{Minute Romance Review} Royal Mess by Jenna Sutton

 {Romance Review} Royal Mess by Jenna Sutton

From award-winning author Jenna Sutton comes a story of two princes who discover that falling in love is messy...

Prince Leo’s icy demeanor has earned him an amusing nickname—the Polar Prince. Unfortunately, the king doesn’t see the humor. If Leo wants to secure the throne of Alsania, he must improve his image. Participating in an organ donation campaign seems like a good start. He expects to donate his organs on his deathbed, so he’s surprised to be matched with a complete stranger who needs his help now.

Tessa Lulach hates to admit it, but she’s a damsel in distress. When a handsome prince offers to save her with a hunk of his liver, she joyfully accepts. She can’t wait to feel like herself again and return to her beloved flower shop. Instead, her identity is revealed, and the quiet life she loves is turned upside down.

As Leo and Tessa deal with the nosy public and ruthless paparazzi, she realizes the Polar Prince is much warmer than he seems—scorching hot, in fact. He willingly gave her a part of his liver, but can he give her his whole heart?

*****

Everyone loves Prince Marco of Alsania, despite his reckless antics … or maybe because of them. So why does sexy schoolteacher Cassie Lulach prefer a boring investment banker over him? Wounded by her indifference, he has an erotic encounter with a masked woman at a royal ball who reminds him of the one he really wants.

After another failed relationship, Cassie is frustrated with immature, inconsiderate guys. Wanting to escape reality, she attends a masquerade ball and finds herself alone with a masked stranger. For the first time in her life, she acts on impulse, only to end up pregnant and absolutely clueless about the identity of her baby’s father.

When Marco learns of Cassie’s pregnancy and her plans to raise the baby alone, he promises to be there for her, hoping she’ll finally see him as more than just a playboy prince. But then he discovers she’s the woman from the masquerade ball and panics. Will the truth destroy his chance to win over Cassie, or will he convince her that they can have their own happily ever after?  (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 243 pages. Published May 8th 2018. Provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 3/5 -I liked it!

{Review}

Royal Mess consists of two novella length (read in one sitting) royal romance stories about two sisters how fall for royal princes. 

I really enjoyed Leo and Tessa's love story. The premise was unique - how can you not love the person who saved your life and the characters were endearing (I loved how dedicated Leo was to his heritage, how Tessa was very real).

I love royal romances where the main character falls in love with an ordinary person and to see their struggles, of Leo struggling with whether a woman can see beyond his title to the real person, and of Tessa learning how to deal with life in the spotlight. I was rooting for them all the way and was delighted to see that the novella ended with an epilogue that gave us a view into their happily ever after.

I could not get into book two. I liked what I saw of Cassie in her sister's book but I did not like the premise. Having sex with a masked stranger and getting pregnant is not romantic. That's all I'm going to say about that. Let's just think about Tessa and Leo and how much I liked them.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for future releases by Jenna Sutton.

{Romance Minute Review} Carved in Stone by Kate Douglas

Carved in Stone by Kate Douglas

Archeologist and folklore expert Nate Murdock has discovered ancient stone carvings that will either revolutionize thinking in his field or get him laughed out of it entirely, and he’s hired world-renowned photographer Alex Martin to document his find and bolster his claim. When the alluring Alexandra Martin, not Alex, shows up for the job, Nate’s not sure whether to send her packing or take her into his arms.

Alexandra Martin, the daughter of the famed photographer and just as talented with a camera, is a dark-haired and dark-eyed beauty. Years ago her father built his reputation on photographs he’d stolen from her, and she’s out to prove once and for all that she’s the real deal. When the opportunity to work with the celebrated and ruggedly handsome Nate Murdock falls into her lap, she jumps at the chance—whether he likes it or not.

As tempers flare and accusations fly, the two dig in for a battle of wills and an uneasy truce at their remote mountainside camp. But when drug smugglers trap them in a cave and leave them to die, Nate and Alexandra realize they must trust each other—and the fiery passion growing between them—and surrender to a mysterious force as it guides them through a perilous escape and the acceptance of a powerful love as primal and compelling as the mountain itself. (Blub via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 215 pages. Published September 13th 2013 by Beyond the Page Publishing. Source: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

"Full light was at least an hour away, but the pale glow in the eastern sky outlined the rocky monolith towering over Nate Murdock's campsite." (page 1, line 1)

A romantic suspense novel with a bit of a paranormal twist. The book moved quickly; right from the first funny and awkward meeting Alex and Nate are attracted to each other but things don't go well. Quick tempers and miscommunication complicate the situation but are soon resolved. Then the adventure starts.

I enjoyed their cave escapade. Kate Douglas did a good job of describing her vision of the cave, making me feel like I was right along there with them. I did get a little fed up with Alex, the whole 'all men are unreliable, untrustworthy', etc. Nate had proven himself over and over again. I also would have liked a bit more development, both in the characters individually and their relationship.

{Romance Minute Review} Come and Get it (The Bonifay Family #1) by Keira Cole

Sexy Dixie Rose Bonifay has sunk her roots deep in the Texas hill country she calls home. Having dedicated her life to the one thing she loves most—cooking—she’s built her own successful mobile food business catering to the construction workers in the area, and she’s stirring up the appetite of every man around, in more ways than one.

When smug California architect Quin Halladay comes to town, he sets his sights on Dixie’s ranchland—and on Dixie herself. Confident and charming, he can’t wait to bed the alluring Dixie and add yet another notch to his bedpost. What Quin doesn’t realize is that Dixie can match wits with him every step of the way, and before Quin knows it the Texas beauty has turned the tables on him and he can’t get her out of his head.

As the two get down to business in a romantic Texas two-step, it’s a battle of wills and wits between small-town smarts and big-city arrogance. And with all the local men circling their wagons to protect the woman they’ve come to love and respect, Quin will have to prove himself and choose between the city life he knows and the Texas rose he’s come to love. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, Published May 22nd 2013 by Beyond the Page Publishing

(first published May 17th 2013). Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 2/5 - I didn't like it.

{Review}

"Dixie Rose Bonifay hadn't been born in Texas." (page 1, line 1)

Come and Get It just wasn't for me. I never got attached to the characters, there was very little in the way of character development - there was just lots and lots of sex. And the end? Dixie just lets him off the hook? Quin needed to grovel and beg and grovel some more. The HEA was too easy, and as such, not rewarding. On the positive side though I did like the strong family and community connections Dixie had.

{Romance Minute Review} Crazy Undercover Love by Nikki Moore

{Romance Minute Review} Crazy Undercover Love by Nikki Moore

Uber-feisty career girl Charley Caswell-Wright travels to Barcelona for a weekend assignment as PA to the gorgeous Alex Demetrio, CEO of Demetrio International.

But she's there under entirely false pretenses: to get her life back on track. Having lost the job she worked so hard to earn, she’s determined not to give it up so easily, especially when she didn’t deserve to lose it in the first place.

Mr Dreamy CEO is her only chance of clawing back her career – and her reputation. So she has to keep things strictly professional… boy, is she in trouble! (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 252 pages. Published April 24th 2014 by HarperCollins UK, HarperImpulse. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

 

{Rating} 3/5 -- I liked it!

 

{Review}

"I should have said no, it would have been the smart - aka sane - thing to do." (page 1, line1)

Fast, sexy read full of the ups and downs of forbidden love.

I found Charley a bit manic; she's attracted to Alex, she can't stop thinking about him naked and then she's all business. Repeat. But once we learn of her past through flashbacks I started to understand her reticence. Alex is just as bad, she's his employee, albeit temporary, and he has rules against fraternizing, but all he wants to do is fraternize with her. Chemistry isn't the only thing between them, they've both got secrets, secrets that could destroy everything.

I did wish the ending hadn't been so rushed. Despite everything that they've been through they still don't know each other that well, but it's still an enjoyable read.

{Romance Minute Review} What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There (The Porter Brothers) by Terry Towers

{Romance Minute Review} What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There (The Porter Brothers) by Terry Towers

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Not always…

After being left at the altar by her high school sweetheart Genevieve Fennel is done with love, done with romance and done with men. Period. She’s always been a good girl, while her friends indulged in casual encounters and they seem happy and satisfied enough. So why can’t she?

Meeting NYPD officers Dane and Graham Porter in Vegas gives her an opportunity to be the bad girl she thinks she needs to be. After a night of passion, she finds herself embarrassed of her wanton behaviour, but takes solace in the fact she can put the night behind her once she returns home.

Back in New York just when she thinks she can forget what happened in Vegas, destiny shows it has other plans. When there’s a break-in at her boutique, it’s the sexy-as-sin Porter brothers who are sent to her rescue intent on stirring up the feelings of abandon she’s trying to forget.

How can she forget what happened in Vegas, when the two men who brought her to such heights of pleasure refuse to let her go so easily? Even if she does decide to open her heart to them, how can she make a choice between the two amazing brothers, both intent on winning her affections? Or maybe she doesn’t have to…(Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook. Published March 11th 2014 by Soft & Hard Erotic Publishing. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 3/5 -- I liked it!

{Review}

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" (page 1, line 1)

A strong beginning - Genevieve has been hurt, betrayed, humiliated and she's off on her honeymoon, alone. In Vegas she does something out of character, she meets a man - and after some zombies and more than a few kisses she gives into their chemistry and passion. And then there's a BIG surprise: his identical twin brother.

Back in her real life she runs into them again. I expected that same excitement and passion from the beginning of the book but... the story falls flat. The plot felt tired with Genevieve deciding which guy to choose, with misunderstandings, a vengeful ex, etc but it did lead to a happily ever after although you have to read it to find out exactly how things turn out.

{Romance Minute Review} Love in Straight Sets by Rebecca Crowley

{Romance Minute Review} Love in Straight Sets by Rebecca Crowley

Regan Hunter came to tennis late in life, but she's worked hard to become one of the world's top players. Beating the odds has made her unstoppable on the court and neurotically controlling off of it. So when her manager hires a new coach, a has-been who left the sport after a scandal, Regan wants him gone, fast.

Ben Percy, a former Grand Slam winner, is well aware of Regan's reputation for driving coaches away—usually screaming. But working with the notoriously mercurial Regan could be just the break he needs to take his career to the next level, and he's never been one to scare easily. He must stick to only one rule: hands off Regan.

Keeping his distance from Regan is more difficult than Ben ever imagined. Behind her tough, sexy exterior is a woman he wants to get to know better. And Regan feels a connection with her patient, easy-on-the-eyes coach that's hard to ignore. But with the biggest championship of all on the line, romance may be completely out of bounds…(Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 159 pages. Published April 14th 2014 by Carina Press (first published January 1st 2014). Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Rebecca Crowley and Carina Press.

{Rating} 4/5 -- I really liked it!

{Review} 

"Regan exhaled irritably as a shadow fell across her poolside lounge chair, obscuring what little sunshine managed to penetrate the cloudy sky." (page 1, line 1)

Regan has a shell of fire and ice and an explosive temper. She's also insecure and anxiety ridden. She's hard to get to know but it's worth the effort. Ben is an absolute sweetheart. He's thoughtful, kind, supportive, an ass-kicker when necessary. Ben sees right through Regan's shell, sees her passion, strength and determination as well as the vulnerability that she tries desperately to hide. They have chemistry, on and off the court, but there are many obstacles standing between them and a happily ever after. Crowley does an excellent job of conveying the challenge and excitement of the game, even to a tennis luddite like me.

{Romance Minute Review} Love on Location by Claire Baxter

{Romance Minute Review} Love on Location by Claire Baxter

A deliciously fun rom com about a girl who has big dreams and just can't stop herself from falling in love.

Shayna is this close to getting her dream job as a location manager for a new TV soap, she just needs to find the right house to film it in, and the job is hers.

Luckily, she's found the perfect place. Unluckily, the owner - who is tall, dark and more handsome than is fair - is stubbornly refusing to let her use it unless she goes to dinner with him. No harm in that, right?

Lachlan swore he'd never go back into show business - not after his heart was broken - and the last thing he wants is a film crew traipsing through his house, but there's something about Shayna that's making it hard to say no . . .

He won't let anyone near his heart, and she's not looking for love - what could possibly go wrong? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 157 pages. Published May 1st 2014 by Random House Australia. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Claire Baxter and Random House

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

"Shayna placed a big fat tick in the final box on her checklist." (page 1, line 1)

Cute, fun, sweet romance. Shayna was a great heroine. She's kind and generous, dedicated to her job, to people she cares about. I thought her job - and the role it plays in the plot - was really interesting and illuminates the type of girl she is, and how important movies are in her life. Lachlan first appears to be a surly, grumpy guy but as the story progresses we get to know what kind of guy he really is, a talented, compassionate guy. And he has an awesome house.

Shayna and Lachlan are so much alike, they are both in desperate need of love, who have demons that color their actions and reactions. I enjoyed watching their romance, as they confront those demons, as they learn to trust and fall in love. The characters have great chemistry but if you're looking for some steam you won't find it here, things stop at the bedroom door.