Wow. I reviewed 17 books & Audiobooks last month! Way to catch up! While I had a few stand-out reads last month, including two 5++ Stars, two 5-stars and a 4.75 star, I also had four 3-stars and one 2.5-stars, so September was a mixed bag for me. The final book in Tara Sivec’s Naughty Princess Series, The first two books in Lauren Blakely’s Heartbreaker Series and The first in TM Frazier’s Perversion Series made for three MUST READ series. I can tell you with absolute surety, these will be my favorite series of 2018.
Click on the title or Graphic to see my FULL reviews (always spoiler free) that will have my likes and dislikes, favorite quotes, bookstagram photos (4 stars and up only), and Narration review for audiobooks.
āYouāre the rarest antique Iāve ever seen, and I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know how perfectly imperfect and extraordinary you are.ā
Kiss The Girl is my favorite of the three books in the series, and thatās saying a lotĀ 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 Taraās 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 Taraās 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 canāt recommend it highly enough.


See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
Check out the whole Naughty Princess SeriesĀ (As of 10/3, the first two books are on sale!)
Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely
“I mean it, Mackenzie. You helping my kid bake? Holy fuck. So fucking sexy, the way you are with my girl. So fucking hot.”
Whether male POV or dual POV like Once Upon a Real Good Time, Lauren Blakely totally nails the romantic comedies. With strong, likeable women and dirty alphas who respect the women they are with, Lauren never fails. Once Upon a Real Good Time was extra-special to me because they are a bit older with teenaged kids plus heās a rock star. It honestly doesnāt get much better than that to me. An inked, sexy, dirty-talking single-dad musician, a smart, funny, successful single mom plus fun, happy teenaged kids and great side characters is my recipe for a perfect book, and Lauren Blakely is the best chef to make it. Once Upon a Real Good Time is the perfect start to what is sure to be a new favorite series.
See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
Check out the whole Heartbreakers Series:
ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME |Ā ONCE UPON A SURE THING |Ā ONCE UPON A WILD FLING
Perversion by TM Frazier (Interview & Review)
“The connection between us is tangible. A magnet pulling two people together from opposite sides of town. White Trash Romeo and Juliet.”
Perversion is TM Frazierās best work to date and thatās saying a lot. I was completely riveted from start to finish and had to go right back and read it again as soon as I finished.Ā One thing you never have to worry about with a TM Frazier book is that it will be similar to any other book. Her style and stories are completely unique and have a genre of their own. It took me a few years to read my first (and hers) TM Frazier book,Ā The Dark Light of Day because I was afraid of the ādarkā in the title. I donāt do dark books normally, but I feel like her books are more gritty, violent and depraved than dark and depressing. TM Frazierās brain is a scary place. There is a reason they call her āThe Evil Gingerā, and I am so glad for it because she totally delivered a brilliant, adrenaline-filled thrill ride that had suspense, twists, surprises, and a hot forbidden romance. Donāt wait on this one, the wait forĀ PossessionĀ will just make it even more intense when you read it.
See the Full Review & Interview | Purchase on Amazon
See the full Series: PERVERSIONĀ | POSSESSION (11/6) | PERMISSION (12/11)
“Both of them kissing and fondling me? It was like a gateway drug to mĆ©nage. And the bastards knew it.”
Bedfellows was a good book for the new or rare mƩnage reader. It was sweet and romantic, and they did bring up a lot of the issues a triad might experience. The sex was hot, but not overly detailed, making it pretty mild for mƩnage. I put the book down halfway through because I wanted to save it for sexy times, and to be honest, it was easy to put down, But I am glad I picked it back up to finish it, because I did enjoy it. If you are looking for a sexy and romantic mainstream m-f-m (with a little m-m-f) romance, Bedfellows may be the way to go.
See my Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
In the Audible Romance Package
āI donāt want to make love. I want to fuck you like Iāve never fucked you before. I want to spend the next ten days making you hear meā¦even when I donāt speak.ā
If you are looking for a quick, very sexy, married couple with some BDSM and suspense, look no further! Unexpected was a page-turner, and knowing in the back of my mind that Aleatha has a bit of a depraved mind had me turning the pages even faster, and she didnāt disappoint. I do, however, wish it were a full-length novel because there was a lot packed into 115 pages and it was a little rushed, but the same can be said for most novellas.
Note: I did not read the first book in the series and never felt like I had missed something.
See my Full Review | Purchase on Amazon
The Vault Series: Unconventional | Unexpected
Misadventures of a City Girl by Meredith Wild and Chelle Bliss
āIf I shiver, he envelops me in his arms until the cold evaporates. If my stomach growls, he hops from the bed and fixes me something to eat. If I yawn, he carries me to the bed and whispers in my ear until my eyes flutter closed. He doesnāt smother me with his actions, but makes me feel adored and importantāsomething Iām not used to feeling anymore.ā
All in all Misadventures of a City Girl was a very sexy, quick, and not very deep read, which is I think what the Misadventures books all are. If you are looking for a quick book with a hot mountain man, and lots of sexy times, youāll enjoy this one, but I was hoping for a little more depth.
See my Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
In the Audible Romance Package
“Nothing we do could be wrong if we’re together. Numbers don’t matter, not in time or age. What we have is timeless.”
Even though Simmer has characters from a previous book, it can very easily stand alone. I read Rewrite and it didnāt hit me that they were related until the very end. I enjoyed the fact that this was a character that acted badly, really badly, but is working hard to make up for it. I liked that a big barrier wasnāt so much age as it was their lives and careers. 7 years is a big age gap, especially when the woman is older, but it was never shoved in your face. They made a great couple, and I love that the title Simmer is a great name both for the chef and the slow-burn romance.
See my Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
Standalone Reading Order: REWRITE | SIMMER
The Perfect Duet by Meghan Quinn
“She’s the left side of perfect. She’s the right side of forever. She’s my everything.”
Once again, Meghan Quinn took us on an epic journey and I had no idea where this story would take me, I sometimes even doubted the direction I wanted it to go. There were some beautiful messages in here about self-esteem and self-worth that really hit home, and I felt like I really got to know the characters deeply. This unputdownable duet sent me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from laughter to tears to wanting to throw my phone at Meghanās head (sorry, not sorry), but in the end, the journey was SO worth it.
See my Full Review | Purchase The Left Side of Perfect | Purchase The Right Side of Forever
Hold You Close by Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels
āThe thing about love is that itās irrational and stupid. I work with statistics and analyze hard data ā I weigh probabilities and risks, and think in truths and facts.
Truth ā Ian broke my heart.
Truth ā Ian is the man Iāve never gotten over.
Fact ā Ian is a selfish player who doesnāt give a shit about me.
Fact ā I want to rip his clothes off and fuck his brains out.āĀ
This review kind of made it sound like I hated the book. I didnāt. At no time did I think āIām not enjoying this, I want to stopā. But I also got annoyed and frustrated with the characters and never found anything I really loved. I actually got way more annoyed at the book while writing this review than I did reading it, but let me repeat my first dislike in case you only read my Down & Dirty: For EIGHTEEN YEARS this couple has HATED each other even though they are neighbors and co-godparents. All he had to do was tell her why he broke up with her. And she lived like a spinster for 18 years because nobody could live up to her high school crush? Oy, it sounds even worse when I write it out. The authors seem to write well together, and if they do it again, Iāll try again, but Hold You Close was just an OK read for me.
See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
ā(Men have) a serious case of needing to one-up each other just to prove who has the biggest dick. And in case you wondered, I win. Always. But then again, does size really matter? Spoiler Alert: Yes it does.ā
I absolutely LOVED Faking It by K. Bromberg. I think the audiobook made it stand out even more because Zaneās Australian accent was sexy as hell. While it seems like K. Bromberg is using a number of tried and true tropes including hate-to-love, fake relationship, workplace, friends-with-benefits, forced roommates and maybe more, she combined them all together in a fresh, fun and sexy way.Ā Faking It by K. Bromberg is one of my favorite audios this year, and it was a perfect one to go into audio first because you donāt want to miss this sexy accent!
See my Full Review | Audible First (available now) | Amazon (1/8/19)
Once Upon a Sure Thing (Heartbreakers 2) by Lauren Blakely
“She sings like a sinner. She sings like an angel. She sounds like whiskey and sugar. And I want both.”
Once again Lauren Blakely delivered a favorite! I almost feel like I could copy and paste my review from book to book because all I do is rave about the prolific writer. But if Lauren can keep coming up with new and different stories, I can keep giving new and different reviews. Once Upon a Sure thing was everything I love from Lauren. An amazing friends-to-lovers story, older characters, funny and sexy banter, a charming and sexy leading man, a heroine you want to be buddies with, great kids, super hot bedroom scenes, and a smile on my face the whole time. I loved the first in the Heartbreakers series, and I think I love this one even more! What will the third bring? Thank goodness I only have to wait 2 weeks.
See My Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
Check out the whole Heartbreakers Series:
ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME |Ā ONCE UPON A SURE THING |Ā ONCE UPON A WILD FLING
Strong (Stage Dive 4.5) by Kylie Scott
āConsidering Iāve been waiting for you for almost a decade, I think Iāve got a pretty good understanding of what goes on in that gorgeous head of yours.ā
Strong by Kylie Scott was a wonderful visit with one of my favorite book bands. Just visiting with Mal a little would have been worth it, but Kylie Scott delivered a story of redemption and love. I didnāt totally warm up to Martha, but I liked her with the big softy, Sam. I do wish I remembered a few more details from the original series, but had no problem following and enjoying the main story arc for Strong, and perhaps remembering the details would have pulled me even further from liking Martha. If you are a fan of the Stage Dive Series, I think this was a great little visit with them, and hopefully an introduction to a new Rock Star romance.
See my Full Review & Excerpt | Purchase on Amazon | Stage Dive Series
Resisting Roots by Audrey Carlan
āWherever you are is where I want to lay down my roots.”
I wanted so much to love Resisting Roots, especially because it is going to be aĀ Passionflix movie. Donāt get me wrong, I liked the story, I loved how unique it was, but I really didnāt like the hero. He seemed like all he wanted was ājuicy pussyā and ābig tittiesā and he kind of skeeved me out at times. Other times he was awesome and supportive, but I never got over the initial āeewā from him. I loved the concept of all the yoga, but in audio form, it was way too much for me. Resisting Roots was a super sexy read, with one of the most memorable and unique sex scenes I have ever read, so let me tell you, it may be worth reading just for that, and I bet the next book,Ā Sacred SerenityĀ is even hotter, because I think itās about the tantric yoga instructor.
See my Full Review | Purchase on Amazon | Audible
Currently FREE on Kindle + $1.99 Audible orĀ In the Audible Romance Package
Click Here to see the 7 book series
The Wedding From Hell 1 and 2 by JR Ward Book Review
“Because he wanted to be more for her. He wanted to be . . . everything . . . for Anne. And that was some fucked-up shit. When had attraction and sizzle turned into something bigger for him?”
At first, I didnāt really warm up to Anne, but I did to Danny and I am dying to see what happens with this couple in Consumed. This was a great little prologue. We got to meet the characters, get the lay of the land, and get some important background on Danny and Anne before the events of Consumed.
See My Full Review | DownloadĀ Part 1: The Rehearsal DinnerĀ (FREE) | DownloadĀ Part 2: The ReceptionĀ (FREE) | PurchaseĀ Consumed.
āItās amazing what you can live through and come out stronger on the other side.”
I wanted so much to love Consumed, I mean itās JR Ward for goodness sake! I enjoyed the free prequels and was excited to read more about Danny, Anne and the firefighters of Station 499. Unfortunately Consumed didnāt live up to the prequels for me. After the explosive beginning, the rest of the book was just boring to me. It was more Anne and her investigation than anything else. I found the whole thing to be kind of depressing, there were no light moments to break it up, and it was definitely more mystery than romance. At 60% I almost DNFd but itās a long book and I already put in so much time that I pushed through. I am glad I pushed through for the end, because it did redeem itself a bit for me, and I am curious about Tomās story. But not enough for me to continue. A lot of bloggers I fully trust absolutely loved this one, and a few DNFād, so this one seems to be a love it/hate it type thing. As for me, Iām right in the middle, and give it 2.5 stars.
See My Full Review | Download on Part 1: The Rehearsal DinnerĀ (FREE) | DownloadĀ Part 2: The ReceptionĀ (FREE) | PurchaseĀ Consumed on Amazon | Audible
YOUR CHOICE:
A $15 Amazon Card ORĀ
- Tote Bag
- “I like it when you rub my button” Pin
- F*** Off I’m Reading socks
- Ana’s Attic purple sharpie
- Ana’s Attic phone/kindle stand
- Custom Book Journal
- Meredith Wild Book (unsigned)
- Random Signed Book
- Author swag (pens/chapstick)
*Mailed gifts are US Only. Gift Card is only available where I can gift with my US account, $15 US Dollars. Void Where Prohibited.
Krystal Marin says
Thanks ! Loved reading your review and definitely will try out some
Ana's Attic says
Thanks!
Cris B says
Thanks for the reviews! I’m considering reading some of these and now I know if I will, I read Kiss the Girl and LOVED IT!! Tara Sivec is a genius!
Ana's Attic says
I know. There is a reason she is a top 3 author for me!
Ginelle Blanch says
You read so much! Wow. Ps. I love your rating system!!!
Ana's Attic says
Thanks!
Kathy Partridge says
Have only read the Misadventures of a City Girl – it was a quick, light read. So many of the others on my TBR!
Ana's Attic says
Get reading girl!
Jacqui says
Perversion by TM FRAZIER. My God this book was fantastic. Busting to read 2 & 3.
Thank you so much for the chance.
Ana's Attic says
I know, I am DYING for them!
Livia Nowlin says
This is impressive, bravo! I am so behind on e-book reading and reviews for the audiobooks I’ve zipped through.
I downloaded those free JR Ward novellas, but I don’t know if I’ll ever read them especially since they aren’t in available in audiobook format. I’m just not in the mood to e-book read lately. I’m sorry the Consumed novel was mostly a miss for you.
I have collected a lot of unread Lauren Blakely novels. I can’t keep up with her prolific writing pace, lol! But I’m glad you loved her newest release. I need a break from female narrator Andi Arndt, so it will be a while before I read it.
Ana's Attic says
I don’t recommend listening to Consumed without reading the prequels. They will take about an hour. But I don’t really recommend Consumed, so there is that. I have definitely needed breaks from Andi Arndt myself, especially after she played a character I didn’t like. I needed a long break after that. But Lauren Blakely audiobooks are my faves, no matter who narrates.
Jackie Uzzell says
I have most of them on my TBR. Looking most forward to “Consumed” and “Perversion”. Thanks for all your hard work!
Ana's Attic says
Jackie, message me or something and tell me how you liked consumed.
Calvin says
Sweet recap! I definitely am a new reader
Ana's Attic says
Thank you so much! Welcome!
Shannon Cole says
I read Bedfellows and Listened to Faking it!! Both were 5 Star Reads for me!! Your list of September reads is awesome! I still want to read Hold You Close and Lauren Blakelyās new series.
Ana's Attic says
Lauren Blakely’s new series is AWESOME.
Heather Strand says
I havenāt read any of these yet but have most of them on my ever growing TBR. Thanks for the fab giveaway! ???
Ana's Attic says
Thanks for coming by!
Claudia king says
Love your reviews, keep up the good work.
I read The Left Side of Perfect And the Right Side of Forever, absolutely loved it!
Ana's Attic says
Meghan is amazing.
Kira Kordula says
That is a lot of books to add to my list! I live your honesty. Thanks for tour feedback as usual you are usualky spot on ?
Ana's Attic says
Thanks Kira! xoxo
Nikita says
A lot of these are on my tbr!
Jamie says
I’ve been hearing such mixed things about Consumed. I’m a big J.R. Ward fan because of the BDB series but I think I’m just going to get this one from the library. Wonderful reviews!
Emina says
I’m so excited, this is all great!
Marisol says
Oh wow… my tbr is way out of control. Thanks a lot… itās mostly your fault. ??. Good job ??