books, she delivered a wonderful blend of hope and friendship that ran throughout the story, so the emotions never threatened to pull me under. We still have Lauren’s trademark crisp and witty dialogue and inner thoughts, smart and realistic characters, rich location descriptions and a swoony couple with tons of chemistry, but Unbreak My Heart delivered even more. Listening to this story made it even better. While I normally like to listen to lighter books than I read, Joe Arden’s portrayal of the broken-yet-seeking Andrew was one of the best audiobook narrations I have had the pleasure of listening to. Either way you get it, via print or audio, don’t miss out on this fantastic read from Lauren Blakely.

PS: While this may be one of my favorite Lauren Blakely books, that doesn’t mean I want her to stop the romcoms though, I can only take so much emotion!

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Moore Than a Feeling by Julie A. RichmanSTARS_4FLAMES_4

“Forever and a day…I will wait for you forever and a day.”

If you loved the Moores the first time around, you will totally love this nostalgic story that brings back all your favorite characters in an all-new second chance romance. I think there was a little too much attention paid to the characters from the original series to make this a full-on standalone even though the romance can stand alone, but it was a lot of fun visiting with this crazy family in Fire Island for the ultimate nostalgic beach read.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon

AA DIvider Line1 copy


44 Chapters About 4 Men by BB Easton – Audiobook ReviewSTARS_4.5

“It’s a beautiful life Ken has given me, one filled with security and laughter and intelligent conversation and honeymoons in Paris and well-behaved children with long attention spans and cute noses and his-and-hers sinks and 401(k)s and well-manicured lawns. I just wish the orgasms matched the drapes, if you know what I mean.”

44 Chapters About 4 Men by BB Easton completely lived up to the hype for me. It was refreshingly unique, funny as hell, sexy, relatable, full of pop-culture references and raunchy fun. I think the audio is a little harder to follow than the actual book would be because of the book-within-a-book format, but the narrator really nailed the BB part. I totally have a girl-crush on BB Easton after reading this, and look forward to more from her.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Someone Else’s Ocean by Kate StewartSTARS_4

“You grew up beautiful, Koti Vaughn.”
Our eyes met before I gave him a lopsided grin.
“And you grew up so handsome, Ian Kemp.”
His smile was a sledgehammer to my chest.

While I really enjoyed this memorable and unique summer read from Kate Stewart, it didn’t quite live up to Drive and The Real for me, and I can’t put my finger on why. Filled with tons of emotions, laughter, and hot sex, Someone Else’s Ocean is everything I love in a book. We had some amazing quotes, childhood friends, and a gorgeous St. Thomas setting. I recommend this as a great island beach read with all the elements we love in it. Plus, this cover is freaking GORGEOUS.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon 

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Good Luck With That by Kristan HigginsSTARS_4.5

“I should’ve trusted him when he said he loved me. I should’ve heard that instead of the ugly echoes from my past.”

Good Luck With That was an emotional read that was also one of the most relatable books I have ever read. The women’s growth from self-hatred to self-acceptance wasn’t easy to read at times, but at times it was also funny, heartwarming and empowering. I think Kristan Higgins had a lot of guts to write this story. It felt so good to read a story about fat girls that wasn’t sugar-coated, and Kristan’s sharp insight into each woman’s psyche was what made it so fantastic. She pointed out how much the judgments from other people affect us, but more so how our own judgment of ourselves and others can cause so much pain. Good Luck With That changed my thinking in general and made me realize how horrible I am to myself, and hopefully helped me on my journey to self-acceptance. I hope it lasts!

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


The Good Luck Charm by Helena HuntingFLAMES_4

“My heart remembers that he broke it, but the rest of me seems to have forgotten.”

I love Helena Hunting. I was SO EXCITED to read The Good Luck Charm. I enjoyed it, but it never felt unputdownable. It took almost a week to read, and as I review this a few days after reading, I have to go back through the book to refresh my memory about the storyline. When I described it to a friend, I said it’s “Just a sweet, light, 2nd chance Hockey Romance.” I liked it, I really did, but I was never wowed.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Shimmy Bang Sparkle by Nicola Rendell

“He wasn’t just some hunky guy who got me all hot and bothered. He was a guy who, for better or worse, could relate to my crazy, unconventional, decidedly not-the-girl-next-door secret life. He was a guy who I could actually be myself around.”

Shimmy Bang Sparkle by Nicola Rendell is a new 2018 favorite! It is everything I love in a book and more. A completely unique story with great characters, some adventure, romance, hot sex, banter, great pacing and little angst. Shimmy Bang Sparkle is everything a summer beach read should be, and I read the whole thing with a big smile on my face. As soon as I finished I wanted to listen again!

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Good Girl by Jana AstonSTARS_4.5FLAMES_4

“How come you get to do the oral and I have to wait until Wednesday to do the oral?”
“Because I’m in charge and I say so.” 

Good Girl by Jana Aston incorporates a bunch of tropes: Virgin, Auction, Workplace, and Age difference; it also uses things that are in so many other books like it, such as the wild blond BFF. But Ms. Aston took those tropes and made them unique, refreshing, fun and ridiculous. This book may not be for everyone, I can see her getting on some people’s nerves, but I totally loved the silliness. Good Girl is the perfect read to save for when you are having a bad day or to read after a sad or emotional book. It’s a quick, silly, funny, low-angst, giggly pick-me-up that I will absolutely listen to again when I need a giggle.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina LaurenFLAMES_4

“I tend to be too chatty, too silly, too exuberant, too random, too eager.” She spreads her hands. “Too Hazel-y.” She is all of these things, but it’s actually why I like her. She’s entirely her own person.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by the writing duo of Christina Lauren is a 2018 Top Pick for sure. It was a fresh, funny, adorable modern friends-to-lovers/opposites attract romance that will absolutely stick with me. Hazel is one of my favorite characters ever and I loved how Josh never tried to dim her light. This is one book I can’t wait to re-read in audible format when it comes out because I totally want to hang out with Hazel more!

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


The Fix Up by Kendall RyanFLAMES_4

“She’s a true believer in happily-ever-afters, a slave to the idea of lasting love and forevers. I’m a jaded divorce attorney who can tell you every statistic on marriage and divorce over the past thirty years.”

The Fix-up by Kendall Ryan was a cute, light and fluffy book. Not too much substance or even excitement happened. I found myself a little bored and tuned out at times while listening, but overall it was an enjoyable, quick, angst-free steamy read. I think if you are a fan of Kendall Ryan’s Hitched Series you will appreciate this more because both characters were from that series.

Raegan’s Review: The Fix-Up is a cute bachelor falls for his matchmaker love story. It is a fun & light-hearted summer read with a sexy British alpha that will make you laugh and your heart swoon. (3.5 Stars)

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

AA DIvider Line1 copy


Kiss The Girl by Tara SivecFLAMES_4

“You’re the rarest antique I’ve ever seen, and I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know how perfectly imperfect and extraordinary you are.”

Kiss The Girl is my favorite of the three books in the series, and that’s saying a lot because they are all 5 stars. Out of 125 books a year, only about 10 or less get 5 stars, but in this series all three did. The combination of Tara’s snarky, immature humor and hot and sexy fairytale romance with heart, mixed with tons of details from the Disney princess movies made this series one of the most creative I have read. Kiss the Girl kind of hit closer to home for me because I struggle with my self-esteem and I totally got Ariel. I loved seeing her start to heal with Eric. One of the things I enjoy so much about Tara’s romcoms are the friendships between the characters, and this series had it in spades. I want to be best friends with them! The Naughty Princess series is empowering, fun, sexy, romantic, and ridiculously clever. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible

Check out the whole Naughty Princess Series

 

AA DIvider Line1 copy

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Comments

  3. Melissa Jones says

    I’ve only read Someone Else’s Ocean by Kate Stewart which I really enjoyed, so many of the others on my out of control TBR!!
    Thanks for the chance!!!

    Reply

  4. Hollie Tardiff says

    I’m starting Kiss The Girl tonight! I can’t wait! The other 2 books were fantastic and your review made me even more excited to read this last one.

    Reply

  6. Elli G. says

    I’ve read The Good Luck Charm and Kiss the Girl is on my TBR, along with many others!! 🙂 Can’t wait…<3

    Reply

  7. Shannon Cole says

    I’ve read the Fix Up by Kendall Ryan which is one of my all time favorites!! Unbreak My Heart, Shimy Bang Sparkle, and Good Girl are next on my list. I already purchased them.

    Reply

  8. Tammy D says

    I have not read any of the books but I do have 44 Chapters About 4 Men is on my Kindle.

    Reply

  10. Karen Gagnon says

    I read, listened and loved Unbreak My Heart! I also read Shimmy Bang Sparkle and it was so great! Now I need to listen to it as well, I bet I will love it even more! Thanks for the post, I love your reviews and recommendations! 🙂

    Reply

  11. GeenaK says

    I haven’t read any of these. I’ve had 44 Chapters on my kindle for awhile just not read yet. Do want to read Shimmy Bang Sparkle.

    Reply

  12. Renee Sass says

    I’ve read (& loved) The Good Luck Charm & have Kiss the Girl next in my TBR list. So many of these sound great! I guess my “must read” list is growing even more!

    Reply

  13. Diana Doan says

    I haven’t read any of these books yet, but most (if not all) of them are on my TBR list.

    Reply

  14. Kim P says

    I’ve read and loved a few of them! Good Luck with That, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, and Good Luck Charm were great!

    Reply

  16. Laura Lovejoy-Brunk says

    The Fix Up by Kendall Ryan was great and im reading Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren.

    Reply

  17. Mari Ann says

    I haven’t read any of these yet but I have Good Girl on my kindle & plan to read soon. Thank you for the great giveaway!

    Reply

  18. Carrie says

    I read Josh and Hazels Guide and Good Luck Charm. I liked both but Josh and Hazel is one of my favorites of the year.

    Reply

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