♥ ♥ ♥ 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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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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"Love is beautiful, shattering, moving, haunting. Love is everything."

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Oh, this book! It had me from the start. You know what a sucker I am for a good second chance at romance story, and this one did not disappoint me in the least.


Elle and Oliver have known each other since they were kids. Oliver is best friends with Elle's brother, so they are all pretty close. But one night things change. Oliver notices that Elle has grown up and the attraction between them grows with each night they talk. However Oliver has a plan he must do first before he even thinks about starting a relationship. Elle feels strongly for Oliver no matter how much she tries not to let it show. She knows he doesn't do relationships, especially not with his best friends little sister, but she still hopes he will. Unfortunately it only leads to heart ache when he leaves for medical school where he seems to be moving on with his life. She tries to do the same, any only gets more hurt.

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“We live in a galaxy of our own,” I whisper, kissing his earlobe. I smile when his breath quickens. “Where the storms pass, and the light fades, and everything ceases to exist except for us.”

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Years later, they end up crossing paths again. Oliver is back to finish off his residency. Oliver and Elle may have not had good timing in the past, but Oliver is determined to not let go of her this time. Elle has had so much hurt thrown her way that she is really reluctant to let Oliver back into her life. She doesn't know if she wants to experience any more pain, especially now that her heart is not completely healed. But, with Oliver being very insistent, it really is hard to resist.

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"I always thought you were mine."

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This book was so freaking good. This was my first book from this author and definitely won't be my last. I just loved Elle and Oliver. Elle was passionate about her art, very kind and giving, comfortable in her skin, and quite stubborn. But I just liked her. Oliver, what to say about Oliver except SWOON!! Seriously this guy is so perfect even when he isn't. He was super sexy and so damn sweet, I adored him. I didn't care how many times he frustrated me, he just stole my freaking heart. And then there was the sexual tension and the angst. Both of those things were just the right amount that the story needed. I can't tell you how happy I was that I was able to connect with these two completely. Loved!

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"My mind is yours. My hands are yours. My heart is yours. Everything I have is yours. Everything I am is yours."

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Another thing that I loved about this, was how well written it was. I really appreciated having those chapters in the past where we get to see how things developed between Elle and Oliver. It doesn't always work in every book, but it really flowed so well in this one. I loved watching these two grow, heal, and overcome all the hurt. The ending was perfect. Loved everything about it and left me with a huge grin on my face. Overall, It was a really beautiful and quite an emotional story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it definitely comes highly recommended from me. I cannot wait to read the next one.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“This is always, Wildcat. You...you're my always.”

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Kona Hale is a college football player working his way into the NFL. Unfortunately, his skills on the field aren't the only ones he is famous for. He is also known for his womanizing ways. When he is partnered with Keira for a project, he thinks he can charm her into doing what he wants but she is not easily swayed, in fact, it seems she can't stand him. Keira is trying to make it through her years of college without upsetting her mother too much, by appeasing her when needed. She is also still quite affected by the death of her father years back. The only way she has to connect with him is through music. She knows what Kona wants, and she doesn't want "thin love" which is only lust. She wants "thick love" that will last and she knows Kona can't give her that.

Kona is determined, no matter how selfish it may seem. When they finally get together it's dangerous and frenetic. They get consumed but what they feel and it can be a scary thing. Especially when they both have problems when it comes to dealing with their tempers. They are both broken by it. But this is also why they get each other so well. They push and pull each other, hurt and heal each other. They have become addicted to one another. Their relationship may not be a healthy one but they can't seem to stay away. That all changes by one event where Kona pushes her away for good and causes their hearts to shatter.

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“I will haunt you, Kona. When you think of me, see my face, hear my name, you’ll only remember that I loved you. You’ll remember that my love for you was never thin. You’ll remember this moment because it will be the biggest regret of your life.”

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Sixteen years later, fate brings them back together again. They still have strong feelings for each other after all these years. And this may be the chance Kona needs to make things right with Keira again.




This is one of those books where I ask myself 'why in the hell hadn't I read it before?', but I am so glad that I finally did. It was a page turner that's for sure. I didn't want to stop reading it, and when I did, I kept thinking about it. I was completely engrossed by this book. Oh, the angst...I keep telling myself I won't read books with too much angst but I guess I'm glutton for punishment because I keep doing it. I just can't help it. And this drove me completely off the wall with frustration. The relationship between Kona and Keira was an intense one. I would get so damn upset, and angry with them both. Then there were moments that freaking melted my heart. I was all freaking over the place. I wanted things to work between them so bad, that when it didn't, I was a frightful mess and I'm sure there might have been some snot running down my nose from all the tears. Yeah...it was not pretty.

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“This time when you walk away, I won’t let you stay gone. This time, Wildcat, I’ll follow.”

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Their journey was a long one and it was definitely not an easy one, but I loved it! Kona, that lovable idiot, was a possessive alpha and very caring which earned him a spot in my heart. Keira frustrated me but I still managed to really like her. They were both immature when they were young which makes sense with how old they were. So, it was great to see how much they had grown since they were nineteen and twenty years old. I was glad how I was really able to feel the connection that they shared. Which is why I was an emotional wreck from this roller coaster ride. I felt everything they were feeling. Their chemistry was explosively hot, something I highly enjoyed. I just plainly loved this book and I can't say it enough. I can't wait to read Ransom's book next. I am hoping it will be equally as amazing as this one. So, go ahead and give this book a read, if you haven't done so already. But, ye be warned, the angst is crazy high.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“I liked you as ‘Thoreau,’ but I love you as Andrew.”

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I loved this series so much. It has been a while since I've enjoyed a series so thoroughly that when it was over I was so freaking sad. I liked Aubrey and I LOVED Andrew. I mean what is there not to love. Sure, he was a jackass many times but he was so damn sexy. I just want to marry his freaking dirty mouth. I was so happy with how Aubrey made Andrew work hard near the end. The steam throughout the series was freaking amazeballs! Seriously, it was scorching hot that I just couldn't get enough. The angst in this series definitely heightened my enjoyment of it. It wasn't too much or too little. The ending was so, so good. I just loved! It was sweet that I just melted. And I am so happy there was an extended epilogue that you can read online. I'm not lying when I say I was so sad to see this end. Which is why I just had to read it. Overall, this was really great. I will definitely be re-reading them.

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“I wish I could take all your pain away...even though you think you've been permanently damaged. You have so much to give and you deserve so much in return. I just hope that eventually there might be some room left in your heart for me.”

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Here is the link to the extended epilogue:
http://www.whitneygracia.com/2014/09/...

Here are my mini reviews of each part in the series:

Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three




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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.25 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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'Something was building between us, something that took my breath away from anticipation, but also created anxiety about how little I could handle the possibilty of it all going wrong.'

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A straight to the point review. Sorry, kind of short on time these days.

LOVED:

♥ The writing was really awesome!

♥ Mikey and Nunzio's chemistry was off the charts smoking hawt!! *My lady bits were very happy about this.*

♥ That threesome with David, though. *Hottest sex scene I have read in a LONG time.*

♥ Nunzio's dirty mouth. *I need a Nunzio in my life.*

♥ The overall friendship and banter between Mikey and Nunzio.

♥ Nunzio's eyes.

♥ That story line. It was so much more than just sex, there were issues on depression and addictions. It was quite the journey seeing all of this through Mikey's eyes. It was just so well written.

♥ I was really able to connect with both characters.

♥ How caring and protective Nunzio was of Mikey.

♥ I was captivated by the story because again, the writing was so great.

♥ How real this book felt.

♥ The funny moments. *I seriously laughed hard in some parts.*

♥ The secondary characters. David and Raymond.

♥ Nunzio's unconditional love.

♥ The angst that had me even more hooked.

♥ And before I forget, I just plainly loved Nunzio.

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"Maybe you don't want me here--" He brushed his fingers over my heart. "But I know when we're having sex, when I'm in you deep, you don't want anyone else. It's just you and me, and it's fucking perfect, and you're mine. That could be enough for me."

"I don't think that's true."

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Things that could have been better:

● Oh, Mikey how you frustrated me at times. My poor Nunzio.

● An epilogue maybe? I just wanted more of Mikey and Nunzio happy together.

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'My thoughts had rerouted to an option I'd never even considered before: my best friend, my one and only, my fucking soul mate. Nunzio.'

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Overall, I really loved this book. It was real, steamy, and just beautiful. I loved watching Mikey overcome his struggles even though it was very hard and painful at times. I even liked Mikey's brother Raymond. David, you annoying in a good way "kid", how I liked you. I think he needs his own book. I highly recommend this one.



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