Last First Kiss by Carrie Ann Ryan-review tour

Last First Kiss (Montgomery Ink: Legacy 5) by Carrie Ann Ryan-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2024

One look across the aisle at a wedding and I fell in lust.

He’s on the bride’s side. I’m on the groom’s.

But by the end of the night, we’re against a wall, over a table…and in bed.

I’m prepared never to see him again except in my memories.

Only the next week things become awkward: I’m his new boss.

And it turns out he’s just as demanding outside of the sheets as beneath them.

We need to stay away from each other—he has his demons, as well as an adorable little girl, and I’m trying to heal after a job gone wrong.

I know I need to walk away…even if neither one of us wants to.

•••••

REVIEW: Last First Kiss is book five in the Montgomery Ink Legacy Series by Carrie Ann Ryan. As always, I recommend reading a series in order, but these books can be read as standalone should the reader choose. LFK is a funny, contemporary romance that CAR fans are sure to love.

Weddings make people two things; happy and horny. For Daisy and Hugh that is even more true. From the moment they set eyes on each other it was pure lust, and a mutual lust at that. Quicker than quick; these two are tearing up the sheets, but when the night ends, they both never think of seeing the other again. Even if they wanted to.

Too bad life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. Now; for Daisy and Hugh, she just happens to be his new boss, and the awkward faze is going to take a while to get over. I feel for Hugh in this book so much. He’s a single Dad, just trying to settle into life in a new place, throwing Daisy into the mix during this time and chaos, pure, fantastic chaos. As a long time CAR reader, and a lover of all things Montgomery, I am so pleased with Last First Kiss.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Bittersweet Promises
At First Meet
Happily Ever Never 2.5
Longtime Crush
Best Friend Temptation
Happily Ever Maybe

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

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Last First Kiss by Stella Holt-review tour

LAST FIRST KISS (Legacy of the Maguires 1) by Stella Holt-review tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 9, 2023

He’s going to fight for her this time around.

Charlotte Maguire’s family is the closest thing to police royalty in her hometown. But not even the Maguires could protect her from the heartbreak of becoming a young widow. Now twenty-eight years old, Charlotte mourns the future she lost and has thrown herself into her work. Curating promotional campaigns is the perfect distraction until her gorgeous new boss Caleb shows up, forcing her dormant heart to awaken. Caleb and Charlotte have a past, and it’s impossible to ignore the sparks that are reigniting.

Caleb Kincaid is a survivor in every sense of the word. He’s no stranger when it comes to securing second chances, so when Charlotte Maguire happens his way again, he’s all in. Charlotte has loved and lost once already, and Caleb knows he’s no sure bet. But he also knows they could be great together this time around.

Caleb has always been a man of his word, but what happens when he promises a future he might not be able to deliver?

•••••

REVIEW:LAST FIRST KISS is the first instalment in Stella Holt’s contemporary, adult LEGACY OF THE MAGUIRES romance series focusing on the Maguire Siblings. This is twenty-eight year old, PR and Marketing manager Charlotte Maguire for Cavalier, and VP of East Coast Endeavors Caleb Kincaid’s story line.

Told from third person perspective LAST FIRST KISS follows the building romance and relationship between co-workers at Cavalier Enterprises Charlotte Maguire and Caleb Kincaid. Five years earlier Caleb met Charlotte while working in Rome but several days spent together ended when Charlotte revealed she was in love with somebody else. Fast forward to present day, married to her high school sweetheart found Charlotte a young widow when he was gunned down by a criminal’s bullet. Her latest assignment with Cavalier brings Charlotte up close and personal with the man she met years before, a man who is hoping for a second chance. Enter Caleb Kincaid, the man with whom Charlotte will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Charlotte and Caleb, and the potential fall-out as Caleb gets some troubling news and is ready to push Charlotte out of his life.

Caleb Kincaid thought he found the one in Charlotte Maguire but her pronouncement of someone else left Caleb heart broken and lost. Having never forgotten about the one who got away, Caleb saw a second chance when fate brought them together, working for the same company, on the same jobs but Caleb’s past is about to come barreling into his present, and he refuses to let Charlotte take on his burden. It took weeks to convince Charlotte to give them a try, but a devastating diagnosis will threaten it all. Charlotte’s grief and subsequent guilt about her relationship with Caleb, is but one of the walls facing our story line couple. There is no foul or strong language: the $ex scenes are all implied.

We are introduced to Charlotte’s brothers, all members of first responders: Coast Guard captain Conner, undercover/ SWAT DC police officer Rory, and US Navy SEAL Finn; chef Marco; Caleb’s sister Katie, as well as their parents Cecelia and Frank; and Charlotte’s boss Renee.

LAST FIRST KISS is a story of guilt and grief, loss and love, second chances and acceptance. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are captivating and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Author of your next binge-worthy romance series, Stella has been plotting sexy, tear-jerker stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born a Georgia peach, Stella loves all things country but calls the beach home. Most days she can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking.

Stella’s first series featuring first responders debuts in 2023.

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/StellaMail

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Last First Kiss (Iron Clad Security 2) by Sidney Halston-a review

LAST FIRST KISS (Iron Clad Security #2) by Sidney Halston-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 29 , 2017

He’s an A-list Hollywood heartthrob.

She’s trying to prove herself in a man’s world.

For this female bodyguard, protecting her client is simply business, but what happens when sparks fly and the danger heats up?
After a series of box office flops, Rocco Monroe needs a hit. Bad press, shit talking, rumors, lies…it all goes with the territory after almost two decades in the spotlight, but when he lands the role of his career in a controversial biopic, the part of a lifetime comes with a catch: a hired bodyguard.

Annabelle Clad is so bored she wants to scream. Her life is coding and algorithms and binary codes…rinse and repeat. To her Rocco Monroe means freedom, a chance to show her overprotective brother and business partner that she can contribute to Iron Clad Securities. And no arrogant playboy will f*ck up her concentration by batting his lashes at her. She would never jeopardize her reputation by swooning over any man.

That had happened once, and she wouldn’t bear that loss or humiliation ever again. Even if Rocco looks like a walking fantasy…

•••••

REVIEW: LAST FIRST KISS is the second instalment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult IRON CLAD SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Iron Clad Security. This is Hollywood actor Rocco Monroe, and former US soldier/IT specialist Annabelle Clad’s story line. LAST FIRST KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Annabelle and Rocco) LAST FIRST KISS follows the forbidden relationship between former American solider and IT specialist Annabelle Clad, and Hollywood actor Rocco Monroe. Rocco Monroe’s star has started for fizzle but a role in an upcoming controversial bio-pic finds our hero on the receiving end of a series of threats both personal and professionally including the potential fall-out of filming on location in the jungles of South America. When the production company forces Rocco to accept tightened security measures he will come face to face with a smart-mouthed, prickly, and over the top, alpha female Annabelle Clad-a former US soldier who served two tours in Afghanistan, and a woman who is desperate to prove she is just as capable as the men with whom she works. What ensues is the building relationship between Annabelle and Rocco as Annabelle is hired to play Rocco’s newest love, and the fall out as Annabelle continues to put her life in danger to protect the man with whom she is falling in love.

Annabelle Clad is just trying to do her job but it is in Rocco’s instinctive nature to protect the woman hired to protect himself. Our heroine has proven she can survive the mean streets of Afghanistan but surviving the over protective nature of Rocco and her brothers is less than conducive to our heroine’s independent charm. Rocco’s life hangs in the balance when the threats become physical, and Annabelle will become collateral damage for someone elses sins of the past.

The relationship between Annabelle and Rocco begins as a mutual attraction but Anna knows to get involved with a client would be a distraction when lives have been threatened by an unknown source. The allure of a female bodyguard has Rocco reconsidering his need for protection replacing it with the possibility of a romantic happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

From the outset I had issues with the heroine’s immature attitude and her ongoing childish interplay and emotional behavior as it pertained to her brothers and their need to protect and control. Wanting to be accepted as an equal Annabelle’s temper tantrums and the sibling’s adolescent conduct diminished my enjoyment of the overall story as each encounter with her brother resulted in juvenile name-calling, screaming matches and rude finger gestures. This does not scream responsible adult but spoiled child. The men in her life, including Rocco Monroe, were constantly second guessing Anna’s ability to do the job-surviving two tours of duty made little difference in the grand scheme of security and personal independence but her immaturity could have played a role in her brother’s unwillingness to hand over complete control.

LAST FIRST KISS is an energetic and lively story line. The premise is entertaining; the characters are somewhat infuriating; the romance is tender and optimistic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one KISS MARRY KILL

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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