Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

The Boyfriend Contract by Victoria James – a Review

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The Boyfriend Contract by Victoria James – a Review

 

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Description:
Emily Birmingham has had it up to here with men.

Growing up with an overbearing father and then her brother inherits everything she’s worked her whole life to build. Now she’s living in her grandmother’s dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere Canada, jobless, and dealing with the most annoyingly sexy contractor on the planet. Exactly when did her life become an anti-Hallmark movie?

Cooper Merrick learned the hard way that love is definitely not worth the risk. He’s happy running the family contracting business alongside his well-meaning but overly-opinionated brothers…happy enough until polished and perfect Emily enters his world. Nothing prepared him for the ways she turns his life upside down and reaches the parts of himself he’s closed off from the world.

But when he finally gets up the nerve to ask Emily out, she says her next date will need to come with a written contract and some very particular ground rules. Yeah, it sounds crazy, but why does he find himself wanting to sign on the dotted line?

 


Review;

I think it’s safe to say I’ve become a fan of Victoria James novels and thanks to The Reading Café I’m able to review another well written story by her. 

The Boyfriend Contract by Victoria James is everything I now come to expect from one of her stories.  Yes it’s a quick read, but it’s fun, and flirty with just the right amount of drama and backstory to bring depth and substance to her story.  I really enjoyed the main couple of Emily and Cooper from their first appearances in the story. Both characters are down to earth, real and easy to relate too.  They make it very easy to read, become attached that you don’t want to put the book down as you follow along on their adventure.  Added to the mix is a nicely rounded out batch of secondary characters in Cooper’s family with his brothers, sister and parents. I just loved the family dynamic there.  They are a close-knit family who love to joke with each other, aggravate one another etc, but in the end they love one another and will always have each other’s backs.  It’s because of that family dynamic they were able to welcome Emily in with open arms and root for Cooper and Emily to get together. I loved the way his sister and brother’s bugged and heckled him over his feelings for her, it was just sweet sibling love coming through. 

Of course it wouldn’t be a true romantic read without some drama to wreck a little havoc with the main couple. We learn of Cooper’s past with his wife, and that she died of cancer at a young age. It’s taken him five years to finally come to terms with everything and finally move on and want to start over again with Emily.  It wasn’t  easy for Cooper to navigate but thanks to the support of his family he was able to do just that and find love again with Emily.  Cooper wasn’t the only one dealing with life altering events.  Emily is still grieving that death of her parents thanks to a car accident a year ago, and how her older brother who wasn’t very nice to her growing up and still isn’t nice to her, inherited the family business that she loved. However, she inherited her grandmother’s old family house in Maple Hill and it brings her to Cooper and his family.  Their romance is very slow to build, but not too slow, just slow enough to appreciate the build-up and enjoy their slow fall into love with one another. I enjoyed their romance even with all it’s ups and downs, humour and all around charming appeal.  Victoria James has another hit on her hands I’d say and I look forward to reading more from her, hopefully with Cooper’s siblings having their own romances.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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For Better or For Wolf by A.E. Jones – a Review

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For Better or For Wolf by A.E. Jones – a Review

 

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Description:
Relationship” is not a four-letter word.

Olivia Jennings is all about following the rules. A psychiatrist with a tragic past, she dedicates her life to helping others. Controlling all aspects of her life—especially relationships—protects her battered heart. But when she learns supernaturals exist, her carefully constructed world crumbles. Drawn into counseling a werewolf pack, she butts heads with the ridiculously handsome but infuriating wolf determined to protect her.

Connor Dawson is all about bucking the status quo. He’s not looking for commitment or love. In fact, after being rejected by his pack, he’s certain he’s immune to that particular emotion. But when Olivia inserts herself into wolf business, his hackles stand straight up. No one is more surprised than Connor when their teasing banter turns into serious attraction.

When Olivia and Connor are thrown into the middle of a pack war, things heat up…with an attempted murder, a political power struggle, and their sizzling chemistry. Will this explosive situation finally bring them together—or blow them apart?

For Better or For Wolf is the fourth book in the paranormal wedding planners romance series. 

Paranormal Wedding Planners
In Sickness and In Elf
From This Fae Forward
To Have and To Howl
For Better or For Wolf
For Witch or For Poorer
Till Demon Do Up Part

 

 

Review:

For Better or For Wolf by A.E. Jones is the 4th book in her Paranormal Wedding Planners series.  I’ve read the three previous books in this series and loved them, so I couldn’t wait to see how book four turns out ….. 

Olivia is a psychiatrist, but things from her past have turned her into a bit of a control freak. She doesn’t have time for love, but she does have time for others. She likes to put things in order and helping others helps restore the order of things. 

Connor is part of an unofficial law enforcement team tasked with making sure paranormals didn’t kill each other or, if they do, then don’t let the humans know about it. The humans aren’t suppose to know the paranormals exist. (Half of his team we’ve met in previous books) 

When Olivia finds out that there is “other” beings besides humans in the world, her “ordered” world starts to crumble, but Olivia pulls herself together and says yes to helping the werewolf pack, and wouldn’t you know it, the first supernatural she meets is Connor (but she didn’t know he was a werewolf at the time, she threw a drink in his face after mistaking him for another person!!) 

Connor can’t wait to hunt down the woman who threw a drink in his face, but work comes first, and going into the building he works as security for (the wedding business in book one) the last person he expects to see is the young lady who drowned him in a Pina colada!!! 

Connor acts as a bodyguard for Olivia, he’s there to protect her whilst she works with the werewolf pack, (the alpha is entering an arranged marriage with a rival pack)  but there is something about her that intrigues both the man and wolf, but Connor doesn’t do relationships, he’s all for one night stands and good times, but as he spends more time with Olivia, he might just have to change his opinion. 

We also have the matter of Sullivan (the new pack alpha,) he’s been shot, who and why? That’s what Connor aims to find out whilst he’s here. (Connor and his twin were banished by the old alpha, apparently twin wolf cubs are a reason to celebrate!!) But the new alpha wants them back in the pack. 

The one liners in this book are snappy and quick, the interaction with previous couples was a nice touch. It had odd moments of hilarity and a few touching and tender moments. An excellent addition the the series. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review

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The Krinar Code by Emma Castle – a Review

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The Krinar Code by Emma Castle – a Review

 

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Description:
She isn’t supposed to fall in love with him… He’s one of the aliens who invaded Earth.

Harper King is like most humans—she works hard at her job and does her best not to think too much about the Krinar. 

The mysterious aliens took over her planet five years ago, and since then, rumors have surrounded them… whispers of super strength and speed, incredible beauty, and advanced technology. 

Harper should hate them, since her parents died the day they invaded, but something about the infamous Krinar fascinates her. 

Little does she know that the sinfully gorgeous drifter who rescues her from a bar fight will give her the close encounter she’s always dreamed of.

Sef is supposed to be infiltrating a human resistance group, not seducing sweet little human females. But from the moment he sets eyes on Harper, he knows he must have her and will do anything to possess her. Using his human disguise, he lures Harper into his arms and his bed. When it’s far too late for her to escape him, he reveals that he’s a Krinar, one of the powerful and terrifying aliens she’s always wanted to meet. 

He gives her a choice: to save her brothers, she must give herself to him—heart, body, and soul.

Will she choose her dark, seductive alien lover to save her family? Or will she resist the secret desires of her own heart in order to be free?

 

 

Review:

The Krinar Code by Emma Castle continues The Krinar World series. We first meet Sef in The Krinar Eclipse (he’s Soren’s twin brother) he’s been altered to look more human, he’s been assigned to find, infiltrate and eliminate any resistance fighters that he comes across. But what he finds instead, is a beautiful thing woman on the wrong side of a human males fist!!! 

Tending to her, he realises he may have just found a new toy!!! Krinar are rarely monogamous, but after seeing his brother happy with his “charl” that’s beloved or soulmate in his language, Sef wonders if it’s a one off.

Harper is a hard working human. By day she works in a garage as the mechanic, and in the evenings she works in the bar adjoined to the garage. The bar belongs to her family (her brothers usually run it) she helps out when she can, or when the brothers need her to fill in. Her brothers are resistant fighters. They have been ever since first contact was made, there were pockets of fighting, but no one is a match for the Krinar. 

After saving Harper from a bar full of angry men, he tends to her bruised face. He’s annoyed that she doesn’t have protection. But seducing this tasty human shouldn’t be his priority, he needs to finds the resistance fighters in this area. But one taste won’t hurt, will it? 

Finding out Seth is in fact a dreaded and feared Krinar, and it’s Sef both Seth is bad enough, but when he tells Harper that he knows her brothers are part of the resistance fighters, they will be found and they will be ended!!!! But he’s willing to negotiate…… be his for as long as he wants her, no resistance, her body is to be his and his alone, then he will forget he’s seen her brothers. 

Harper likes Sef, but to be forced…. her choice has been taken away, so it becomes a battle of wills, he may have her body ….. but her heart and soul!!! Never!!!! 

Again it’s a short story from the author. (Same author just another Pen name) We get a little more information on both the resistance and the Krinar people. They think they are entitled to this planet, they find the resistance an irritation, but it’s growing, so things must be done. Enter our hero (another arrogant Krinar) Sef. (Twin to Soren) 

I liked Harper, her dyslexia was handled well (too many authors can come across as unfeeling or condescending) she loved her family and there wasn’t nothing she wouldn’t do to save them. 

We get a little more on the Krinar people. Cramming a lot of information into a novella is always difficult, how much to add, add too much and it just seemed jumbled. Could it be made longer? I think so, there was so much more we could have heard about. I like this world, and I’ll have to come back and visit it soon?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Bianca Wells, the President’s daughter, experiences a close encounter with the aliens who invaded Earth five years ago. 

The Krinar are powerful, attractive, but also mysterious. There is one in particular she can’t get out of her head—the seductive Krinar Ambassador named Soren. With his hauntingly beautiful eyes and god-like body, he invades her dreams, spinning sensual encounters that leave her aching and breathless. But he, like the others of his kind, is dangerous. With impossible speed and strength, wielding incredible intelligence and advanced technology, the Krinar control this planet and every human on it. Bianca should want nothing to do with Soren. A single touch from him might cause an interstellar war. But after one scorching, forbidden kiss, she’ll risk everything to be with him.

Soren came to Earth to ensure the survival of his people, but now he has one desire: to possess the brave and irresistible Bianca. Knowing he could destroy peaceful relations with the humans if anyone sees him with her, he takes matters into his own hands, rescuing her from an assassin. After one “big-bang” of a kiss, he knows he can’t let her go home. She belongs to him, and he will break every rule in his carefully controlled world to keep her.

After their forbidden night of passion, Bianca enters Soren’s dark, seductive world. But her new life as Soren’s woman puts a target on her back, and her status as First Daughter only makes things worse. As enemies surface all around them, Bianca realizes she will have to trust Soren with her heart, even if it means giving up her freedom.

 

 

Review:

The Krinar Eclipse by Lauren Smith is a new series for me, so I opened up the kindle and jumped in ….. 

Bianca is the presidents daughter, and Instead of celebrating her birthday with a car, she’s being told by her father that they are being “invaded”, at first Bianca thinks it’s all a joke, until a being enters the room, without using the door!!!! 

The Krinar are here, and they aren’t going anywhere ……. 

We jump five years the Krinar have total control of the planet…..

Ambassador Soren has watched this planet for a very long time. And when it was time for his people to act, Soren was one of the first aliens to make contact. They were more powerful than any of the humans, it wasn’t going to take much effort to subdue them. This planet had so much to offer, and so the Krinar decide to take it back …… 

Thousands of years ago, the Krinar had tinkered with the lifeforms on Earth. They mixed the original DNA with Krinar DNA, so technically we are part alien!! 

Bianca can’t believe it, Soren is back in her dreams and now her life. Why won’t he look at her in that cold clinical way he did five years ago? Why is he looking at her in a hot and naughty way? They know they shouldn’t be together (but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about him) and if it does, then wars will break out. Is it really worth it? He’s gorgeous, but women are just playthings to the Krinar. 

In all of his 8,000 years of living, no one has stirred him as much as Bianca does, he fools himself into thinking he’s keeping an eye on her (she is the presidents daughter after all) to keep her safe from the resistance (they target sympathisers) But ever since he met her five years ago, he’s thought of her at odd moments, and now he has to interact with her again. He’s not sure if he can resist the young lady she has become. He’d wants nothing more than to sink into her body and her blood. But to do so would break the treaty and start a war that would possibly destroy this fragile planet. 

So do Soren and Bianca risk war? Will she be able to walk away when he is done with her? Will he be able to give her up? And what about the resistance fighters? Will they be able to drive the Krinar off this planet? 

Being just a novella, there is a lot packed into this story. Could it have been longer? Yes, it could’ve easily been a novel. A few things needed fleshing out, but being a short story, some of those things had to be sacrificed. I found it easy to dislike Soren (he came across as arrogant at first) and to roll my eyes at Bianca. But in the end….. I liked the book. 

Apparently this is an ongoing world where other authors contribute. I haven’t read any of the other books. It was a different approach (earth being manipulated thousands of years ago, to host a new life form) and I liked the idea. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

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Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford – a Review

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Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford – a Review

 

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Description:
When a beautiful brunette driver meets Nashville Slammers catcher, Sawyer McBain, at the airport, he figures it’s his lucky day. Sure, he’s usually pretty guarded around people, especially after what happened with his ex, but he can definitely enjoy the car ride. Until she passes his apartment…and keeps driving. All of a sudden the woman seems a lot less like romance material and a lot more like a kidnapper. What gives?

Slammers executive Addison Carlisle needs one little favor. Sure, she may have kinda maybe kidnapped one of her professional baseball players, but it’s for a really good cause. She desperately needs someone high-profile to auction off that night for the multiple sclerosis society she’s chairing, but he insists he wants a favor in return.

Soon Addie and Sawyer are trading completely ridiculous I.O.U.s, like being his plus-one to his grandmother’s poker game or keeping each other company at the driving range. But when their agreement goes from flirty to fiery, neither is ready to let their guard down for a shot at love.

 

 

Review:

Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford is the 2nd book in her Love of the Game series.  A first time reader of Ms. Holford and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed this.

I love baseball, and I really love sports romance, and this one has it all. At first it was a little confusing, trying to figure out the plot to the story, but once you get into; it’s like any other really good book. You can’t put it down until it’s finished.

Sawyer is the catcher for a MLB teamed based out of Nashville and is the best in the business. Now when you think baseball player, you think smiles, happy and ready to have fun. Well Sawyer is none of those things, he is quiet, mean mugged and cranky.

Enter Addie, the woman to see him for more than his flaws and money. Addie with her soft smile, loving personality and the hope for a better future.

All in all this was such a happy read, I would love to see more of her work.

Reviewed by Sarah

Copy provided by Publisher

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At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

 

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Description:
Cursed and betrayed, Valynda Moore died as the result of a Voodoo spell gone wrong– one that left her trapped in the form of a living Voodoo doll. Until the Hellchaser leader, Thorn, offers her a chance at redemption and a new life that could return her to a human body.

But bargains have never turned out well for Valynda. The only thing she can depend on is betrayal and backbiting politics, especially now that the Malachai, the darkest of evil that she and the crew of Deadmen have sworn to defeat, has risen. And this time the king of all demons will not be defeated, and he, too has the one thing Valynda wants most. Against her will, she is pulled into a most dangerous game where she has to choose between her worst enemy and her best friends. Winner takes the world, and her immortal soul . . .

It’s a demon-eat-demon world where the stakes have never been higher—will the Deadmen succeed or will Valynda be the one who finally sinks them all and takes the world with her?

 

 

Review;

At Death’s Door by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the final installment in her triology Deadman’s Cross.  This series has been a fun ride with all the new characters we’ve met along the way.  At Death’s Door continues with the fun and this time centers on the characters of Valynda and Nibo(Xuri).  We learn that Nibo is a Ghede/Spirit of the Dead, also known as a psychopomp. It’s Nibo’s job in his realm to guide souls to the place of the dead. I must admit I had to look up the term psychopomp because I had no idea what it was, even though mythology was a favorite subject of mine in school.

It’s through a Voodoo ritual that Valynda and her friends perform in their youth that the two first encounter each other.  Usually seeing Nibo in his true form causes human’s to run in fear or faint, Valynda of course doesn’t.  Instead she stands her ground with him and actually antagonizes and insults him. Nibo is surprised by her reaction and finds he’s attracted to her but can’t figure out why.  There is a reason why both are instantly attracted to each other but I refuse to spoil any plot points, so I suggest you read this installment and find out why.  🙂  I’m grateful that Kenyon gave us a lot of backstory on Valynda and how she came to be straw doll otherwise I would’ve been completely lost in this book.  The backstory helps to fuel the plot and advance it forward, creating a fun and crazy ride for both characters.  Not only is Valynda’s backstory important to the plot, but so is Nibo’s.  It’s through his backstory we learn of his twin and why there is such hatred between them.  It’s this hatred that plays a major role in Valynda and Nibo’s road to their HEA.  Again sorry no spoilers for you!  🙂

Nibo and Valynda’s adventure is a fast read, full of plot twists, spoilers for future books, clues to character’s parentage/family trees that we’ve already met in her other series, etc. This final installment was chalked full of so many points it’s hard for me to get them all in without going on a tangent.  Needless to say Kenyon did a great job on this one. I was happy with how she ended it, but sad at the same time because I really love these characters and I feel there’s so much more that can be written about them.  I feel we will cross paths with all of them again as the battle with the Malachai rages on.  Ooo speaking of the Malachai we do learn something very important about him and a specific Dream Hunter who goes by the name of M’adoc.  I so want to say what, but I can’t spoil it for you, it’s too good a plot point.  Not only does this plot point concern Adarian Malachai, but it also concerns Acheron.  See it’s so hard to do up a review for one of Kenyon’s books and not give away spoilers because they are always so good, and tossed into the plot at just the right time.   Speaking of timing, once again we are treated to fun scenes between current and recurring characters like Ash and Thorn to provide not only plot advancement but the comical aid to get through the rough patches in the story.  Her typical off the wall Kenyon humour is there in her characters and it adds a certain dimension to her characters that just endear them to us even more. 

For any fellow Menyon At Death’s Door is a must read to finish of this trilogy. I’m looking forward to meeting up with this crew again in future series/stories. 

Until then, happy reading my fellow Menyons!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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What a Scot Wants by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan – a Review

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What a Scot Wants by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan – a Review

 

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Description:
Highlander Ronan Maclaren must marry, but he’s in no particular hurry. He’s perfectly happy as the laird of his clan, running the Maclaren Whisky Distillery, and besides, he just hasn’t found the right woman.

Lady Imogen Kinley has cleverly avoided wedlock for years. Men, she has learned from painful experience, are not to be trusted. Determined to remain independent, she takes an indecent amount of pleasure in making herself as unattractive to potential suitors as possible.

When desperate measures are taken by their parents and a betrothal contract is signed, it’s loathing at first sight. They each vow to make the other cry off—by any means necessary. But what starts out as a battle of wits…quickly dissolves into a battle of wills.

 

 

Review:

What a Scot Wants begins with Ronan Maclaren discovering that his parents had entered into a betrothal contract for him a while back.  He knows he has to marry, but having had his heart broken years before, that’s the last thing on his mind.  He is perfectly happy with his life…for now.

Imogen Kinley, too, has avoided marriage for years and is also happy with the life she leads.  She is a champion for women who find themselves tossed aside (both by others and society) and in need of help.  She vows to never have a man dictate to her what she can and cannot do, which leaves her astounded when she learns that her family had also entered into a betrothal contract, for which she is adamant will never happen.

When Ronan and Imogen discover what they will lose if either breaks the betrothal contract, each devises their own plan to try and force the other to break it.   However, when secrets are revealed and they find themselves truly attracted to each other, Ronan and Imogen try to do everything in their power to keep the other safe as danger comes knocking.

What a Scot Wants is a nicely written story.  Imogen is stubborn and self-sufficient, as is Ronan.  They will both leave you laughing with their schemes trying to run the other off with their wild outfits and other antics.  When you discover why Imogen is such a staunch supporter of the women discarded by society, your heart breaks for her.  Ronan has a bit of a back story as well, but nothing as traumatic as Imogen.  The magic happens when they finally admit their building feelings for each other and lines are drawn in the sand to keep the other safe.  Their chemistry is palpable, but it’s their loyalty to each other draws you in.  If I had one negative thing to say, it would be that their antics drug on for a bit too long.  With that said, What a Scot Wants is ultimately a story of redemption that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.  If you like your historical romances with a little humor, a little intrigue and a lot of chemistry, you’ll not go wrong with this one.  Well done, Amalie Howard and Angie Morgan!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by publisher

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Society Girl by Alys Murray – a Review

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Society Girl by Alys Murray – a Review

 

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Description:
Sam Dubarry is a cynic. Growing up in the foster system in NYC does that to you. And falling in love is by far the stupidest thing you could do in her opinion.

But there’s one thing she craves more than anything—family. The illegitimate American daughter of an English Lord, Sam is desperate to make her father take notice of her. Which is where the Animos Society comes in.

The exclusive Oxford University club is her family’s legacy—and full of the worst kind of rich men. But becoming the first female member will take everything she has. Maybe more.

Daniel Best is the one man who truly sees Sam. The real her. The new mechanic for her father, Daniel is everything the Animos’ aren’t. Kind, honorable, good. But then the worst thing she can imagine happens…

The Society will let her in, if she destroys the one person she might be falling in love with first.

 

 

Review:

Society Girl by Alsy Murray is a contemporary new adult romance.

Sam Dubarry is a young American woman, she wanted what she never had; a family. Growing up in foster care was brutal and all she wanted was a family to call her own.  Finding her father, a man of English nobility then knowing that he doesn’t care for her, it hurt. Now she has a new goal. To be accepted by her father Sam is determined to try out for the Secret Animos Society at Oxford. This is a male run group, making Sam the first woman to have anything to do with the Society.

After accomplishing ever task they gave her, the Society then gives her another. Make someone fall in love with her and take that person to the Animos Society Ball.

Enter Daniel Best; the one man who she would never want to hurt. Daniel is charged with taking care of her father’s car collection and spends his free time at his Grandma’s shop, determined to make his dream of becoming a singer come true.  Daniel is one of the most fantastic characters I have had the pleasure of reading in some time, he is sweet, gentle, kind and an all-around good person. Sam goes to the extreme with this group, and there were some parts of this book that really made me not want to finish it.

Sam’s journey shows her parts of herself I don’t think she was ready to see, but also teaches her a few lessons that were necessary. A very good story and one I would recommend to other readers. 

Reviewed by Sarah

Copy provided by Publisher

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