When You Knew by Jamie Beck

An unlikely couple must decide what truly defines family.

Gentry Cabot’s rebellious life comes to a screeching halt when a one-night stand leads to a sobering new reality: motherhood. Exhausted and overwhelmed, the former wild child struggles to raise an infant on her own. After a lifetime of feeling like the odd Cabot out, Gentry knows that what her son needs most is family. For his sake, she plans to rebuild bridges with them, but first she needs a little help on the home front.

Humanitarian worker Ian Crawford has devoted his life to service. Forced to temporarily return stateside, he’s eager to head back to Haiti to expand the nonprofit he just founded in his late father’s honor. He can’t do that without money, so when Gentry offers a hefty paycheck for a short-term gig as a live-in nanny, he can’t afford to say no. Ian expects to deal with a barrage of privileged problems. What he doesn’t expect is how quickly being a makeshift father transforms him.

Despite his growing attachment to Gentry and her child, Ian still has his dreams, and Gentry wants a full-time dad for her son. When the baby’s father reenters the picture, will Gentry and Ian embrace the family they’ve formed or end up worlds apart?

Book 3
Buy Links

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Gentry has always been on the outside, looking in. She was envious of her half siblings and even though they have never had a close relationship, she has always tried to get their approval. She has also sought the approval of her mother – something she has wanted her whole life. When Gentry winds up pregnant from a fling, everyone in her family seems to have an opinion. Gentry knows that she has to step up and be the mother that she never had. When reality sets in and she realizes how difficult it is, she knows that her family will be all too willing to say, "I told you so."

When Colton needs to see a doctor, at the behest of her sister-in-law, Gentry allows for Ian, an EMT that Sarah knows, to come and check Colton. That starts this strange relationship between Ian, a person who has dedicated his life to serving others, and Gentry, someone who was given a lot, but never the thing she truly wanted.

Ian judges Gentry's lifestyle right away. Having grown up under the direction that luxury is something to be ashamed of, he has a difficult time even sleeping on a bed. What he begins to realize, when he spends more time with Gentry is that even though she might have a luxurious life in things, her life is poor in love and relationships. When Gentry questions Ian about his reasons why he has lived his life in service, Ian is not quite willing to look in on himself – he's not liking what he's concluding.

This is a story about learning that sometimes, you have to do what is right for you and your own family. Sometimes, seeking approval will only result in disappointment and finally, standing up for yourself is absolutely necessary. Ian and Gentry's journey was a push-pull of grey areas and in the end, both have to decide if being together is truly what will be best for themselves and each other.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the Cabot series, and each builds wonderfully on the last. For that reason, I would definitely recommend that you read them in order. Here we get Gentry’s story now that she is a new mum. Having changed her mind and kept her baby, she is always worrying that she did not do the best for her son.

Gentry has so many hang-ups from her childhood, many of which seem entirely justified I must say! Her half siblings are so together, and her parents run Cabot Tea with one of them. She feels obliged to work there too, but it is not what she wants from life, especially now she is utterly in love with her baby son. When fate decrees that she needs a temporary nanny, Ian comes to mind. He is soon to leave for Haiti, but as an EMT he will care well for Colt.

Ian has been following his father’s dream for decades, and can see no way past it, even though his feelings for Gentry (and Colt) have grown as he lives with them. There is just too much he still has to do in Haiti.

As these two people try and work out what is going on between them, other forces come into play. I love the chaos and yet they rely on each other for calm. We also get an update on Sara and Hunter, and get to enjoy Colby and Alec’s wedding. Gorgeous new installment, thank you.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Gentry's decision to keep her son has caused waves in her family and she doesn't know if there's any calm in this storm. She's determined to be a better mother than her own, to give Colton everything she didn't have.

From the outside looking in, people would wonder what that might be. Gentry grew up in a wealthy family, with a mother and father who are leaders in the business world and two successful siblings. What she didn't have was the attention she craved from her mother, the closeness that she's seen other brothers and sisters have or the proud looks she's seen fathers give their daughters. Instead, she's been criticized, overlooked, and talked down to.

Her greatest fear is being a bad mother, so when her sister-in-law suggests that Colton needs to see a doctor, she gives in and allows Sara to call the EMT who helped deliver Colt. Ian arrives and suggests that she call the doctor. When the doctor confirms an ear infection, Gentry feels like a failure until she hires Ian as the nanny until Colt is well enough to go to daycare.

Ian is only in town to collect his things from his ex-fiancée before heading back to Haiti. He works in disaster areas, carrying on his father's legacy of helping others. When he agrees to help Gentry, its only to save enough money so that he can purchase a plane ticket back to Haiti to continue his relief work.

As he gets to know Gentry and Gentry asks questions about his own childhood, does he realize that he is not so different from her after all.

Also Available in the Cabot Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Before I Knew post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our All We Knew post.

National bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold more than one million copies. In addition to being named a 2017 Booksellers’ Best Award finalist, her books have also hit Heavy.com’s Top 10 Romance Novels of 2015 and been selected as a Woman’s World Book Club pick. Critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly (including a starred review), and Booklist have alternatively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

Fans can sign up for her newsletter on her website, which includes a fun extras page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook

Connect with Jamie

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of When You Knew (Cabot #3) by Jamie Beck to read and review.

It Takes Two by Jenny Holiday

In this hilarious romantic comedy, USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday proves that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas...

All’s fair in love and war

Wendy Liu should be delighted to be her best friend’s maid of honor. But after years spent avoiding the bride’s brother – a.k.a. the boy who once broke her heart – she’s now trapped with him during an endless amount of wedding festivities. Luckily she’s had time to perfect her poker face, and engaging Noah Denning in a little friendly competition might just prove that she’s over him for good…

Noah Denning is determined to make his little sister’s wedding memorable. But it seems Wendy is trying to outdo him at every turn. Challenging each other was always something he and Wendy did right, so when she proposes they compete to see who can throw the best bachelor or bachelorette party in Sin City, Noah takes the bait – and ups the stakes. Because this time around, he wants Wendy for keeps. And when you’re fighting for love, all bets are off.

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Wendy has successfully avoided Noah Denning for years, which has been hard to do since he's her best friend's brother. Being humiliated in front of the school so many years ago not only wounded her pride, but her heart. She thought that Noah cared about her, but she was proven wrong when he ditched her to work.

Noah has worked hard to make a successful life for himself so that he can take care of his mother and sister. Not that they need financial support any longer, but he still does everything he can to make their lives better. That was especially true after his father died and he had to take care of everything – even putting his own happiness on hold to focus on his family.

Noah has long admired Wendy and they verbally spar like crazy. He's often wondered why their relationship changed after he went off to college and only now realizes the night he stood her up caused a deeper hurt than he imagined. Wendy has carried that pain in her heart for a long time and only after her aunt gets hurt does she realize that by holding on to that pain, she has not lived life to its fullest.

I enjoyed the book and seeing how Noah and Wendy's relationship progressed. It started off rocky but as they got to know each other again, you could see how much they truly cared about the other. Their competitive natures lead to sparks and flames. What Noah and Wendy don't realize is how much work it is to hide their relationship and are surprised when it all comes to light. And it all happens in the weeks leading up to Noah's sister's wedding.

Jenny Holiday is a USA Today bestselling author who started writing at age nine when her awesome fourth-grade teacher gave her a notebook and told her to start writing some stories. That first batch featured mass murderers on the loose, alien invasions, and hauntings. (Looking back, she’s amazed no one sent her to a shrink.) She’s been writing ever since. After a detour to get a PhD in geography, she worked as a professional writer, producing everything from speeches to magazine articles. Later, her tastes having evolved from alien invasions to happily-ever-afters, she tried her hand at romance. She lives in London, Ontario, with her family.

Connect with Jenny

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of It Takes Two (Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #2) by Jenny Holiday to read and review.

Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford Audiobook Review

Welcome to Dim Sum Asylum: a San Francisco where it’s a ho-hum kind of case when a cop has to chase down an enchanted two-foot-tall shrine god statue with an impressive Fu Manchu mustache that's running around Chinatown, trolling sex magic and chaos in its wake.

Senior Inspector Roku MacCormick of the Chinatown Arcane Crimes Division faces a pile of challenges far beyond his human-faerie heritage, snarling dragons guarding C-Town’s multiple gates, and exploding noodle factories. After a case goes sideways, Roku is saddled with Trent Leonard, a new partner he can’t trust, to add to the crime syndicate family he doesn’t want and a spell-casting serial killer he desperately needs to find.

While Roku would rather stay home with Bob the Cat and whiskey himself to sleep, he puts on his badge and gun every day, determined to serve and protect the city he loves. When Chinatown’s dark mystical underworld makes his life hell and the case turns deadly, Trent guards Roku’s back and, if Trent can be believed, his heart... even if from what Roku can see, Trent is as dangerous as the monsters and criminals they’re sworn to bring down.

Audiobook Details
Length: 9 hrs, 44 mins
Narrator: Greg Tremblay

Audiobook Buy Links

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Ebook Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
Dim Sum Asylum is one of my favorite audiobooks, especially when I’m in the mood for fantasy. I have long been fascinated by the fae, so Rhys Ford had my complete attention with Roku’s human-faerie heritage. The cherry on top was that the audiobook was narrated by my favorite narrator, Greg Tremblay. How could I resist? I couldn’t. My mistake was in not writing up my review as soon as I finished listening to the book the first time. Yeah, you read that right, the first time. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to Dim Sum Asylum over the past several months, hence its five-star rating.

“I hated running first thing in the morning.” Not only does Ford insure that I’ll love Roku right off the bat with this thought, but we’re dropped right into the middle of the action as the book begins with Roku chasing down a suspect who’s stolen a clutch of dragon eggs. A very valuable clutch of dragon eggs. And the thief is his partner on the force. The chase is exciting until Arnett demonstrates just how dirty of a cop he is and murders an innocent bystander in an attempt to escape. While the murder is tragic, Ford uses it as a way to show just how good of a man Roku is and why he works so hard to right the world’s wrongs instead of embracing his father’s Yakuza ties and stepping into the role his grandfather would like to groom him for. But that’s merely the tip of the iceberg in this novel as Roku has to train Trent, his new partner, keep his ghosts at bay, track down a magical serial killer, avoid his grandfather’s continued overtures to join the family’s criminal enterprises, resist the temptation of his new partner, and still get home in time to feed his cat, Bob – who I absolutely freaking adored, especially at the very end. Fortunately for me, Roku succeeds at the right tasks, fails at the tasks he needed to, and averages 50/50 on the cat (lol). One of the things I enjoy most about Dim Sum Asylum is that even after repeated listens, I realized that Ford doesn’t telegraph who the serial killer is. The reader or listener isn’t meant to “solve” the case before Roku and Trent do, they’re meant to enjoy the ride – and I do every single time I cue it up.

For me, this is possibly one of my favorite performances by Greg Tremblay. Between the Asian accents, the Scottish accents, and the American accents – both male and female – Ford certainly kept him busy and Tremblay demonstrates that he was up for the challenge. Roku is such an emotive character and the narration clearly conveys his frustration, irritation, sadness, grief, happiness, attraction, and most importantly, his determination. There’s a scene in the book where Roku is talking things out with the morgue tech and I felt like I could actually hear the gears grinding in his head and see him pacing the room as he reasons through what they know, attempting to connect the dots back to the killer. Once again, Tremblay has impressed me with his ability to breathe life into an author’s words, bringing Ford’s world and characters to life in such a way that I get lost in the story, forgetting for several hours that dragons and faeries and magic aren’t real – at least, not in my world. Thank goodness for re-listens, so I can return to Dim Sum Asylum anytime I want.

RHYS FORD admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger Cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

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Trained in vocal and stage performance, Greg Tremblay brings a passion for storytelling to every aspect of his life and work.

Critically-recognized and listener-beloved, Greg’s work has been praised by Audiofile Magazine’s “Earphone” award, numerous blogs, and is the recipient of the Goodreads Reader’s Choice award for Best Narrator – 2016 in M/M Romance.

Greg also maintains a curated collection of uniquely and delightfully spicy boudoir treats branded under the “Greg Boudreaux” narration name.

Connect with Greg

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free audiobook copy of Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford, narrated by Greg Tremblay to listen to and review.

Anything for Love by Melissa Foster Blog Tour

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster's writing, and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the Bradens.

After Charlotte Sterling loses her last family member, she moves to Sterling House, her family's Colorado mountain inn, to live a solitary life. As an erotic romance writer, her days and nights are filled with passion and intrigue-even if only fictional. She loves her busy, quiet lifestyle, and she learned early on that real men can't live up to the fictional heroes she creates—until ruggedly handsome Beau Braden arrives to do some work at the inn and, for the first time in forever, she's intrigued by a real man.

Beau lost his first love years ago, and he's never let go of his guilt over her death. As he nears the anniversary of his loss, he is on the cusp of becoming the star of a home-renovation reality show. Escaping the painful memories of his past to work at the defunct old inn is just the promise of solitude he needs to clear his head before diving in to the all-too-public career. But he didn't count on being attracted to the whimsical, adorably sexy innkeeper.

Neither Charlotte nor Beau is looking for an attachment or a fling. But the more they learn about each other, the closer they become. Romantic evenings lead to intimate conversations, and neither can deny their deep connection or the passion it sparks. They've never fully healed on their own, but together maybe anything is possible.

All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This book is part of the wonderful world created by Melissa Foster. I almost feel like I need not say more, but if you have never read one of her stories before then you are in for a HUGE treat, and I defy you not to want to read more. Each story is complete in itself, but forms part of a whole which is as good as can be. I have to admit that the cameo of Ty and Aiyla (Thrill of Love) had me sobbing... totally perfect as always.

Beau has spent ten years engulfed in guilt and avoiding his family and hometown due to... well, we do find out eventually, but it is a struggle for him to talk about it. In the spirit of avoidance, he goes to do some renovations on Charlotte Sterling’s Inn at the request of his brothers. Little does he know what he will find when he gets there.

Charlotte is a wonderfully unworldly author who lives mostly with her “props” for her erotic novels, and yes, you will laugh at some of the scenes... and wonder whether your favourite authors also adopt this method of plotting their writing !

As always in a Foster novel, family, friends, and a happily ever after are guaranteed themes, and this is true here too. Sadly, Charlotte’s family is all gone, and Beau has been avoiding going home to his. However, they still adore him and want him to be happy, so make sure he thinks about what he is doing and why he would deny himself a meaningful relationship even now.

As an aside – I loved the description of the Snow White cabin, it sounded absolutely amazing.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

So, this is the second installment in this series. I don't believe that you need to read book one, but it could be helpful.

This book is more about learning to love again after loss. Both main characters have dealt with tremendous loss, but they each handled it very different. Charlotte has turned in on herself. She loves living through her books. Despite wanting to remember her family members, she hasn't truly lived outside of the walls of the inn for quite some time.

Beau has dealt with his loss through guilt and running. He was playing the "what if" game for years. When he meets Charlotte, he sees that despite all of her loss, she's able to still enjoy her life – to live her life.

Both characters need each other in order to be the best version of themselves. I think for me, this was not as great a romance or story as the first one, but it will still enjoyable.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Beau and Charlotte have both suffered loss and each have taken a very different path when it comes to handling that pain.

Beau has shut himself away, determined to wallow in the guilt of not being there, of playing the what if game for the last ten years. So much so, that he's existed since the accident that took his girlfriend's life but not really lived. He's refused to talk about her to anyone, leaves town as the date of the accident approaches, and doesn't want any absolution for what he believes is his betrayal and fool heartedness.

Charlotte has embraced the memories of the past, choosing to live in her grandparents’ inn in the mountains of Colorado after her grandfather passed away. She feels closer to her parents there, as well as her grandparents. Losing her parents at seventeen was heartbreaking but at least she had her grandfather to lean on as she learned to live again. Having him show her how to smile through the tears is what makes her strong, to face her fears.

What it doesn't do is make Char live outside of the stories in her mind. She's turned inside herself, living through the stories she writes because she's comfortable in that life, in that world. When Beau shows up to do some minor repairs ahead of the Mad Prix race, Char's reminded that there is an outside world.

Beau is amazed at Char, at how she still has a zest for life after all of trouble life has handed her. As Char quietly gets under his skin, he realizes that her quiet strength is just what he's been looking for – he just didn't know it.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆☆
I read Embracing Her Heart, #1 in the Bradens and Montgomerys series by Melissa Foster, which I adored. These books can easily be read as a standalone if you’d prefer to skip around. Foster easily grabbed my attention and had me. I have definitely warmed up to Foster and as an avid reader of contemporary romance books, Foster has hands down won me over after reading Anything for Love.

After losing her last living relative, Charlotte Sterling moves to her grandfather’s Colorado Mountain inn, choosing to spend most of her time alone writing erotic romance novels because the guys she meets don’t compare to the dashing men in her head. However, that all changes when Beau Braden arrives to do some work on the inn. Beau has never quite recovered from losing his first love and continues to carry around a lot of guilt over her death. Doing some work on a secluded mountain inn sounds like exactly the kind of escape Beau needs as the anniversary of her death approaches. But he had no idea what he signed up for after meeting Charlotte.

I was completely smitten by Charlotte and Beau’s story. Also, the chemistry between Charlotte and Beau was literally OFF THE CHARTS. I just can’t get over what a perfect combination of heat and romance this story was. Also, I loved how Charlotte’s character was such a romantic. Plus, let’s talk about how swoon worthy Beau is! I was so invested in these characters and I easily fell in love with them both. This series just keeps getting better and I’m looking forward to seeing what Foster is up to in her next installment!

5 STARS for Melissa Foster’s Anything for Love

Also Available in The Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill - Oak Falls) Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Embracing Her Heart Blog Tour.

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Connect with Melissa

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Anything for Love (The Bradens & Montgomerys #2) by Melissa Foster to read and review for this tour.

Speed Dating the Boss by Sue Brown

Will a mix of privilege and blue collar be a recipe for love… or disaster?

Dan’s pretty satisfied with his job at the working-class bar Cowboys and Angels. He enjoys his simple life, his apartment, and his cat, but he could do without the fights that break out in the bar, his boss’s meddling daughter, Ariel… oh, and a brutal, unrequited crush on his straight alpha boss, Gideon.

When Dan’s friend prepares to tie the knot, everyone insists that Dan needs a date for the wedding. Before he can protest, Ariel arranges a gay speed-dating event at the bar with Gideon as a participant. The unforeseen revelation that Gideon is bisexual raises Dan’s hopes, especially when Gideon announces that he wants to accompany Dan to the wedding. Could Gideon really be interested in Dan?

When Dan needs someone most, Gideon offers his unconditional support, and with genuine commitment, he shows Dan the kind of man he really is. Teaming up to save the wedding from a hungover groom and intolerant parents, can Gideon convince Dan they’re the best match since beer and pizza?

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆
3 1/2 stars

The blurb got my attention and I couldn't wait to read this book. I'll have to say the book wasn't for me. I almost didn't continue reading it because it was so wordy, slow paced, and a little boring. I kept at it and it finally got better several chapters in. When I say this is slow paced, I mean it. The first real kiss between Dan and Gideon was at 85% and the book ended at 94%. I liked both Dan and Gideon, but I didn't feel connected to either, nor did I feel the chemistry between them. The story was just okay and when there was finally a bedroom scene I was underwhelmed. I am sure others will love this book, but it was a miss for me. That being said, I am curious about the next book in the series.

SUE BROWN is owned by her dogs and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found with her laptop in Starbucks, drinking latte and eating chocolate.

Sue discovered M/M romance at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The kissing was hot and tender and Sue wanted to write about these men. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Speed Dating the Boss (Cowboys and Angels #1) by Sue Brown to read and review.

Touch Wood by Jenika Snow

A new smoking-hot Ash Brothers novella from USA Today bestselling author Jenika Snow.

The Ash Brothers—they know how to handle their wood

I’ve been celibate for years, by choice. No woman has held my interest long enough to be worth sacrificing time spent at Ash Lumber, energy spent building the family business.

All that changed when a feisty redhead walked into our job-site trailer.

Andra.

Her skirts drive me crazy and her trying so hard to flat-out ignore me does the rest. Her flushed cheeks when we flirt are enough to send me to bed for a week.

Andra might be supervising this development deal, but there’s no way we’re going to be able to keep things professional around here. My celibate streak is over, and I owe it all to her.

For those times when size does matter. The Dirty Bits from Carina Press: Quick and dirty, just the way we like it.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Novella

This is a quick read that is very true to the blurb.

Liam is part of a trio of brothers who own and do their own construction. When he sets his sight on the pretty Andra, all bets are off. Despite their tension, Liam isn't great with his words – it's quite repetitive in this story. But he knows what he wants and goes after it.

Andra is a city girl through and through. However, when her office location moves, she jumps in with both feet – even though she's incredibly attracted to Liam. She dances around her attraction for a while before Liam makes her confront their attraction.

Steamy scenes and a lot of tension lace this story. Despite the lack of witty dialogue, this is a nice, short novella.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the third in the series, and feels like we had plenty of foreshadowing of the inevitable romance that is written here. These short stories are all about insta-attraction, complete honesty about the depth and breadth of their feelings, and hotness from the get go. Sometimes that is exactly what you need!

Here we finally get longtime celibate brother, Liam making a move on recently arrived resident, Andra. They have been striking sparks off each other for a while, but once they get together, it’s a whirlwind romance and off-the-scales hotness.

Written in a very relaxed and chatty style, these stories have all been a lot of fun with streams of consciousness – often said out loud, when probably better kept as inner voice! I’ve enjoyed them all.

Also Available in The Ash Brothers Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our Hard Wood post.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our Knock on Wood post.

Jenika Snow is a USA Today bestselling author of erotic romance. She lives in the northeast and enjoys gloomy weather, as it’s the perfect time for writing.

Connect with Jenika

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Touch Wood (The Ash Brothers #3) by Jenika Snow to read and review.

Getting Schooled by Emma Chase Audiobook Review

Head of the class...

Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out.

The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and "cool" teacher in the hometown where he's not just a golden boy — he's platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle.

Then... Callie Carpenter comes home.

And knocks him right on his tight end zone.

Back to school...

Callie has a pretty sweet life herself... on the other side of the country. But circumstances — that she'd prefer to never speak of again — have brought her back home, helping out her parents and substitute teaching at her old high school.

Now she's facing bickering, raging hormones, constant gossip, awkward weirdness, and drama galore... and that's just the teachers.

Just like old times...

When Garrett offers to show his former high school sweetheart the secrets of his winning teacher ways, Callie jumps at the chance – and then has to stop herself from jumping him.

Good friends are all they can ever be.

Or... these teachers just might end up getting schooled — hard — by love.

Audiobook Details
Length: 7 hrs, 15 mins
Narrators: Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber

Book 1
Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon Audiobook  ~  Audible  ~  iTunes

Now Available in Ebook & Paperback!!!

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I was super stoked to cue Getting Schooled up on my Kindle Fire this morning because I'm a huge Emma Chase fan. That I was able to listen to it as part of the Romance Package was a much appreciated bonus as M/F romances don't always work well for me on audio. But because I'm impatient and wasn't willing to wait for it to be released as an ebook, cue it up I did. And I thoroughly enjoyed Getting Schooled, both the storyline and narrative performances by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber.

This was a great second chance romance because Garrett and Callie's separation wasn't due to a miscommunication or a fight or them growing apart, but rather due to geography and educational and career goals that took them in different directions – literally. We do learn, much later in the book, that there was a major unresolved issue between them, but it wasn't what led to their split. Watching the two reconnect and fall in love again (though, I'm not sure if it's again when I don't think they ever stopped loving each other), seeing Callie find her way as a teacher, and witnessing them navigate a present together while not knowing if it would lead to a future together was emotional and entertaining. And then to have it all play out in a high school setting, even though the main characters are teachers and not students, was perfect! Oh, how the cliques abound, even after high school.

Emma Chase usually reduces me to tears by making me laugh so hard I cannot breathe. While there were certainly some laugh out loud moments in Garrett and Callie's romance, they weren't responsible for my tears. There is a scene in the book that had me literally sobbing (I'm deep breathing right now to hold back the tears, just thinking about that scene). I won't tell you what happened – and hopefully no one else will ruin it either because if I have to deal with puffy and itchy eyes, you should too – but make sure you have a tissue on hand, just to be safe. The scene might not hit you as hard as it did me, but some of you will likely entertain the notion to stop listening for a bit – do if you need to because it's a heartbreaking scene, but make sure you finish the book because you won't want to miss what the rest of the story has in store for Garrett and Callie. No, Chase made sure to heal the hurt she inflicts with that scene.

This is a first for me from both Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber. I've seen many romance audiobook lovers sing their praises, but as I listen primarily to M/M romances, I hadn't listened to either narrator before today. Both Arndt and Webber were fabulous, and I'll be sure to check out more of their work because they took the words of an author I love and brought them to life in a way that made it a pleasure to listen to. I was thoroughly entertained by their performances.

And I am beyond excited to learn that Getting Schooled is the first book in a series! I'm so glad I listened to the interview with Emma Chase because there was nothing on Goodreads or Audible to suggest that there would be more books to come. I'm already looking forward to Dean's story!

Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefs series. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

Connect with Emma

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Andi Arndt

The cool, calm & clear choice for your story’s voice.

Andi naturally came into VO / Narration after years of extensive work in both theatre and public radio. She taught acting and Voice for the Stage at James Madison University for 12 years and has been an actor, producer, director and vocal coach for full productions of live theatre including drama, comedy, musicals and staged readings. To strengthen her teaching skills, she took the month-long Intensive at Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires, where she learned about Kristin Linklater’s method of voice study. Andi then trained to teach Linklater’s method for several years, creating a solid foundation of technique that has served her narration work – and ever-increasing list of happy clients – incredibly well.

With rare acumen, Andi intuitively understands the creative process of the writer, and has earned a trusted reputation for taking excellent care of every project she lends her voice to. To date, she has narrated nearly 200 books in both fiction and non-fiction. Her work in romance has earned her particular recognition, with nominations in the genre for both the Voice Arts Award and the Audie Award. Her recordings for children and teens have earned her glowing reviews in School Library Journal.

In her e-learning work, Andi knows exactly how to utilize her teaching background to not only engage the learner but help them enjoy a course that they may have been dreading.

Andi is busy delivering her calm, cool and clear sound from her broadcast quality studio in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Through her production company, Lyric Audiobooks LLC, which includes a team of editors and proofers, she delivers fully produced, finished audio and often travels to other studios to direct and produce audiobooks for indie authors.

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Zachary Webber

Actor, Audiobook Narrator, Comedian, in that order, or not.

Zachary Webber is an actor from Fort Worth, Texas. He has narrated over fifty audiobook titles and has appeared in numerous feature-length and short films, including In a Relationship, a short film starring Dakota Johnson, Shut Up and Drive, which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, and Ithaca, a film directed by Meg Ryan. He is a member of Sasquatch Comedy, a sketch comedy group based in Los Angeles.

Connect with Zachary

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Angela used her Audible Romance Package subscription to review an audiobook copy of Getting Schooled (Getting Schooled #1) by Emma Chase, narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber for this post.