Showing posts with label Dream Team Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dream Team Series. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley

To have the love they've always dreamed of… two damaged souls must overcome the pain of their pasts. Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley.

In this steamy and emotional contemporary romance from a New York Times bestselling author, two damaged souls must overcome the pain of their pasts to have the love they've always dreamed of.

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina—she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help...

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Dream Team series!
For book one, Dream Maker, click HERE.
For book two, Dream Chaser, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads

 

Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)

 

 

“Have you ever been shot down?”     “Uh, yeah.”     Wow.     “Really?” I asked.     “Babe, it was you who shot me down.”

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book three in this series, but of course, it gives us the goodness of Indy, Ally, Gwen, Tyra, their men, and of course Smithies! So fans will find themselves amongst friends and well aware of all the crazy that has been going on in the lives of this group of friends. If you are not up to speed, then you might want to start at book one to give yourself a chance. I am going to assume that you have in my review.

After the drama of previous stories, I spent a lot of time waiting for something really dramatic to happen, and Hattie really didn't help keep me calm as she wasn't the most careful person! The guys are now all working together to try and work out who is behind all the problems they have been having. There is one scene where the level of hotness in the room deciding how to move forward almost burned my Kindle!

For me, the most touching moment in this book is when Axl meets Hattie's father and realises that although he has been abusive to Hattie, he loves her. Axl compares this to his own father and comes to realise that there is no such emotion there. It is such a poignant moment. The whole story changes at that point, as Axl understands the difference, and gives Hattie a second chance to have a positive relationship with her dad. He also knows he needs to provide more support to his mum.

I loved the descriptions of Hattie's dancing, and how it finally brings her joy – and even the work at her studio is brought to life by Kristen Ashley's writing, more by the emotions they elicit than anything else. It was fun too when Hattie recognises from his house that she and Axl have a lot more in common than she ever expected.

Although we knew that these two had been matched by Lottie, and so were expecting a successful romance, Hattie's reluctance to open up had been holding them back from being a couple. Once she allows herself to imagine a happy future, Axl immediately shows her just how much her holding back had affected him, and how the future would be – danger or otherwise. It is utterly delicious once we get to share their newly won happiness.

I must also not neglect the star of the whole book – Axl's cat Cleo... in case there was any doubt!!


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Dream Spinner was unexpected. Unexpected because I was expecting massive angst and while there is some initial angst, once our couple start to date, things are actually pretty solid. It is the world around them that causes problems.

A stalker, two badly behaving fathers. two good mothers that deserve better, and the ongoing hunt by the commandos to find a group of bad guys, if they can figure out who the bad guys are, keeps the story interesting and had me turning the pages. There were times when I was reading Hattie and Axl’s romance that I was so wrapped up in their love story that I forgot about the drama that was going on around them. There were other times that drama sucked me in and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The scenes with Hattie and Axl away from the drama, just being a regular couple I think were my favourite. I like their idea of spending Sundays together, just the two of them connecting is a great idea. I might just have steal that idea.

I had a great time reading Dream Spinner. I loved the pace, the drama, the romance, and it helps that our couple are sexy and lovable. Cute even. But for me, the ongoing story arc in this series with the good guys of Denver we know and love from Kristen Ashley stories, trying to track down and beat the bad guys has me totally hooked. I look forward to reading the next book, Dream Keeper, to find out what is going on. Also, from the tiny snippet at the end of Dream Spinner, I get the feeling Pepper and Auggie’s story is going to be epic.


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

Hattie is an amazing dancer. Now that her job has changed some and she and her fellow dancers are able to really use their own creativity, she loves it! With a father who never approved of her, despite how hard she worked, Hattie is her own worst critic. And even though said father isn't good at taking care of himself, she allows herself to be put down time and again in order to make sure that her father is being taken care of. She can't just leave him.

Axl is someone who know what he wants. He's wanted Hattie for a long time. He thinks he's put in the work, taken his time to get to know her, allowed her to see the true him, but she has walls that even he can't scale. When he sees what she puts herself through and understands the reason behind it, he's livid.

Then throw in some shady doings and Axl's protective side comes bounding to the front. Axl and Hattie have a great friendship, but I felt that their chemistry lacked a little. I wanted to like this far more but found myself kind of just ho-humming along. It didn't wow me. I will continue with the series though because I do love these women.


Shelby – ☆☆☆
This is going to be a quick, no-spoiler review. I must start by saying I love most of Kristen Ashley's books and find it difficult to review them.

Book three in the Dream Team series is Axl and Hattie's story. This has been building for a while and I was excited to finally see them come together.

Unfortunately, I am just not loving it.

I feel like most of the situations are recycled (i.e.: girl in trouble, protective man moves her in, slight friction, fully in love), and the characters aren't fully developed or are just one dimensional.

Don't get me wrong, there are definitely sweet moments and the series storyline is continued, which is good. I just didn't love this book but didn't hate it either... it's just, meh.

I'm hoping, and have confidence, that book four will redeem this series for me.

 

 

Author Bio



KRISTEN ASHLEY is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.

Born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, Kristen was a fourth generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her writing career.

Connect with Kristen

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Kristen Ashley – Rock Chicks Group!

 

 

The packed room was utterly silent. And then it exploded.

 

Forever & Forever Yours


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dream Spinner (Dream Team #3) by Kristen Ashley to read and review.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley

To have a future together, they'll have to put their trust in each other. Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley.

In this steamy, addictive contemporary romance spinning off the New York Times bestselling Dream Man and Rock Chick series, Ryn Jansen must put her trust in the one man she wants – and the one man she can't let herself have.

Ryn Jansen has no interest in taking a risk on Boone Sadler. Thanks to a long list of men who've done nothing but let her down, Ryn vows to stay far away from the caring, protective commando. And when Boone confronts Ryn with evidence that her loved ones are conning her, Ryn is less than thrilled – with her family and Boone. But even as Boone proves he's the kind of guy to meet her every need, she doesn't trust him to stay when life gets hard...

Boone Sadler's never been one to back down from a challenge. He's determined to show the funny, sexy Ryn that the irresistible connection between them is worth exploring. But caring for Ryn's heart and body becomes a matter of life and death when Ryn's beloved niece and nephew are put in danger and dirty cops begin gunning for Ryn. Soon Boone realizes their romance is in danger of more than heartbreak – and to have any future together, they'll have to put their trust in each other.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Dream Team series!
For book one, Dream Maker, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads

 

Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

 

 

Reviews


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.

Please read book one so that this book makes more sense.

Ryn is an amazing woman. She works her butt off in order to help her niece and nephew when her brother isn't able to help them. Ryn is used to having only her mom in her life whom she can count on, but when she is kidnapped by Cisco, a local gangster, her life kind of turns upside down. When Cisco reappears in her life, Ryn isn't quite sure what to make of their encounter.

Boone is ready to show Ryn how amazing he can be, but he starts out by kind of stepping in a big pile of family drama. While his tact isn't always on point, Boone does have Ryn's best interest at heart. While he knows that Ryn works very hard, he also knows that for some reason, Cisco has taken her under his wing and offered her protection.

While Ryn and Boone find themselves tangled in a bad cop conspiracy, they also find themselves walking the fine line of a new relationship. Boone is hoping to show Ryn that her life can be so much more. Ryn has to figure out how much she's willing to put up with, in terms of her own family too. As these two find their own paths, lives will be taken, love will be found, and truths will be revealed.

I was a little disappointed that the mystery in this book wasn't truly resolved. It felt unfinished and I'm not sure if it left a path to resolution in the next book. This was a great book and I really hope that the next book comes soon! I really love these books.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in this series, but as any Kristen Ashley fan will know, this has close links with the Rock Chick series, and we also get some Chaos and Mystery Man elements to add to the richness. And that adds to the fun and the feeling of being a part of the community – which I love.

Boone and Ryn have been aware of each other for a while, but Ryn doesn't have time, or belief in men being serious, and Boone rather unwisely found solace elsewhere for a while, fed up of waiting. So he now has a bit of a mountain to climb, but he has two things in his favour – determination and the fact that the chemistry between them cannot be denied. I loved how Ryn also recognised that it could be good, but she is both too busy and too nervous to take a chance. As her life swirls out of control for reasons outside her control, Boone is there to support her. It is lovely watching him show her that she really can rely on him, and that he takes her, her family, her dreams, and her habits, and loves them all.

There is just so much goodness in this book, my advice is make sure you have a good long stretch of time to read, because you will not want to put it down once you start. It has tension, danger, fun, and a very sexy romance. Another hit for me; thank you, Kristen Ashley.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
So the first few pages of reading Dream Chaser I was thinking, wow Ryn seems a bit judgmental, but we quickly discover what is going on in her life and realise she is being taken advantage of. I was furious on her behalf, and from there on I was Team Ryn all the way. What I wasn’t, was Team Boone. He was a douche early on.

The turmoil in the budding relationship had me so emotional and a few tears were shed. Boone did some really stupid things that had me wondering if he was up to the challenge of taking care of Ryn, and for a good while there it looked like he wasn’t. But after a rough start, things eventually turned around and the good guy that Boone is shone through. One thing I will say is as a couple, Ryn and Boone are incredibly hot together.

Ryn and Boone’s romance is set to the backdrop of a crim who is being framed for a murder he didn’t commit, which leads to dirty cops with Ryn in the firing line. I liked the danger and action as well as the unfolding story of crime in Denver. This led to a few guest appearances from other KA heroes, including Eddie and a few from the Chaos boys, which made me happy.

One thing I would have liked to have had more of in Dream Chaser are Ryn’s friends, the other Dream Team girls. I didn’t feel the same kind of close friendship between the Dream Team as there was between the Rock Chicks. Hopefully that will come over time with the next few books.

I struggled with the first book in this series, but I was all in with Dream Chaser. There was always something going on and it kept me interested from the first page right to the last. I loved it. A solid four stars from me.


Shelby – ☆☆☆
Dream Chaser, the second book in the Dream Team series, was just okay for me.

This series is based on the Dream Team – four women that have formed friendships while working at Smithie's Club. I loved the first book in this series and was excited for Ryn's story. This book contains an element of suspense, a lot of angsty romance, a dash of sweetness, and a LOT of Denver character cameos.

I have such a hard time reviewing a Kristen Ashley book, I don't want to give anything away because it will destroy the story for you. I will say this book builds on the first and should be read in order. I will also say that the slow build for Ryn and Boone wasn't my favorite. The D/s aspect also didn't seem realistic to me. I liked Ryn's story and all the crazy that was happening, but Boone isn't my favorite male character.

Overall, this was just okay for me. I will read the third book as I am invested in the Dream Team and will keep an open mind!

 

 

Author Bio



KRISTEN ASHLEY is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels. Her books have been translated in fifteen languages, with nearly three million copies sold.

Born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, Kristen was a fourth generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her writing career.

Connect with Kristen

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Kristen Ashley – Rock Chicks Group!

 

 

Forever. Forever Yours.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dream Chaser (Dream Team #2) by Kristen Ashley to read and review.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Dream Maker by Kristen Ashley


Two broken hearts find love and healing in each other in this sexy contemporary romance spin-off from the New York Times bestselling author of the Rock Chick and Dream Man series.

Evan "Evie" Gardiner has spent her whole life being the responsible one in her family, but enough is enough. It's time to pursue her own dreams. Evie's finally going to finish that engineering degree she's been working toward. But first she needs to come up with the money to pay for tuition. Working as a dancer at Smithie's club seems like the perfect solution to her problems... until her family lands in yet another scrape and comes to Evie for help. Only, this time, her family's recklessness is risking more than her dreams—it's endangering her life.

Daniel "Mag" Magnusson knows a thing or two about desperation and disappointment, but no one notices that his good looks and quick wit hide the painful memories that haunt him. When Evie's family puts her in danger, Mag insists on offering Evie his protection. He has the skills to guard Evie's life, but as they grow closer, Mag realizes he'll need to come face-to-face with his demons to prove himself as the man who will protect her heart.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52189666-dream-maker


Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
Are you an experienced Kristen Ashley fan? Awesome!
Are you NEW to Kristen Ashley? Excellent starting point!

This book is perfect for old and new fans alike. This author has a very specific style, and this is no exception. Strong males, quirky females, super dramatic situations, sweet romance, and spicy love scenes.

Evan is experiencing another episode in the life of her family, which is never a good thing. She is driven and stubborn, she never gives up on who or what she believes in. Mag is the uber-alpha male, he's a commando with a heart of gold and a temper to match.

I really enjoyed the ties to the Rock Chicks and how they all flowed into the Dream Team. The situation that Evan finds herself in was interesting, Mag was perfect throughout the story, and they had some serious chemistry together. I felt like this was Kristen Ashley getting back to her original style of writing, and I truly enjoyed it!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This may be the first book in a new series, but it is deeply immersed in the Kristen Ashley world of Rock Chicks. In fact, it is a fun reunion with everyone you ever met before – I love that I know them all so well, but even if you are new to this world, then Ashley makes sure that she gives plenty of background too.

Lottie is on a mission to set up all her friends at Smithie’s with single men she knows... after all, if she can find love, so can they! Evan “Evie” is her first vict... I mean subject, and by the end, one would have to agree that Lottie does well. Danny “Mag” certainly gets to show off his skills as Evie gets involved in something far bigger than she ever expected when helping out her no-good brother.

I enjoyed the camaraderie, the plot twists, and most of all, the crazy romance. It was the very best form of escapism; thank you, Kristen Ashley, once again for stopping the outside world and letting me join yours!


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

Evie is working her tail off to provide a better future for herself. She grew up knowing that she was the only person that she could count on. With a less than stellar family life, Evie has had to scrimp, save, claw, and scratch her way through life. Her good friend, Lottie, is trying to set all of her girlfriends up with decent, loving men. Evie is first up.

Mag has been closed off for a while. He knows that he has come home with scars, but when his good friend, Lottie, sets him up on a blind date, he also knows that Lottie will harp on him until he goes. What Mag isn’t expecting is the fun, flirty, slightly nerdy woman who meets him for their date.

With everything going on, Evie isn’t sure about having Mag help her, but he isn’t taking no for an answer. This story has a lot going on, but nothing overshadows the other. I loved watching Evie and Mag figure out their relationship and seeing Evie learn to let her family deal with their own issues. I can’t wait for the next book.




Kristen Ashley is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels. Her books have been translated in fifteen languages, with nearly three million copies sold.

Born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, Kristen was a fourth generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her writing career.

Connect with Kristen

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Kristen Ashley – Rock Chicks Group! on Facebook


https://www.read-forever.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dream Maker (Dream Team #1) by Kristen Ashley to read and review.