ARC REVIEW Undone By You by Kate Meader

Chicago Rebels #3, We take a break from the the daughters of Clifford Chase and bring you the sexy Chicago Rebels GM Dante Moretti and the All Star Defenseman Cade Burnett. Kate Meader hooked her writers claws into me with her Hot in Chicago series and like that series there is also one M/M romance in the series and this is it. I'm usually not one for M/M romance except in cases like this it's part of a series and I have previously been introduced to them, like them and Meader has hinted to the romance and I am rooting for them even before the book starts. Way to many times I've picked up a M/M romance and just hated the characters and the plot. This one much like her other, Melting Point, is so hot. It's a little longer than your typical novella it feels like a full length book with as much stuff is in it the relationship development and the conflict and the sex scenes so yummy, this is a very fulfilling novella. 

Cade is freakin' adorable, he's still in the closet and has had a crush on Dante since he was a teenager and Dante was still playing hockey professionally. (There is about a decade age difference between the two). Dante has been open about his homosexuality for years now, even though it ruined his relationship with his parents he couldn't keep lying about who he really was any more. This book runs pretty much parallel with So Over You the second book of the series but it can be read as a stand alone if needed. 

The beginning of the book we find Dante in a private club and he sees Cade there. Dante has two feelings, joy for the fact that Cade is gay and two worry for the potential media circus if it gets out. Cade knew Dante frequented that club and got himself an invite so he could "run into" Dante there and well you know. Dante instead acts the responsible one and has already planned an explanation incase Cade is discovered there, even though his insides are jumping for joy that Cade just hit on him. Dante tries to keep it professional between them but the lure of Cade is too much for him to resist. Dante and Cade start something and keep quiet about it but when Cade starts to wonder about finally coming out Dante worries about the backlash not just with media and the fans, people will claim Dante "turned" him gay but mostly Dante worries about the relationship Cade has with his Dad. Dante doesn't want Cade to come out just for him and is willing to ruin the relationship if he has too.

Overall, Dante and Cade story was a great one. It was sweet, hot, and an emotional rollercoaster ride; and it has a really good lead up to the next book Hooked On You. 

ARC REVIEW So Over You by Kate Meader

So Over You is book two in Kate Meader's Chicago Rebels series. Three half sisters, daughters of a hockey legend, who must work together to keep the hockey team. According to the requirements in the will the Rebels must make the playoffs that year or be sold out to a conglomerate. For two of the sister it's their legacy, one the managerial role and the other a coaching role. Irresistible You, the first book, is about the oldest sister Harper Chase, she is bound and determined to make it to the playoff this year and keep her team. I wouldn't say this is a standalone, but it could be the events of the first book have only a minor impact of this story but most of the emotional development between the sister happens in the first one. Isobel was the apple of her father's eye she was born to continue on his legacy on the ice and Isobel wanted nothing more than to be the best on the ice. Until her dreams came to an end after an accident now she just wants to coach. Vadim has to redeem himself after a knee injury but first he has to get back on the ice only one thing is standing in his way, the only woman who has ever mattered to him and the same one whose father blackballed him from the NHL.

To prove herself Isobel is assigned to privately coach Vadim so he can get back into skating form. Vadim thinks it's a bad idea not because she's a woman but he doesn't trust himself around her and Isobel can afford to have gossip that she's sleeping with players tied to her name especially if she wants the head coaching job. Isobel thinks she can handle coaching Vadim even if he still makes her feel all a flutter but after the one and only one time they were together left her wanting she didn't think they were compatible. Once Vadim finds this out he makes a point to prove to her that they are, over and over again. 

Their sexual attraction isn't the problem between one particularly cruel player on the team, Vadim's little sister and his mother, and the big one Isobel has the chance to play for the gold again. She was asked to audition for the NCAA, she told no one but Vadim expecting him to be excited for her only to get the opposite reaction. This is her last chance to achieve her dream and as much of a bastard her father was and even though he's dead she still feels like she's disappointing him by not playing hockey. Vadim and Isobel have a bunch of issues to work out before they can achieve their HEA.

Overall, I loved this one. Vadim be still my heart that smokin' hot Russian is not only great with kids but once he realizes he left Isobel wanting he sees his way into her heart again. There is a lot of personal growth in this book as with the first one and as always Kate Meader is exceptional with it and the sex is so freakin' hot. I very much recommend anything she written.    

  

#TBT One Pink Rose by Julie Garwood

This is the start of something new, I'm going to be doing a #TBT (Throw Back Thursday) Review it can be any book that's been published 5 years or longer. For the first book I am doing a book I have read and loved and even better it's been re-released, One Pink Rose is book two of the Rose Hill/ Clayborne Brides series. The first book, For the Roses, I recommend reading just because it introduces the whole family and how they got where they are and along with it a wonderful romance between the only girl in the family and her past.

One Pink Rose is about the youngest brother, Travis. Now Mama Rose has her heart set on finding good wives for her boys. Her daughter is all set and happily married with a baby on the way and now Mama Rose is meddling.

Mama Rose was swindled! and Travis Clayborne won't have it he's out to find the man who stole the compass from Mama, she had a gift for everyone but this gold compass was for Colt. Travis is taking it personal no one steals from Mama Rose. So he sets out to track down this ruffian but first he has to run an errand for Mama. It seems that she promised that Travis would escort a mail order bride to her waiting groom. Emily Finnegan is a wonder to behold, she is smart, head strong, and feisty. She was previously engaged but the loser left her at he alter for her sister, so now Emily thinks she has to change who she is so she can be happy. She arranged the mail order bride plans and she is determined to be the best wife she can be; if only she can get there. Emily has had the worst luck getting from Boston to Montana one escort got food poisoning and the second was shot so now she is stranded.

Travis thinks this will be a quick job, but he soon realizes after meeting Emily it won't be a walk in the park. It doesn't help he likes everything about her. Emily did a silly thing, she fell in love with Travis. Overall, this is a funny, cute, and quick read. I love Julie Garwood's western romances. I'm glad this has been re-released.

ARC REVIEW The Princess Wore Plaid by Karen Hawkins

This is an in between novella for the Princes of Oxenburg series centered on one of the Princes' cousins. I love Karen Hawkins she always has a witty cast of characters who get pushed into unlikely situations and fall in love.

Princess Tatiana was on her way to her cousins wedding there was an accident and when she came too could remember nothing, she fled the scene and wandered for a couple of days before coming to an inn where she was offered a job. When she finally regained her memory she had no way to prove her identity to anyone, and the proprietors of the inn, the Drummonds, didn't believe she was a Princess of a country they never heard of. Tatiana learned as she went to earn her keep at the inn waiting for her cousins to come and find her.

Lord Darrac Buchan was injured while in service during the war with the French. His leg was damaged so bad he almost lost it; now riddled with scars and damaged muscle tissue he walks with a cane. Embarrassed by his impairment he stays at home the only time he leaves is for his Friday night dinner at the local inn where the innkeeper's wife is a much better cook then his own estates cook.

One particularity rainy night Buchan and Tatiana meet. For her own safety and because the Drummonds are worried that she's a bit daffy told Tatiana not to talk to anybody. Buchan knows right away she's no ordinary maid her forthright manner and the lack of callous' on her hands says she is something more and that intrigues Buchan. It is three weeks before Tatiana serves him his meal again. In this second meeting Tatiana says something that let on she is more with little convincing she tells him the truth. Buchan doesn't really believe her at first but with a little bit of reading he soon believes her.

Of course Tatiana and Buchan fall in love, but they both feel likes it's doomed, they both know as soon as her cousin shows up she will go back to the Royal life. Overall, this was too short I just enjoyed the characters that much, but really, as it was I don't think it could have been turned into a full length novel. I loved this one, it is a great addition to the series.  

ARC REVIEW Following Her by Melody Anne

More Melody Anne greatness. This Contemporary Romance has a touch of suspense, it still focuses on the romance and seduction between Ella and Axel but the reason they are thrown together is a bit of suspense. I always enjoy reading Melody Anne she is always easy and gratifying read.

Ella got involved with the wrong guy, and also her boss. When she found out all the illegal stuff he was involved in she quit and immediately went to the DA with everything she knew, now her life is being threatened and whiles she thinks she has it handled her cousin is worried and calls in a favor from his partner. Axel is supposed to be on vacation instead he is babysitting Ella, but one look at Ella and he's a goner. Ella doesn't need a babysitter and she doesn't need to fall in love with an FBI agent but despite his highhandedness to protect her she still falls for the FBI bad boy.

Ella is fearless and she thinks she has it handled but Axel knows better and goes above and beyond to keep her alive. In the end Ella's hardheadedness just might get her killed.


Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read. I really love everything of Melody Anne's that I have read.