Week in Reviews #2

This week's reads:

Beautifully Damaged by L.A. Fiore

Ember Walsh was always the quiet one, enjoying a book and a glass of wine over the noise and crowds of a club, but when her best friend asks her to come out and meet the boy she likes Ember's world is turned upside down. He appears like a mythical avenging angel, inked, gorgeous and completely out of her league but one look and Ember no longer wants the quiet, she wants him.

Trace Montgomery has buried his damaged past with women and fighting until one day he meets an angel and suddenly he wants more, he wants her. For her, he's determined to overcome his demons but will the dark secret that links their pasts bring them closer or will it tear them apart.

My Rating: 4 Coffee Cups

This book was almost like two stories in one. It was actually separated into two parts, which I'm thankful for. The romance between Ember and Trace was beautifully done and how their individual stories intertwined completely threw me for a loop. In the first part was the love story. In the second was murder, mystery, mayhem, family, oh and some more romance. Really enjoyed this one.

Ruining Me (Ruining #1) by Nicole Reed

Eighteen year old Jay Stevenson is living a horrible nightmare.

Two years ago, she had the world in the palm of her hand, but in one moment, it was ruined. Secrets, lies, and the worst imaginable betrayal haunt her new reality. Burying her problems under a cold façade seems to be the only way to cope until it all catches up with her. Soon, she loses control of the lonely world she built around her, and the past, present, and future collide.

Three guys are there when it all comes crashing down: JT, the perfect boyfriend she never wanted to give up; Rhye, the local bad boy “rock star” who made her forget the past; and Kane, the funny and sweet tattooed bartender who wants her future.

Secrets must be kept. Choices must be made. Is it possible to move forward while still chained to the wicked vices of the past?

My Rating: 5 Coffee Cups

 This book was AH-MAY-ZING. I wish I had more time to write a proper review on it. Jay is an amazingly strong female character. What she went thru to get her to the outcast stage she was in was just wrong. Then you have the men who basically represent her past and her future, JT and Kane (it mentions Rhye in the synopsis, but he's not really a factor for me). They both help Jay in different ways and they love her for what she is and in spite of what she went thru. And the end- holy crap the end. I ugly cried. No lie. And I don't do that often. 

Star Crossed (Stargazer #1) by Jennifer Echols

Wendy Mann loves her job rescuing celebrities from public relations scrapes. She grew up with nothing, and now she’s drawn to glitz, glamour, and a lighthearted lifestyle. She speaks her mind, so she’s just the tough cookie to tell stars the truth about how other people see them, even when they don’t want to hear it. But after six years at the top of her game, Wendy crosses the line. A star she was sent to save rebels against her and nearly gets her fired. To salvage her job, she must rehabilitate the career of a singing starlet with a penchant for posting inappropriate photos of herself and arguing online with her famous ex. Problem is, the ex is represented by Wendy’s arch nemesis from college, the hot and haughty Daniel Blackstone. And both stars are scheduled for a collision course on national television, broadcast live from Las Vegas.

Daniel’s uneasy when he hears Wendy Mann from his firm’s most hated competitor has been brought in to revive the career of his client’s ex-girlfriend. Daniel must win at any cost. And if he has to seduce Wendy to smooth the way to their partnership, he’s willing to sacrifice himself for the cause. But Daniel doesn’t count on the scorching heat between them—and when they get to Vegas, all bets are off.

My Rating: 3 Coffee Cups

 I have to admit and be honest, I was expecting a little bit more. I love Jennifer Echols and I typically love all of her books, but this didn't live up to my hopes. Don't get me wrong, it was good- just not Jennifer Echols good. It was a light romance (with a tiny bit of heavy thrown in- IMO almost as an afterthought). Wendy was an OK character, she was very stubborn and hard which, when you've been thru what she went thru makes sense. Daniel was very lacking confidence, although he was perceived as being cocky. I don't know, was lukewarm to both of them I guess which didn't fare well for me and the story.

Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. 

My Rating: 4 Coffee Cups

 I can't help it, I love me an Alpha Male. And Bennett is definitely a yummy/great one. Even without that though these characters, throughout a good portion of the book, genuinely dislike each other and it is hilarious to watch their interactions. Bennett is a jerk to work for and makes Chloe's life hell and I love that she can handle him like a pro. She handles her business, but keeps him in line. I really enjoyed this story. Hot, steamy, funny, even sweet.