2 Star Review: Unsaid (The Manhattanites #3) by Avery Aster

Wednesday 29 March 2017 No comments
Unsaid (The Manhattanites, #3)Unsaid by Avery Aster
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


After reading and loving XO, Blake and the rest of the Manhattanites and Undergrad Years series from Avery Aster, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Unsaid. With Blake at the helm of this book, I was expecting an explosiveness that only he and Miguel could cook up after years of ignoring their feelings for one another.

Now freshly divorced, but still carrying around the baggage Diego so kindly bestowed upon him, Blake is reluctant to move on with his life romantically, that is until his friends step in. With Thor and Vive plotting and planning what could go wrong? But it's the plan which proves to be the downfall in this story as Miguel steps in to be the Dom to service Blake and his Seven Desires.

I loved the connection between Blake and Miguel but this story took their connection to a whole new level as BDSM/erotic activities set precedence over their emotions as Miguel willingly punishes Blake both for personal reasons and also to meet the demands of his seven desires. Miguel, still feeling rejected by Blake, questions whether he is the man, or the Dom, to fulfil Blake's desires. Mostly written in jest, Blake suddenly realises that Thor and Vive have set the seven desires in motion.

For me this is where the story turned a corner that it couldn't return from. I have read and enjoyed BDSM themed books and erotica but in order to be a success they have to be carefully balanced in order to avoid going down a path which loses the emotional or romantic depth of the book and that's exactly what happened here. The themes, which we were forewarned about at the start of the book do actually take place, so if they are likely to offend you don't read the book. For me, whilst taking Blake a step nearer to Miguel and a possible lifelong romantic connection, they completely spoiled the book and the story. I hate to say it but I loathed the storyline mapped out for Blake and Miguel. For two fun loving characters, ok albeit one being a Dom, the scenes were completely unnecessary and not what I was looking for in this series. I hoped that the fisting, golden shower and other bodily fluid exchanges would be inferred rather than graphically portrayed but sadly I was wrong and they simply did not sit right with the story or the series to date, in my opinion. This isn't a criticism of the book or the author, I'm simply stating that this story just wasn't for me. The fun loving characters were lost and the future of the series was darkened and possibly irreparable for me.

There were highs in this story and it picked up its pace when Miguel, Blake and Diego came together but it was over too quickly as we finally got answers to what Diego had done to cause Blake's anxiety. We also had plenty of Lex, Vive, Thor, and Taddy in this book as they strangely all had a story to tell despite this being primarily Blake's book. I have to agree with other reviewers though, I couldn't see how you could read this story without having read the preceding books despite the character cast list at the start of the book.

So, Blake's story has been told and despite my intention not to finish this book, I made it to the end and whilst the unsavoury scenes spoiled the book for me, I got to enjoy the rest of the cast as they continue to experience life as only they can!

Copy provided by the author in return for an honest review.



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4 Star Review: Shutter Speed (Snapshot, #0.5) by Freya Barker

Tuesday 28 March 2017 No comments
Shutter Speed (Snapshot, #0.5)Shutter Speed by Freya Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This prequel sets the scene nicely for what is to come from the Snapshot series.

I love that Isla is a REAL person and not a glossed up character. With her, what you see if what you get. That said, she has personality in bucket loads and that compliments Ben's quiet, broody personality perfectly.

I can't wait to read Freeze Frame.

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5 Star Review: Undressed (The Manhattanites #2) by Avery Aster

Sunday 26 March 2017 No comments
Undressed (The Manhattanites, #2)Undressed by Avery Aster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great read from Avery Aster in the Manhattanites series. The story was hot, hot, hot with a side serving of naughtiness.

Based around Lex Easton, daughter of the late rock God Eddie Easton, Lex and her crazy mother Birdie try to create a success of their fashion business Easton Essentials. The only problem, they need a certain Prince to be amenable with the Girasoli fabrics Lex needs for her fashion show. Following a trip to Italy,Lex meets Masi, the man she named her vibrator after. After an initial naked meeting with the Prince she falls fast and hard for his "charms" and sets about seducing him, and securing the fabric she desperately needs.

The supporting cast in the form of Jemma, Luigi and Rocco provides the menage entertainment for those liking for some additional steaminess.

This romance/erotic romance is only suitable for mature readers who revel in feeding their smuttiness alongside their romance.

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Review: Autumn's Rise

Friday 10 March 2017 No comments
Autumn's Rise Autumn's Rise by R.G. Corr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was blown away by this story. It had depth, complex emotional issues and memorable characters - I adored it!

Despite some initial hesitancy at the outset of this book, specifically in the vague way that the story commenced, I found myself quickly emerged within the lives of these endearing characters and their captivating and emotive stories. This is one of those books which slowly reveals its secrets to you with the turn of every page.

From the start, it was unclear why Autumn was leaving her family home and why Brent McCann played a part in her decision. The story then moves on into Auty’s new life living alongside new friends, Jack and Bea, who quickly realise that Auty is holding secrets from her past deep within her. Whilst Auty is happy in her new life, she remains closed off but with the support of those who have come to love her, she is now cherished and protected.

Auty’s life is simple until she sets eyes on mysterious surfer Zed and his friend Reid. Both friends of her boss, the enigmatic duo cause Auty’s protective walls to crumble thus weakening her resolve where men are concerned. Auty sees something in Zed’s eyes that draws her, unexpectedly, to him. He too is broken and is wearing the emotional scars for all to see, if only people took the time to notice, as Auty does. Despite an unfortunate first encounter, it’s not long before they start to see the best in each other.

Zed may possibly have been the finest looking man my eyes had eyes had the pleasure of resting on, but he was the most abrupt, pompous twat my ears have ever had the displeasure of listening too.


Zed turns out to be Bea’s cousin and through their mutual connection, Zed and Auty start to be a frequent, but pleasant, presence in each other's lives. Despite Auty’s resistance, and firm no dating rule, Zed is not dissuaded by her rebuttals and slowly but surely lets her into his heart and in doing so places himself firmly in hers.

As the story progresses, more secrets from both Auty and Zed are revealed. There are challenges along the way especially when friends misplace their intentions towards Zed and Auty but with time, and patience, Zed and Auty start to find comfort in each other’s company.

Despite a slow and steady start to this book, once Zed and Reid arrive on the scene and the layers of both Auty and Zed are peeled away, and their mutual pain is revealed, this story held me with an unrelenting grip. The secrets uncovered are hard to digest but cathartic to Zed and Auty as they start open up to one another. The writing style by RG Corr is strong and her storytelling skills have definitely won me over. I can’t wait to read on and to get my hands on Reid’s story.


This ebook was kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Review: Rooke

Rooke Rooke by Callie Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was another soul-stirring story by Callie Hart and one which has left me with an everlasting fondness for Rooke.

Blending together two very different character’s lives, this book manages to open the doors to a love affair which ordinarily would have remained firmly shut. Sasha’s past is horrific and almost impossible to appreciate but Rooke seems to hold the key to unlocking her future.

Rooke could have had it all and yet he chose to become a criminal at a young age and having spent time in juvie, still finds himself balanced on a knife-edge where the law is concerned. Not wanting the financial support offered to him by his family, he continues to boost cars. Sasha thought she had a perfect life, married with a beautiful son, that is until life dealt her the cruellest of cards when her son is killed in heartbreaking circumstances. Now working as a curator at a museum, she lives a simple life supported by her friends but it’s a life in which she endures relentless pain and suffering.

Whilst years younger than Sasha, Rooke finds himself inexplicably drawn to her and when he uncovers her past, his feelings for her become cemented in his heart. After initially bumping into each other at the museum, Rooke finds a way to ingratiate himself into her life, thanks to a romance novel of all things. Rooke uses his relentless charms and sweet and endearing ways to make Sasha realise that they are destined to be together. Despite living in the shadow of her past, Sasha enters into a physical relationship with Rooke but as their feelings grow for one another, they find themselves embroiled in danger as Rooke’s illegal activities puts both of their lives in peril.

There’s a darkness inside him. The night owns him, or at least it owns a decent sized chunk of him. There will always be a side to him that needs rebellion and destruction. The real question is, can I accept that?


Whilst this story still captures the familiar essence that we love about Callie Hart’s writing style and it even resurrects a ghost from works past, we find ourselves stepping into an overall more emotive storyline with Rooke at the helm. Yes, there is danger and violence around every corner, something we’ve come to love from Callie Hart’s books, but on the flip-side, we find ourselves in uncharted waters thanks to Rooke’s almost unbelievable saccharinity.

I cried at the start of this book and wondered what was going to befall me from there on in. From Sasha’s devastating loss, to what her ex-husband, Andrew, puts her through as an ongoing torturous reminder that she lived when their son died, this book will send you free-falling into a spiral of emotions.

Whilst I loved Rooke and the developing relationship with Sasha, I felt that something was missing from this book but for the life of me, I can’t put into words what it was. I didn’t mind the age gap, although Rooke’s maturity at times seemed a little too good to be true. However, I did find the scene at the museum a little strange and unexpected and almost at odds with the overall storyline. Maybe I was expecting the danger to be connected to Rooke, but what was written just seemed a little too random. I did love the ending, though, for all of the right reasons, as Rooke unexpectedly finds that the person he least expected to have his back was there for him all along.

This ebook was kindly provided by the author prior to release date in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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4 Star Review: The Deep End (Honey #1) by Kristen Ashley

Thursday 9 March 2017 No comments
The Deep End (Honey, #1)The Deep End by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'll be honest, I started this book with trepidation but I can honestly say that I did enjoy the story, especially Amelie and Olivier's connection and their special story and bond.

I love all of KA's books but surprisingly, this is the first that I've actually "read"; being an Audible fan of KA's work up to now. What I dislike with a passion though is BDSM themed books and so this was going to be a real challenge for me to read and, even more so, to enjoy but I put my trust in KA and I'm glad that I did.