Around the Book Blogosphere #23 — Step-Brother Romances, Historical Book Boyfriends, and Makeup & Books

Surviving Raine by Shay Savage — 2 stars
Reviewed by Jessica’s Book Reviews

“The story was completely written in Sebastian’s POV and all he wanted was sex with Raine. It was over kill. He was so immature and I couldn’t even like the guy.”

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Between the Lines by Tammara Webber — 5 stars
Reviewed by Becca from Lost in Literature

“I loved how I never knew where Tammara Webber was going next, at first I thought that Between the Lines was also going to have P & P attributes, but it didn’t. When I thought I knew who Emma would choose, or where the story line would go next, Webber surprised me by taking it to somewhere completely different.”

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Kiss the Sky by Krista and Becca Ritchie — 5 stars
Reviewed by Lucia from Reading is My Breathing

“…Krista & Becca Ritchie once again proved why they are my NA queens. They managed to develop their characters through out the book without changing their core features and I loved that. Kiss the Sky is my favorite instalment of this series and I can’t wait for Rose’s and Connor’s story to continue in Fuel the Fire!”

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The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski — 5 stars
Reviewed by Heather & Danny at Bewitched Bookworms

“Oh, The Winner’s Crime is just as equally heartbreaking as The Winner’s Curse. Of course, Kestrel sill loves Arin, but she can’t risk letting her true feelings out. There are people she must deceive in order to keep Arin’s country–and more importantly him–safe.”

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Better than Perfect by Melissa Kantor — 4 stars
Reviewed by Amy from Xpresso Reads

“I think this was a great book. I am so glad that I didn’t put this book down and decided to keep going because I really ended up liking it and think that it’s a perfect book for teenagers and adults to read.”

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Clear: A Death Trippers Novel — 9/10 stars
Reviewed by Marie from K&M’s Book Haven

“This story is exquisitely twisted. It was a very psychologically demanding read for me…not much catches me off guard or makes me squirm, but CLEAR manages to do both in the best possible ways! “

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Be Mine Forever by Kennedy Ryan — 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Erin from The Autumn Review

“Their struggle, his refusal to tarnish her but equally potent inability to not have her in his life, was wrought with pain and lust and a great deal of undying love. My heart was all over the place and my stomach was in knots, it was incredible!”

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The Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout — 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cristal from Three Little Birds Book Blog

“The sexual tension…oh my God, the sexual tension! I think it’s the best I’ve ever read. No lie. If you’re a romance fan, then you’ll fall in love with these books – hard. Also, if you’re more into contemporary romance, then I think this is the perfect paranormal series to get your toes wet”

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Dirty Deeds by Karina Halle
Reviewed by Ali from Black Heart Reviews

“Dirty Deeds is a fast paced, exciting romp through part of the world I came to love in The Artist Trilogy. It isn’t always sweet, it isn’t always pleasant, it isn’t always dark and dangerous. But it is enough of all of those things to keep you reading to the end.”

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The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid — 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Suzanne from Under the Covers Book Blog

“A book containing quirky humour and a dirty minded hero is always going to be enjoyable; however, I expected something, more? Because, although I did like this, I laughed in the appropriate places, sighed lustfully in others, what it didn’t do was knock me socks off. “

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The Master by Kresley Cole — 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Kayla from My Book Muse

“Despite those two minor issues I really did enjoy reading this book. I’m especially excited for what I assume book three will be about: Aleks and Max’s brother Dimitri and Natalie’s friend Jess. It sounds like a hot, sexy, mess waiting to happen!”

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Ruin You Completely by Calia Read — 3 stars
Reviewed by Adrienne from Nicely Phrased Book Blog

“I didn’t think Mathias’ back story was enough for him to be as moody and broody as he was. There certainly was no closure to those events. It could have been so much more and I wanted more.”

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Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn — 4 stars
Reviewed by Crystal from Waves of Fiction

“This is the type of story I have been craving! It was dark, scary, shocking, and one that gave me chills. I haven’t been shocked in a long time so I am loving this feeling! Even now writing this review I am still excited and jumping at the chance to start Ms. Flynns next book.”

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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Reviewed by Jen from YA Romantics

“As thrillers go, I thought The Girl on the Train was excellent. It offers a page-turning plot, characters that slowly reveal themselves to the reader, and some really interesting themes.”

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Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren — 4 stars
Reviewed by Jenny from The Review Loft

“The good news is this is a quick, fun, sexy read/listen. It reminded me of Moonlighting (is anyone around here old enough to remember that show?). The two main characters have a love/hate/lust relationship and is not cheesy or flowery in any regard.”

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By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower — 5 stars
Reviewed by

“We loved everything about this story…..EVERYTHING! A condemned love set amongst violence, revenge and bloody rivalry. A modern beautiful and sexy romance set in the old-age ugly side of life, it was perfection.”

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Mai Tai’d Up by Alice Clayton — 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Hildy from The Book Bosses

“This one had some funny lines but there were quite a few moments where I paused to wonder where Clayton’s wittiness had gone. I also had a problem with the conflict between the couple not feeling very relatable or believable. I felt like she needed a problem and grasped at something that ended up being contrived.”

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The Professional by Kresley Cole — 3.5 stars
Reviewed by AJ from No BS Book Reviews

“There is initially some back and forth between them because of the intensity with which he wants her, and the fact that he won’t disrespect the man he loves as a father by doing the things he wants to do to his daughter. But neither of them can hold out for too long, and when Sevastyan makes his claim… damn!”

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When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill — 5 stars
Reviewed by Jessica from Angie and Jessica’s Dreamy Reads

“When Joss Met Matt is like nothing I’ve read to date!!! It’s such a refreshingly original concept wrought with emotion and angst, sensuality and friendship. It defines what I hope to find and feel in every new adult romance. I just loved it!!!”

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Me Before You by JoJo Moyes — 5 stars
Reviewed by Jasprit from The Readers Den

“Me Before You was one of the most beautifully written reads, I know that this will be a book that I will come back to time and time again just to experience Will and Lou’s incredible story. I normally gravitate to books which leave you emotionally overwhelmed and tend to stamp all over your heart. “

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I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios — 4 stars
Reviewed by Amy from Xpresso Reads

“This was one of those books that just wrapped itself around me and didn’t let go. I needed to know what would happen.”

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The Deal by Elle Kennedy — 4 stars
Reviewed by Kayla from My Book Muse

“The issues both these characters dealt with were handled with a good balance of sweet, sexy, and heartwarming moments to balance it out. I enjoyed watching their hesitant friendship blossom into something more.”

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Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby — 5 stars
Reviewed by April from the Starry-Eyed Revue

“Things We Know By Heart is my favorite by Kirby thus far. I loved Moonglass, but not nearly as much as I loved this one. It was just.. *sigh*.. I started it Valentines weekend because it’s about a heart! Perfect right?”

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