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Book Review – CITY BOY, SOUTHERN GIRL by H.C. BENTLEY #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what our reviewers are saying about City Boy, Southern Girl . Sweet short story about a city boy, who bounced from job site to job site only to find the girl of his dreams in the small town he was working in at the time. He wants to go back to the city, she has roots in the small town. Where there is love, can there be sacrifice? Sweet romantic story. ~ Dawne Rating 4 Stars Just a sweet, short story of city boy, Jake Ryland and country girl, Sarah Wright. Jake is wild city boy who works hard, plays hard and never sticks with the job or a girl too long. When he heads to a small quiet Southern town, he knows he’s not staying longer than the time to collect his paycheck. It’s there in this sleepy, no night life town where he meets Sarah. Sarah grew up in town, it’s her life, here way. Both Jake and Sarah find themselves unable to fight the connection they feel towards one another. Will they able to make it work with vastly different directions and needs in life? I was pleasantly surprised how sweet and well written this book was. It’s a fast, fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed! ~ Letty Rating 4 Stars This was a cute love story. the characters were well formed and the story is a good quick read. the two main characters are ones that both like the idea of having each other, but have their hesitations. if your looking for a quick read that has a feel good feel to it this is one for you. ~ Terri Rating 4 Stars Growing up in a small town, Sarah Wright knew city boy Jake Ryland was going to be trouble the minute she saw him. In order to help a friend, Jake moved from his home in the city - with its vast amounts of entertainment options and women - to a small town in the middle of nowhere. Accustomed to the fast paced life he loved, life now seemed to move as slow as the molasses the South was known for. Until he met Sarah. Sarah knew Jake’s stay in town was temporary, and did her best not to be drawn in by his charm and good looks. And after a disastrous first date, she thought she was safe. Little did she know... As their relationship builds, so does their chemistry...and their feelings for one another. Do they try to find a way to make it work, even though they come from different worlds? Or do they walk away now and wonder what might have been? Purchase Now

Book Review – THIS CRAZY LOVE by S.H. PRATT #BooksmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what the review team is saying about This Crazy Love This is the first book I have read by this author…….and I just want to know……where the heck have I been?! This book had me from the first page…the anger and devastation that Austin was feeling rippled off the page making me take a deep breath, hoping I had the strength to get to the end…..then Fiona got the call from her sister to say she needed her at the ranch. My heart was literally pulled from my chest as I took the ride with her…..I felt every struggle she did to get past that gate…..I wasn’t sure I would come out unscathed. I am still not sure I did as I sit to write this review! Sparks fly from the moment these two meet but they appear almost like kindred spirits………Fiona has so many demons that haunt her dreams……but Austin seems to soothe them and they start a tentative friendship. My Heart was so sore as Fiona gradually opens up to Austin and when she finally confides the whole story to him…..the floodgates open (mine that is)…..My emotions couldn’t take any more! Oh my! I need to read more!!…..if you haven’t read this yet, I highly recommend that you do!! ~ Lynne Rating 5 Stars Crazy, Sweet, Love, I’m writing this review a week after I read this book and I still have a lump in my throat. It’s a beautiful story of not just love between two people but of love between siblings, between friends and roommates. Fiona Harper ran away from her nightmares of The Lazy D Dude Ranch a long time ago, vowing to never return. A call from her sister, Brianna needing her help has her doing something she never thought she ever would, return to the ranch. It’s at the ranch where she meets the very angry Austin Green who is the head wrangler on the ranch. Austin too, has many demons and they show through his anger towards people and life. Not only is he an angry head wrangler, he’s also now Fiona’s roommate. As Fiona’s nightmares become worse, it’s Austin who reveals some secrets of his own. He lost his fiance one Christmas Eve in a horrible accident. As each deal with their own troubles they learn to lean on each other. As their friendship blooms they realize they want more from friendship from each other but will their demons haunt them forever? ~ Letty Rating 4 Stars This was a cute love story. the characters were well formed and the story is a good quick read. the two main characters are ones that both like the idea of having each other, but have their hesitations. if your looking for a quick read that has a feel good feel to it this is one for you. ~ Terri Rating 4 Stars Growing up in a small town, Sarah Wright knew city boy Jake Ryland was going to be trouble the minute she saw him. In order to help a friend, Jake moved from his home in the city – with its vast amounts of entertainment options and women – to a small town in the middle of nowhere. Accustomed to the fast paced life he loved, life now seemed to move as slow as the molasses the South was known for. Until he met Sarah. Sarah knew Jake’s stay in town was temporary, and did her best not to be drawn in by his charm and good looks. And after a disastrous first date, she thought she was safe. Little did she know… As their relationship builds, so does their chemistry…and their feelings for one another. Do they try to find a way to make it work, even though they come from different worlds? Or do they walk away now and wonder what might have been? Purchase Now

Book Review CHECKMATE: THIS IS DANGEROUS by KENNEDY FOX #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what our the review team is saying about Checkmate: This Is Dangerous. It’s safe to say that this book was one of the review teams favs. Five ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW STARS! Outstanding, thrilling, heart pounding, smiling, laughing, and filled with Screaming Noooooo moments in this book! I need September here tomorrow for the conclusion of Kayla and Logan….my heart is in my throat clogging my airway as I gasp over this ending! Eek!!!! This book was incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed it! And can I just say I’m craving donuts…lol ~ Angela Rating 5 Stars Oh my life, one of the worse endings to a book ever!! Well for me it is. Its only because i need the next one like yesterday! Talk about a cliffy, i am literally foaming at the mouth!! Throughout the whole series, Kayla and Logan are the couple we are screaming at to get it on already. Then when it happens, we are elated. Then this….. Well i think its pretty obvious i love this series but i will be a nervous wreck until the next one. Amazing read!! ~ Katy Rating 5 Stars Please someone get me a donut! Gawwww! I’m dying! There is definitely a what the hell just happened moment in this book that has me screaming on the inside. I just love this Checkmate story. Logan and Kayla have this smoldering energy between them. Kayla knows she wants Logan. Kayla knows that Logan wants her, but Logan has demons that prevents him from giving himself completely to her. So many funny moments that have you laughing out loud and hot moments as well. I loved this book and of course I will be at the edge of my seat waiting for the second part of this duet. Gawww… I need a donut. ~ Dawne Rating 5 Stars Love the slow building romance! Logan Knight knows that Kayla wants a relationship with him but his past is stopping him from taking the leap. While Kayla has had a tough childhood, she realizes that she can’t live her life in the past and tries to enjoy every moment. Anxiousness reigned until these two finally decided to do away with the fear and jump into a relationship. What I loved about this story was how as a reader we get to feel the ongoing chemistry between the main characters and throughout that slow burn, we fall in love with them. Logan is the type of male character I love; protective, loyal, trustworthy and as a bonus he was in the military. Kayla is giving, sweet, funny who is obsessed with Donuts! This is a duet, so it does end in a cliffhanger. Enjoy! ~ Alexandra Rating 5 Stars WOWZA! I knew Logan and Kayla’s story was going to be good. But surely, it couldn’t be better than Drew and Courtney’s story could it? UH Yes, somehow it was and that’s a near impossible feat as far as I’m concerned. At the end of Checkmate: This is Effortless we get a glimpse into their story and boy oh boy what a wonderful second chance at love story it is! Logan is every woman’s dream with his good looks, sleuth skills and those smirks….I saw them in my mind! Make no mistake, animal rescuing sweet Kayla isn’t just another needy damsel in distress, she goes head-to-head with Logan every step of the way! There’s so much I want to say about this book but the best thing I can say is go read it. Although you don’t need all the previous books, you should read them as well so you can get a little bit of glimpse into Logan and Kayla lives. I can not wait for book two and see what happens to Drew and Courtney! ~ Letty Rating 5 Stars This the first book that I have read from this author. Logan is a police officer who has knight in shining armor tendencies unfortunately he doesn’t appear to recognize this within himself. This is especially true when he is looking at what he feels are his failings. He has a daughter from his first marriage who lives in another town but this is not something that he has really shared with his circle of friends. Kayla and Logan are friends within the the same circle of friends and yes they have some amazing close-knit friends. Kayla is an interior decorator who is a dog lover and is an overall good person, always wanting to help others. Her childhood is heartbreaking and you find yourself impressed with her ability to rise above. Logan is resistant to getting involved romantically with Kayla for a variety of reasons revolving around his own issues. Kayla accidentally finds out about his daughter and assists his setting up his home for her to come say with him. I don’t want to give anymore of the story away but there are several mysteries within this story which make it very intriguing. They are well written teases that were successful in encourage me to read more. Yes it has a cliffhanger which was beautifully done. OMG I definitely plan to read the second part… Sidenote: If you have read some of other books within the Checkmate world, supporting characters that had their own stories also appear in this book. I only know that because I looked up those books after I started this one. Yes I plan to read them, just obviously out of order (haha). Yes this gal LOVES series and I always enjoy getting updates on characters I had loved in previous books. ~ Tawnya Rating 4 Stars Holy Hell!! This was the first book for me from Kennedy Fox, and it did not disappoint at all. What can be said about this book other than i want more. this book had moments that had me laughing and then moments that i was swooning. i love the characters and the tug and pull that thye were battling where it came to them being together. and the build up to the last scene in the book. Without really giving anything away, per-say, this book does end with a cliffhanger. but, unlike some books, it ends at the right moment to make you wanting more. in fact i can’t wait for the next part so that i can find out answers for my questions. ~ Terri Rating 5 Stars DAT CLIFFHANGER THO Logan & Kayla are chock full of baggage in this newest game of love chess. Yeah, love chess it’s a thing now. They are both sweet souls with haunted pasts, it makes you root and holler for them to fall in love and find happiness. I have to say the few twists in this book were so unexpected and kept the story interesting and fresh. I cannot wait to find out what happens after THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!! AAHHHH!!! ~ Samantha Rating 5 Stars Kayla is an amazing chick, she`s smart and funny and worth her weight in gold. She so deserves a Knight In Shining Amor. Friends to lovers story, great group of characters that allows the story to flow and several LOL moments. I personally would have like it to have moved a little faster so I can`t wait for the next book in this duet. The ending nearly killed me last night. ~ Maria Rating 4 Stars Officially Hooked. Love Kayla and Logan! Jeez…where does one even begin? This was my first book by Kennedy Fox and WOW I am officially hooked. I was enamored with the story of Kayla and Logan from page one. The push and pull was filled with so much ANGST and possibly frustration on both sides. Friends who want more but one fights it with everything they have and the other puts it on the side burner. Have you ever read a book where for the first half of it you wanted to smack someone in the back of the head and knock some sense into them? Well, that happened to me. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love Logan and my heart broke for him and everything he went through but seriously he needed to get a smack on the back of his head. The journey that both Kayla and Logan went through to get to where they are currently in life is what makes them each unique and special. Page after page I fell in love with not only the story but also the characters. You couldn’t help but be drawn to them and want to cheer them on (even still when they were making you mad). Loved this book to pieces and I need book two like STAT. Seriously the last two words nearly broke me. I was screaming in my end. Kennedy Fox, a new fan has been born. ~ Emilie Rating 5 Stars Another must read from Kennedy Fox Kennedy Fox did it again!! Logan has his priorities in place but no one knows what they are. He is a private person. Kayla has always wanted Logan and they have chemistry but he stays away. In comes Skylar. Will she be the reason they can’t be together? A must read!!! ~ Angela Rating 5 Stars This book, this effing book, SWOON! Kennedy Fox has done it again. Creating characters that will hook you FOREVER. This entire story had me laughing, fanning myself and CRYING!!!! Logan and Kayla For a little bit Kayla had me annoyed with her persistence in regards to Logan, but after a bit I could see where she was coming from. Logan, Logan, Logan, I sympathize with him but aaaargh the mixed signals he kept sending poor Kayla had my head spinning and gave one hell of a case of whiplash. But… they are so perfect for one another… and they make it impossible not to love them. Kennedy Fox’s writing is astounding. Their characters imperfectly perfect and relatable. I will continue to read and enjoy this duo’s writing. If you haven’t yet read their writing WTF are you waiting for? ~ Yericka Rating 5 Stars Donuts, dogs and a sexy detective! After reading the others in the Checkmate series this was the one I looked forward to after 1st reading about Logan and Kayla and it did not disappoint! Oh Logan…hot detective with baggage and warring emotions and sweet Kayla…extreme dog lover who has so much love to give if Logan would just submit to his feelings! I wanted to reach in and shake Logan so many times for being an idiot! And finally when their friendship goes in the perfect direction BAM Kennedy kills us with her ending (which was expected since it’s a duet)!! I didn’t see that ending coming at all! I cannot wait for what I know is going to be an awesome part two of their story!! ~ Jennifer Rating 5 Stars Excellent Reading This is the first book in the Second Chance Series. Kayla, who everyone thinks is a good girl volunteers at a soup kitchen, dog shelter and nursing home. Logan is a police detective who thinks his life is to complicated to be in a relationship. Both have secrets, both deserve a second chance at love. I love Kennedy Fox. The characters are fun and quirky. You enjoy the banter and quick wit they have. If you haven’t already read any of the Checkmate books you should give them a try! ~ Nancy Rating 5 Stars Wowza Omg this book. This book was awesome! Like oh my Logan Knight! I want a real life Logan please! I will never see donuts the same way again as I did after reading this book I love Logan and Kayla. And I love how he resisted then couldn’t anymore. Their relationship is amazing. And once again I was left screaming at the end of the book. September better hurry itself up so I can read book 2! ~ Emma Rating 5 Stars Oh, donuts!! Amazing!! Amazing!! Amazing!! There’s so many positive things to say about this amazing book and not enough space, Haha. I absolutely love this book! Logan was always one of my favorites and his book just solidified that. Him and Kayla are the best couple! My whole body feels such joy reading about them and then the ending! Whaaat! I never seen it coming! Oh god!!! What the hell am I suppose to do until book two! This book was so much fun to read and I love their love! Kennedy Fox doesn’t disappoint! Also, I’ll never look at donuts or cream filled donuts the same again, Hahahaha! ~ Krista Rating 5 Stars Yup yup, here they go again. Kennedy Fox doing what they do best by giving me a book that brings out all the emotions. At the end of Drew and Courtney’s book we were already salivating for Kayla and Logan’s story because they dangled that juicy donut in front of us. Who is Skylar? Well we find out in This Is Dangerous but also find out other complications that stand between Kayla and Logan. The chemistry is there like an electric current between these two and I didn’t know whether to scream at Logan or kiss him at times. It’s so clear that these two need to be together and the push and pull that exists had me wanting to pull my hair out at times but I loved every second of it. Logan will make your heart SWOON and dayum nothing is sexier than him being the Knight in shining armour with Kayla. Kayla I loved her she was soo sweet, so generous and kind. I felt for her everytime knowing that she wanted Logan but had to deal with him being so closed off at times. These two though just can’t stay away from each other and their moments are so sweet. So much more for me to say and I will probably add to this review later on once I wrap my head around this book because of course this is a duet and in Kennedy Fox fashion they leave you with a few WTF moments that will have your mind working overtime trying to figure things out. Another fav read that leaves you in excitement for more. ~ Melissa Rating 5 Stars Logan Knight is a real life knight in shining armor. A detective godsend in a sleek black suit has me thinking less than secretive thoughts. Brooding and mysterious, he's the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it's no wonder I can't help the way he makes me feel whenever I'm near him. 
Too bad he's unavailable—or so he says. He thinks I'm a do-gooder who shouldn't get involved with a guy like him. His past is messy and relationships just add to that. He insists the timing is all wrong and he's devoted to his career, but I don't buy that excuse for a second. I see the way his body tenses and his jaw ticks every time another guy is around me. He just won't admit it, but I'm more determined than ever to show him what he's missing. I'm a devoted animal rescuer and I'll risk everything to save them, but when a dramatic turn of events puts both our lives at risk, I'm positive Logan will write me off for good. But when he asks for my help with a personal crisis, I know it's my last chance to finally show him I can handle anything he throws my way—messy past and all. He might think he has me all figured out, but I'll prove him wrong no matter what he thinks. This game of push and pull has me running in circles. One wrong move and we could both lose. Purchase Now

REVIEW ROUNDUP – BLIND FAITH by LAINY BRADSHAW #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what the team is saying about Blind Faith Wow! I am still sat here thinking about this book……the day after finishing it. What happened at the beginning leaves Faith traumatized in more ways than one and I wondered how she could possibly move forward…….but she does. This woman has so much strength and tenacity. Not letting anything get in her way to move on…….then she meets Cain…….a somewhat troubled soul but you feel their connection almost immediately. There are some twists and turns that left me totally breathless!…and I am still not sure how I feel about some of them…….my heart has been shaken six ways Sunday!!…… .expect the unexpected! I recommend you go one click this! ~ Lynne Rating 5 Stars This is one of those books that has a lot of potential but it didn’t work for me. I feel that the author did too big of a 180 on the second half to make it believable to me. I loved the first half. It was sweet, and I love who Faith is, her strength was amazing and I had so much respect for her. I loved who the hero was and how he didn’t treat her any different. This part of the book was about a blind woman trying to over come her pasts I led that it was beautiful. But the second half….. it was too fast, unrealistic, and it seemed like the characters weren’t who they were in the first half of the book and that the author was changing too many things. I am assuming that the author isn’t from the US because of some of the dialogue that was used between the characters. There is more, but I can’t spoil it. Overall, this book was hard to review. I don’t want to put the book down because I know the author worked hard to write it, but the second half were not for me. I’m not sure if there is going to be more. The ending left me feeling like there will, but I’m not sure if I can or will read it. ~Jessica Rating 3 stars One cruel event robbed Faith of not only her dignity but also her sight. Condemned to a life of darkness, she had also resigned herself to a life alone, until she gets literally swept off her feet and an enigmatic stranger who introduces himself as Cain, helps her stand. As their burgeoning love grows, Faith begin to hope for the future, even with Cain's cryptic comments about his worthiness as a potential partner. Eventually, Faith discovers the dark secret he is harbouring and her life crumbles around her. As she battles to come to terms with his revelation. which emotion will win, love or hate? Purchase Now

Book Review FALLING FOR THE UNEXPECTED by RACHEL LYN ADAMS #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam This debut novel had our review team all fired up and it’s safe to say its a review team favorite. See what our reviewers are saying about Falling For The Unexpected. Fabulous! Oh my goodness, what a fabulous book! Simone and Kyle…eek! This book was so well written and had a fantastic storyline that you can’t help but love it! Angst and romance are always an amazing combination, throw in some unexpected twists and ultimately a HEA and I’m sold! ~ Angela Rating 4.5 Stars Love love love!!!! I absolutely love this book!! The entire book, characters and storyline are so real. I could relate to almost every character. Simone is my hero, haha. She’s such an amazing, strong woman and I admire a mom that puts her child(ren) first, at all times. The relationship between her and Addie is remarkable and all real. I love me some Trent and am definitely in love with Kyle!! I can’t wait to read more about these characters, especially Addie and Ian! This was just a beautiful, real book that definitely gives you all the feels. A must read, for sure!! ~ Krista Rating 5 Stars Expect To Be Wowed To say I was fortunate to read this book is an understatement. It’s a wonderful book! It’s more than a coming of age story. It’s more than a boy meets girl and fall in love story. It’s more than two broken people who overcame sad childhoods and become stronger, better people. It’s more than those things. It’s truly hard to believe this is a debut novel for the author. It’s wonderfully written! The main characters, Kyle and Simone are incredibly likable. They’ve made mistakes in life but they work hard to overcome them. This book will put you on a roller coaster of emotions and all the while you are rooting for them. You want them to have their happily ever after because their lives are less than perfect but still they persevere. I don’t want to give away anything because the story is so beautiful, you’ll want to go in not knowing what happens because you want to feel all the emotions. Life is unexpected but you can be sure to expect to love this book. I picked it up and before I knew, it was over and I was left with a warm feeling all over. It’s truly a beautiful story. Honestly, if I could give more than five stars I would. It did not disappoint in the least! ~ Letty Rating 5 Stars Wonderful debut novel A story of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes and getting everything she truly deserved. Simone never grew up with a stable family life, living in foster care she was never able to trust anyone. She makes a bad choice but received a beautiful gift from that choice. Kyle also grew up with a tragic childhood but was lucky to have extended family, but will he ever overcome the demons from his past? This is a coming of age story, where hard work, having strength and courage and allowing yourself to trust in love can have great rewards. Wonderful debut novel. ~ Dawne Rating 4 Stars I loved this book. Kyle and Simone. Wow. I loved this book! I am normally a bit hard faced when it comes to crying over books but i will admit i shed a tear reading this. It was heartbreaking with what Simone went through and her and Kyle share a lot of pain. Both of their pasts are horrible and they both work hard to mask it. They have a lot to deal with with Simones ex Brad doing his hardest to create problems for then. They both over come them to be what they always wanted. Something they dreamed of. A family. An amazing story line that left me hooked from beginning to end. ~ Katy Rating 5 Stars Totally BookSmacked This story was written beautifully and kept real. I loved the dynamic between Simone and Kyle. Even little Stella was a gem. I can’t wait for all the rest of the gangs stories and hope all the characters continue to have a large presence still, so we can watch them all continue to grow. Thanks for this amazing story, you certainly out did yourself Rachel! ~ Sarah Rating 5 Stars Amazing debut!! A must read!!! Loved this Debut book and if this is what we got from her first book then I absolutely cannot wait for what she writes next!! Beautiful story but filled with lots of conflict and emotions! Oh Simone and Kyle! I wanted to hate Simone at first but after seeing what she went through in her childhood and continued to endure pain and heartache with Brad aka the JERK, you couldn’t help but feel for her and love her. And Kyle with his own childhood demons that he mentally locks up…my heart hurt for him! Their story proves you can overcome so much and end up happy! Loved their friends and family and getting to see glimpses of their stories mingled throughout the story and cannot wait for the next…fingers crossed for Addie and Ian;) 5 stars!!! ~ Jennifer Rating 5 Stars Beautiful Debut Author Rachel Lyn Adams has written such a beautiful and heartfelt debut. Her story is filled with real life struggles and fears, warmth and growth, something not many authors achieve with the first book. Her characters enchanting and charming (except Brad, he’s just *gag*). Her ability to show not just tell her readers the story is astounding. This tale is one of mistakes, learning from them, and growing. Life isn’t easy and if you don’t fight you’ll get nowhere. Love it when an author doesn’t just write a story but adds a lesson in there. Adams has done just that and she’s done it beautifully. Cannot wait to see more from this author. ~ Yericka Rating 5 Stars New author Rachel Lyn Adams just WOWed me with this book. They way Simone grew and Kyle fell just made me love them. This book ran through all my emotions. I laughed, cried and got really angry at one point. This book kept me up most of the night. I just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to see what happens next! ~ Nancy Rating 5 Stars This is my first book by Rachel Adams and I absolutely loved it! I loved how both main characters Simone and Kyle had to fight there own personal demons through the book. Along with that they both fought how they were feeling about each other. In the end they decided to give into it and realized they both were feeling the same. Suddenly Simone’s past comes back to haunt her and try to destroy the happiness between her and Kyle. In the end they overcome there challenges and end up together. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book! ~ Jackie Rating 5 Stars I read this book in one sitting, I was so drawn into this story! I cannot believe this is a debut novel! It was fantastically written and had the right amount of sexy and sweet. It was a totally believable story and wasn’t farfetched. I loved Kyle, he’s definitely one of my favourite book boyfriends I’ve ever read. a definite must read from a debut author ~ Emma Rating 5 Stars I am amazed that this is the authors debut. The story line flowed so well you get caught up into it. Simone, like most females, has issues with herself. Mostly with how she was raised in her past. She gets hooked up in a bad situation but she makes the best of what she got thrown into. Kyle also has past issues but like most guys, thinks they can handle everything themselves. The only one he trust is his sister. He trusts his friends but to a point. He meets Simone in such a horrible way. I love that the author didnt make this a instantaneous love affair. There’s a reality to this book that takes in everyday life. I love the start of what I know is going to be an amazing series. Definitely want more of this author. ~ Rebecca Rating 5 Stars An amazing debut that hit me in a way I least expected it to. If this is her first book I can only imagine what’s to come. I went in blind like I usually do. It’s my thing if you don’t know this by now. As I started reading I wasn’t sure what kind of storyline was going to happen. I actually assumed it was about different characters then it ended up being about. But I digress … There was a character in this book that I wanted to maim I’m talking castrate and bitch slap the hell out of. Then there is Kyle, smart, protective and oh he was a “knight in shining armour”. The heroine Simone, I felt for her in so many ways. Mostly because there were elements of her situation that hit really close to home and it brought up emotions from my past that were somewhat painful. However as this story unfolds I again found similar elements of my own story when I found my own knight in shining armour also known as my husband aka fuckface. Now don’t worry it’s a term of endearment it’s how we flirt with one another. What I’m trying to say is this book is sweet it’s so heartwarming and for me it was somewhat cathartic. It’s a must read you should all go preorder it. Because something’s when you least expect it you end up Falling For The Unexpected. ~ Melissa Rating 5 Stars You’ll want to throw punches I’m still in shock that this was a DEBUT NOVEL!! Got an ARC btw for an honest review! I got quite sucked in and was really taken with the struggles of poor Simone. This girl goes through hell and back with situations that many can relate to. So many times I found myself wanting to scream for her to put on her big girl panties and stand up for herself!!! The beautiful thing was watching her grow and how much she changed for the better. Inspirational character! Kyle and Trent were LIFE!!!! I loved these characters so much. They gave me some serious swoon moments the both of em’. OH and if I ever met anyone even remotely like Brad I may or may not get stabby. Just. Sayin. I would have liked a little more at the end, it seemed to end so abruptly…but perhaps I just wanted to know MORE! Well done! ~ Samantha W Rating 4 Stars What an amazing debut novel for Rachel Lyn Adams. This book was one that had some aspects to it that hit me on a personal level. and that is one of the reasons that i found myself not able to put it down. I found myself wanting to strangle a character or two and then i would find myself having sympathy for some of the others. watching the characters find each other is the best part of this book. this is definitely a book for someone that is looking for a book that shows the female character finding the she is stronger that what she was made to believe. looking forward to reading more by this author in the future. ~ Terri Rating 5 Stars All too often, in life, we make decisions based on circumstance. Sometimes it works, and sometimes… it doesn’t. And every now and again, all the wrongs we wrote are righted when we least expect it. This is what we see in Falling for the Unexpected. Simone is a young mom who seeks the help of a friend who, somehow, becomes a little more. She tries her hardest to fight it, to fight off the pull she feels toward Kyle, the swoony-sweet attorney, but it’s to no avail. She can’t avoid it and he can’t deny her. And OH BOY he makes it known!! And, as if his determination wasn’t enough, Kyle is quick to show how much he adores her baby girl!!! Gah! *starry eyes* So damn sweet!! Don’t even get me started on the secondary characters!!! Can’t wait for book two and more glances into this world! I’ll just lay claim to one of them now, you know, to save time… TRENT IS MINE!!! Yep! MINE! Who is Trent, you ask? Well, guess you’ll have to read this book and continue on with the series to find out! *winks* This books takes you on a journey that fills your heart with hope, reminds you that it’s never to late, and opens your eyes to the possibilities of a happily ever after. READ IT. ~ Meagan Rating 5 Stars He’s worked hard to overcome her past. He tries to ignore his. When their scars are reopened, will they be able to help each other heal, or will it be what keeps them apart? SIMONE For as long as I could remember, I’ve always wanted a family. When I finally get what I want, it’s nothing like I’d expected it to be. It never occurred to me that making one bad decision for all the right reasons could end so wrong. Now, I’m unsure about the future for myself and my daughter. But I can’t take it anymore. I’ve hit the breaking point. Knowing I want out, I turn to a friend for help. He’s completely off limits, so I never expected feelings to get involved. KYLE The past is always there, waiting to remind you of your pain when you’re most vulnerable. I’ve learned to keep people at bay so I won’t get hurt again. But when I see Simone struggling to do everything she can for her daughter, I can’t look away. It makes me want to be someone she can lean on, someone she can trust with her thoughts and feelings, but our shared history is complicated. When it becomes clear that she needs my help, I can’t say no. I was only supposed to guide her through the process—the most difficult time in her life. But now, I can’t stop thinking about her. Falling For The Unexpected is book 1 in the Life Unexpected Series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Falling For The Unexpected contains mature content and is for readers 18 and older. Purchase Now

REVIEW – SWEET DREAMS: A TUCKER PI NOVEL by T.J. SPADE #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam This book is one of the best thrillers I have read in quite awhile I don’t even know where to begin with this review! Kensie Tucker is a total badass and I want to be her when I grow up! This book is one of the best thrillers I have read in quite awhile. I don’t like to give away story lines in my reviews, but Tucker is a PI with a horrific past that comes back to haunt her. Is the Nightmare really gone or has he risen from the dead to come back and haunt her? You will be hooked from page one and just when you think you know who is behind everything, just like I did, you will be floored when you find out you’re wrong because you will NOT see it coming! Based on the ending, I’m hoping that T.J. Spade is hard at work to give me another Tucker novel. This is a must read!!! ~ Krista Rating 5 Stars Kensei Tucker is a survivor. Ten years ago, she and four other college students were abducted and tortured by a serial killer who went by the name ‘Nightmare’. Kensei was the only survivor of this terrifying ordeal – saved by a grizzled homicide detective named Henry Sloane. Fast forward and Kensei has moved on with her life. She’s made a home in the sleepy seaside town of Hawkins Landing, where she works as a private investigator at Henry’s agency, and life is good … until her phone rings. It seems that Nightmare is back and has abducted five new girls. This should be impossible because Nightmare is dead … almost a decade ago, Henry Sloane emptied an entire clip into his chest. Mac Jacobs works in Intelligence with the NYPD, and his sister, Emily, is one of Nightmare’s new victims. Benched from the case, Mac can think of only one way to find Emily, and this leads him straight to the door of Nightmare’s only survivor. Will Kensei and Mac outwit an insane killer before it’s too late? Or will Nightmare finally get what he’s always dreamed of … Kensei Tucker? Purchase Now

REVIEW ROUNDUP – SIN WITH ME by DELANEY FOSTER #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what our review team is saying about Sin With Me Great book. The storyline had me hooked from the beginning. The emotions were raw and they touched you deeply. But then comes along Cal. Wow, bad guy with a good heart, which we all seem to love. I would certainly Sin with Him!! Amazing read and i definately recommend. I have even gave 5 stars after the word Daddy was mentioned. It was said in a drunken stupor so I forgave the author lol. ~ Katy Rating 5 Stars Sin With Me is a good love story. Makenna has been to hell and back and is stronger than she knows because of it. I so appreciate that her circumstance did not stop her from pursuing her career goals. This, in my opinion, makes her a great strong female lead. Cal is quite the interesting character and its his story that I want to know, so I was excited to see that the next book will be his story. There were times felt like the story jumped around and it would take me a few minutes to catch up. A couple of the scenes I felt could have had much more action. Overall though it was a good story and I will be reading Cal’s story. ~ Krista Rating 4 Stars Makenna Taylor and Reid Landry are high school sweethearts. He was her first. Her only. They had life all planned out. Right down to the white picket fence and 2.5 kids. Then Reid joined the Marines, and from that day forward, life as Makenna knew it would never be the same. She thought it was just another part time job waiting tables while she worked her way through college. She thought she had the fairytale. She thought she had imagined what happened that fateful night at the liquor store. She thought Cal Suppato was just another man. She was wrong. Soon, she would learn that every family has secrets. Every stranger has a dark side. And love isn’t just a simple four letter word. From greed, to pride, to lust, Makenna is slowly introduced to the seductive world of sin. A world she’d only heard about in the whispers of her grandmother’s living room. A world many know about but simply refuse to see. Purchase Now

Book Review– STEAL by MAYRA STATHAM #BookSmackedReview #JellyKellyReview I don’t really know where to start with this. I think this has to be one of my favorite series this year to STEAL my heart, hands down this is going down in my top 10 of 2017!!! So STEAL is book 2 in the Right Men Series and it’s about Bryan Wright who is a sexy detective and Valerie Duncan who is an ER nurse. Did I mention that Bryan is sexy? Ok I just wanted to make sure you got that part! So Bryan and Val met when their mutual friend lied to Bryan and then failed to mention to Val that she’d be getting a new roommate. The chemistry is off the charts between these two and man there’s only so long Val can keep avoid him by taking extra shifts at the hospital!! I wanted to scream at her to just give in already, you know you want to, hell I wanted too!! You know that there’s not a good story if you don’t have the crazy ex right? I don’t mean just oh, I’m showing up on your doorstep to remind you how much I still love you. I’m talking about that psycho ex that brings you your high school Letterman’s jacket and leaves it on your front porch with the house you currently sharing with your girlfriend. I’m not about to give away the rest of the good stuff but I will say this….You want a story that has all the heartfelt emotions and shows you what a true relationship is and how you have to work at it with all the hot sex and drama you could ask for? Then this story is definitely a story you need to get!! I can’t wait for the next book in the series. My Rating Reviewed by Kelly Never steal. But if you must steal, steal away from bad company. Divorced police detective, Bryan Wright, let his life revolve around nothing but work after his marriage all but imploded. Now he is ready to hit play on living again; as long as love and commitment are off the table. But the curvy blond goddess who happens to be his new roommate cracks the veneer of his walls with her sassy mouth and shy smiles. ER nurse, Valerie Duncan, isn’t one to trust easily. When she discovers she has a sinfully handsome new roomie, she is more than cautious. After all, nothing good can come out of being around a man who drips testosterone and masculinity with every breath he takes. Heat and desire collide, breaching their walls, leaving each of them vulnerable to love, though they stubbornly deny it. When the past spills into the present, will they admit to stealing each other’s heart? Will they be brave enough to steal away from the bad company that comes knocking at their door? Purchase Now

REVIEW ROUNDUP – DEADLY HUNT by K. L. HUMPHREYS #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what the review team is saying about Deadly Hunt What an amazing book this was Holy ****!! What an amazing book this was! I am still reeling. Every single turn there is something else that completely wipes the floor with your emotions!!! So many subjects that are usually so hard to broach have been written stunningly. My god, my heart is in my mouth. I have a girl crush on Soph. She is freaking amazing. I so totally want to be her!! Well not her exactly, but to have her sass and badassery would be appreciated. This book is now one of my all time favourites. ~ Katy Rating 5 Stars For a debut book, it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t knock my socks off either. I think the story line was promising, but there was too much going on in one book for me. I loved that Sophia was a strong heroine, but she was a little too much too. As for the writing, it jyst seemed a little juvenile. ~ Sarah Rating 3 Stars The story line was brilliant, the story was really very good. It was funny, sad and loads of trauma too. I also found, except for the main character, who, was strong, the rest of the characters were very wishy washy. I found that some of the parts of the book were overdramatic, and then fell flat. So although the story was great, I struggled with the way it was written. Would I read the next book? Yes, I would. ~ Haydi Rating 3 Stars Sophia Dallas has recently been discharged from the Army after suffering at the hands of the enemy. On her journey to healing, she has finally started to live her life, but the past never really stays in the past. Nathan Slade, a former FBI agent, now owns his own P.I business, has taken on a case that could make or break him. In all the chaos, he meets the love of his life. What happens when the man Nathan’s hunting also happens to be a man on the hunt himself – only his target happens to be the love of Nathan’s life? Lives will be lost, leaving pain and suffering in the wake of destruction while Nathan and Sophia learn the hard way that the future is never promised – especially theirs For readers aged 18 years and above. This book contains scenes you may find disturbing. Purchase Now

Book Review - THE BRIGHTEST SUNSET by ALY MARTINEZ #BookReviews #AdrianasReview #BookSmackedReview You know what it’s a good job I didn’t have to wait long for The Brightest Sunset because I was going out of my mind,that was a week of torture for me….anyway enough about me let’s get to the good stuff and by good I mean AMAZING oh how I missed Charlotte & Porter in that week of nail biting torture. Picking straight up from book 1 Charlotte & Porters lives are turned upside down in the most heartbreaking way and they are thrown back into the dark. So many issues surround them and they must endure every emotion and fight to get back into the light. This book is everything and is a must read Aly has smashed it once again with her words ~ Adriana Rating 5 Stars Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Bullshit. Words destroyed me. “I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.” “Daddy, he can’t breathe!” “There’s nothing more we can do for your son.” Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Lies. Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me. Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness. “He’s gone.” In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise. “Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.” Purchase Now

Book Review – WISHING FOR YOU by MAYRA STATHAM #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam I really adore the Never too late series. It shows real life love stories. Love is not always perfect, it can be really messy sometimes; but real love will endure if you want it bad enough. Shelly, at 56, has never been in love. She has it all with her work and friends, but never felt that feeling of love for anyone. Grant had the perfect marriage and love, but lost his wife 10 years earlier. Can two best friend find love? Wonderful story about middle age love. ~ Dawne Rating 5 Stars Bohemian artist, Shelly Santiago has had a fulfilling career, amazing friends, and great family. There’s only been one thing missing in her life: someone to share it with. At fifty-six, she thinks her time has come and gone for finding love. Straight-laced gallery owner, Grant Alexander, knows that even with the tragedy of losing his wife ten years ago, he’s been blessed with a great life and career. The only thing that’s been bothering him is the promise he made to his late wife before she passed. Side by side, Shelly and Grant have worked together for years. Nothing ever more than friends, and sometimes not even that. As complete opposites, what happens when they start to realize the building attraction they feel for one another? Will they jump into the possibilities of more or will they keep one hand up and their own hearts guarded? Will Grant be able to keep his promise to his late wife? Will Shelly get what she’s always wished for? Wishing For You will take you on moonlit walks on the beach to remind you that it is never too late for love Purchase Now

Book Review – LOVE IN CARSON FALLS by PAISLEIGH AUMACK #BookSmackedReviews #BookReviews #BanGReviewTeam See what our review team is saying about LOVE IN CARSON FALLS A lovely story with so many tragic moments in it. Both Adrianna Morgan and River Bradshaw have seen enough of love and relationships to know it’s nothing but trouble. More trouble than it’s worth. Adrianna is savagely betrayed by the one person she thought would love her forever. When he completely destroys her life she’s left alone and lost. River Bradshaw was married to a very selfish woman, when she leaves, she doesn’t just leave him, she leaves him with their sweet little girl too. Needless to say each of them are very leery to get close to anyone. When Adrianna decides to move to a the small town of Carson Falls, she takes a job as a piano teacher, it’s there she meets River and his daughter, Cadence. This book is full of emotions, you’ll cry, laugh and sigh with joy. A sweet story and I look forward to the next in the series where we find out more about the people of Carson Falls. ~ Letty Rating 4 Stars This was a lovely story, with some heart breaking moments and a love that develops quickly. The bond these three have is a strong bond and heart warming, to watch. ~ Sarah Rating 4 Stars Amazing story! I loved reading this book. I felt so many different emotions when reading this book. With reading everything she went through my heart broke for but for her to find her happiness again and get what she lost in the end made me so happy. I def recommend reading this book! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!! ~ Jackie Rating 5 Stars I read the blurb of this book and my interest was peaked because it was a story about overcoming bad relationships and giving love a second chance. Arianna Morgan lived in an abusive relationship for seven years until after a violent night with her ex, she knew she needed to save herself. She moves to the town of Carson Falls with her best friend, Penelope Sloane, to start over again. She meets River Bradshaw who tries to show her that she can trust him not to hurt her. In the middle of Arianna and River getting to know each other, someone starts sending threatening notes to Arianna. At first, they believe it’s her abusive ex but later on find out, it was someone else from their town. I may be in the minority here but there were a few things that just didn’t work for me about the book. The author tried to make River into an Alpha male with his posturing and possessiveness but it didn’t work for me. He was really nice and sweet most and then suddenly he starts demanding compliance from her. Also, what happened to the ex? Did he go to jail? ~ Alexandra Rating 3 Stars Arianna Morgan: She never thought life would beat her down. She never imagined the man she loved doing it either. Starting over in a small town was her only option. Once she arrived in Carson Falls, she realized her life never really began until the locals, one specifically, proved that there are things that can mend your spirit. River Bradshaw: He never thought the mother of his child would walk away. He also never thought she would end up dead. Living in a small town his whole life, he knew what his life’s meaning was, or so he thought. Once a stranger from out of town started teaching his daughter piano, she proved that life had much more in store for him. This is a story about loss, love, and how music can teach us about ourselves. Purchase Now