Harlequin Tour Review - - Rancher's Forgotten Rival

Rancher's Forgotten Rival

by Maisey Yates

The Carsons of Lone Rock - Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Chance Carson is the one man in Lone Rock who gets Juniper Sohappy all riled up. His family is ranching royalty. He’s arrogant, insufferable and obnoxiously charming—she’ll keep her distance, thanks. But when Juniper finds him on her property, injured and without his memory, she saves his life…and sort of lets him believe he’s her ranch hand. Making the entitled rancher work a little is one thing…but actually liking the man is another. Falling for him? No way. And yet the passion between them is as undeniable as it is unexpected. Will it survive the truth?

PJ's Thoughts:

I can always count on Maisey Yates for complex, emotional, and steamy western romance. In this first book of her new series, she brings readers an enemies-to-lovers story complicated by both amnesia and a generations-long feud between families. She sure doesn't make it easy for Juniper and Chance!

I enjoy a story where the main couple has a history of animosity and mistrust. Throw in secret attraction and that makes it even better. I'm not always a huge fan of amnesia but in this book I felt it was a good way to allow Juniper and Chance to see different sides of each other and take tentative steps away from the feud that defines the suspicion between their families. Yates let it go on just long enough to get them over that initial hurdle before giving them the opportunity to start building something in a better direction. I will say that while I appreciated the plot device, I had a real issue with the way Juniper handled Chance's amnesia and the lies she told, especially in light of his medical condition and her job as an EMT. It took me a while to get beyond that. 

I enjoyed peeling back the layers of both Chance and Juniper and discovering the events in their lives that had been a driving force in molding the people that are today. The author touches on life-altering issues such as loss, guilt, and prejudice, dealing with the topics with candor and care. 

The steam is real in this one, folks but it never feels gratuitous. I enjoyed the progression of that part of their relationship as much as the emotional journey.

This was an enjoyable start to a new series and has me intrigued enough about secondary characters (Chance's brothers and Juniper's sister) to return for the next book in the series. 

 

Tour Review - - The Bad Boy Experiment

The Bad Boy Experiment

by Reese Ryan

The Bourbon Brothers - Book 6

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

A steamy fling with an old crush who doesn’t do commitment? What was she thinking! Find out in the conclusion to Reese Ryan’s Bourbon Brothers series.

What happens when you say yes to a bad boy?

Even if divorcée Renee Lockwood were willing to give love a second chance, she wouldn’t choose Cole Abbott. The sexy, successful real estate developer doesn’t do commitment. But he’s perfect for a no-strings fling—exactly what Ren needs now that she’s moved back home to raise her son. Mind-blowing pleasure with the man she once crushed on is harder to quit than Ren expected. Impossible, in fact. Is time running out before the bad boy bolts…or will the results of her experiment surprise her? 

PJ's Thoughts:

First of all, don't let the fact that this is the sixth and final book of a series steer you away from it. I read it without having read the first five books and never felt lost, confused, or like I was missing something while reading. Having said that, however, by the time I finished The Bad Boy Experiment, I was so invested in Cole's entire family I immediately sought out the rest of the books and am eager to lose myself in all of the stories.

As usually happens with a Reese Ryan book, I was pulled into the story from the get-go and that connection only strengthened as the book progressed. I loved all the intertwining threads between Cole, Ren, and their families, that gave their journey complexity and kept things moving forward. I loved the slow-burn chemistry between them, the reignited friendship after years apart, and the new, mature  feelings that deepened, almost without them realizing. I enjoyed their individual journeys (especially Cole's) and the impact that had on not only their own growth but on their relationship as well. Secondary characters from both families added additional depth, humor, and emotion to Cole and Ren's relationship, leaving me wanting to know more about each of them. 

One of the highlights of this book for me was Ren's son, Mercer, a heart-stealing four-year-old with non-verbal autism. Ryan's depiction of this character was handled with care and realism, evoking memories of a precious family member of mine at the same age. The relationship between mother and son was endearing and realistic but it was the scenes between Mercer and Cole, a man determined to avoid a marriage and family of his own, that captured my heart completely. Fate knew what it was doing when it brought these two together. 

If you enjoy second-chance romances with great character development, realistic family dynamics, steamy chemistry, and a heart-tugging happily ever after, give The Bad Boy Experiment a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Review - - Back in the Texan's Bed

Back in the Texan's Bed

by Naima Simone

Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent - Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: February 1, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Will they ever learn…

that giving in to desire is playing with fire?After discovering he has a secret son, oil heir Ross Edmond isn’t letting Charlotte Jarrett walk away again. He proposes they move in together—to share their son…and a bed. But Charlotte has secrets, and Ross doesn’t know the real reason his family’s former chef left town three years ago—and they still have a powerful enemy who could bring them both down…

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

Visit Royal, Texas, and find out if the Edmond family is all that they seem in Texas Cattleman’s Club: Heir Apparent.

PJ's Thoughts:

Naima Simone sets the pages on fire with a sexy, sassy, and emotionally-charged, second-chance romance...with a secret baby! Back in the Texan's Bed has everything that makes a book a page turner for me: betrayal, a strong, independent heroine, an emotionally-scarred hero, and a second chance to make things right. 

I'm not always a fan of secret baby stories but Simone has approached the trope in such a way that I didn't find fault with either of the main characters. Instead, the reveal of the secret unites them against a common foe and solidified my investment in them as a couple. But the road ahead for our reunited couple is anything but smooth. That foe - and Ross's issues - will make sure of it.

I really pulled for Charlotte and Ross, even though it took me some time to warm up to him. Of the two, he has the greater growth arc but those necessary changes made me love him even more by the end and deemed him worthy of Charlotte's love and trust. There's a dysfunctional family at the core of his issues and a secondary cast I hope we'll be seeing more of in this series. There are characters due a happy ending and one who I sincerely hope faces the reckoning they deserve. 

If you enjoy deeply emotional stories with great dialogue, complex characters, plenty of sizzle, and hard-earned happy endings, give this one a try. I highly recommend it. 

 

Review - - Off Limits Attraction

Off Limits Attraction

by Jayci Lee

The Heirs of Hansol - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: December 15, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

 

Mixing business with pleasure changes the entire script…
But that’s no reason to stop…

Jihae Park’s icy heiress facade is quickly melting—all because of Colin Song. A fling with the sexy film producer could jeopardize her one shot at achieving her own success—and the movie they’re making together. But resistance to her searing attraction—and Colin’s breathtaking bedroom skills—proves futile. Even as Colin’s ulterior motives threaten to destroy their chance at a picture-perfect ending…

PJ's Thoughts:

I have fallen in love with Jayci Lee's Song family but Colin and Jihae, with their off limits attraction, are my favorite of the group. I began their story with preconceived opinions about both Colin and Jihae, based on events from the two previous books, but quickly realized there was much more to both of these characters than their surface personae would indicate. 

I enjoyed how Lee showed the dichotomy between the Jihae that is the creation of her controlling parents and the fiery, ambitious, and fun-loving woman longing to break free. The reader knows almost immediately who this woman really is but the struggle to claim her own destiny is compelling and brings an added depth to her story.

Colin matches her with his own ambition and determination to prove himself to his family. It gives them a common bond though it also presents an obstacle to their potential happiness of which Jihae is unaware. Having to walk that fine line between passion and loyalty brings a compelling uncertainty to their gradually deepening relationship that will force Colin to make some difficult decisions but, perhaps, will result in him attaining his heart's desire. 

Lee brings steam, humor, and her rich cultural heritage to this third story in her Heirs of Hansol series. I've enjoyed getting to know the Korean-American Song family and learning more about their traditions. The characters, both primary and secondary, are vibrant, complex, and add richness to the story. I've especially enjoyed Grace Song, the grandmother and matriarch of the Song family. 

Off Limits Attraction can be enjoyed as a standalone but I enthusiastically recommend all three books in the series, including Temporary Wife Temptation (book one) and Secret Crush Seduction (book two). 

Review - - Trust Fund Fiance

 

Trust Fund Fiancé

by Naima Simone

Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches - Book 4

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

His friend needs a fiancé to claim a fortune.

But they both know it’s about more than money…

Ezekiel Holloway’s proposition could save his friend Reagan Sinclair’s inheritance and give her the freedom she craves. But when family scandals force Ezekiel to end their fake engagement, the heiress comes up with a counterproposal—and they elope to Vegas after all! Is there something more than mere convenience at stake here?

PJ's Thoughts:

After I turned the final page of Trust Fund Fiancé, I went straight to Instagram and posted the following words: "Damn. That wasn't a book. That was an *experience* and I don't know how I'm going to find the words to do it justice." Days later, I'm still trying to find those words. Let's start with Naima Simone's exquisite writing. I was only 4% into the book when I was already swooning over her beautiful prose and mentally rearranging my schedule for the day. It was apparent I wouldn't be going anywhere or doing anything else until I finished this book. She wrapped me up in her words like a warm cozy blanket on a crisp autumn day. 

Her main characters, Reagan and Zeke, leaped from the pages of their story straight into my heart. I loved these two. Both complex, fully-formed characters with emotional baggage, kind hearts, admirable ambitions, and relatable obstacles in their paths, they engaged my interest, and my emotions, almost immediately. I was in their corners, both individually and as a couple. They each have deeply emotional powder kegs to address, layers to reveal, and people intent on blocking them at every turn to defeat before they have any hope of a happy ending. I admired them, cheered for them, cried with them, and at times just wanted to hug them. 

This is the fourth book in Harlequin's multi-author, Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches series. There's a mystery thread that runs through the series but jumping into the series at this point didn't negatively impact my enjoyment of this particular book at all. What it did accomplish was to generate enough interest in the Wingates (Zeke's family) and the mystery surrounding their business empire to have me downloading the first three books in the series and eagerly anticipating the next four.  

Trust Fund Fiancé is a friends-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience romance that wrapped me up in all the feels with laughter, tears, heart-tugging emotion, and sizzling, red-hot chemistry. I loved the deep, caring friendship that developed between these two before growing into more but let's go back to that smoking-hot chemistry for a minute. Whoa, Mama! Do these two bring it! I'll just say that (1) Naima Simone could teach a master class in how to write love scenes and (2) I will never view the hood of a Jaguar in the same way again. ;-)

Click here for a list of all eight books in the Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches series. 

Content warning: This story deals with some emotion-packed issues that may be triggers for some readers, including miscarriage, teenage pregnancy, and death of a loved one.

~~~~~~~

Are you a category romance reader?

Have you read any of the books in this series?

Have you read any of Naima Simone's books?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), September 3 will receive a Kindle copy of Trust Fund Fiancé.

*Must be 18

*Must be able to receive an e-book gift from Amazon U.S.

Review - - Secret Crush Seduction

Secret Crush Seduction

by Jayci Lee

The Heirs of Hansol - Book 2

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Reviewed by PJ 

She’s done waiting for what she really wants…

“If I don’t have you after that kiss, I’ll burn to dust from the inside out…”

Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage—and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans…

PJ's Thoughts:

In the second book of her Heirs of Hansol series, Jayci Lee brings readers an interracial, multi-cultural, friends-to-lovers story filled with sass, sizzle, and a whole lot of heart. 

I so enjoyed Adelaide. Yes, she's rich, beautiful, and privileged but life hasn't been all fun and games. There's heartbreak, and mistakes, in her past but at twenty-six she's grown up and put that behind her. Her soul burns to prove her worth to her grandmother and secure her position in the family company. In order to convince her grandmother to give her a chance she'll need the help of Michael, a PR guru who is also her brother's best friend, an unofficial member of the Song family and, oh yeah, one of those heartbreaks from her past. 

The chemistry between these two is off the charts. I loved how Adelaide owned her passion, not hesitant to demand what she wanted, and needed, sexually from Michael. It was fun to watch her rock his world. But I also enjoyed the emotional growth and relationship building between the two that occurred before things turned physical. I enjoyed watching deepening feelings evolve between two individuals determined to keep their liaison in the 'temporary' zone. I admit that I grew frustrated with Michael at times and his penchant for treating the woman he's having relations with like the child she was when they first met. An honest conversation would have solved everything. It was very satisfying to watch Adelaide take him to task over the actions he took 'for her own good.' Groveling was involved. I would have been happy with more. ;-)

I enjoyed all of the behind-the-scenes peeks into the planning of the charity fashion show Adelaide takes on to prove her worth to her grandmother. It was an interesting vehicle to showcase Adelaide's growth in confidence and skill. It also spotlighted awareness of the dearth of fashionable, sensory-friendly clothing for individuals with Autism. And it expanded the cast of characters with more diversity, including a teen-age Latinx character with Autism, on the verge of a much-dreaded Quinceañera. She, and her father, were two of my favorite secondary characters in the book.

Another aspect of this series that I'm enjoying is the celebration of the Korean-American family at it's center. I'm learning about their heritage and traditions, including some delicious sounding food. Food porn is a thing, and I'm here for it. 

Book three, Off Limits Attraction, is scheduled for release in December, 2020. It stars Adelaide and Garrett's (book one:Temporary Wife Temptation) cousin, Colin and the arranged bride Garrett was supposed to have married. I've already pre-ordered the book and am counting down the days. 

Review - - Blame It on the Billionaire

Blame It on the Billionaire
by Naima Simone
Blackout Billionaires - Book 3
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Reviewed by PJ
 

It was a night filled with secrets, lies…and soul-stealing passion. And now the blackout that turned lowly executive assistant Nadia Jordan and start-up billionaire Grayson Chandler into insatiable lovers leads to a proposal Nadia can’t refuse. As she steps into Grayson’s privileged Chicago world, will his matchmaking mother and vengeful ex destroy her dreams? Or will her fake fiancé make those dreams a reality?




PJ's Thoughts:

I don't know why I haven't read Naima Simone before now. I've certainly heard about her, had friends recommend her books, meant to pick one up. I guess it's always been one of those too-many-books-too-little-time situations. But then, Harlequin sent me an email, asking if I'd like to read and review Blame It on the Billionaire. It's like the universe was telling me I'd waited long enough and needed to read this author. Now. You know what? The universe was right. Simone's well-developed characters, fast-paced plot, steamy chemistry, and emotional depth kept me immersed in the story and cheering for this unlikely couple from beginning to end. 

I couldn't get enough of Nadia. While all the characters, both primary and secondary, are vividly rendered and well-developed, and I loved Nadia and Grayson as a couple, Nadia is the highlight of this book for me. Strong, nurturing, confident, and protective of those she loves, she's put her dreams aside to raise her younger brother, working hard to move them away from their toxic southern hometown and ensure his dreams are fulfilled. She's someone I'd want in my corner, as Gray slowly comes to realize. I love how she defends him against those who should have his best interests at heart, but don't. She may have been the poor, neglected child of a woman of ill repute but the woman she's grown into can hold her own with a billionaire businessman and the elite Chicago society into which he was born. Did I mention how much I loved this character?

It's been a while since I read a Harlequin Desire and Naima Simone's Blame It on the Billionaire was the perfect opportunity for me to dip my reading toes back into their delicious, steamy goodness. This may have been my first Simone novel but I guarantee it won't be my last. In fact, many of her titles are currently on sale for $2.99 and $3.99 in e-book format. Excuse me while I venture off to download Simone titles to my reader's heart's content. 

One more thing. While this is the third book of a series, it stands well on its own. 

Review - - Rancher Untamed

RANCHER UNTAMED

By Katherine Garbera

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: October 1, 2018

Reviewed by Hellie

 

For Pippa, what should have been a simple one night stand before she takes her life back turns into something much more complicated. She’s been in hiding for four years until she comes of age and can return to inherit her place as head of a global jewelry corporation and finally be out from under her father’s thumb and insistence for the right man (read: hand-picked husband) to guide the helm. On her last week in hiding, she finally decides to have a fling with her temporary home’s Most Eligible Bachelor, Diego Velasquez. Diego is also the head of his family’s multi-million dollar corporation, and he has had eyes for Pippa since he first met her--though she’s been determined to evade him. Until now.

Pippa buys Diego at the charity bachelor auction, and they go out on a whirlwind date, which of course, ends up with the whirlwind whisking off their clothes and there being lots of happy, naked fun times. Until the morning after. Diego has no idea of Pippa’s other identity, though he does know she’s a secretive woman; and Pippa is dismayed to find that her carefully laid plans to be casually laid blows up in her face. The rationale was simple: a relationship with Diego would never work, but having a little bit of pleasure is better than none at all, right? Except now she’s questioning the future she was so sure she was getting; and the possible future she’s leaving behind.

Both the hero and heroine are very likeably flawed and the conflict was real and deep enough that I did wonder how such a long distance relationship could work out. However, as promised, Ms. Garbera does make it work--and Diego and Pippa get their much deserved happily ever after. For me, the story felt a little thin. This story lives up to all the expectations of a Harlequin Desire (200 pages, lots of sex, HEA)--I’m afraid my lack of enthusiasm stems more from the constraints of those expectations than the characters themselves.

If you love quick sexy reads with heroes who are conscientious, kind, and smoldering in that “consent is sexy” way, throw this book in your cart and take it for a spin. If, however, you prefer more story to sexy times, more high-leg to thongs, and more probable HEA to possible HEA, maybe find a longer book set in a period before g-strings.