bookbirthday – Sincerely Karen Jo

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Happy Tuesday sweeties! Today, I’ll be sharing my review for Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack, the third book in the Mayfield Family Romance Series and published by Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I’ve been reading and really enjoying regency/historical romances and this book was another lovely story. Josi S. Kilpack wrote such a moving and heartfelt tale about love, second chances, and redemption. I had fun reading this book and I hope you grab yourself a copy cause this beauty is out today!

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rakes and roses

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abouthebook2

Published: May 5, 2020

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

ISBN: 9781629727356

Page Count: Paperback, 320

Genre(s): Fiction, Romance, Regency

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AMAZON – BOOK DEPOSITORY – DESERET BOOK

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A Mayfield Family Romance

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally.

When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.

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mythoughts A Beautifully Written, Captivating, and Wonderfully Moving Romance that Absolutely Warmed My Heart

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Rakes and Roses is a beautifully written and captivating book that had me turning the pages late into the night and you know what… I’m not complaining. This was entertaining, fun, romantic, and such a wonderfully moving story that absolutely warmed my heart.

I haven’t read too many regency/historical romances and have never had the urge to pick them up until a few months ago. I’m personally into contemporary and paranormal romance stories, so I didn’t see the appeal with these type of romance books. I like to try new things and step out of my comfort zone, so I finally decided to give it a go and the rest is history. I’m still not super crazy about them and if given a choice, I’d probably pick other romance books, but regency/historical romances are suprisingly really enjoyable, interesting, gripping, and heartwarming. I’ve loved and enjoyed reading them and Rake and Roses is another beautiful story that kept me engrossed until the end.

I’m new to Josi S. Kilpack’s storytelling and have not read the previous books in the series, but after a few pages into this book, I found myself quite intrigued and fascinated. While this can be read as a standalone, I think getting through the other books would have made my experience with this installment a little more satisfying. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I think Kilpack’s writing is just so lovely and irresistible that I can’t wait to read more from this series and her other works.

I love complex and flawed characters who go through changes for the better and become the best versions of who they can be. There is something sweetly satisfying and uplifting about healing and redemption stories and Kilpack definitely delivers. Sabrina and Harry are both amazing characters and I enjoyed getting to see them change and help each other heal. I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something beautiful and real. I rooted for both of them individually as characters and also for their romantic relationship. I enjoyed their amusing interactions, their fun and serious conversations, the delicious tension between them, and all their flirty, sweet, and romantic moments.

Overall, Rakes and Roses is fun, delighful, and heartwarming and I truly enjoyed it. I adore Sabrina and Harry and the side characters are pretty fun too. The writing is gorgeous, the plot is exciting, and story’s message is meaningful and important. This was such a wonderful and a heartfelt story and I think all romance lovers would enjoy this.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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abouttheauthor

josi
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and has written thirty-three novels, one cookbook, and several short stories since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner, including two Novel of the Year awards for Lord Fenton’s Folly and As Wide as the Sky and a Best of State winner in Fiction. She writes her national women’s fiction under the pen name of Jessica Pack (say Josi Kilpack really fast and you’ll see why she chose it). Josi currently lives in Northern Utah and is the mother of 4 wonderful kids.

For more information about Josi or her books, please visit her blog, What is a Sundial In the Shade?

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WESBITE – GOODREADS – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM

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Thanks for stopping by lovelies! I hope you enjoyed reading this review and add this book on your TBR!

Until next time, take care, be safe, and happy reading!

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Happiest Book Birthday to THE SECOND WE MET by Maya Hughes, a fun and heart-melting enemies to lovers romance. I absolutely love this series and so excited for you to read Nix and Elle’s story.

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abouthebook2

Series: Fulton U #2

Published: October 17, 2019

Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Photo: Wander Aguiar

Format: Kindle Edition, 328 pages

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Dear Jerk Across the Street, sorry for accidentally walking in on you and catching an eyeful of your—equipment. And hard pass on the open invitation to join you in the shower “anytime”, A-hole.

That’s the note I should’ve written. Instead I sent a pleasant and apologetic version.

Had I known Phoenix “Nix” Russo would’ve been the neighbor from hell, I’d have told him right where he could shove my words.

Nix is the big man on campus with everyone lined up at his games to make sure he knows it. Sure, he’s got piercing blue eyes, abs that don’t quit and a smile that could set fire to a set of panties from a hundred yards away, but he’s also the biggest pain in my ass.

Dear Pink-Haired Menace, learn how to take a joke and stop being such a kill-joy…

Elle Masterson called the cops on one of my parties—again. My sweet talking usually gets me out of trouble, but this time it got me into a nice pair of silver handcuffs. Now I’m on a reputation rehab tour with a stop at a spring break community service project.

Guess who’s my new boss?

Now we’re shoulder to shoulder, sweaty, tired and…she’s not anything like I expected. There might just be a heart under that hardass exterior. She’s invading my dreams and I can’t shake the feeling she’s the key to unlocking a piece of me that I’ve hidden away.

It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why I’m really here.

Maybe I can break through her walls and into her heart before that happens…one screw at a time.

**The Second We Met is a standalone new adult romance**

READ CHAPTER ONE HERE: https://www.mayahughes.com/blog

A must read heart-melting enemies to lovers story!

I absolutely LOVE this story, this series, the charming Fulton U boys, and their fantastic leading ladies! Maya Hughes writes some of the best sports romance stories and I honestly cannot get enough. She stole my heart in Shameless King (The Kings of Rittenhouse #1) and ever since then, I’ve been utterly smitten with her writing and books. The Second We Met is no exception and I loved every single moment I spent with Elle, Nix, and pretty much everyone in this adorable, heartfelt, and fun romance novel.

I have a weakness for steamy, tension-filled, swoony, and touching romances that will give me all the feels I crave and more. This enemies to lovers story has all that and made my heart race, ache, melt, and swell with so much warmth and happiness. Maya’s stories are just so darn good and if you haven’t read any of them, then you need to pick one up right now! They’re always fun, addictive, entertaining, and filled with so many wonderful moments and emotions.

I adore Elle and Nix from the second they met and rooted for them the entire time. Elle is the kind of heroine I love. She’s caring, supportive, sassy, determined, and always speaks her mind no matter what. Of course she makes mistakes and finds reasons to put up her walls, but that’s what makes Elle relatable. As strong as she seems, Elle has insecurities and fears like everyone and trust issues when it comes to love. She’s tough and quite guarded with her emotions, but Elle definitely has a softer sweet side. She’s really close with her roommate and best friend Jules and that shows that Elle does trust people, maybe not easily or right away, but she does. And when she’s finally ready to open her heart and truly trust Nix… well it doesn’t get any better or sweeter than that.

Nix will make your heart melt over and over. Yes, he’s famous and a jock. He’s a football star, popular with the girls, handsome and so damy sexy. But, there is so much more to him than that. He’s honest to goodness such a genuine, kind, giving, patient, and wonderful guy. My heart hurt so much for him because his father keeps forcing him into something he no longer wants. Deep down all Nix wants is to forge his own path and do something he enjoys and loves. It takes him a long time, but he eventually finds the courage to fight for what he loves and I’m so glad he does. I don’t want to give too much away about him or the story. Falling in love with Nix is one of the best parts of this book and I don’t want to take that awesome experience away from you.

I think Elle and Nix fit so well together and I loved how everything turned out for them. They definitely have some of the most delicious sexual tension and swoons and I totally love their chemistry. There’s so many delightful and cute scenes that made me giddy, emotional moments that broke my heart a little, but also filled it with love, and some amazing steamy moments that had me glued to the pages. I loved the drama, the bantering, the arguments, the humor, and the way Nix finally wins over Elle’s heart. Their relationship definitely has some bumps along the way, but that’s what makes it seem so real and relatable and I truly loved it… tears and all.

The supporting characters are as adorable and fun as always if not more. I think the more you get to know Maya’s characters, the more you fall for them. It’s nice to see that Reece and Seph are still going strong. LJ and Marissa are both still in denial. They have been dancing around each other and I cannot wait to read their book. BUT, I’m absoltely more excited about Jules and Berk’s story. I love Jules already. I adore her quirks, can relate with her, and cannot wait to get to know her even more. I have a feeling Jules and Berk are going to have insane chemistry and I’m so ready for that!

A must read heart-melting enemies to lovers story, The Second We Met is full of laughs, swoons, bromance, amazing friendships, delicious treats, fun surprises, and so many wonderful feels. Maya Hughes always makes me fall in love with her stories and characters and I really hope she never stops writing these breathtaking romances that never fail to make my heart smile. I don’t think I can say much more than I already have, so if you love romance then you need to read this book, this series, and all the other lovely stories Maya has written.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought, opinions, and swoons are my own.

#1 The Perfect First

US: https://amzn.to/2GsWvNM

UK: https://amzn.to/2vfiBht

CA: https://amzn.to/2PonNJm

AU: https://amzn.to/2GAVh4k

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The adorkable math genius virgin, Persephone (“Seph”), was extremely sheltered, socially awkward, and inexperienced in many things. But, don’t let that fool you. Seph was a force to be reckoned with and surprised me in so many ways. She’s fierce, brave, spunky, and adventurous. With her list of firsts, she was determined to experience and do everything. And that’s where Reece comes in – the brooding handsome football star player who loved the game with all his heart that he wouldn’t let anything or anyone get in his way to playing pro. He was kind of a jerk at first, but let’s be real here… we all know that there’s a genuinely sweet, gentle, and caring side to him. And boy did he… I fell just as hard for him as Seph did. They meet by accident, which I thought was super funny and so darn cute, and that’s how their deliciously quirky, adorable, and fun story begins.

Maya Hughes can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe and traveling with my family.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayahugheswrites/

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/authors/maya-hughes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mayahughes

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/mayahughes