Friday, June 30, 2017

Something's Brewing at Joe's by SJD Peterson


The promise of a dream job lures Murphy to Tampa, but he arrives to the rude awakening that the offer is on hold. Now he’s got two choices: slink back to Michigan with his tail between his legs or stay and look for work. Things perk up when he goes into a coffee shop and learns the owner is looking for someone to renovate the apartment above it. He happily takes the job, only later realizing he’s met Joe Sterling, Kaffeinate’s proprietor, before… when they hooked up at a club Murphy’s first night in Tampa.

Murphy and Joe are both proud, passionate, and outspoken. Neither is looking for a relationship, though they can’t deny they go together as well as coffee and doughnuts, in spite of their tempers. But that’s before Joe learns Murphy will be working for the corporation he believes is harming local businesses and the environment—and if Murphy will be supporting it, Joe wants nothing to do with him, dooming any possibility of an unexpected happy ending.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah☆☆☆☆
Mmm – a cozy local coffee shop, a home renovation, and a little bit of suspense make for a fun romance. I’ve got a thing for romances that start with an anonymous hookup and the one-night stand that starts this book is definitely memorable.

Murphy and Joe are well matched. The relaxed coffee shop owner is an unlikely partner for the driven, detail-oriented contractor, but they complement each other well. This is a steamy read and there is possibly more sex than character or relationship development and a good deal of character and relationship development through sex. But these two are hot together and parts of this book push towards erotica territory.

Beyond the heat, this story is actually a little bit slow. I enjoyed the characters in the coffee shop and I was glad for the suspense storyline that picks up at the end. Murphy and Joe are pretty believable as men who fancy each other, but part of that believability comes with a lack of a relationship trajectory or any sense of urgency. I enjoyed Murphy’s renovation work and I liked the more complicated storyline around his work situation.

This is sweet, fun, and very steamy. It doesn’t have the most clearly developed plot but I did enjoy the story and I really liked both Murphy and Joe.


Angie☆☆☆☆
Murphy can't believe his luck when he moves to Florida and his dream job has been put on hold. With little money to his name, he has to find something and fast because he doesn't want to go back home. Joe owns a coffee shop and is a workaholic. When these two meet and hook up, the chemistry if off the charts! There is loads of sex in this book, which I happen to like. There is a little drama with Murphy and his job, which was wrapped up all nice with a little bow, which was a little unbelievable but it is a book. I did like both Murphy and Joe and even the secondary characters were good. If you are looking for a fast read, heavy on sex, and just a bit of drama, this book is for you.



SJD PETERSON, better known as Jo, is a bestselling and award-winning author of gay romance. She lives in Michigan with her Itty Bitty Kitty and Little Man. She does her best writing when under pressure of deadlines and at 3:00 a.m. when the world is quiet. Jo loves to tell stories about real people with real flaws. The happily ever after isn’t guaranteed unless it’s earned through hard work and growth. Oh, but when it comes, the rewards are all the better!

Connect with Jo

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https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Something's Brewing at Joe's by SJD Peterson to read and review.

Lost Love by Kelly Elliott Blog Tour


Moving back home to my parents’ cattle ranch in Texas was the last thing I thought I’d be doing.

But, here I stand … in front of my high school girlfriend. A beautiful, confident woman has replaced the young girl I once knew and loved. Hell. I’m still in love with her.

Yep. Paxton Monroe was my first love and the one girl in town who now hated my guts. So much so, Paxton swore her revenge on me if it took her until the day she died. The last words she spoke to me were a vow to cut my dick off and shove it down my throat.

The fight between my heart, my head, and last, but certainly not least, my dick starts tonight. Because all I can think about is how I want to be buried so deep inside Paxton she won’t remember how I broke her heart, or how I left her when she needed me the most.

But who will win? My heart is too broken to listen to my head. And my dick, yeah it’s not listening to anything or anyone. Not until it gets what it wants and what it wants is Paxton Monroe.

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Book 1
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“Whatcha doing?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around and clutched at my chest.

“Jesus, Amelia! Why would you sneak up on me like that?”

She tried to hide her smile and failed. Lifting her brows, she glanced past my shoulder. “Were you watching Steed and Chloe?”

My cheeks heated. “What? No! Are they here? I haven’t seen them. Why would you say that?”

When her eyes moved back to mine, I knew she saw right through my blunder of lies. “Uh-huh. I know I was little when you and Steed dated, so we really don’t know each other all that well.” She smiled. “But I can already tell you’re a terrible liar, Paxton.”

I dropped my head then peeked up at her. “I wasn’t spying.”

Amelia held up her hands. “I didn’t say you were.”

Chewing on my lip, I sighed. “Okay. I was spying. I’m lost, Amelia.”

With a soft sympathetic grin, she glanced at her brother. “So is he, Paxton. His eyes are so sad. Earlier this morning we all had breakfast together as a family and both Mom and I noticed it.”

“The family was all together?” I asked.

She nodded with a grin. “The boys have been working the ranch the last two days so they’re all staying at the house. It’s been nice having Steed home again. Dad’s thrilled he’s back and digging deeper into the business side of the ranch. The idea of having another son run day-to-day operations has him all kinds of happy.”

Guilt hit me square in the chest. It was my fault he left. I told him to leave.

He left his family and stayed away because of me.

“I’m so sorry he left town,” I said.

“Paxton, you didn’t keep him away all those years. That was his decision. A poor one, but his nonetheless.”

I shrugged. Turning, I glanced back at Steed and Chloe. “He’s such a good father.”

The sadness in my voice caused Amelia to put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.






Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan☆☆☆☆☆
I haven't read a Kelly Elliott book since her Wanted series; not because I don't like her writing, but my reading tastes took me in other directions. It was so nice to come back to this sweet love story. I was completely invested from page one and couldn't wait to see what would happen between Paxton and Steed.

Steed was swoon worthy, sexy, and the ultimate dad. He didn't make the best decisions in his past, but he was doing everything he could to make up for those mistakes. Paxton has every right to the feelings she has and was trying hard to keep those walls up around her heart and from the one man she's always loved.

There were tears, laughs, and tons of love. An insanely sexy family of cowboys that I can't wait to read more about.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Second chance romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is a great second chance romance story. There are a ton of characters that you get to know and I loved them all.

Steed left a decade ago and regretted his decision every day. However, when he meets Kim, things begin to change. He has a beautiful daughter, Chloe, and despite not having a great wife and mom in Kim, Steed tries to make it work. When it's clear that it won't work, he goes back home to Texas to be near his family.

Paxton has never truly gotten over her loss. Both of her child and of Steed. Despite moving on with her life, becoming what she always wanted, which was a kindergarten teacher, Paxton has always had something missing.

When Steed brings Chloe for kindergarten round up, he's surprised by Paxton being the new teacher. To say that their reunion was rough is putting it mildly. Surprise and hurt come flowing back for both of them.

I loved watching Steed and Paxton fall in love all over again. Steed's family is full of hilarious people and Paxton's best friend, Corina, is amazing! I don't want to write too much, but know that the chemistry between Paxton and Steed is off-the-charts hot.

I can't wait to see where this series will go, but I'm kind of upset that we have to wait for Corina's story. However, I do love Amelia too, so I can't wait to see where her life goes.






Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings.

Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few.

Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.

Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings.

To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website.

Connect with Kelly

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels #1) by Kelly Elliott to read and review for this tour.

Dropout by Carrie Ann Ryan Blog Tour


A high school reunion is about to get down and dirty and a whole lot more complicated in this new erotic romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.

Grayson Cleary left town before graduation day and never looked back. Most people back home pegged him as a dropout. Over time, he's worked to make something of his life and leave his past behind, so when his ten-year reunion comes up, he has no intention of attending. When his best friend begs him to go, Grayson finds himself confronted with a past he'd rather forget and the one woman he's always craved.

Kate St. Dalton had everything when she left her hometown. Not only was she Valedictorian with a full scholarship, but she was also engaged to the boy of her dreams. Then, life threw a wrench in her plans, and she had to find a way to live the new life fate handed her. The last thing she needs is the hot boy from high school returning to town as the sexy man of her dreams.

When the two take a chance and use the reunion week to burn up the sheets, they'll have to remember that it's only for a few nights—not for a lifetime. And decide if what they have is just a fling... or something far more than a mere reunion.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne☆☆☆☆
This was one of my top favorites from the series – Grayson was definitely my favorite guy. 💖

Kate was the valedictorian of her high school class and everyone thought she’d do great things with her life. Then she married, got pregnant, dropped out of college, got pregnant again, and then divorced… followed by a move back to her hometown to be closer to her parents. Grayson Cleary was considered the “bad boy” of their high school and everyone assumed when he disappeared senior year, he’d dropped out and become a deadbeat. Really, he moved away and has made something of himself as a mechanic. When his best friend talks him into coming home for his 10 year high school reunion, he gets the surprise of a lifetime when he runs into his crush, Kate. The two click immediately and things heat up quickly.

I really love how relatable this story is. Both Kate and Grayson are such down to earth characters and probably my favorite couple in a book in a long time! The only thing that disappointed me was the buildup about Grayson and his best friend, Leah, and then she winds up being like one sentence in the book. I feel like she should have had a much stronger role in the book. Other than that though, this is a great read and I look forward to checking out more from this series!


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is one of a series of books with the same theme, but by different authors.

I read this book after three of the others in the series – feeling like a bit of a rebel not reading them in order 😉 – and whilst names arose, and I knew a few side items, it really didn't matter at all. It was a rather lovely story about two people who at school appeared polar opposites, yet life had dealt them blows which rendered them most definitely even. The spark that they had felt was impossible then, is given a chance to flourish, and they both get to move forward, this time, together. I think that Grayson is possibly the sexiest of the Bad Boys, although the others do come close!

Fun read, and I really like the idea of this series. Hopefully there will be more from this group of authors again.


Avid Reader☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

I have read these stories out of order, but never really had an issue with it. This is a sweet story about high school crushes and trying to make a life from perception rather than reality.

Grayson and Kate make an odd couple. She was one of the smartest girls in high school and Grayson was considered the dropout and trouble maker. However, after a decade, their lives have changed drastically.

Kate is trying to figure out where to go from her current predicament. She's a recent divorcee, from her high school sweetheart, who likes to be mean and rub her face in the fact that he's moved on. However, she has her own victory in that she was granted custody of their two children. She has dreams that were put on hold for her ex and now she wants to live her life.

Grayson is working at a garage and doing well for himself. He had always had a crush on Kate, but given that he was considered the wrong side of the tracks kid throughout high school, never acted on his crush.

When they become reacquainted at their high school reunion, sparks fly and an understanding is found between the two. Grayson realizes that despite having a preconceived notion of how Kate's life was, he was wrong and the same went for Kate believing that Grayson was just a bad kid.

This is a sweet story about finding your own path.



Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Connect with Carrie Ann

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dropout (Bad Boy Homecoming #1) by Carrie Ann Ryan to read and review for this tour.

All There Is by Violet Duke


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke debuts an emotional series about letting go, starting over, and trusting in the redemptive power of love.

Emma Stevens is ready for a fresh start in Juniper Hills, but she still lives with the impossible guilt of her past: having failed to rescue her little stepbrother from a fire that decimated her childhood home and her family. Her next-door neighbor may have been the one to drag her out of the burning building that night, but it doesn’t exonerate him since he caused the fire. Not even when he shows up fourteen years later to help salvage her bakery.

Jake Rowan may not have been able to save Emma’s brother from the fire, but at least he was able to save his own brother. By taking the fall and the punishment for him, Jake managed to protect his older brother’s future…but it cost him the girl of his dreams.

Now Jake finds himself on Emma’s doorstep once again. Not to save her life this time, but to repair it. And more importantly, her heart, if she’ll let him.

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Book 1
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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
Lots of emotional baggage in this book, but I think the writer does an excellent job of describing the horror that is the past and the people who have to learn how to live life afterwards.

Emma feels unending guilt about the fact that her little brother died after her home caught on fire while she was home babysitting. The adult Emma constantly second guesses her teenage self and has nightmares about what she did or didn't do that night. Her sister, Megan, was also home that night and while she was able to save her life, Megan was severely burned.

Also feeling the guilt of the past is Jake. Jake lived next door to Emma and she was his first true love. Nothing ever came of it because of the fire that took the life of Emma's little brother. A fire that he took responsibility for. A crime that his father coerced him to admit to in order that his older brother and his dreams would be saved. Compounding that crime is that his father had his name changed before the sentencing hearing (as well as Jake's other siblings last names) so that his name and that of his smarter, older son would not be tarnished by this crime.

Jake has lots of regrets about the past, yet does not outwardly show how much his family has hurt him by the betrayal by his father and subsequent betrayals by this mother. His younger siblings as well as his older brother have rallied around him and encourage him to fight for his life, rather than just take what it hands him.

Emma has a hard letting go of the past, of the boy she knew, to get the know the man Jake has become. She comes to love Jake, but can't forgive him or herself for failing to save her brother.

This book has it all and it’s written with empathy and compassion along with hope for a better future.



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke is a former English professor ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page. She enjoys writing emotion-rich stories with fun, everyday characters and sweet, sexy matchups. Since her acclaimed debut series in 2013, more than a million readers have put Violet’s contemporary romances on the USA Today bestseller list sixteen times, the New York Times bestseller list three times, and the Top 10 charts across the major e-retailers, both in the United States and internationally. Born and raised in Hawaii, Violet continues to live the no-shoes island way with her nutty kids and crazy husband, her most devoted fan.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of All There Is (Juniper Hills #1) by Violet Duke to read and review.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

The Shape of You by Felice Stevens Release Blitz


Too big. Too fat.

All his life Eric Sontag has judged himself on his size, believing love and friendship aren't in the cards for someone like him. Tired of being alone and scared of his doctor’s warnings, he enrolls in a nutrition support group, determined to change his life. When a beautiful thin man sits next to him, he can’t believe they have anything in common, but conversation between the two soon proves first impressions aren’t always what they seem.

Drifter. Loner.

Corey DeSantis has always been the scrawny waif; he’s tired of struggling with his art and with life. Scarred by the disappearance and death of his drug-addicted mother, he doesn’t wish for love, believing it will bring him nothing but pain in the end. Now his only hunger in life is his desire to paint…until a health scare and his mentor force him to attend a nutrition class where he meets a man who piques his interest. One drunken kiss later, Eric is all Corey can think about.

The same, yet different.

An unlikely friendship is born with both men wanting more but afraid to listen to their well-guarded hearts. When Corey receives shocking news leaving him angry and helpless, it’s Eric he leans on, to help see him through, while a surprising career opportunity finds Eric leaning on Corey for advice. One night of explosive passion leads to a second and soon neither man can imagine a life without the other. Life is shaped by the challenges accepted and roads not taken but as Corey and Eric walk the path together, they’ll discover the most beautiful destination of all. Love.

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~





Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆☆
This is a really fabulous book – and at the end I found I was unexpectedly tearful. Ms. Stevens has a wonderful way of introducing characters into the reader's mind, and then giving plenty of opportunity for him/her to empathise, envy, and want everything to work for the pair. In this case, such a powerful message was included with the romance, that it should have everyone thinking a little more about the assumptions they make and the impact of their thoughtlessness.

But at its heart is a love story which makes the most delicious progress and ends in a truly magnificent way. Get a copy, read it, and understand what I'm trying to convey!


Angie☆☆☆☆
I love Felice Stevens’ books, they give me the feels. This book didn't disappoint. Corey and Eric each have their own issues with food. When they team up to work on a class project together, they become friends and then more. These guys both have emotional baggage and I liked seeing both sides to these guys. Most people know about the harassment/bullying people get when people are overweight, but people tend to forget the other end of the spectrum. I actually said something to a "skinny" person and I wasn't even being negative, but they said, "I hate being this skinny and I wish I COULD gain weight." Ever since that comment, I try to think of both sides of things and this book was great showing the struggles of each. Very emotional at times and I just fell in love with Corey and Eric and felt the connection from the start and it never stopped. Beautiful story.



I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, my characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

Connect with Felice

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Shape of You by Felice Stevens to read and review for this tour.

Prom Queen by Katee Robert Blog Tour


A high school reunion is about to get down and dirty and a whole lot more complicated in this new erotic romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Katee Robert.

Jake Davis had it all in high school—a scholarship to his college of choice, a promising football career, and the gorgeous prom queen for a girlfriend. And then he lost it all when he was injured right after graduation. Ten years later, he’s mostly made his peace with that, and now runs a company that provides women with dates for special events. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that the ex who left him in the dust needs a fake boyfriend for their high school reunion…

Jessica Jackson used to be the mean girl to end all mean girls. But life didn’t turn out like she’d thought it would, and now she’s twenty-eight, single, and works as an insurance agent to A-listers instead of being the A-lister like she’d always dreamed. She can’t go back to her home town and admit just how thoroughly she’s failed, so she lets her friends set her up with a fake date for the reunion.

The second Jessica realizes that her fake date is Jake, she tries to call the whole thing off. The problem is the chemistry between them is even hotter now than it was when they were teenagers. Against her better judgment she lets herself get drawn into Jake’s arms again—and into his bed. But time doesn’t heal all wounds—sometimes, it actually makes them worse—and if Jessica and Jake can’t learn to forgive each other, their second chance might not last the weekend.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 3
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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo




Taking a fortifying breath that did nothing to fortify, she scrolled through her texts to find the number that had shown up last night. The words were short and to the point.

I’ll pick you up at the airport.

Nothing there to tell what kind of man she’d ended up with, and she’d been too cowardly to text back anything other than a generic agreement. Now there was nothing left to stall with. Jessica hitched her purse higher up on her shoulder and headed through security. The big red line tiled into the floor was a point of no return in so many ways. Why did I think this was a good idea?

Her mama didn’t raise a coward, though, so she lifted her chin and marched forward. No matter who this guy was, she’d faced down worse. She’d been worse. It couldn’t be more horrifying than the Miss Texas Teen USA pageant of 2005 where that little brat Misty Brennan cut holes into her dress and she didn’t realize it until she was out on stage and had her pink polka dot bra showing to the audience and God. Jessica had powered through that and walked out with second place, and she’d power through this, too.

She joined the people from multiple flights crowded around the baggage claim, her body practically vibrating from nerves. The scent of too many people in too little space assaulted her, but she was more focused on the faces she didn’t recognize from the plane. Too many, all filtered in with the travelers—there was no way she’d be able to pick him out of the crowd. Her date had her picture, so he’d have to be the one to approach. What if he doesn’t? What if this is just karma giving me one last kick in the teeth?

Oh, for God’s sake, stop being so dramatic.


“Jessica.”

A thrill shot down her spine, quickly eaten up by a dread so strong, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. She shot a look at the nearest exit, but if she took off now, she’d have to admit that she fled instead of turning and facing her Number One Nightmare.

Jake Davis.

Praying she was wrong, she turned slowly to face him. Nope. That was definitely Jake Davis, ex-quarterback, ex-boyfriend, just all around ex when it came to Jessica. And he was definitely way better in real life than he’d been in the pictures she’d seen while she was creeping on him. Her heart picked up and her body sparked to life in a way it hadn’t in far too long.

Something like ten years.

She was staring. She couldn’t stop. Jessica licked her lips, her breath stalling in her lungs when his green eyes met hers. His eyes had always been one of her favorite features—a true green that brightened depending on what he was wearing, framed with thick, dark lashes that had always made her jealous when she was a teenager. Going by those eyes, Jakes would be judged downright pretty.

At least until you saw the rest of his face. His hair had darkened over the years, closer to brown than blond, and his lantern jaw was covered with… “What the hell is that on your face?”

He blinked, the only outward sign that she’d surprised him.

“Nice to see you too, Jessie.” He touched his scruff. “A lot’s changed since you left.”

Her gaze jumped to his right shoulder. There was no outward sign of the injury that had started the end of it all, but then, he was wearing a light-weight black T-shirt, so it wasn’t like it would show. Focus, Jessica. “What are you doing here? Are you picking up someone for the reunion?” There you go. Nice and casual.

“You might say that.” He kept looking at her like he could see the inside of her head. Another new trick.

She glanced around, trying to be subtle. The baggage claim had started to clear out, and there weren’t any conveniently gorgeous men standing around alone. Where was her date? Now would be the perfect time for him to sweep in and do the job she’d hired him for. “I’m here with someone.”

“I know.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?” On second thought, escaping Jake before she met her date was probably a better choice. She didn’t want to have to deal with meeting this new guy and trying to pretend they’d been dating forever. And how was she going to explain how she’d magically lost him between getting off the plane

and the baggage claim.

Cora’s so-called perfect plan was teetering toward disaster.

“Your order from Diamond Dates.” He gave her a slow, knowing grin that she felt all the way to her toes, and offered his hand. “Jessica Jackson, I’m your date for the reunion.”




Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne☆☆☆☆
Really enjoying this series so far.

Jessica was the "Regina George" of her high school and when her friends find out about the upcoming high school reunion she has, they demand she attend. Jessica knows showing up alone isn't an option, especially knowing she could run into the love of her life whose heart she broke, so her friends hook her up with an escort service.

Jake Davis had his heart broken by Jessica back in high school and has loved her ever since. Now, 10 years later, he spends his days running his lucrative escort business and thinks he has his chance at revenge when Jessica's name pops up as needing a date to the reunion. When Jake sees how different Jessica is since high school, he quickly changes his mind and the old sparks between the two ignite...

I like that you can read these in any order and I think that the love story behind this one has been my favorite so far! What I didn’t love – while I think the idea of this series written by different authors is awesome, I think that the small details are key and I was disappointed that one of the previous books mentioned the lack of name tags at the reunion while this book made a point of mentioning how silly it was to have name tags at a masquerade ball. Also, the entire first half of the book, Jessica is dreading the reunion as she was such a "mean girl" in high school; then at the actual reunion, there really wasn't much drama and it was almost anti-climactic on that front.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Jessica and Jake were the couple to be in high school. However, when Jake is injured and Jessica takes a look at where her life is going – she bolts, leaving Jake heartbroken and angry.

Skip ahead to their 10 year reunion. Jessica has a decent job but is not where she thought she'd be. Despite having AMAZING friends, she is hesitant to attend the reunion because of how horrible she was in high school. She was the queen bee and made everyone else feel little.

Jake went on with his life, but he never really forgave Jessica for breaking his heart. They had plans and when he was injured, those plans halted. When he has a chance for a little revenge, he takes it. His new business venture is one where people can hire escorts for weddings, reunions, etc. Any place where people need a date.

When Jake and Jessica come back to their high school reunion, Jessica is plopped right back into her horrible family life. Jessica has a mom who constantly belittles her and a father who is a serial cheater and doesn't really bother to be engaged in their family. Jake knows that it was bad in high school, but I don't think that he really understood how bad her home life was.

Jake and Jessica need to decide if forgiveness is deserved. Hurt feelings come to light, new hurts create angst, and you can really see how Jake and Jessica work through their past and leap towards their future.


Sarah☆☆☆
This is a cute second chance romance. When the prom queen accidentally hires her prom king to be her date for their high school reunion, the two former lovers spend the reunion weekend working through the feelings they still have for each other. The result is a novella full of angst and heat.

I really enjoyed Jake. Dumped brutally by his high school love, he has enough of a sense of humour to thoroughly enjoy Jessica’s reaction when she realises she has hired him as her escort. But he is also sensitive enough to spare her public humiliation and humble enough to refrain from rubbing her nose in his wealth and success. He is a good guy, a charming and attractive guy, but he’s maybe a little bland and a little too... nice.

I found Jessica more difficult to engage with. A reformed mean girl, she admits at one point that she made Regina George look nice in high school. She spends the book telling us that she’s a new, nicer person but as soon as she’s back with her schoolmates she whips out nasty barbed comments. Insights into her home life make her somewhat sympathetic, but I struggled to relate to her or even like her at times.

The heat between Jessica and Jake is great and I liked the way they dealt with their past baggage without too much angst. But somehow, I think I was supposed to enjoy this more than I did. It might be the novella format that doesn’t allow for detailed character development or it might just be that Jessie and Jake’s relationship still feels kinda high school when they are both supposed to be grown adults. For me, the ending was too easy and the whole story wrapped up just a little bit too neatly.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is one of a series of books with the same theme, but by different authors. I read them out of order, but it definitely didn't matter, as nothing important is revealed about any other storyline.

There is quite a shift in this book as the lead, Jessica, was the school mean girl and she knows that going back will be a challenge, and yet her friends persuade her that she needs to put some of that time behind her. When we see her at her parents' house, it is not difficult to understand just how and why she became such a student. Luckily, Jake has the patience and desire to know the real Jessie, and watching it all come together is very enjoyable. There are some fun moments, and some pretty sad ones, but Ms. Robert is adept at ensuring we are cheering for the pair, and giving us the result we need!

Engaging story; I have enjoyed all I have read so far of this series.





New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it “a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.” When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Prom Queen (Bad Boy Homecoming #3) by Katee Robert to read and review for this tour.

The Legend by Donna Grant


A LONE STAR LOVER

They live to protect. They live to fight for honor and justice. They live to love the women who have captured their souls. These are the Sons of Texas, from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.


In The Legend, Callie Reed doesn’t need a man to protect her. An expert sharpshooter and renegade hacker, this Texas-born spitfire’s got the skills and the courage to stand up to any danger—no matter how deadly. But when she becomes the target of a shadowy organization known as the Saints, Callie is forced to team up with the one man she can’t outshoot: the gorgeous, and infuriating, Lone Star legend named Wyatt Loughman…

A Delta Force Colonel with a rock-hard body and stone-cold heart, Wyatt has been teasing and tormenting Callie since they were playmates on his family’s ranch. Of course, he’s wildly attracted to the fiery, strong-willed Callie. But he’s always hidden his feelings behind a wall of Texas tough and military cool, even as he’s burning up with desire. Can Wyatt save Callie’s life—without putting her love in the line of fire?

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Book 3
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is the first story that I have read in this series and I would suggest reading the previous books first, as there were characters and relationships that seemed important. Despite the fact that I could guess what was happening, I still think it would have been beneficial.

Wyatt is a hard man to know. He has a way about him that if he goes in without caring if he comes out, then he'll win. He is part of a delta force and seems like the kind of guy you'd want on your side when you're fighting for your life. He has a family that he left because the memories of his murdered mother were too much. He hates his father because his perception was that his dad, Orrin, was not doing enough to find their mother's murderer. The one person that it hurt him to leave was Callie. After she was taken in by his father, her family didn't want to let her leave. One night, Wyatt found her beaten, almost near death and carried her back to the ranch. After that, he became her protector – warning her family away from her for years. He knows that going back to the ranch will stir up issues he hasn't dealt with, but Callie and his family – the human race is in danger and he will do his best to make sure that everyone survives.

Callie is whip smart, she is tech savvy, and great with a gun. She has also loved Wyatt since before she has known. She has tried to keep her family away from her – telling them she doesn't want to be part of their business, but they don't really want to hear that. With people coming after those she loves, she will need all of her willpower to fight and survive.

Will Wyatt and Callie be able to fight their feelings and get the job done? Will they both be alive when the fight is over? The world is in danger of a bio-weapon that could devastate millions and Wyatt and his family are the only force to stand between them.

This was a fast-paced story with a lot going on, but I can't wait to see what happens next.



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Legend (Sons of Texas #3) by Donna Grant to read and review.