♥ ♥ ♥ 4.25 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Do you have any idea what men would do to possess beauty like this?" he asked, shaking his head. "And, here I am, holding it."

Holy lord.

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After a friend of mine suggested I give this a read, I decided to read the blurb. And then I found out what exactly a sex surrogate does and I was like "What the what?". It definitely caught my attention and that is putting it mildly. I was so intrigued that I could not wait to begin.

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“Fuck me," he said, bringing a hand up to the side of my face for a second. "You're perfect just how you are, okay? Don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise." He paused. "Not even yourself."

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Ava is finally seeking the professional help that she needs. She is a young woman that is doing pretty well for herself. She lives with an annoying and very nosy roommate named Jake, and has a career. So, for the most part her life is good. Well except when it comes to her sex life. Ava hasn't gone through a traumatic event or anything like it, yet still she suffers from a disorder where she gets anxiety and can't seem to sexually connect with anyone when is start to get real. She is tired of not being able to feel aroused with a man, let alone come. Now she will have Dr. Chase Hudson to help her out.

Chase is a sex therapist and sex surrogate. His job is to teach Ava how to become comfortable in her own skin in front of any man she chooses. He tries to help her anxiety lessen until it's non existent. As soon as Ava and Chase meet, however, you can feel the attraction between them. With each session they have, where Chase makes Ava finally feel something from just kissing and touching, lines begin to blur for Ava. She starts to develop feeling for Chase, and there are moments that seem like he may feel the same way.

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“This is my spot,” I declared, tapping his chest with my hand.
His other arm went around me, his lips kissing the top of my head. “Yeah, baby, it is,” he agreed.
“Safest place in the world,” I murmured, drifting slowly off to sleep.

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The story itself was unlike anything I had ever read, which is what made it all the more interesting to me. It began a bit on the slow side for me, but soon after things picked up and I really enjoyed it. I loved the connection between them but it did happen a little too fast for me. I also definitely enjoyed the sensuality of their sessions. It was well written--well except for a few typos-- that it never became awkward or uncomfortable. I liked watching Ava grow and become more sexually sure and just overall more confident. Seeing Ava fall for Chase was really great, I just wish she would have said how she felt sooner. But I became quite engrossed in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I also really liked the secondary characters that added a humourous element to the story. Jake, her roommate, was such a jerk at times, but it was great to see him grow as well and become a better friend to Ava. Overall, this was a very enjoyable and unique read. The only thing I can say is I wish it were longer, and that we could have had at least one chapter in Chase's POV to get to know him better. I also would have liked an epilogue or something to see how what the future held for them. But other than that, I was great.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Zaal Kostava, you've stolen my forbidden heart."

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When I read Raze, I loved it. It was dark and crazy, but so good. When I heard there was a second book in the series, I was ecstatic but I was also really scared that this one wouldn't be as good. I am so glad that my worries were for nothing because I actually enjoyed this one a lot more.

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'Talia Tolstaia. My Talia Tolstaia.
I tried to find hate. I tried to despise.
I only found warmth.
It was her warmth. She was mine.
She had cleansed me. Cared for me. Cried for me. She was...for me.'

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Zaal Kostava has been 221 for as long as he can remember. He knows nothing about his past, he only knows that he has to kill for Master. Luka Tolstaia feels like he is indebted to Anri Kostava, because of him he survived. Now Luka will do whatever he can to pay him back and get revenge for him. After finding out that Anri has a brother in the same situation they were in, he will not stop until he saves him too. When Talia wants a bit of an escape from the Bratva life, she heads to their home in the Hamptons. Only for her time away to be disturbed when her brother Luka shows up with a savage man being hauled into their basement. She can't believe that the man is a Kostava, he is from the family her family hates. She needs to stay clear of him. But, every time she sees him through their security cameras, the more she seems to be drawn to him. The heavy drugs he was on are wearing off, and the true man he is begins to resurface. No matter what she tells herself, there is no way she is leaving him alone.





This story was beautiful and captivating. I found myself not being able to stop turning the pages. I absolutely loved Zaal. He made me swoon and melt so damn hard. It was hard to see him struggle with his memories since he seemed to be stuck in a fog after the drugs left his system. He was vulnerable but strong and possessive. He was just so awesome. Talia was a pretty strong heroine as well. She was patient and caring towards Zaal, something that was so novel to him since he has only been hurt by his Master. It was so heart warming to see them grow closer to one another. I could feel the connection between them so strongly that I couldn't get enough. I also really liked how Talia stood up for Zaal, when no one ever had.

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“You are… for me. No other male. Just me. And me… for you. This is my ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”

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This book was so great. It wasn't as dark and raw as Raze, but it wasn't fluffy either. It was a gritty emotional read, but the heaviness was elevated by the heart warming romance between Talia and Zaal. The story line was very interesting and the turns it took made it only so much better. I highly recommend this one. I just can't say enough how much I loved it. The ending has left me craving the next installment. I already have some theories of who that mystery woman could be, so I can't wait. I really hope that the next one will be as good the previous two.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.25 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Really see you, the way you saw me. The way I hope you still do. Still will...I really think we've got something amazing. More than amazing...life-changing.”

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Ryleigh Phillips is at her high school reunion. A lot has changed since she was a teenager. Now, she is the owner of a funky ice cream shop that offers many treats with interesting names. Her business has been successful and is doing very well for self except when it comes to love. One thing that hasn't changed is her eclectic taste in decor and fashion. As well as her crush on Cameron Mathis, the ex-high school football star. When she literally bumps into him and cops a feel, she realizes he doesn't even mind. In fact, it seems now that Cameron is very interested in getting to know her. Her dreams are finally coming true, until Cameron's best friend Hunter Morgan comes into the picture.

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“And Ry?”
“Hmm?”
“I'm keeping you.”

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Ryleighs night with Cameron did not go exactly how she fantasized it would. She also never expected to feel a bit of an attraction towards his best friend Hunter. When the current contractor for her creamery ends up falling behind by a lot, Cameron suggests she hire Hunter. She agrees and it ends up being the best decision she ever made. When Cameron goes off to a work trip, Ryleigh concentrates her time with making sure her shop is finished on time. Hunter is making her dream ice cream shop a reality, and with each day they spend together. The closer they become. Now she has no idea what to do. They are both good men and sexy in their own way. How is she suppose to decide which man she wants? How is she suppose to do it without hurting their friendship and their hearts?

First off, I really liked Ryleigh. She was hilarious and lots of fun. I loved how independent she was and how she owned who she was without a care of what other people thought of her. I just loved her! Then there was Cameron who was such a great guy. He was funny, sexy and a gentleman. Hunter was also sexy, cocky and devilish. They were total opposites but the both made her melt. Before I continue on, this wasn't really a love triangle. It may seem that way, but it really wasn't. I really enjoyed the funny banter, and quirks in this book. Not to mention all those really great names for her sundaes, they were the best. I also really loved the sexual tension in it as well. Ryleigh's friends were a hoot, but I will admit they did sound a bit similar, so at times I didn't even know who was who. Still, they were great.

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“Because if there's anything you've taught me, it's that when you love someone, you love all parts of them, and not just the ones they want you to see.”

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I don't want to give the rest of the story away, because it's better to just read it yourself. This story was a sweet and fluffy read with lots of humour. It may have been a tad bit too cheesy at times, but hell if I cared. I still thoroughly enjoyed it. There was also a bit of angst and drama that kept things interesting, it was nothing too crazy so don't worry. This was my first book from Brooke Blaine and it definitely won't be my last. I look forward to reading more romantic comedies from her. I also really liked the writing, and the style it was done in is one I highly enjoyed. Overall, it was an awesome cute read. If you have not checked this author out yet, then you really should.





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♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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"You’re more than ‘just’ my best friend, and I never want to be ‘just friends’ again.
Sincerely (in love with you)
Carter"

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This story was totally up my alley. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. It was a 'friends to lovers' story, which I am a big fan of. In this one Arizona and Carter have been best friends since fifth, I mean, fourth grade. They didn't really start off on the right foot, in fact they constantly picked on each other. But as they grew up, they became closer, and eventually into friends. They were their through all of their life experiences and not once did they ever see each other more than just friends. But one day, they seem to notice something about each other they never thought of before. And all of a sudden they are feeling an attraction for one another that they don't even dare to act upon. But when the tension becomes too much, they end up not having control and instead give in.

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'I was pretty sure I loved him, and not in the way I loved him before. This was different. This was "I needed to have him every hour of the day," "be around him whenever I could", and "do whatever I could to have him" type of way. From the way he looked at me, I could tell he felt the same.'

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First off, I really enjoyed the connection between these two. I loved their waffle rituals, and funny banter. You could just feel the chemistry between them. I really liked Arizona, just as much as I liked Carter. Except of course , Carter made me melt with his freaking sexiness. The sexual tension between them was crazy good. I loved it! And the steam was just awesome. There was a bit of drama and angst added to the story when Arizona gets a once in a lifetime chance to make her dreams come true in France. That would mean leaving Carter behind and being apart for a very long time. This part completely broke my heart. I was so frustrated with Carter, even though in part I did understand his reasoning. Things got a whole lot interesting as a result.

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"I'm pretty sure it's been you since fourth grade, because now more than ever, I know that I'm supposed to be with you, and you're supposed to be with me. You belong to me, Ari, and you always will..."

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This was one of those books that I just couldn't seem to put down. It was highly enjoyable to me. One thing that I really loved were the letters they shared throughout their lives. But the letters near the end of book where Carter opens up were definitely the best. I liked this book a lot but it wasn't without flaws. One thing that stood out to me the most was how they started looking at each other as not friends. It seemed to happen out of no where and about the same time. Just seemed a bit odd to me and a little too instantaneous. Other than that it was great. Loved the characters and I really liked the ending. It left you with a heartwarming feeling. If you like a good 'friends to lovers' love story, than you should definitely give this one a go.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“I want to ruin you Freda, in the best way possible.”

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Freda is a 25 year old woman that doesn't seem to have a filter when it comes to her mouth, but she is a lovable character nonetheless. You can easily relate with her at times. She has a few insecurities concerning her weight. Then she meets her new neighbour, Nicholas, who's sees her as his perfect woman. To him she is all curves in the right places, with a personality that immediately brightens his day. Freda doesn't understand what is going on when Nicholas, who is highly attractive and fit, begins flirting with her.

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“You colour my world, Freda.”

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Nicholas has had his share of women, but there is something about Freda that just does it for him. So he proposes they have sex and is very disappointed when he is turned down. Freda isn't the one night stand kind of girl, despite her attraction to Nicholas, she just can't do it. They end up becoming flirty friends, and Freda notices something effeminate about him. When he invites her to a bar where he does a show, she agrees. It takes her awhile but she soon realizes it is a gay bar and becomes a bit shocked to see that this is where Nicholas performs in drag as Vivica Blue.

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‘I want him so badly it hurts. But I want all of him. Not just the sex. I want his smiles and his teasing, his smouldering looks. His sad eyes when he thinks nobody’s watching. Most of all I want his heart.’

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These two characters were such a hoot. I really enjoyed them both. I loved Freda's sense of humour and Nicholas was pretty damn sexy, even in women's clothing. Freda ends up being Nicholas' assistant in getting him ready for his performances. Every time they spend time together, the more closer they become. It was so cute seeing them fall for each other. The sexual tension between them was awesome, and quite hot. Thie story itself was so cute and unique. I loved the humour in this book. But it was also quite emotional, that it broke my heart. Despite me enjoying this book, there were some parts that were slow. I also became frustrated with Nicholas at times. Overall, I enjoyed the originality of the story, I don't think I have ever read a book like this. It was funny, steamy, and sweet. It's definitely worth checking out.



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