Hook by Chelle Bliss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
HOOK is the third book in the Men of Inked: Southside series. The series follows the Gallo family but it can still be enjoyed alone.
Angelo Gallo is a widow and father of two young, adorable kids, Tate and Brax. He’s been trying his best to keep his life together after the death of his beloved wife, Marissa. Then the sassy, sexy Tilly Carter opens a cupcake shop next door to the Gallo’s bar. She’s also a widow and struggling to move on from the death of her beloved husband, Mitchell. Being widows ties them together but are they strong enough to move on from the past?
I’ll say straight out that this is my favorite book from Chelle Bliss so far! By the end of the PROLOGUE I was crying. And maybe it’s because I’m going through similar circumstances right now as my husband is battling cancer just like Angelo’s wife in the story. But whatever the reason, I was almost immediately enthralled with Angelo and his struggle to accept a second chance. Imagine how hard it must feel to lose someone you love with all your heart. When is it ok to move on with your life after the death of a loved one? How long should you grieve? Is it ok to still love your partner or spouse long after they’re gone? These are the kind of questions that both Angelo and Tilly were asking themselves and it was a heartwrenching, enlightening, beautiful story to watch unfold. I thought the pacing of the plot was perfect too. This is a slow burn, which I enjoy, but sometimes the romance takes so long to happen that I’m yelling at my kindle to get on with it already! Not with this one. No, I think Ms Bliss did a fabulous job writing Tilly and Angelo’s romance. They were both incredibly strong and courageous and I know that I’ll be thinking of this book for a long time.
This story tackles some tough issues like opening your broken heart and accepting your past. It’s about second chances and learning to love again. Keep your tissues handy if you’re a softie like me!
@authorchellebliss #5stars
#arcreview #arcreading #bookreview #bookbabe #bookshelf #secondchanceromance #bibliophile #bloggersdoitbetter #bloggergirl #bloggermom #bobosbookbank
The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
THE KISS THIEF is an enemies to lovers standalone that’ll make you wish for more!
I have so many things to say about this book, gah! Where do I start? First of all, I love the cover. I mean there’s not a handsome Italian on it but that’s ok…I think it absolutely fits the story. Secondly, I realize the blurb is a bit vague and it eludes to a love triangle which technically I suppose it is but not in any real traditional sense. (Yeah, I’m being vague too but you just gotta read the book!) Third, the characters. My thoughts ping ponged between liking and loathing Frankie in the first few chapters. Let’s face it, she practically set women’s lib back a couple of decades! I can definitely see how her upbringing molded her way of thinking but to put it bluntly, she was a wimp…at first. Yet, I found myself rooting for her and cheering her on as the story progressed because she grew into her wings with a flourish that I adored watching. In the end, she became a strong woman, a character worthy of the enigmatic Wolfe Keaton. Ms Shen does an amazing job of writing an anti-hero that I just hate to love! Wolfe was the character who wore a sexy smirk so well that I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap it off or kiss it off. (Kiss!) Of course, behind the smirk is a story: a huge, extremely horrible reason for why he was so cold and callous. Wolfe called Frankie “Nemesis,” she called him, “Villian” and both were so fantastically fitting. Their relationship was anything but conventional yet their chemistry was explosive, titillating, salacious. But when Frankie finally captured Wolfe’s heart, their romance was actually deliciously sweet, practically swoon worthy.
I’m writing this review in the beginning of January but I’m shelving it in the BEST OF 2019 category as well as my READ AGAIN E-SHELF. Yes, I’m that much in love with this book! It’s an extremely well written, angsty drama that will curl your toes.
@authorljshen #5stars #arcreview #arcreading #bookreview #bookshelf #readagaineshelf #enemiestolovers #standalone #bibliophile #bloggersdoitbetter #bloggergirl #bloggermom
