The Rules by Kora Nyx

Synopsis:

She’s my stepsister. The one girl I shouldn't want... and the only one I can't resist.

Five minutes earlier she was just the new girl in class—
Chaos in human form with her sharp tongue and those scuffed combat boots,
Calling me a coward in front of everyone.
Then we were alone in the parking lot.
She stepped close.
Wrapped her arms around my neck.
And kissed me like she meant it.
Then she stole my wallet.
I was still trying to figure out what the hell just happened when my dad tackled her as she was sprinting away.
“I see you’ve already met your new stepsister.”
Stepsister.
She stares at me. I stare at her.
“Oh, you have got to be forking kidding me,” she sighs.
Because now the girl who kissed me like my life depended on it…
is living in my house.
We should stay away from each other.
But neither of us has ever been very good at following the rules.



Review:

In the history of reviewing books, I don't think I've ever clapped for any book that ends on a cliffhanger. If you've ever followed along with any of my reviews, it's quite the opposite. Although this book ends on a major cliffhanger, I'm sooo excited to read the second book in this series.

I'm so excited, I'm getting ahead of myself.

We start with Harper, stuck in East Texas with a mother who cares more about her next fix than her own daughter. Survival mode is all Harper knows. Her only real lifeline? Z—her best friend, her escape plan, her way out. They’re ready to do whatever it takes to break free… even if that means making reckless, life-altering decisions.

But before Harper can choose her own future, it’s taken from her.

Enter Silas—the father who’s been absent her entire life—suddenly deciding to play hero. He uproots her and drops her into a brand-new life in Dallas… complete with a picture-perfect home, a stepmother… and stepbrother Caleb.

Harper is a strong and fierce young woman who's dealt with a boatload of trauma in her life.

While Caleb is a sweet, controlled, structured, rule driven. His world runs on order, routines, and a rulebook he doesn’t break. Ever. That is, until he meets Harper.

"She just called me cute.... Does she mean puppy-dog cute or handsome cute?"

What starts as curiosity turns into something neither of them is prepared for. Because Harper doesn’t just challenge Caleb..she unravels him. And Caleb? He makes Harper feel something dangerously close to safe… which might be the most terrifying thing of all.

But that ending you never see coming oooh chileeeeee

Caleb's next move is gonna be one for the books. I can feel it!!!

This was a 6 star read!

I received an arc from Booksprout in exchange for my honest review

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.




My review:

“Asking permission to kiss you? Never going to fucking happen.”

This book picks up right where Exodus left off, and Tobias wastes no time reminding you exactly who he is..ruthless, relentless, and absolutely unhinged when he wants something. And he wants Cecelia back.

The difference this time? She’s not folding. Watching Tobias struggle to win her over was everything. For the first time, we get cracks in the armor. A softer, more vulnerable side that I did not expect… but fully devoured.

He’s not just fighting for control anymore; he’s fighting for the love of his life. And it changes him. In the best and most painful way.

I laughed until I cried. Then cried until I couldn’t see.

“I’ll wait for you, Trésor… as long as it takes.”

The flashbacks with him and Dom were easily some of my favorite parts. They add depth, answer long-standing questions, and hit emotionally right when they need to. Everything threads perfectly into the present.

And now I’m stuck with a decision I’m not sure I'm ready to make…
Do I read 'One Last Rainy Day'…

Because after this? I love Dom even more.
And I already know… whatever comes next is going to hurt. 

The Player's Promise by Tierney Page

Synopsis:

Anna's not looking for love. Fresh out of a divorce, she needs an escape. One reckless night of fun - and the gorgeous Irishman who buys her a drink at the bar promises exactly that. No last names, no strings, just fireworks.

Liam's used to hiding behind his game face. But after a brutal betrayal and an even messier brawl, he's lost everything: his football career, his team, and his reputation. A one-night stand with a stranger? Just the distraction he needs. He never expected to see Anna again...until she turns out to be his son's new teacher.

Anna knows she shouldn't get involved with a student's father, especially not him. But Liam's not the man the tabloids say he is. He's everything she thought she wasn't ready for. Which makes him so much worse.




Review:

This is book three in the London Heart series. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes after reading the first book. I skipped book two and went straight to this one, and I’m glad I did, because it pleasantly surprised me. There’s just something about a single dad romance that captivates me every time, and this one really delivered. It had the perfect blend of excitement and those tender, emotional moments that us romance readers crave.


“I've lived in different places, but none of them ever felt like home until you. You taught me that love isn't about being seen. It's about being understood, it's about showing up, it's about sitting in the quiet together and still being heard. I've never truly felt success in my life until I've heard you say I love you.”

Even though some parts of the story were a bit predictable, I couldn’t put it down. It drew me in and kept me engaged. And the spice 🥵… Liam’s way with words? Unmatched.

This story gave me exactly what I came for. Honestly, that’s what matters.

3.5 ⭐️

✯★‿¸.••.¸‿NEW RELEASE: Corrupting His Wife‿¸.••.¸‿★✯

Drugged.
Kidnapped.
Held hostage.
Is her captor the savior she needs?
Or a monster from her worst nightmare?
Be warned: violence and torture (not between the H/h) and erotic scenes are inside these pages. If you like darker themes and full-on excitement, this book is for you!

Download Corrupting His Wife for 99 cents:
Direct from Author – https://books.amberdaulton.com/CorruptingHisWifeDirect
Universal - https://books2read.com/CorruptingHisWife
Amazon - https://amzn.to/3H7ssPi
Blurb for Corrupting His Wife
Kidnapping a reluctant bride is easy. Staying off her jilted fiancé’s radar is tough.
As the second-in-command of the Lozano Cartel, Enrique Briceño always gets what he wants. So when Lourdes’s father demands she marry another man, Enrique makes his move—abduction. Vowing to corrupt his sweet little captive in every wicked way imaginable, he doesn’t expect her to fight him with fire.
Cartel princess Lourdes Villegas longs for peace. Freedom. A chance to let her artist soul breathe. Yet once again, a man is pulling her strings. In Enrique’s arms, she trades one ruthless capo for another. His touch sets her ablaze, but she’s already plotting her escape.
As political alliances crumble and the streets run red, Enrique must prove he’s more than just another monster in Lourdes’s life. Because this time, love might be the most dangerous thing of all.
Read an excerpt: https://amberdaulton.com/.../releaseday-corrupting-his.../
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Cutthroat By Octavia Grant

Synopsis:

Eden Shelton was once told that you can’t spell embarrassment without MEN. She never believed it because, according to her, there was nothing better than being a wife to a loving and appreciative man. Marrying her college sweetheart seemed to make everything in her life better. But, when her rose colored glasses are removed, Eden discovers that the man she planned to walk through life forever with has secrets. Secrets that will change who she is forever.




Review:


I admit I was skeptical when I started this book. So I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this

"If I'm asleep when you get home, f&%K me anyway." What?!? 🤯

Famous quote. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and boy did she serve him the dish he deserved and then some.
While there were some details in this book we could have lived without, but it was definitely worth it!

"It ain't no fun when the rabbits' got the gun."

I can't say too much without giving this book away. But please be warned, this book is NOT meant for everyone. 

4.5⭐️

How Not to Fall I love By Karla Sorenson

After one reckless night, Archer Evans is sentenced to community service at the local animal shelter. But the owner of the Shelter, Remi Sinclair, has no tolerance for the Archer's celebrity antics. She's like, if you're gonna do community service here.. I'm gonna make sure you work for it!! And boy does she put him through it lol.
Without much pushback, he does everything she asks. Eventually, Remi learns that everything is not black and white. And this revelation changes her whole perception.


This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! The chemistry between Remi and Archer was completely unmatched, no matter how much they fought it.... oh, and did they fight it! Sooo much that there were times I found myself wishing to tell them how foolish they were being. lol

There were moments in this book that felt personal.. I felt like they were talking to me specifically.
It gave me all the emotional reminders of why I love romance.
This story is made for romance buffs like me.. DON'T SKIP THIS ONE!

By the way.. Mrs Sorensen..
The letter...genius! I was laughing the whole time!

Solid 4 star read

Exodus by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Can you live a lie?

It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.

It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.

I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.

Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.

I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.

There was never going to be an escape.

All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.

I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.

It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.

And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.

But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.

At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.

Because I can no longer live a lie.

My Review:

I'm totally at a loss for words. this book... oh this book..😭😭😭😭

the heartbreak..

"If you had waited for me, I would have given you the opposite of nothing." 😔

No one prepared me for chapter 25.. I would never not beable to read this line without crying, 

"We love rainy days, don’t we, baby?"


"Are you happy?... So f... happy pup."😢

The nerve of this man.. after finally getting her life back on track NOW NOW NOW he shows up? MEN!!

"My future has no more room for tears." Mine either!!

This book took me through all of the emotions!! Call me sadistic because I loved it!!