Jack Powell never planned on leaving the Navy, but his final mission as a SEAL left him with a tremor and a bad case of nerves. He's home, taking some college classes and trying to figure out what comes next when he meets Erin Kent, a divorced college librarian with an adventurous bucket list and a mission to get her ex-husband's voice out of her head. Jack guides Erin through skydiving and buying the motorcycle of her dreams, blithely accepting Erin's promise that their relationship is purely temporary. But when Jack gets the chance to go back into the shadowy world of security contracting, can he convince Erin to break her word and join him on the adventure of a lifetime?

Review

There is a lot of good in this book. It is sexy with super hot flirting in the library between an ex-Navy SEAL and a recently divorced librarian.

The sorrow over the divorce or really the heartbreak of an unsupportive marriage is well done. There is a a couple of twists that are really nice in the plot.

What doesn't work is that everything is rushed so the emotionial connection between the leads feels off. The sex is a bit too fast and out of character as is the hero's over coming of PTSD.

I really like this writer but not this book so much.

Series: Alpha Ops, #3
Publisher: Swerve
Published: April 5, 2016
Genre: Military Romance Novella
Length: 115 pages

This lovely little gem is the third book in a series by Anne Calhoun. I discovered the author through a review by Anna over at Herding Cats and Burning Soup. The books are all novellas, so they are quick reads. However, they are jam packed with all the goodness of a full length novel.

Specifically for this book, I was excited to see the theme was second chance at love that didn't originally end in some kind of serious heartache. Charlie and Jamie didn't hook up in high school and end up separated over some stupid drama trauma. They separated because Charlie had goals and dreams and ambitions that she wanted to give her very best to achieving. Were there also some personal demons and issues? Of course, but without misunderstandings from any of the aforementioned drama trauma, the bulk of the story quickly dives into them now. Oh there were some before memories, but they were more about how far they come then rehashing old grievances.

There was a bit of a mention of the characters from the prior 2 books, but more in passing than anything else. This totally works as a stand alone. I was able to quickly consume this book in one sitting, and left the book with a bit of a lump in my throat, and a smile on my face. I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get the next book in the series. I gave this 4 stars, a very high rating for a novella.

Netgalley and St. Martin's Press provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The third in the Alpha Ops novella series that features an alpha Navy SEAL and the girl he thought he'd lost forever.

In high school, basketball star Charlotte Stannard and Navy SEAL Jamie Hawthorn were everything but lovers. They shared a ruthlessly competitive spirit and relentless drive, but Charlie, afraid of the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy at seventeen, drove Jamie away. But now Jamie's back in town for the banquet to honor the basketball coach, and finds Charlie, newly home from a successful career in the European leagues and coaching the girls' team. The flames between them are hotter than ever, but Charlie believes Jamie just wants what he couldn't have when they were kids. Jamie's not just playing to win. He's playing for Charlie's heart, forever.

    

Jack Powell retired from the Navy SEALs several months ago. He has a form of PTSD and isn’t sure how to fix it. After enrolling into some college courses, he meets Erin Kent, one of the librarians. When she blows him off on his invite for drinks, something about her makes it hard for him to forget her. When he finds her trying to explore her wild side after a crappy marriage and divorce, he’s more than happy to help her.

This was a short and hot story. It kept me reading from start to finish. I really liked the way both characters were able to help each other on their personal healing and growth. I also liked seeing the characters from the previous novella in the series. I highly recommend.

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review

The Muse (Irresistible #3) by Anne Calhoun

Arden MacCarren can’t afford to lose control. Her family’s investment house has failed, their professional reputation is all but destroyed, and it’s up to Arden to hold the line. The only distraction she allows herself is a weekly drawing class where she can forget everything. Then she meets Seth Miller. When he poses in her class, strong, mysterious, and unbearably sexy, she can’t resist him. The only thing she can do is keep it purely physical—no emotions, no strings, and definitely no telling.
Seth understands responsibilities, both Arden’s and his own. During his last tour as a Marine he lost his best friends to an IED. He has a duty to look after his buddies’ survivors. All he allows himself is the stolen moments with Arden. But as he’s drawn into Arden’s battle with her demons, he comes face-to-face with his own. Seth will have to choose between a duty he can’t ignore and the longing to inspire Arden’s every desire—mind, soul, and body



My Review:
The only reason I really liked this book as much as I did was Seth. Arden was a win but Seth was what paid off the story for me. Although I had some reservations and mixed feelings it wasn't the solider part of his story that was believable it was the way he tried to find himself and some kind of steady peace in his life. That worked for me. Perhaps some of it was the art dynamic and Arden that woke his inner heart but I think that finding a bond with another person really helped him discover forgiveness. Not in others but for himself. I liked that kind of quality in him. It took me awhile to get into the story but once I fully invested in finishing it Muse was a great read.



My Rating:
4 Stars


Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/


Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley/NAL/Penguin

Evening Storm (Irresistible #4)by Anne Calhoun

When it comes to the wolves of Wall Street, Ryan Hamilton is the leader of the pack. But his bravado is all bluff. The bank he works for is up to it’s assets in fraud and shady deals. And thanks to pressure from the NYPD and FBI, Ryan is working as both a trader and a whistleblower. His only respite from the tension is when he parades his latest arm candy at a fancy lingerie shop.
Simone Demarchelier owns Irresistible, crafting custom high-end lingerie. So she’s more than happy that Ryan is spending a fortune on his women. But she senses that behind the hotshot facade there is something more. Something tortured and sad. And when he flies her out to the Hamptons in the shadow of a summer thunderstorm in order to fix one of her designs, she instead finds herself stuck in the opulent home with a distraught Ryan.
Is Simone the one person who can mend Ryan’s heart and soul?


My Review:
I thought the overall writing was strong but I didn't quite like our h/h together. I thought there was a lack of relationship building and more of a confessional kind of interaction than an intimate one. Although I liked Sim and Ry as individuals I thought that they could have been better suited for other partners.


My Rating:
3 Stars

Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/


Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley