{Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt} The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEME: Mafia/Political
RECEIVED: Tour

The Kiss Thief

by L.J. Shen

4.62 · 832 Ratings · 499 Reviews

BLURB:

They say your first kiss should be earned.

Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky.

They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred.

Mine were broken before we left church.

They say your heart only beats for one man.

Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.

I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit.

Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage.

They say that all great love stories have a happy ending.

I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.

One kiss.

Two men.

Three lives.

Entwined together.

And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.

REVIEW:

This was my first read of the new year, what a way to kick it off! This was exactly what I needed in a new book, one I didn't even know I needed. The romance is sexy, angsty and delicious. The drama is suspenseful, gut retching and holy moly did that just happen. This story will knock you off your seat, the characters will take hold and shake you to the core, not just emotionally but because you as the reader will be sucked into their world. L.J. Shen beautifully wrote a story that I was on edge of my seat about 90 % of the time, the synopsis was iffy at first but once I read the story, I got it, the worries I had, obviously are gone. This is nothing like I thought it was going to be.

The Kiss Thief follows Francesca Rossi, the princess of the mafia world. She is spoiled and loved, but also trapped. She wants to go to college and learn, her father wants her to marry and have children. She's only loved one man, who also wants her, but they have been waiting for the right moment. Until everything changes, her first kiss is stolen by a Wolfe, not just any wolf, but a gorgeous, frustrating, cruel man named Keaton Wolfe.

Francesca at the beginning is spoiled, blind to what is really going on around her, but she is also young, only nineteen and unsure about the realty of her world. In the beginning I felt she was too naive, too sheltered, too whiny. But then this girl started to grow, she started to see what was in front of her, the people, the life she lived, the life she now will have with Wolfe. She has to grow up fast, get tough, and bring out the side of her she had but pushed away.

Wolfe is a force to be reckoned with, he doesn't care about what other people say, he has the power, the control and the secrets to ruin a lot of peoples lives. Francesca is another piece to a game that he's playing to win, but he doesn't expect that this little girl will change something in him, make him see what he didn't think he could ever have. He is downright cruel at times, his worlds are harsh, but they need to be, he has a plan and he will make sure he takes down the very people who destroyed his family.

This is a love hate kind of romance, there are so many times where I held my breath because I have no idea what I would do in Francesca situations at times. I felt for her, sometimes I wanted to shake her in frustration, same with Wolfe. Both of them have these insane layers that peel off bit by bit and they both come to realize that they need each other. I don't want to say much more because this story has so many shocking moments, sexy moments, holy crap moments. I loved it all.

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Excerpt

“Are you sure you’re on my card?” I turned to the man with a polite yet distant smile. I was still disoriented from the exchange with Angelo when the stranger pulled me against his hard body and pressed a possessive hand lower than socially acceptable on my back, a second from groping my butt.

“Answer me,” I hissed.

“My bid on your card was the highest,” he replied dryly.

“The bids are undisclosed. You don’t know how much other people have paid,” I kept my lips pursed to keep myself from yelling.

“I know it’s nowhere near the realm of what this dance is worth.”

Un-freaking-believable.

We began to waltz around the room as other couples were not only spinning and mingling but also stealing envious glances at us. Naked, raw ogles that told me that whomever the blonde he’d come to the masquerade with was, she wasn’t his wife. And that I might have been all the rage in The Outfit, but the rude man was in high demand, too.

I was stiff and cold in his arms, but he didn’t seem to notice—or mind. He knew how to waltz better than most men, but he was technical, and lacked warmth and Angelo’s playfulness.

“Nemesis.” He took me by surprise, his rapacious gaze stripping me bare. “Distributing glee and dealing misery. Seems at odds with the submissive girl who entertained Bishop and his horsey wife at the table.”

I choked on my own saliva. Did he just call the governor’s wife horsey? And me submissive? I looked away, ignoring the addictive scent of his cologne, and the way his marble body felt against mine.

“Nemesis is my spirit animal. She was the one to lure Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection and died of vanity. Pride is a terrible illness.” I flashed him a taunting smirk.

“Some of us could use catching it.” He bared his straight white teeth.

“Arrogance is a disease. Compassion is the cure. Most gods didn’t like Nemesis, but that’s because she had a backbone.”

“Do you?” He arched a dark eyebrow.

“Do I…?” I blinked, the courteous grin on my face crumpling. He was even ruder when we were alone.

“Have a backbone,” he provided. He stared at me so boldly and intimately, it felt like he breathed fire into my soul. I wanted to step out of his touch and jump into a pool full of ice.

“Of course, I do,” I responded, my spine stiffening. “What’s with the manners? Were you raised by wild coyotes?”

“Give me an example,” he said, ignoring my quip. I was beginning to draw away from him, but he jerked me back into his arms. The glitzy ballroom distorted into a backdrop, and even though I was starting to notice that the man behind the demi-mask was unusually beautiful, the ugliness of his behavior was the only thing that stood out.

I am a warrior and a lady…and a sane person who can deal with this horrid man.

“I really like Angelo Bandini.” I dropped my voice, slicing my gaze from his eyes and toward the table where Angelo’s family had been seated. My father was sitting a few seats away, staring at us coldly, surrounded by Made Men who chatted away.

“And see, in my family, we have a tradition dating back ten generations. Prior to her wedding, a Rossi bride is to open a wooden chest—carved and made by a witch who lived in my ancestors’ Italian village—and read three notes written to her by the last Rossi girl to marry. It’s kind of a good luck charm mixed with a talisman and a bit of fortunetelling. I stole the chest tonight and opened one of the notes, all so I could rush fate. It said that tonight I was going to be kissed by the love of my life, and well…” I drew my lower lip into my mouth and sucked it, peering under my eyelashes at Angelo’s empty seat. The man stared at me stoically, as though I was a foreign film he couldn’t understand. “I’m going to kiss him tonight.”

“That’s your backbone?”

“When I have an ambition, I go for it.”

A conceited frown crinkled his mask, as if to say I was a complete and utter moron. I looked him straight in the eye. My father taught me that the best way to deal with men like him was to confront, not run. Because, this man? He’d chase.

About the Author
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.

Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.

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{Blog Tour: Review + Promo} Office Mate by Katie Ashley

Today we are celebrating the release of OFFICE MATE by Katie Ashley. This is a standalone, contemporary romance title. Check out the blurb and buy links below!

Office Mate by Katie Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEME: Political/Office Romance
RECEIVED: Tour

Office Mate by Katie Ashley

4.14 · 203 Ratings · 88 Reviews

BLURB:

Thorn

From the first time I played army as a kid, the military has been my life. As an Airborne Major, I’d led my men through two tours in Afghanistan. But when my father was elected president, I became an even greater target for the enemy—a prize for someone to take out. To ensure not only the safety of myself, but of my men, I got stripped of my cammies, shoved into an Armani suit, and placed into a management position at my father’s company. After years of trekking through the desert with an assault rifle, I was way out of my area of expertise, which my transition coordinator was more than happy to let me know on a daily, if not hourly basis. The brunette bombshell would be the death of me in more ways than one, especially since I hadn’t been with a woman since my last deployment. She’s turning out to be one of the greatest foes I’ve ever done battle with.

Isabel

In the backwoods Georgia town I was born in, you either married right out of high school or got the hell out of town. I chose the second and never looked back. After graduating top in my class, I started working for The Callahan Corporation. Fast forward five years and I was about to become the youngest female manager in the history of my department. And then all the blood, sweat, and tears I’d put into my career were for nothing when the boss’s billionaire son was handed my position on a silver platter. Not only that, I was expected to help transition him into the job that was supposed to be mine. Sure, he’s easy on the eyes with his chiseled good-looks and impossibly built physique, but I’m not going to let that distract me. I hope soldier boy is good at military strategy because sabotage is the name of the game I’ll be playing.

REVIEW:

This is a new favorite of mine for this year, I loved not only the writing but the character development. As a wife of a for marine, the thing that the men and women in our military see/do is so unknown to the average person. I loved how Ashley put a focus on PTSD and what Thorn was experience after leaving his long career in the military.

Anywho this was a great love/hate relationship romance. Office Mate follows Isabel, who thinks she's getting her dream promotion as VP in her company after working her butt off and being the best at what she does. But her dream is shattered when the CEO's son get placed in the position and he hasn't had the same experience in the company as her. Thorn has a business degree and knows his way around the office and his families company, however he decided to go to the military, where his heart lead him and that's where he stayed until his father, who is now the President of the United States asked him to come home and work for the company. Isabel and Thorn start off on extremely shaky grounds, with Isabel's bitterness and thorns rudeness (him trying to hide his attraction).

Overall I loved watching Isabel realize her bitterness towards not getting her promotion was not the way to go. She was tough for me to like at the beginning, but totally redeemed herself and I felt for her when I realized why she wanted the promotion. She has a good heart, especially towards her family and eventually Thorn. Thorn has a whole other problem, he was attracted to her but wanted to stay professional since he was technically her boss. It was a battle for both of them and I enjoyed watching them become friends.

In the end the romance was a slow burn until it exploded! It was great to see these two grow and learn more about each other and really be there when they both needed someone. The epilogue was a huge winner for me, the best ending ever.


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About the Author

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her spoiled mutt, Duke. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she hung up her red pen and expo markers to become a full-time writer. Each and every day she counts her blessings to be able to do her dream job.

Although her roots are firmly planted in the red Georgia clay, she loves traveling the country and world to meet readers and hang out with fellow authors. When she’s not writing or chasing down her toddler, you might find her watching reruns of The Golden Girls, reading historical biographies, along with romance novels, or spending way too much time on Facebook.

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{Review} Sway by Adriana Locke

Sway by Adriana Locke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Humor, Politics
RECEIVED: Kindle Unlimited

BLURB:

BARRETT LANDRY has it all.
Power, prestige, and plenty of women, the dapper politician’s life is pretty phenomenal. But in the midst of the biggest campaign of his life, he needs to focus. The last thing he can afford is a distraction.

ALISON BAKER is a work-in-progress.
As a single mother to HUXLEY, she’s rebuilding life on her terms. She’s focused on family, faith, and a future for her son that can’t be taken away. Putting her child first means not being careless, no matter what.

A chance encounter forces Barrett and Alison to redefine what they really want out of life. But everything comes at a cost ... and sometimes, even for love, it’s a price too steep to pay.

REVIEW:

Can I just say I have a new addiction… it’s the Landry family, well the Landry boys that is. I seriously don’t know how to thank my fellow KA forum girls who recommended Adriana Locke and this series to me, I freaking love it! But seriously this is one of my new favorite series!

Sway follows Alison Baker, a mom of an incredibly smart and adorable boy name Huxley who is just trying to rebuild her life. She isn’t prepared for the charming and sexy politician Barrett Laundry, who pretty much sweeps her off her feet, but with a campaign coming to a near end Barrett has to figure out how to handle this new found woman who is giving him a run for his money.
Alison is the ultimate mamma bear, as am I, so I totally connected with her. She adores her son and is working hard to be a good mom and put food on the table. So when she meets Barrett at a gala and his charming alpha attitude spark something inside her, everything changes for her. What I loved most about this story, is Alison’s son Huxley, he’s hilarious and knows a lot more than he probably should, he put Barrett in his place a couple times, being protective of his mom as well as loves Barretts baseball star brother Lincoln.

Barrett is under a lot of pressure, with the election coming close and the annoyance of keeping his rich voters happy, when he’d rather be helping the people not the rich, he wasn’t prepared for Alison. She gets him to see that his ideas and wants as a future governor are more important than keeping the greedy people who are pressuring him happy. Plus he wants to make his family proud and always has the support of them, but Alison is a distraction and some people around him and making it hard on her and Barrett.

Overall I loved the dynamic between this couple, they are both from very different background, but also both proud of who they are as a person, Barrett as a politician and Alison and a protective mom. The romance is off the chart steamy and there is this thing with grapes, that just takes it to another level, fyi in the future books there are some major joke among the brothers and sisters about it. I also loved the family, the Landry’s are so supportive and loving, they fight all the time but its all in the name of how much they love each other and want to keep their family close. I highly recommend this series for anyone who love drama, humor, family chaos, and some smoking hot romance.

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{Blog Tour: Review + Promo} Mr. President by Katy Evans

Mr. President by Katy Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Contemporary, Political, Mature
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

He's won the hearts of millions. But is he willing to lose his?

I met the president’s son when we were both young. Matthew Hamilton was handsome, polished, and intelligent. I’d never met a guy like him.

He promised me that he’d never run for president. I promised that if he did, I’d be by his side.

Three terms later, an invitation to join Matthew Hamilton’s campaign is the most exhilarating opportunity I’ve ever experienced. I'm determined to make a difference; he is determined to win.

Focused on his goal, Matt is steadfast, ruthless, and disarming. All eyes are on him and his popularity is surging. But soon, the next possible president of the United States is possessing me in more ways than one—and despite the risks, I'm helpless to resist.

We're stealing touches, stealing moments, and stealing away at night. But our chemical connection is quickly becoming dangerously combustive, putting not only my heart, but Matt's chance at the presidency on the line.

Winning will take everything. Walking away will be the hardest thing of all.

REVIEW:

I’m a big fan of Katie Evans writing in the Real and Manwhore series, her romances are always complex, emotional, exciting and steamy. Mr. President took a turn from the bad boys to the conservative man, which I loved every bit of!

Mr. President follows Charlotte Wells, who is waiting to hear if the man of her dreams is going to be the next President of the United States. She has known Matt Hamilton since she was young, and after reconnecting to help him with his campaign, the attraction starts and turns into a scandalous and complex relationship. Charlotte knows that she cant be with him in the public eye due to his campaign and then if he becomes President, what happens then?

Charlotte is a sweet and hardworking woman, she made an impression on Matt when they were young at dinner with his father the former president and her family. She said if he ran for president, she would join his campaign. Now twenty two Charlotte is pushed into the spotlight assisting Matt with his campaign. He remembered her words and made sure she was called to help. Their attraction is intense and it gets harder and harder for Matt to keep his composure around her. But both make sure they do whatever it takes to keep a scandal out of the lime light. I felt for Charlotte, she adored Matt, their connection was undeniable, people took notice in slight ways they were always with each other but luckily Matt was able to steer people away. I cant imagine the scrutiny people in the political world go through.

Matt is a collected and very intelligent man, he grew up in politics and after the tragic event with his father, he hadn’t been in the spotlight. Now he was determined to change things, however I don’t think he was prepared for Charlotte and that deep connection. He is older than her but to me not a scandalous age difference. The part of Matt being single and putting America first is what makes him popular, aside from the fact that women love his looks. I have no idea what he is going to decide with Charlotte but I surely hope he doesn’t break her heart.

Overall I loved the fact that this was a reminder of the late LFK Jr. After the ending of this one, which could be considered a cliffhanger, I’m wishing I had the second one already. But I’m sure Evans will make the wait worth it!

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About the Author:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

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{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} of The Phoenix Candidate by Heidi Joy Tretheway

The Phoenix Candidate by Heidi Joy Tretheway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

Fans of Scandal, House of Cards, and The Good Wife will love Grace Colton…

Congresswoman Grace Colton is the most famous woman in politics—and the loneliest—until a drawling, sexy stranger offers her one night, no strings and no regrets.

Grace wakes to an empty hotel room and a phone call: the dark horse for the 2016 presidential election, Senator Shep Conover, is considering her as his vice presidential running mate. But first, Grace must be vetted and coached by Shep’s political consultant, Jared Rankin, who already knows too many intimate details about her. He’s Mr. One-Night Stand.

Grace is torn: Play nice with Jared to join the senator’s ticket, or play hardball and back the slick frontrunner? Grace must decide where her loyalties lie and if she can trust Jared with her future—and her heart.

The Phoenix Candidate is an erotic romance set in the world of presidential election politics. Recommended for mature readers due to sharp dialogue, wickedly hot sex, and a few delicious taboos. This full-length novel is first in a series and can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW:

And to think I thought the TV show Scandal was hot and full of political drama, but Tretheway kicks it up ten notchs with smoking hot romance and political betrayal. I’ve only read a few political based novels, but after being introduced to the character Grace Colton, I’m definitely going to hunt for more tough political woman to read about.

The Phoenix Candidate follows Congresswoman Grace Colton aka code name Phoenix. Grace’s life is about to take an interesting turn when she is put on the short list as a potentially running mate for two sides. Grace is a true to her words woman, she has known great loss after her husband and child were taken from her and she sticks to her guns when it comes to her word and beliefs. But when she meets Senator Shep Conovers consultant Jared, she is shocked to see the face of her one night stand and a man she cant get out of her head.

Grace is a woman to admire; she is strong after the loss of her family and stays true to her voters and thoughts in politics. She also is lonely and when she meets Jared he doesn’t just sweep her off her feet he dominates and controls her in a way she’s always wanted. Grace is a little quirky and unsure of herself when it comes to Jared, he’s a bit of an unknown and surprise. I liked that she became more open and herself with Jared. With so much on her mind, being torn in two directions by two potential presidential candidates, I cant imagine how much my mind would be spinning. As a person she is down to earth and I was able to connect to her innocence and determination to stay true to herself.

Jared is an intense man at the beginning, I was a bit surprised in his controlled demeanor with Grace and wasn’t sure if he was to be trusted. I enjoyed watching his transformation once he meets Grace, her sweetness but also her no bull attitude, woke him up a bit. He deals with a load of political nonsense and works for a truly good candidate that he trusts. Grace is unexpected and he cant seems to keep himself away from her. Their moments are smoking hot and he knows how to push all of Graces’ buttons in all the right and wrong ways.

In the end I totally loved this new series, the romance was unbelievable, the characters have so much depth and emotion, and the political drama is so in your face real that it makes you think what really happens behind the scenes. This was my first by Tretheway and her fantastic hook line and sinker writing, definitely has me wanting to read more of her work. The betrayal and fake people that are introduced, I can tell are going to be a big problem for Grace in the future. She is going to have a lot challenges coming her way in the next book and I cant wait to see what happens next.

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Heidi Joy Tretheway Bio:

Heidi Joy is a sucker for campfires, craft cocktails, and steamy romance in books and real life. She sings along with musicals (badly), craves French carbs, and buys plane tickets the way some women buy shoes.

Her first career as a journalist took Heidi behind the scenes with politicians, rock stars, chefs, and detectives, all of whom inspire her stories. Heidi Joy is currently working on her eighth book from her home in Portland, Oregon. She adores hearing from readers at author.heidi@gmail.com.

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{Review} of Off the Record by K.A. Linde

Off the Record by K.A. Linde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Politics, Mature
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

Liz Dougherty has no idea a single question is about to change her life.

Her first big reporting assignment for her North Carolina college newspaper has her covering a state senator’s impromptu press conference. Brady Maxwell may have everything it takes to be a politician—a winning pedigree, devastating good looks, a body made to wear suits—but his politics rub Liz the wrong way. When Liz’s hard-hitting question catches the upstart senator off-guard, it impresses Hayden Lane, Liz’s editor who feels she’s headed for a promising career as a reporter.

But Liz is also headed into a secret romance with Brady that could destroy both their ambitions. Though he’s a bachelor, potential voters might frown on Brady cozying up to a reporter. And Liz isn’t sure sneaking around is enough for her—especially when things between her and Hayden might be less platonic than she thought.

Sleek, sexy, and smart, Off the Record ventures into a high-stakes campaign and an even higher-stakes affair to answer the question: When politics and love collide, can there ever be a winner?

REVIEW:

I’m not one for politics and usually political romances don’t cant my interest either, but something about Off the Record caught my eye. I was thrilled to discover this new series and talented author, this totally reminded of the TV show Scandal with its romance and clever storyline.

Off the Record follows Liz Daughtery who is a sophomore in college at the top of her class, as well as getting a chance of a lifetime by being asked to her first big reporting experience. Liz is excited to be apart of the press for her college newspaper class for a last minute press conference, with the very attractive and young senator Brady Maxwell. Liz isn’t prepared when she is chosen to ask him a question, which she gladly throws him a curve ball question. She of course catches Brady’s eye and the two discover even though they don’t agree with politics, they share a passion for romance.

Liz is a smart cookie; she studies hard and has a dream of being a journalist. Working for her college newspaper has given her great opportunities with writing and being mentored by her crush Hayden Lane. But after her ballsy question she is zeroed in by the Senator of her state Brady Maxwell, he is impressed and intrigued by her. Liz isn’t sure how to handle the attention she’s getting from the Senator and dives in to a secret with him. Their romance is a secret because of his career and her schooling. Liz is thrown many challenges with her heart between Hayden and Brady, as well as eventually falling hard for one of them. But when she is given a choice that could hurt her or the guy she wants, it’s going to be a hard road no matter what she chooses.

Brady and Hayden are so different, I loved that we get two men who the readers will like for different reasons. Brady is full of wealth, sex appeal, smarts, snark, passion and cant get enough of Liz, while Hayden is an adorable smart and hard working student that gets Liz. In the end I’m rooting for Brady because he challenges Liz in all the right ways, he makes her better and makes her really think. It may or may not end well for them and since this is the beginning of the series there is a lot to look forward too.

Overall I really enjoyed the start of this series, I can’t imagine the secrecy that those in the political field have to deal with. The secondary characters don’t get much attention but when they do they are either hilarious or you love to hate them. Its was interesting to see a take on how hard it is the have a real life while dealing with politics and romance, can you have both? After the eye opening ending, I look forward to continuing with the series.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is an adult novel with sexual content meant for mature readers over the age of 18+. Fans of Wallbanger by Alice Clayton and On Dublin Street by Samantha Young will love Off the Record by K.A. Linde.

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{Book Tour: Review + Giveaway} of Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Playing Pretend book tour for Juliana Haygert. Hosted by YA Bound Book Tours!

Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: New Adult Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Politics
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.

Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.

When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn't love the man who made her proud of her true self?

**A light, sexy NA Contemporary Romance**

REVIEW:

Such a cute, sweet and sexy read that was quick but overall great story with some political scandals in the mix. This one reminded me of a mix between the movie First Daughter and Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols, which made it a bundle of fun to read.

Playing Pretend follows Charlotte McClain who just had the best spring break ever; for once in her life she could be herself without the worry of her mothers controlling notions. Charlotte met Mason, he is irresistible in every way and cares for Charlotte only for her and not her money or the life she’s keeping secret from him. Even when Charlotte goes back home and her mother sets her up with another politician’s son, she can’t get Mason off her mind. To her surprise Mason is actually attending the university near her and won’t let Charlotte go without a fight. He cares for the true her, but will she let out her true self?

Charlotte is a girl who has to goes through the day pretending to be happy, perfect and the best daughter only a perfect governor would have. Like most people, I can never imagine what a life in the limelight could be like, but the readers will get a good idea how miserable it could be. I felt so bad for this girl, going day-by-day having her mother control her life and pretend that everything is perfect. Even though I know Charlotte didn’t want to hurt her mothers imagine, I would of told her off a long time ago. She treats her daughter terrible and I don’t blame her for wanting to rebel. It was interesting to see the real Charlotte and how she slowly started to see what it would be like if she spoke up for herself and just did something for her instead.

Mason is such a sweetheart, as well as a passionate and determined guy who cares for the woman he met. Even though they fell for each other over a few days it was a sweet and romantic romance. There was so much chemistry and seriously some smoking hot scenes. Mason has to deal with a lot of ups and downs in Charlotte’s life, but he handles it so well. Mason is also a guy who doesn’t care for money; he has a wonderful career dream in mind and wants Charlotte to see him as someone who just cares for her.

Overall I enjoyed this quick read of romance and politics, there was such a sweet and natural chemistry between Charlotte and Mason, it never felt forced. I also liked the fun secondary characters of David and Liana, who are both friends to Charlotte and Mason and helped guide them into the right direction. In the end I look forward for work from Haygert and maybe a continuation of Charlotte and Masons romance?

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a new adult novel that contains some light sexual content for 18+. Fans of the Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire will enjoy Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert.

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About the Author:

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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