Tuesday 12 December 2017

Review: How To Blow It With A Billionaire by Alexis Hall

How to Blow It with a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives, #2)How to Blow It with a Billionaire by Alexis Hall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Since reading How To Bang A Billionaire, I've been waiting patiently for book two in the Arden St. Ives trilogy and after finishing I can say; Alexis Hall manages to deliver a truly magnificent second instalment.

This novel picks up where we left off in book one as we catch up with Arden and Caspian in rural Scotland as they salvage their relationship. We see a softer, caring side of Caspian as he convinces Arden to come back to London. If you haven't read the first book, It is possible to pick up the story here, but I recommend you read HTBAB first to truly appreciate the foundations of Arden and Caspian's relationship.

I loved the author's writing in the first novel in this series and yet he manages to exceed my expectations this time around. The narrative's littered with witty dialogue and observations which had me laughing out loud.

"Notorious Wild Child Eleanor Hart Spotted with New Mystery Man at Proms" because the internet murdered brevity the way video killed the radio star.

Some of the humour is more subtle but kept me entertained the whole way through as Arden pushes Caspian's boundaries until he can't.

The character development is exquisite and the chemistry between the is protagonists is palpable always. Arden gains the confidence to systematically coerce Caspian in a direction he wants; for him to trust him. It's done in his own unique way with outrageous humour. Equally, Caspian encourages Arden to take chances to achieve his career goals. In addition, we also see a heart-warming glimpse of his compassionate side and willingness to help the man he loves. It works fine until a face from the past highlights issues Caspian is deceitfully keeping from Arden.

With notable appearances from Ellery and Nik, the novel ends with uncertainty and a yearning to find out what happens next in the life of Arden. You're guaranteed to run through a whole spectrum of emotions as these two very different men try to find a common ground to exist upon.

If you are looking for an exceptionally written M/M erotic romance, I highly recommend this compelling Arden St. Ives series based on what I've read so far.

***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***



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New Release Spotlight & Review: Only For You by Melissa Foster

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Only for You
Sugar Lake #2
By: Melissa Foster
Releasing Dec 5, 2017
Montlake
Only for You

Sugar Lake series


Love only works when your heart is in the right place. Hers could be right next door…
Single mom Bridgette Dalton doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not even in her own flower shop. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t noticed Bodhi Booker. Her ruggedly handsome next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for a no-strings fling. Having loved and lost, Bridgette’s not ready to hand over her heart…but she could use a distraction.
Bodhi has one rule: never leave anyone behind. As a special operative, he knows that each new mission is more dangerous than the last. He’s never made a promise of forever to a woman, not even to the beautiful widow who has him tied in knots. And if there were anyone who could tempt him into putting down roots, it would be Bridgette and her adorable son.
But as his next deployment nears, they make a startling discovery. Their passion, meant only for the here and now, might already be blossoming into something more…
**ONLY FOR YOU is published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE ereader app to read it HERE, or order the paperback.

   AMAZON | PAPERBACK



I really enjoyed The Real Thing, the first book in the Sugar Lake series so picking this one up was no effort at all as I'm blown away by Bridgette and Bodhi's emotional journey to a Happy Ever After.

Bridgette Dalton, a single mum and owner of the flower shop in Sweetwater has little time for herself after working and caring for her young son. When, someone new moves into the house next to her, she can't help but notice the handsome man…Her family are supportive and suggest she starts looking for someone new since five years have passed since her husband died. Only, the new neighbour is only around temporarily and she doesn't want her son to become attached to him before he leaves for good.

Taking a break from his job as a special operative, Bodhi Booker is using the time to fix up the house he's bought his mother in Sweetwater. The next door neighbour is a woman he'd like to get to know more intimately, but with his departure looming shortly, anything more than a fling isn't possible because he's seen first hand the upset and devastation families face when a love one doesn't come home. Something he's not prepared to do himself.

Bridgette and Bodhi's story is both heart-warming and heartbreaking in equal measures, including times of pure happiness as well as incredible sadness as the pair decide to 'live for the moment'. It's a refreshing, yet emotional journey they make, naively believing they can walk away and continue their lives when Bodhi leaves.

I'm not a fan of children in adult books but Louie is an integral and sweet addition and Bodhi's interaction with him melts your heart as well as his own.

Like a master magician, Melissa Foster always manages to bring something new to her writing with every novel she publishes and Only For You is no exception. She draws you into the narrative with multi-faceted protagonists so it's easy to become invested in their lives. Both Bridgette and Bodhi are adorable and relatable in their own way, showing courage and compassion when making difficult decisions concerning real-life issues. All this wrapped around a cosy and welcoming small town setting with well developed and lovable secondary characters.

This, like The Real Thing, is a standalone novel. If you are unfamiliar with the author's books, These Sugar Lake novels are a fabulous place to start.

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***



She wrapped her hand around his long fingers, and his eyes heated, never wavering from hers. She’d never met a man so intense. Her nerves were on fire as she led him toward the table where some of her family members were talking. Awareness of the significance of her decision, of the signals she was sending, slammed into her, and she slowed to catch her breath. Was she ready for this?
He put a finger beneath her chin and lifted, as he’d done at his front door, gazing thoughtfully down at her. “Would you rather I leave?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m just . . . I’m good.” And she was. She’d needed that pause to acknowledge and accept what she was feeling. She was nervous, but she wanted this. She wanted him. Her smile came genuinely, and earned her one in return. “Come on.”
She became more nervous as they approached the table. Willow was practically sitting in Zane’s lap as they mooned over each other. Piper and Talia were scoping out some guy across the room, and Ben was in a heated discussion with Aurelia. She shouldn’t be nervous. This was her normal.
Except normal didn’t usually include holding hands with a man she wanted to strip naked and devour. 
Well, well, well. If it isn’t the naked neighbor.” Mischief danced in Piper’s eyes as she pushed to her feet and strutted around the table in her skinny jeans and slinky little blouse. She set her hands on her hips, running an assessing eye over Bodhi.
His jaw clenched.
Bodhi, this is my sister Piper. She works in construction and is around guys all day, which means she has absolutely no filter. Please take her with a grain of salt.”
He flashed a cocky grin. “For the record, I had a towel on.”
For the record,” Piper said, “she wished you didn’t.”

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.


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