Royals by Rachel Hawkins | ARC Review

Royals by Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 304
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
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Goodreads Description

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

My Thoughts

Royals follows 16 year old Daisy Winters as she's thrown into the life of royalty after her older sister gets engaged to a prince. Since her sister Ellie started dating Alex, the Crown Prince of Scotland, Daisy has received unwanted attention. After an unsavory article is released involving her ex-boyfriend, it is suggested Ellie go to Scotland for the summer to stay out of any further trouble. However that seems to have the opposite effect.

I had some mixed opinions while reading Royals. I liked Daisy as a character. I felt she was a unique character and pretty funny at times. However, I felt like at times she was extremely whiny and selfish. From the beginning of the story she talks about how her sister's new life is basically a disaster for her. We soon find out she doesn't have the best relationship with Ellie because of some things that happened as she was growing up. Throughout the story I kept hoping they would sit down and talk. At the very least come to an understanding and stop being so hostile towards each other. It took almost the entire book for this moment to happen and while I was happy it happened I felt like it should've happened sooner than the last couple chapters.

On another note, I thought the entire royal family was messed up! I liked that the siblings have a pretty good relationship with each other but there were so many other things going on in the background that I couldn't appreciate it. I think a major part of this was because a large part of this story focused on the tabloids and how much people cared about what was depicted in them.

Overall, I thought Royals was a fun read. While I had some issues with some of the characters I enjoyed being able to see some of them grow during the time I spent with them. By the end the story did feel a little rushed and unfinished. However I have seen there's supposed to be a sequel/companion so hopefully we'll get the wedding in that book. If you want a fun and possible quick YA contemporary Royals might be what you're looking for.

Author Spotlight : Stephanie Nicole Norris

Write Now Literary is pleased to be coordinating a blog tour Stephanie Nicole Norris. This tour will run April 23, 2018. Book your own tour here. Title: No Holds Barred Genre: African American Contemporary Romance ASIN: B07C8J6DH9 Read for free with Amazon Kindle Unlimited

  Meet Stephanie 

Stephanie Nicole Norris is an author from Chattanooga Tennessee with a humble beginning. Always being a lover of reading, during Stephanie’s teenage years her joy was running to the bookmobile to read stories by R. L. Stine. After becoming a young adult, her love for romance sparked leaving her captivated by heroes and heroines alike. With a big imagination and a creative heart, Stephanie penned her first novel Trouble In Paradise and self-published it in 2012. Her debut novel turned into a four book series full of romance, drama, and suspense. As a prolific writer, Stephanie’s catalog continues to grow. Her books can be found on Amazon dot com. Stephanie is inspired by the likes of Donna Hill, Eric Jerome Dickey, Jackie Collins, and more. She currently resides in Tennessee with her husband and two-year-old son.                                                

                                 About the Book

Love was no longer on the menu for Camilla Augustina. After her fiancé calls off the wedding not once but twice, Camilla's had enough. In a brazen move, she takes a new position in the windy city of Chicago; leaving her parents, friends, and ex in a bittersweet goodbye. Adapting to her new surroundings isn't easy but as Camilla settles in a chance encounter with an infamous playboy throws her off balance and rattles her world. She hadn't expected to be drawn so meticulously to another but denying the magnetism that lures her is a futile fight. As President of VFC Energy, a fortune 500 company, Hunter Valentine is at the top of his game. The renowned bachelor holds no secrets about his risqué rendezvous, and his allegiance is saved for family only. However, when Hunter spots Camilla Augustina, dining alone at the breakfast hut in his building, he can't explain the adulation that runs through his core and shakes his entire world. Lust never weakened him like this, and the inclination of love at first site was silly. But when Hunter decides to prove the sudden rapture is unreal, he may find himself enamored by love.

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Very Irresistible Playboy by Lila Monroe | ARC Review

Very Irresistible Playboy (Billionaire Bachelors #1) by Lila Monroe
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: January 22, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 210
Source: eARC from InkSlinger PR
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Goodreads Description

Hot bachelor Max Carlisle is heir to a media empire, tabloid catnip, and... wants to hire me to be his fake fiancee. I know what it takes to keep a billionaire in line, but signing up for seven days in close quarters with this Very Irresistible Playboy? It's just asking for trouble. The kind of thrilling, reckless trouble I could use a little more of since my career is currently ass-backwards in a mud bath with six shih-tzus (don't ask). So do I: a) Take the job, and bicker wildly every step of the way? b) Embark on a mad-cap treasure hunt to claim his billion-dollar inheritance? c) Try my hardest not to fall head-over-heels in love with him and wind up having the best sex of my life? d) All of the above? Something tells me I'm about to be way out of my league... and under the most handsome, infuriating man I've ever met. But with a fortune on the line, can we beat out his crazy relatives to win the prize? And will our fake relationship be game over at the finish line? Find out in the new sexy, hilarious romantic comedy!

My Thoughts

Very Irresistible Playboy wasn't the story I was expecting based off the description. This book follows Hallie and Max. Hallie is an aspiring photographer working as an assistant at the moment in order to make ends meet. At the beginning of this book Hallie is helping out at a weeding and afar some unfortunate circumstances her only camera ends up ruined and she's out a job. From there things continue to go downhill for Hallie until she meets someone who might have a job opportunity for her. One thing leads to another and she agrees to be the fake girlfriend fo Max for 7 days while goes to spend time with his family.

The general idea for this story was different from anything I've read centered around a fake relationship. However, I did find the plot predictable. It was pretty clear almost from the beginning where these characters were headed and at times it was frustrating watching them act like it wasn't happening. Still, it was nice being able to see the progression of their relationship from the beginning to the end of the story. Very Irresistible Playboy was a quick, fun read and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole | ARC Review

A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1) by Alyssa Cole
Publisher: Avon Romance
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 384
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
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Goodreads Description

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after? 

My Thoughts

A Princess in Theory is an adult contemporary romance following Naledi Smith. Naledi is currently in graduate school studying epidemiology while also working a couple jobs. She doesn't have time to focus on anything but school and work. One day she receives an email saying she's betrothed to an African prince. Since Naledi is an orphan and has been in and out of the foster system most of her life, she doesn't think it's possible and someone is trying to scam her. However it turns out that it's true and Prince Tabiso is hoping to meet her while in the United States for business. When Thabiso shows up at Naledi's job she mistakes him for a new coworker. Thabiso decides to play along in order to get to know Naledi without revealing who he is.

I really enjoyed the journey these two characters went on throughout the novel. Naledi starts in a place where she is working towards her desired career while overworking herself to not take care of herself but not be seen as a specific stereotype. She has grown used to not having anyone to rely on so she has made it so it's hard for anyone to get close to her. On the other hand, Thabiso comes from a place of privilege. Being the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo he has grown up in the spotlight with everything he could ever want. He still isn't completely happy because being the sole heir there's a lot everyone expects of him, especially his parents.

Throughout the story the characters had to learn about their own faults and how to overcome them while getting to know each other. There were times when the story was slow for me. Also, I wish there was more time spent in Thesolo with Naledi getting to learn more about where she's from and spending time with her living family. Overall I really enjoyed this story and now want to read more from Alyssa Cole.

Lost for You by Jayne Frost | ARC Review

Lost for You (Sixth Street Bands #4) by Jayne Frost
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: January 12, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 303
Source: eARC for Review
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Goodreads Description

When I was eighteen, I stood at the precipice of stardom. I had the record deal. And the tour to back it up. But I succumbed to the pressure of that life. The dark side. 

Now, I skate on the fringe. My brother is the genius guitarist for the band Caged, and I’m the one who helped make that happen. I’m happy to run my bars and my land development company. 

Sure I am. 

And then I meet her—Taryn Ayers—the music manager behind the three biggest bands in the country. She doesn’t know I’m Cam’s older brother. Or that I’ve got a secret that makes her world and mine fundamentally incompatible. 
Problem is, I want to know Taryn.

But do I want her to know me? 

My Thoughts

Lost for You, the fourth book in the Sixth Street Bands companion series, follows Chase and Taryn. Both characters have ties to the music industry in they own way. When the story opens Chase is helping out a friend of his younger brother when he runs into Taryn. From there, a very intense romance happens vey quickly between the two main characters.

Lost for You ended up being a lot darker than I was expecting. Trigger warnings fo drug use and addiction! I'll admit it made me a little uncomfortable at time but I kept reading because I wanted the characters to be okay in the end. However, I didn't feel any connection to the characters. I think this was a decent story it just wasn't the story for me. If you like rockstar romances it's one I would suggest you give it a try.

Making Sense by Lila Rose | ARC Review

Making Sense by Lila Rose
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: March 6, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 308
Source: eARC from InkSlinger PR
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Goodreads Description

Adalyn Sage. 

I'm thirty-seven, a mother, a divorcee, and I’m ready to date again. 
I need a man willing to love me for who I am, despite what size I am. Only finding such a guy is harder than it’s cracked up to be. Afterall, I'm a little clumsy and just a tad outspoken… that is unless I’m in front of a man so good-looking my panties melt. Then I become an absolute weirdo. 

Case in point: Vice Salvatore. Stunning. Growly. And also my boss. 
Thank God his a**hole attitude put my racing heart at ease and changed my lust to hate. 

Nope. I don’t care for him. Won’t. I’ll continue to ignore my ladybits and stay strong. 

At least for a while.

My Thoughts

Making Sense follows Adalyn Sage, a 37 year old single mother since her divorce. She is looking to start dating again but isn't having much luck. After taking a co-worker's night shift Adalyn meets Vice Salvator, the owner of the store. As can be expected an unlikely romance between the two begins.

I enjoyed the story and thought the romance was really cute. It was interesting seeing the progression between Adalyn and Vice from the time they met up until the end of their story. Adalyn is extremely awkward around men she finds attractive. This lead to hilarious moments of Adalyn rambling about whatever she's thinking about at the moment. While at times I felt like their relationship moved a little fast, for the most part I didn't really mind. Making Sense was a fun, and at times, steamy romance story that had me swooning with Adalyn.

Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan | ARC Review

Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 319
Source: eARC from InkSlinger PR
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Goodreads Description

We met in a trapped elevator.

Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie.

I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right?

At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen.

After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way.

But once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

My Thoughts

Baby Daddy follows 35 year old Jenna and her life hasn't gone exactly how she has wanted it to. She wants to have a baby and since she's not currently in a relationship she decides to go to a sperm bank to get more information about other options. Jenna's on her way to her first appointment when she meets Emmett because they end up stuck in an elevator together. Once he finds out what her plan is, Emmett suggests that he can help her out.

I was interested in this book because I read a book with a similar plot and really enjoyed it. However, to be honest I thought the way the agreement happened was a little weird. The part where a stranger offer to get the main character pregnant and she agrees without too much thought was a little too unrealistic for me. Once I got over that part I thought the story was a lot of fun.

Since the story is told in dual perspectives we are able to see how each of the characters think. This leads to having first hand experience of the frustration and doubts Jenna and Emmett feel when things are going exactly how they planned. I really enjoyed the progression of their relationship and being able to see when their feelings began to change from their initial agreement. The ending was a little rushed but overall Baby Daddy was a fun romance with lots of steamy moments.