Tag Archive | older younger relationship

Hush, Hush by Lucia Franco–Review

Aug14

Knock, knock…Please, enter into the world of hot, steamy, seductive, and oh, so forbidden, but I must warn you, leave your morals at the door!!

Aubrey is our heroine. She is your average twenty-one-year-old college student who lives with her best friend, loves her Grammy more than anything, and is trying to finish her senior year while struggling at two jobs to keep her and Grammy afloat.

Aubrey is your typical college senior, trying to figure out what she’s going to do with her life. She comes from nothing and is resolute that she most likely will have nothing (financially speaking). Her BFF, Natalie, is in the opposite boat. She has a trust fund but refuses to use it and does whatever she wants/can to live in the life of luxury that she is used to. Aubrey begins to like the perks she experiences while going out with Natalie and money soon becomes prominent is her pursuit of living. Aubrey is presented with what could potentially be a financial windfall, but it comes with one stipulation, leave your morals at the door.

Ok, so I’m going to upfront and honest here. I have sat on this review for a while, simply because I had no idea what I was going to say or how I was going to rate it. I’m not a prude, so that wasn’t my issue, although, there were a couple things that raised the ‘ole eyebrow. I had such a hard time getting into the book until about 52%. The first half was slow and disjointed and quite frankly, Aubrey annoyed me. She wasn’t a heroine I could get behind. The second half moved a little quicker, but we are also finally introduced to the hero and a big ole secret.

I have heard nothing but good things about this author and even though this is my first book of hers, I would be willing to try again.

Law and Beard by Lani Lynn Vale–Review

Mar8

First, I should say, that I don’t know where she gets all her sayings that she starts each chapter with. Those alone are worth the read in this book.

“I’m at that age where a twenty-two-year-old is looking good…but so is his dad.” -Winnie’s secret thoughts

We finally get the story behind the President of the Dixie Wardens motorcycle club, who happens to be the Chief of Police as well. Let me introduce you to the “silver haired hottie who has muscles on top of muscles” and looks mighty fine in a pair of Wranglers. Steel Cross, also known as Big Papa to the boys in the department and in his MC. He is an older man with a grown son (Sean, 34). Big Papa has a heart of gold, loves his life and loves his career and MC. He believes that he has everything he needs, between the MC and their spouses, his family and his career. As a fifty-something he feels that he is complete. However, he hasn’t met the new neighbor yet. 😏

Winnie Holyfield is the single mother with two children who lives across the street. Conleigh is her sixteen-year-old, who is going on forty-three. Conleigh was her surprise baby when Winnie was sixteen years old herself. Cody is her five-year-old son from her ex-husband, Matt Holyfield. The plot thickens when you find out that Matt is an officer in the police department under Steel Cross. Cody is so stinking cute with his nuggets of knowledge that he lets loose anytime.

“Did you know that there are thirty-two ways to fold a piece of paper and make it look like a dolphin?”

Winnie is relatively fresh out of a bad marriage, along with some serious health issues. She works as a paramedic at the local hospital. Since she is having so many financial issues, she takes extra shifts at the hospital, which means Conleigh has had to grow up quickly. Conleigh is completely aware of the financial stress her mom is under and does something that is normally out of character. BP (Big Papa) catches her shoplifting and instead of taking her in, he brings her home instead to talk to her parents. BP meets Winnie, the auburn-haired beauty with bright green eyes and strong muscular legs. Needless to say, BP is hooked. Unfortunately, BP keeps having these little run ins with Conleigh and each time he turns it into a learning experience. He steps up as the surrogate dad, when there isn’t one.

Besides dealing with a non-caring ex-husband, financial woes and a teenager, Winnie’s past is about to hound her in a very big way. To say she has baggage is an understatement, but who’s there to pick her up, watch her back and be her protector? Yep, Big Papa. The love that blossoms between them is a beautiful thing to witness. Winnie soon realizes that when you have BP on your side, you also have all the Dixie Warden’s and their spouses on your side as well.

Steel and Winnie are wonderful characters to read about. Winnie is a fighter with a lot of inner strength and Steel is a good guy, who takes care of those he loves. True alpha all the way. Winnie’s past is a true testament to how far he’ll go for his loved ones.

Law and Beard was well written, fast paced, full of highs and lows along with lots of laughter from all characters involved (especially Cody). Pick up Law and Beard for one heck of a good read.

Some additional chapter headers that made me laugh:

“Do you ever wake up and think you’re not really in the mood for human interaction that day, or is it just me?” -Text from Winnie to Steel

“You want to know how lesbian sex works? Well, for starters, both people orgasm.” -True Fact

“What starts with a P and ends with -orn?” -Popcorn (you’re such a perv)

 

Before I Ever Met You (Karina Halle)

May7

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This story is about William and Jackie. Jackie first met Will when she was a teenager when Will happened to be her dad’s partner at work. Will was married at that time, but she had a slight crush on him. Fast forward ten years, Will is 41 and Jackie is 25. She’s living with her parents and her seven-year-old son, Ty. Through her dad she gets a job at his company working as an executive assistant to Will.

“Will’s smile should be made illegal. Or at least taken with caution. Warning: may make you weak at the knees. Do not look at smile if operating heavy machinery.”

I just have to say this, I LOVE Karina Halle. She writes her characters with such depth and personality that you can truly visualize what they may look or be like.  This story was no different.  I found it refreshing that Will truly was the All-American male hero in this book. Does he have issues or baggage? Yes, who doesn’t, but the way he cares for Jackie and Ty is truly wonderful.

“I’m now realizing how incredible you are. Jackie, you are an amazing human being. I’m even more enamored with you than I was before, and that’s saying a lot.”

Despite being twenty-five years old, Jackie has a truly old soul. She has been through so much ‘life experience’ in the seven years since her son was born, she is not your normal millennial. With her experiences, it causes Jackie to be the one who is hesitant to have a relationship.

The secondary characters were just as entertaining as the primary ones, specifically Tiffany and Alyssa. Both had these quirky, quick witted snappy comebacks that made them thoroughly enjoyable.

Tiffany: “It’s his fault for not wearing underwear.”

Jackie: “This is so wrong. Any other office and the two of you would be slapped with sexual harassment suits.”

Tiffany: “If he’s doing the slapping with his penis, I honestly don’t care.”

Will and Jackie together were extreme perfection. They have their ups and downs, as any couple would, but learn how to fight through them and for each other.

Since I can’t decide, I’ll leave you with two quotes from our beloved hero. Seriously, Karina wrote one sexy 41-year-old. This book is definitely worth 5.0 stars

“I’ll call you Dream Girl. Because that’s what you are to me”

“And when you find what lakes you heart beat, you soul sing, you have to hang on to it. That’s you Jackie. I’m done doing things halfway. It’s all or nothing now. And with you, I’m all in”.

5 stars