REVIEW: Bound by Gods by Eva Chase

*Thank you to Netgalley and Ink Spark Press for an ARC in exchange for a review)

The second book in the Their Dark Valkyrie series, Ari and the Norse gods (Loki, Thor, Baldur, Freya, and Hod) are still searching for Odin while trapped in a fake Asgard.  Their capture is none other than Odin's raven of memory, Munnin. 

Can they work together to free themselves while also forgiving each other for many past evils and hurtful transgressions?  Probably, but it is a long journey toward redemption.

I am enjoying this series. Ari is a good female protagonist and she is developing as a character over time. Chase has embodied the Norse gods well. Loki is sexy and sly; Thor a bit hot headed. The romance element to the series fits and who would be able to choose between all those alluring gods? Ari has decided not to!

This series is by no means perfect; however, they are a fun, easy and entertaining read.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: White Hot by Ilona Andrews

White Hot is the much anticipated follow up to Andrews' Burn For Me. Quite possibly one of my favorite books in the world. I've actually read it three times already and that rarely happens!

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

What can I say?  This writing duo has done it again.  There is a fantastic blend of urban fantasy elements (magic, supernatural abilities) along with a thrilling plot steeped in intrigue, greed and a bit of power hungry chaos.

Excellent character development with some twists and plenty of the trademark snarky humor which I love.

I'm not sure there is a hotter couple than Nevada and Rogan. The narrative sizzles with their tension and when these two do connect, I thought the speakers would combust! Another stellar performance by Renee Raudman.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Dating You, Hating You by Christina Lauren

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: June 6, 2017

All’s fair in love and work. 

Dating You, Hating You is the first standalone novel by writing duo Christina Lauren. The novel is a contemporary romance that is as sexy as fan would expect but also filled to the brim with humor and sassy dialogue that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. 

Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire.

But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it?

As I reader, I nearly gobbled up the book in one sitting. The story pulls you in based on the the characters and plot. There is a little War of the Roses mixed with Office Space. While both characters have their flaws, and I wanted to smack Carter a few times, I really enjoyed the overall narrative.  As a duo, the writers explore character voice, POV and relationship tensions well. 

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Beautiful by Christina Lauren

Beautiful marks the end to this series from Christina Lauren, introducing us to a new potential couple and reuniting us with the characters we've met in each book.

Jensen Bergstrom is a handsome, successful if workaholic lawyer in Boston, who just happens to be Hanna's brother and Will's best friend (Beautiful Player). Still burned by the sudden end of his marriage six years earlier, he decides that an extended vacation with friends might be long overdue.

Londoner Pippa Bay Cox decides that an extended holiday is necessary to cheer her up from a job she hates and the discovery of her boyfriend cheating on her in her own bed!  She crosses the Atlantic for an epic road trip with her best friend Ruby and her beau, Niles (Beautiful Secret).

“It’s too bad I’m too eccentric for you. It’s too bad you’re too busy for me. It’s too bad I’m only learning my heart and you have yours rolled up in bubble wrap.” 

Of course, it’s only once Jensen's committed to the trip that he realizes the strange girl he met briefly on the plane is coming along, too. She might be too much for him…or he might realize his life has become too small and needs her to make it bigger, crazier.

Beautiful is sexy and snarky, the perfect blend that author duo Christina Lauren have come to master over the past few years. I enjoyed Jensen's and Pippa's romantic journey as well as the bit with past characters, especially Chloe's uncharacteristic personality changes during her pregnancy. They aren't my favorite couple or book--that still belongs to Hanna and Will in Beautiful Player. 

It is a little bittersweet to have this series wrap up; however, the extras at the end of the book fill in some holes and bring a sense of completion.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @ChristinaLauren

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