Book Review and Giveaway for Worship by Trilina Pucci

WORSHIP
by TRILINA PUCCI

There are only two reasons a man falls to his knees: prayer and pussy. 

And I sure as hell don’t pray. 

But for this woman, I’d fall on my knees to worship every single, gorgeous part of her body. 

And claim her as mine, knowing I shouldn’t want to keep her. 

Because we’re all wrong, too complicated, too explosive….too sinful. I want what I can’t have. 

But I’ll take it anyway because Gretchen Andrews has done the one thing my wife never could….she’s made me love her.

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"I hear what you mean, Luca, not just what you say."

I am in love with Luca's tongue. Get your mind out of the gutter!!! I'm just saying I loved the way he used his words as foreplay, and the way he gave me goosebumps. When a man can seductively whisper in your ear, making you flush and go weak in the knees, that's a man with some honest sex appeal. *bites knuckles*  OMGosh, did this one push all the right buttons! Worship was billed as taboo with a hot, brooding Alpha, and while I didn't find anything taboo about it, I can't say that about the rest of the description. Luca was one super broody man with the sexiest tongue I've ever read, and add to that the tendencies I love to read in a true alpha character - we have a winner! But his predatory nature?? Holy crap, that was HOT. He told, he didn't ask....he was all sorts of right for me. I knew he was my favorite brother after reading TRUTH, but I didn't realize how much I was going to love him until this book. Snarky asshole. I loved him. HAHAHAHA!!

What I loved most about this book is that even though it took me longer to read than normal, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I didn't want to stop reading it when life called...and that sticks out a lot to me. When a book invades my thoughts, it makes me that much more apt to recommend it and smile while chatting about it, because you know I love to do that. The way Trilina put in these little nuances that made Luca and Gretchen their own characters, and the deeper meaning to their relationship - it was perfect. They didn't have an easy path to maneuver, which added more depth to their story. I loved seeing them grow. I enjoyed their buildup and the lengths in which they went through to get their HEA. I am, for all intents and purposes, NOT a mafia reader so it still shocks me that I am reading and loving a storyline that has that as background action. Not that I don't like them, it's just that I haven't been drawn to them. I really feel like this one had the perfect balance of drama and pleasure. Some of the drama, rather the business side, was brought to the forefront and some it was off page, and that added a nice complimenting dynamic to the drama of their relationship.

"I know she hates that she wants this as bad as I do, but she never had a choice. I wasn't giving her one."

There is nothing more pleasing than a strong character knowing their true weakness is the love they hold for their soul mate, but also the ability to know when to walk away and when to fight for it. The kind of love that makes them powerless to say no, the inability to walk away or to turn their back on each other, even when things go awry. There was a gritty push and pull to Luca and Gretchen's relationship and I was able to feel their needs and desires, but I was also able to empathize with each one of them individually in regards to their own frustrations. I can honestly say that I love alpha assholes, and I love a strong heroine who is not too stubborn or stupid with her decisions. Trilina nailed these characters, in that aspect. Luca knew who he was, but he also knew who he was with Gretchen. He was a badass, but again, he knew his weakness as well. I loved that part. Absolutely loved it. I think Gretchen's strength was also her weakness and that was a great dynamic to read as well. I love a woman so confident, she knows when to give in and it's not her being weak. So very HOT. They both were, and I am in love with their story.

Talk about leading me farther into temptation with this series! It has five more stories coming up. I know that I am anxiously awaiting at least two more stories because of how she ended this one!! I will say this much....the wait for the next book, which comes in July, is sweetened by knowing it will be Dante's. I cannot wait for that brut to fall down HARD. I'm obviously looking forward to more in this series, but I'm excited to hear what else Trilina will be bringing us in the meantime and after.

This book is billed as the second interconnected standalone in the series. I normally do not ever recommend reading out of order because I'm personally a stickler for order and progression of a storyline, but you can actually take her word for it. I appreciate the fact that this one is technically a standalone and told in a way that did not ruin anything from the first book, nor did she leave us out of any of the necessary buildup for this story. So thankful!! That's not always the case and I'm so glad it played out the way it did. BONUS: no cliffhangers!!!!

I'll leave it at this: for the record, never have I ever wanted to hear an audio book as much as I do this one. The Italian that was spoken in this book was already romantic to read, but I can only imagine hearing it spoken will up the sexiness factor of the love affair I just got to read. Next level stuff right there. Oh my, the thought of it alone makes me smile....

"It's like she allows me to see all the parts of her that she keeps for herself, the ones that are hidden and real.
~BEE

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My review for Truth

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~MEET TRILINA PUCCI~

It all started when…

Trilina decided, 3 years ago, that between making grilled cheese sandwiches and running carpool she was going to write saucy novels for readers to titillate and excite them. She hasn't slowed down since!

Trilina has always had a love of writing; as a child she would journal and typically change the ending of whatever she was writing to suit her daydream. A knack for storytelling has translated into her debut, as an author, being met with rave reviews.

She lives in California where she multitasks the roles of wifey, mama and author. She hopes you enjoy her words and keep coming back for more!

Read Sexy, Stay Sexy!

xoxo, Trilina

~CONNECT WITH TRILINA~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Truth by Trilina Pucci

TRUTH
by TRILINA PUCCI

Drew

It was a tryst.
A sin swallowed down by desire.

That’s what I tell myself.
But my body isn’t the only part that
aches for him now.

I sold my soul.
Now my heart is a slave to the devil.
Dominic King.

He unveiled the taboo,
illuminating my lie
and unexpectedly stole my heart.

But I walked away.

Dominic

Lust is my religion.
She became my sanctuary.

If it’s forgiveness she seeks
the price just doubled.

And she’ll pay it bound at my feet.

I gave her pain for pleasure.
Her truth.

Now I’ll make her beg me for more.

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REVIEW: 3.5 STARS
"I'll sit at your feet until you trust me to stand by your side."

New author! New voice! New series! I will say, first and foremost, that even while the book felt a little truncated in some spots, Trilina Pucci's VOICE is what I am very excited to hear more of. I liked the story a lot and felt that I was getting a full story, it was just the execution sometimes lacked complete cohesion. But, I don't want that to take away from the fact that I really enjoyed the book as a whole and I was able to follow it along, connect with the characters, and enjoy the story.

As I was reading, I found that I broke up my feelings based on each 1/3 of the book.....which is weird, but it made me giggle thinking about it. The first was pretty good as she set up the story, the middle kinda slowed down and was a little patchy, but the last third had me reading with eyes wide open! I felt like she got her groove at the very end of the story, and it buttoned up nicely with a nice segue into the next book coming in the series.

While I was really worried about the sex club aspect (since I feel super particular about them), I didn't want it to be the 'token sex club' in a book. While I felt it was probably unnecessary for how it all tied in, it was ultimately the trajectory for their story...so I went along with it. Again, it wasn't bad by any means and the story was good - I'm just super picky about them in stories. But the "scene" in her office felt verrry disjointed and it almost felt like it was thrown in for the obligatory "hot scene" for the book, given the nature of it. What woman, who has worked that hard to get to where she was, does something irresponsible like that....? I don't know, but it was a head-shaking moment for me. I wasn't a fan of that part at all - but that's totally a personal feeling on it, nothing more.

I feel like her writing was something I had to get used to, but it wasn't hard at all - just took me a good minute. Her voice was a little different and it was hard to get a feel for it at first, but once I found a groove with her writing, it flowed much better. In the beginning, she was telling the story and actions were moving, but it seemed to be working as she was setting up the story because I was able to stick through it and follow the story as it progressed. While I struggled with the writing, I couldn't put it down. I know that says something, so the fact that it felt a little forced and lacked some luster, it didn't deter me from finishing. The underlying VOICE was enough to keep me going and I most definitely look forward to reading more of her. I want to check out the next book because I need Luca's story.

I mentally warred a little bit between the character Dominic portrayed to the outside world versus how he truly was emotionally. It was shocking because we literally didn't learn about his affiliations until later in the book, and then it was literally in your face. Is that saying that a 'businessman' like Dominic can't be a softie for his woman? No. No way. Not at all. It just didn't line up cohesively sometimes, but I was curious and really liked his dynamic, so I was able to go with it. He had a clear soft spot for Drew. Drew was a very headstrong character, but not in a stubborn way. I felt it was more her needing to accept her strengths for what they were and realizing that she was in charge of her own destiny, and not some needless, spineless jerk. But when she actually fought for what she knew was 'hers', she came into her own.

"I'd rather live in this lie than in any truth she isn't a part of."

I know I need to follow Trilina Pucci because she can tell a story, and by the time it was inching closer to the end, she made me feel more emotionally connected. Even though there were parts that pulled me out, I liked it overall. I feel with some good editing and proofing, the hindsight style of writing and the ease of her plot holes being explained away will become less frequent, and she will be an author to stalk for heavy emotional reads. Just the kind I prefer.

The idea alone behind the series completely pulled me in. An entire standalone series (interconnected characters) based off the seven deadly sins, with this first one being about lust? Yes, please!! Pucci added this sin in well, and the underlying theme played into their story nicely. It was more of a hint, I felt, and less of a LOUD presence and I feel like that's why it was pulling me in as much as it was. I know this review probably sounds super critical, but I assure you it's not. I left her book with a smile on my face and some good discussions with others that have already read it.

"My entire soul is ignited by my urgency to give into the truth. Our truth."
~BEE

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~MEET TRILINA PUCCI~

It all started when…

Trilina decided, 3 years ago, that between making grilled cheese sandwiches and running carpool she was going to write saucy novels for readers to titillate and excite them. She hasn't slowed down since!

Trilina has always had a love of writing; as a child she would journal and typically change the ending of whatever she was writing to suit her daydream. A knack for storytelling has translated into her debut, as an author, being met with rave reviews.

She lives in California where she multitasks the roles of wifey, mama and author. She hopes you enjoy her words and keep coming back for more!

Read Sexy, Stay Sexy!

xoxo, Trilina

~CONNECT WITH TRILINA~

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Book Review and Giveaway for The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

THE LAST LETTER
by REBECCA YARROS

Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

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REVIEW: How do you rate heartbreak on a scale of 1-5?
"Funny thing about broken hearts - only the living have them."

I feel like I need to preface this review by saying that even though the teasers show romance, and the romance community spread this book around and embraced it, this is not a romance. This will not read that way either. There is a romance element, and it is beautifully romantic in hindsight, and in truth, and in reality.....but it's a very painful, sorrowful read. 

I just finished this book and I will never be the same. This is a spoiler free review straight from my emotionally broken and torn heart, but it's going to be jumbled and raw and honest. For that, I apologize in advance. Only two other times have I audibly cried like I did with this one. It's rare, but I'm exhausted now...

I can honestly say I feel depressed.
I'm staring out the window.
The snow is falling.
I'm sitting on the couch, letting the tears fall down my cheeks untouched. Why stop them when more will come?
Staring off....not focused.....not even sure where to begin.

I know I always say I'm not a crier. I don't cry and I am usually strong enough to get through most subjects. But as cold-hearted as I pretend to be and as strong as I try to be while reading, this one broke me. The one recommendation I got for this book was to FEEL. And FEEL I did. I am pretty sure I swore I'd never read a book with this subject matter, and I'm confident it was because I was too afraid to FEEL this heartfelt pain. But the way Rebecca wrote this journey, the way her words invited me along to FEEL, I had no other choice but to cry it out. To suffer through the agonizing emotions. To FEEL. But I'll never willingly read a book with this subject matter ever again, though. Ever. She either set the bar really high, or scarred me very deeply....either way, never ever again.

I had to take a few breathers while I was reading this. Heartache, pain, and crazily enough: fear. Those are just some of the emotions I felt in spades, and they were accompanied by more, you guessed it - tears. The notes I took while reading this one now seem so inconsequential in comparison, after it's all said and done. But while I was reading it, I was sad, then happy. Angry at Ella and sad for Beckett. I was fuming because her rationale was way off. Yet, if I sat back and thought about it, I could understand where she was coming from because I am just as stubborn as she is. Her courage was beyond anything I have ever read and could imagine dealing with. Beckett's strength was probably the best book boyfriend material I've ever read. His allegiance and his honor, his truth in his understanding of love and loyalty. He was perfection, but he had a very selfishly-stubborn, or stubbornly-selfish, side to him that was admirable and I loved it. Moving. Painful. Heartbreaking. Compelling. The emotions I felt ran the gamut, of that I can't lie. I fell in love with their love. I cried when they hurt. I was angry at the universe and shocked at 'fate'. I have no words.

I can't recall the last time I wanted to DNF a book so late in the game, but I couldn't put it down because I was too freaking invested. There was a sad reality to the guilt, the regret, and the requirement to push through. I'm not sure I was willing or even ready to face the guaranteed heartbreak I was sure to receive. But I can't lie and say that the place that Rebecca came from, and the story that she gave me? That is why I read the heavy stuff. That is why I like the deep reads. The intricacies in the story, the love that is unwavering, the pain that is indiscriminate....it was all dished up with a healthy dose of reality.

But if I could emote the beauty in her words, and how well she flowed, I'd be proud to have been able to share that much. With a fractured soul and a broken heart, I can tell you I won't recover from this one anytime soon. It's almost a hollow, sad feeling in my chest - resigned....as if I went through this entire ordeal myself, and I have no recourse. I'm tired and I feel like I could sleep for a week straight. But again, the power in Rebecca's words are written with the tears falling down my face.

I want to be mad, but I'm sad.
I want to be sad, but I'm angry.
I want to be angry, but I can't stop crying.
I can't.stop.crying.....
This is NOT a romance, but that love story was so beautiful.
This is NOT for the faint of heart, and I'm not sure I'm going to ever be the same.

I'm not sure I can recommend this book to many people in the romance community without a heavy warning. Again, it's not a romance and it's not something I would willingly spring on anyone without a warning, but I can't ruin the journey for someone who understands that this is Contemporary Fiction. I likened it to Contemporary Depression.

These aren't the kind of emotions I enjoy from a book. These aren't the kind of tears I enjoy from reading a book. But, having said that, I am glad I weathered through it. I'm glad I felt it. And if I'm honest with myself, I loved the journey. But again, never will I ever read this subject again.

This story was a lesson on living in the now. This was a lesson on seeing the truth in a love destined to withstand life's curveballs. But most of all, this was a lesson to never take anything for granted. Hindsight is always 2/20.

To borrow your words, Rebecca: You don't know me, but you touched me. 

"You can't reason with the universe, no matter how sound your logic is. 
~BEE

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The first thing I ever read of Rebecca's was this blog post she posted on Twitter recently. I came across it and after reading it, I knew that not only was this story going to be an emotional one, but it was going to be told with intimate knowledge of many of the scenarios and circumstances that came into play in this book. My hats off to her. Much respect to her. My thankfulness knows no end.

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~MEET REBECCA YARROS~

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores. When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they're currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

~CONNECT WITH REBECCA~

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Book Review and Giveaway for The Girl in the Painting by Max Monroe

THE GIRL IN THE PAINTING
by MAX MONROE

Ansel Bray, an artist known around the world for his tragic hiatus from the canvas.
Ansel Bray, a broody, handsome man not known by me, at all.
Long dark hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks. I’ve never met her, but her image is imprinted in my mind. An angel muse who inspires me to paint again.

There is something about him. Something that spurs a need to be as close to him as possible. A need to find out why.
There is something about her. Something that draws me in. Something that urges me to find out what her presence means.

Why does the girl in his painting look so much like me?
Who is this girl, and why can I see her so vividly?

I shouldn’t fall in love with him.
I shouldn’t fall in love at all.

But fate plays her hand.
But fate has other plans.

The lines of my life will blur.
The needs of my heart will change.

What a beautiful mess we’ve made.

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REVIEW: 2 Disappointing STARS
"She's a red string tied to my finger, and I can't forget her."

Unpopular opinion warning: I need this review to come across as me being upset at the lack of emotional depth needed to carry off this storyline, and not the thought that Max Monroe can't write a story. I want to stress that while the story had an amazing synopsis and plot, the execution lacked immensely for me. As predictable and clichéd as this one was, it was ok - a decent read. I think I went in with higher expectations than I should have, and knowing that this one was supposed to be more heartfelt and emotional, the boldest emotion I felt was let down. When this is the opening line of the book, I should be awarded the emotions to accompany it:

"Do you think the universe fights for souls to be together? Some things are too strange and strong to be coincidences. " 
-- Unknown

I know I have some favorite authors that write FATE like it's as simple - and necessary - as breathing, and they set the tone from the beginning and roll with it through to the end. I love when an author can effortlessly tell me a story that shows me why the universe works in tandem with FATE. I didn't quite get that with this one. I have always heard Max Monroe was an amazing read: their stories are funny, the banter is hilarious, and the heroes are swoony. And before I get any farther in this review, their newsletters are THE BEST author newsletters I receive and I read them from the beginning to the end, religiously. I feel like those are a good "introduction" to them and their personalities, so signing up for this one felt like a no-brainer for me. Needless to say, I was very excited to jump into a more emotional book by this well-loved duo as my first read by them - and I thought, what a great opportunity for me to "meet" them. I don't do a lot of romantic comedies because I like the more powerfully emotional ones - the ones that leave me feeling raw and gritty. I prefer those because I want to feel my stories. However....

"To my soul, I know this isn't some random coincidence."

This book lacked the very necessary heaviness that was required to actually pull off the emotions needed to emphasize the journey these two characters took. Not only did it lack any actual emotion, I think it had the opposite effect on me because it angered me. That's not what the authors were going for, of that I can assure you. For involving my #1 favorite trope ever, I couldn't help but hate the heroine for her actions. H A T E. I couldn't connect with her at all and she felt very dry to me. She was one bad excuse/decision after another, and that felt very off-putting. I know there is supposed to be drama in every book - necessary for plot movement, but some of it is not necessary and when I start picking out things that bother me, other things start to stick out too. I nitpicked all her complaints about her job and lessons plans and anything else she mumbled about. I understand taking liberties with stories. I really do, but make them believable and not eye-roll worthy. Or laughable. So I know that's on me, and I get it, but that was one of those things that emphasized the distaste I felt for Indigo. Her ridiculousness was....well, ridiculous.

Ansel, though? All sorts of sexy. I won't lie. Swoony has a big ol check next to his name. His whispered comments gave me goosebumps. His promised affections gave me the anxiety pangs and butterflies. His turmoil? I felt it. He really was a brooding, tortured artist and they pulled that off exceptionally well, enough for me to empathize with him and hope against hope that this worked out for him. I just couldn't get on board with Indigo. <sigh> I didn't even feel Ansel and Indigo's pull to one another - like, at all, and that's the saddest part for me.

I didn't hate it...I just didn't love it.

I realize I am in the vast minority with this review and my opinion, but I will still do a giveaway even though I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for an emotional book. Max Monroe die-hards will love this, and for that, I'm happy to give a copy away. I will most definitely read more from them because I can't seem to stop laughing at their emails, but that also tells me that I need to stick to their comedy and stay away from their drama. That synopsis gave me all kinds of promises, and I'm bitter because I feel like they were all broken. I know there should have been some emotion built into this one, and yet I just didn't get that emotional gut-punch that I was set up to feel. I will definitely read Max Monroe again, and I will take recommendations for the best comedy of theirs to read, because I can only imagine those will be side-splitting funny.

"All you can do is lead with the best intentions, and then it's up to fate to decide."
~BEE

PURCHASE:   AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

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~MEET MAX MONROE~

Over two years ago, a dynamic duo of romance authors teamed up under the pseudonym Max Monroe, and, well, the rest is history...

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far. ​

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DNF Review for Pride by JD Hollyfield

PRIDE 
by JD HOLLYFIELD

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

But who said the devil was a he?

In my world, she was out to cause havoc on all our lives.

She’ll use the one thing I care most about to control me—force me into her Elite world, filled with sin, deceit, and power. And under her spell, I’ll lead a sinister brotherhood of seven at one of the most prestigious universities in New Orleans.

Seven tasks set forth by the devil herself, promising nothing less than the forbidden fruit of power. What they don’t understand is it will all end in bloodshed and regret.

They call me the alpha. The one in charge. The one with pride bigger than any task I could be given. And my pride won’t let me be anywhere but at the top of the food chain until she gives me what I truly want.

My task is Meghan Benedict.

She’s too pure for me to touch, too good for me to ruin—and the only thing standing in my way to freedom.

Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak...they’re for The Elite.

As they say, pride comes before the fall.

I am Mason Blackwell.

I am Pride.

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REVIEW: DNF and very paced review....

This was definitely a start to Mason's book, and Pride was definitely his book, his sin. Most definitely. It played very well into his upbringing and the way he handled his business, but it was a rough start. Tumultuous doesn't even begin to describe this book. Having said that, I did have a hard time in the beginning and this hard time weaved itself throughout the entire book. It was so frustrating to see how everything started out and played into Mason's world.

With that frustration came some serious hatred. I struggled so much, and I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it was, other than this one never really picked up for me and the necessary explanations weren't there while the overly described unnecessary parts were overabundant. Why is Lillian so instrumental - who is she - and why was that whole beginning of this story even necessary? It was, like, kindle throwing maddening!! These are only a few of the questions that I hope to find answers to as this series progresses, but I couldn't make it through this one to get some of the important answers. I have been reading this book for a few days now, and I have struggled every day, so I know that I needed to put it down. I got increasingly frustrated the longer it took me and the more <sighs> I expelled, which is the step right before I start skimming and I count a skim as a DNF because I can't get through it in one piece. I kid you not, this book put me in a terribly bad mood while I read it. It was so grotesque the way Lillian handled every little thing she said and did - with some of it being very unbelievable. It wasn't even a pleasure to read - which I am sure was the exact intention for her character's persona as seen by Hollyfield. I can't lie and say it was easy to read. The hatred for her was coming off me in waves and the anger was literally pissing me off, and again - I'm sure that's the emotional mindset Hollyfield would have loved to have me in for this character. But seriously -- pissed.me.off. I love angst and heavy emotional stories, but when helplessness mixes in with anger, it starts to take a whole new turn. Helpless because of the drama in the first 20% that you cannot even begin to manage, or even how to control the rage of the selfishness and the ludicrousness that surrounds it, and the anger because you want to beat an ass - HARD.

The lack of communication and secret holding in this one was high and quite frustrating - which plays into the meaning of Pride, being too proud to let weakness show, but why, if these are the boys of your brotherhood and supposed best friends, would you hold out the truth and the information from them. Same with your sister/brother. I really had a hard time with that aspect, and it didn't make much sense in the whole scheme of things but Hollyfield's writing conned me into staying a little bit longer. She definitely lured me in with some parts but I have to admit I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to.

It was neat to read the story from another perspective, even though there was a lot of overlay. This was not necessarily the same story being retold, but more like seeing the story from another POV being embellished from another side. It's an entirely different perspective and some of the same happenings are there to tie the stories together, but it was interesting to read it this way. With each book being as short as it has been so far, this is a rather interesting way to tell this group's tale. I also liked that they've been told mostly from the Elite Seven POV....the male POV. So far, two very differing and warring and very volatile opinions on the Elite Seven from one book to the next, from one character to the next. Polar opposite desires and yet, the outcome is the same...I still fell like I need more. I want more....but this one just wasn't working for me.

I will say that some parts felt very forced or unnecessary and with Megan trying to explain why she had certain proclivities felt very.....forced, for the lack of a better word. Don't make romance readers feel bad for their love of a good romance book or feel the need to justify their likes and desires, regardless of the content. I guess that didn't sit too well with me, but again - interesting POV change and telling, just the writing felt a little forced.

I don't want this to read as a negative review in general, please understand that. I feel that this book is instrumental in the overall traction for the storyline, but I had a really hard time with it and some of the elements of it left me quite salty over it all. I have now seen the crossover in the stories between Lust and Pride, so I am hoping to gain more knowledge with each additional book. I am enjoying the basic storyline that is unfolding while I read, so this is an easy series to follow so far - but I think the harshness of this one just did me in. I would *not* recommend reading these out of order, though. The buildup and the character growth in each book adds to the background, and in turn giving you better insight as you get deeper into the Seven. I cant wait to check out WRATH  next.

~BEE 

PURCHASE: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

My review for LUST

My review for PRIDE

~MEET JD HOLLYFIELD~

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part time superhero...

J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, son and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her Debut Novel. J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor and HEA's.

~CONNECT WITH JD~

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