Alison Foster (2)

3.5 Stars
eBook provided via Xpresso Book Tours.

Ella has taken on a job at The Daily Scandal, it's not glamorous or respectable, but it'll pay the bills. When a major loss happens in the fashion industry, Ella is called to report on it, despite the fact that Madison was also her ex-stepsister. When she's invited to join in on the investigating she doesn't expect to meet Jaxson Cole, her sister's pseudo-boyfriend and handsome model, and she really doesn't expect him to be so taken with her. show more When she gives into temptation with Jax she is unprepared for the rest of her life to start to unravel with his secrets.

I swear, if he takes one step closer, I'll throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. I might be the worst stepsister in world history. Luckily for my soul's salvation, he stays put.

Do you know how many highlights I made in this book? A LOT. Main character, Ella Wade, has some of the funniest inner monologue and dialogue that I have read from a character in a romance novel in a while. With Part 1 just from her perspective I felt connected to her right away, like I understood her past and the road she was on. She was super stubborn and lacked in the common sense department, but that's what made her all the more fun. Jaxson, on the other hand, is a swoon-worthy, brooding model that apparently has piles of women who want to jump his bones. I must be a weirdo, because I can't name a single male model in real life. That said, I guess if they looked like Jax was described I would be all over it. Despite reading the synopsis of this book, after getting through Part 1 I really thought I would just be reading a contemporary romance novel, then Part 2 happened and the suspense kicked in. The plot line, though a little fuzzy, is certainly an interesting one. I really like mafia anything when it comes to books, so I liked hearing both main characters had mafia ties. Part 2 and 3 are very fast paced and I got through them in about an hour total.

"How can you say that? We're about to see naked women," I say. "Surely the meaning of life can't be far behind."

I really enjoyed Part 1, liked Part 2, and ended up pretty confused by the end of Part 3. It was really easy to tell the bundle is separate books in a series and unfortunately I felt like the books read very differently. At about the halfway point in part 2 I realized that the character's actions and some of their history just wasn't going to make sense for me, especially the mafia aspect of everything. I easily was able to forget what made sense for the suspense part and found it entertaining, but the relationship between Jaxton and Ella was just over the top. Ella felt very naive at first, but soon was all about the sex. Jax, on the other hand, had a lot of secrets to reveal and while I like twists, these threw me off. The main characters were interesting, but didn't feel tied to their mafia past and I would have liked that to be more fleshed out. There are also a handful of secondary characters thrown into the mix in Parts 2 and 3 that left me feeling like I couldn't keep any one person, or their connections, in order.

It's as if the natural barrier that exists between two strangers is being shattered while we're pretending to be who we are not.

Based on other reviews, Scandal is the kind of book you either really like or really don't like. I can say this, it's absolutely worth a shot if you like head-strong, hilarious female characters and a fairly unique plotline in the romantic suspense genre.

Favorite quote: I'm amazing my tongue didn't slip and said I'd like to sleep on him. Or under him. Any fucking way, really. show less

BLACK CHRISTMAS BY JC ANDRIJESKI:

This complete story in a very few pages made me want to know more about both Miri and Quentin. Miri is having a rough time and her friends are helping out – except for the person she is avoiding talking to and yet wants to spend time with. Very well written and a wonderful contribution to this anthology! Thank you to JC for the copy to read and review.

4. 5 Stars

Le Moulin by JC Andrijeski
(An Allie’s War Short)
Part of the Red Hot Candy Bundle

What an interesting short story! I have read a number of the segments of Allie’s War but have never seen this side of Terian before. I liked the idea that even really BAD guys might have a softer side and that all of them start out young and innocent at one point in time. I wondered after this story if Terian might be redeemable…

I have not read the other books in this bundle but look forward to doing so. show more Great value pack and plenty of reading for any time of the year!

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this story show less

**I received ONLY an e-ARC of Braving Love in exchange for an honest review. I have not read the rest of the anthology.**
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Braving Love by S.j Mayer ~ A scarred and broken stuntman looking for redemption . . . can he find it in the arms of a soft-spoken southern girl?
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Luke & Soleil's story is short, sweet, and romantic. As always, Shannon's writing is detailed enough to let you slip into the world of her characters, and show more forget your cares - if only for a few minutes or hours. show less