Common Goal - Rachel Reid

Common Goal by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Game Changers series. Although there are some links between the various books, with previous (and future) characters popping up, these are really standalone stories. This time there was quite a bit about the couple from the first book, but having not read it, I didn't really know much about them.
Kyle and Eric have quite a sweet relationship. They are doing their best to not get involved. Kyle knows that he hasn't got the best track record when it comes to relationships with older me and is doing his best to avoid men like Eric. Eric can't help but feel that fifteen years is too big an age gap and that he shouldn't be interested in Kyle. It doesn't help that he's also coming to terms with the fact that he plans to retire from hockey and this will be his last season.
The more time that Kyle and Eric spend together, the clearer it becomes that they really are perfect together. I don't really want to give the wrong idea here. When I say that they are sweet together, this still has plenty of heat and sex. It's just that the two characters are quite sweet with one another as they fall in love, even though they are trying their hardest not to fall for each other, it's clear that it's a lost cause and that they cannot resist. I enjoyed this latest instalment in the Game Changers series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Two Week Seduction - Kathy Lyons

Two Week Seduction by Kathy Lyons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two-week seduction is a fairly fun and quick read. Alea has been in love with her brother's friend John since they were sixteen years old. Now he's finally back for two weeks and she's determined to see if there can really be something between them. John has also always had feelings for her, but as he's convinced that he's just not good enough for her, he's done his best to keep her away.
I enjoyed the interaction between Alea and John. It's clear that they are really into one another, although he does his best not to let things happen. There is a little bit of silliness towards the beginning where they try and wind one another up at a bar, but it was just that, a bit of silliness and didn't detract from the story.
My only complaint would be that this was quite a short read. Once they've decided to give things a go, everything moves quite fast and the obstacles that they were facing seem to get swept out of the way quite easily. I usually prefer a little bit more depth around that kind of thing. This was a fun and quick read though, so it doesn't really matter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Guardian's Grace - Rebecca Zanetti

Guardian's Grace by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read a few books from the Dark Protectors series now, I have been waiting to find out how things would unfold with Grace and Adare. They have popped up time and time again, as they are reluctant mates, not properly connected. I thought that it might be fun when they finally got together and that's what they have in this book.
I've enjoyed seeing their relationship, or lack of it, at a distance in the previous books. Now we finally see them finding out what they might mean to one another. It clear that despite their distance, they really do have feelings for one another. I liked the way that they are together. Adare is a little overbearing, as most of the male characters are in this series, but Grace is able to hold her own. That said, there were a couple of times that I think he went a little too far, although I would like to think that he would learn to trust her and treat her as more of an equal. I prefer storylines where there is more equality.
With all of these books, there is the overarching storyline that involves Hope and her future role in bringing an end to the conflict in their world. We did see some more of this in this book, with whole chapters devoted to Hope and her friends. I'm looking forward to seeing where that will go.
This would probably work as a standalone if you haven't already read any books in this series. I think that you would get far more out of it if you were to read the other books first. It also sets up for the next book, which I assume with involve Benny.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Night Whistler - Greg Woodland

The Night Whistler by Greg Woodland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Night Whistler is set in Australia in the 1960's. Despite being a Brit, living in New Zealand in 2020, there was something about the writing that sets that time and place very vividly. We're not just told that's where and when it is, but you can feel it too. The story focuses on what starts as a pet killing and nuisance caller and progresses into murder. Told from the point of view of disgraced detective Mick and young teenager Hal.
With much of the story being told from a younger person's viewpoint, there's always the danger that it becomes simplistic or childish, but that wasn't the case here. Hal's discoveries worked alongside Mick's as the story unfolds.
I have to admit that I hadn't worked out who was behind it all by the time everything was revealed. Mostly because I'd actually forgotten about this one character, he was quite shadowy and in the background with other people pushing him out the way. I think that this was probably intentional.
This was a great read and once I started I wasn't keen to put it down. This is a gripping read that draws you in completely with a well-drawn setting and compelling characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This is So Happening - Amelia Kingston

This is So Happening by Amelia Kingston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been reading quite a few darker books lately, but sometimes, what you really need is something a bit more light-hearted. This is So Happening ticked all the boxes on that front.
Jessie always has too much on her plate, she can't say no to anyone and always has a lot of things on the go. When she meets Devin (which seems to be pronounced like the county, although it's spelt differently) she can't resist trying to win him over and becoming his girlfriend. Devin doesn't want a relationship, particularly with sunny Jessie, he has a lot of baggage from his parents and his upbringing and he's reluctant to get involved with a woman whose interest is likely to be only fleeting.
I loved the contrast of gruff Devin and lighthearted Jessie. It was clear that despite their differences, they were actually a really good match. I also quite liked the way that she did all the chasing. I don't usually like to see such a miss-match, but it was fun seeing her try to win him over, while he tried to push her away.
As romances go, this is more to the light-hearted, romantic comedy end of things, which isn't always my kind of thing, but I actually really enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Diamond in the Rough - Skye Warren

Diamond in the Rough
Skye Warren
Publication date: July 7th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance

I’m on my way to meet my birth parents when it happens. A white van. A dark hood. Every woman’s worst nightmare. Now I’m trapped in an abandoned building. The man who took me says I won’t be hurt. The man in the cell next to me says that’s a lie. I’ll fight with every ounce of strength, but there are secrets in these walls. I’ll need every single one of them to survive.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH is a new dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren. Finding yourself has never been so dangerous…

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Author Bio:

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her new book ESCORT is out now!

“ESCORT is perfection only Skye Warren can deliver—a poetically erotic tale of exquisitely damaged characters, devastating secrets, revenge and redemption.” – Samanthe Beck, USA Today bestselling author

“Hypnotically romantic…this book reads like a sensual dream and I didn’t want to wake up.” – Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author

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My Review

I'm going to start this book with a warning. This isn't the end of the story and it ends on a cliff hanger. You have been warned. Not only that but if you're anything like me you'll be dying to know what's going to happen next for Holly and Elijah and you'll have to wait. This, of course, means that I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to hearing what's next.

Elijah and Holly met in the novella Hidden Gem, which is also included in the front of this book if you haven't already read it. Back then they were teenagers, she was 16 and he a few years old. Elijah was already tied up in all kinds of trouble and their brief time together was just a small interlude in this life. Now thrown together again, they are both in all kinds of danger.

I loved this story. Holly is feisty and brave, despite being a little nieve. Elijah is world-weary and believes himself to be incapable and uninterested in falling in love, in having a connection with a woman. Although the circumstances in which they find themselves are a little unusual and strained to say the least, the chemistry between them is intense and they cannot ignore it.

I do enjoy dark romances and this certainly falls into that category. I'm only sorry that I have to wait to find out what will happen next!

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Falling for the Tycoon - Aurora Russell

Falling for the Tycoon by Aurora Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars rounded up to four. I enjoyed this love story and the connection between Remy and Annalise. After initially meeting at an exclusive resort in Mexico, where they are the only guests, the chemistry between them is off the charts and they can't keep their hands off one another. Six months later, their paths cross again and it's clear that there is unfinished business between the two.
When Annalise and Remy are together, it's clear that they can't resist one another. There is certainly plenty of heat here. What stopped me from giving a higher review was that there was just something a little lacking overall. Alongside the romance aspect of the story, we have a suspense element. Someone is targeting Remy's family and he has become convinced that it is someone connected to Annalise's company. It's never really explained why and how he has come to this conclusion and I think that it is connected with this that just stops the story from reaching the excellent level. With this aspect of the storyline, there are a number of things that we are told, but that are never explained. I understand that this is the start of a series and the author may well not want to give too much away yet, but I think a little more really wouldn't hurt and would just help with this story overall.
I did enjoy the romance and would still recommend this book. I would be keen to read the rest of the series as I feel that this might be one that gets better as things unfold.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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