Book.Lover.IRL

Whoa. Plot twist

Revisado: 03-12-25

SUMMARY: Sweet, strait laced kindergarten teacher, Eden, gets a second job as a waitress at a questionable / rough bar. It turns out her new boss (and the bar owner), Trent, has a son in her kindergarten class. Sparks fly and the chemistry is off the charts between the two MCs. Will Eden and Trent’s budding relationship survive their pasts that are threatening to ruin them?

REVIEW: Coming soon.

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DNF

Revisado: 03-09-25

Story did not pull me in or hold my attention. The MMC was an a$$hole with zero redeeming qualities. The FMC was underdeveloped. It may be a good fit for some folks but wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m not a huge fan of bully romances. Gave strong Beauty and the Beast vibes for the plot but missed the mark with the angst, drama, bickering and slow burn I would’ve expected.

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Unhinged

Revisado: 02-21-25

If you thought book one of The Alliance series, with Nero, was a wild ride with an alpha-h0le, touch her and ☠️, stalker vibe… then hold on tight and hop on the crazy train for book two with King. It is absolutely fan-eff!ng-tabulous. Truly a lovely, unhinged story with my newest favorite a$$h0le, cinnabon, morally gray, sweetly scary man, King!

King, The Alliance #2, is a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance with smoking h0t chemistry between the two MCs. It includes one of my most favorite tropes ever -- he falls first and he falls H A R D. The way King and Savannah's relationship unfolded was beautiful and convoluted (as one would imagine if one character kidnaps the other character.)

Somehow S.J. Tilly has managed to make King both more lovably saccharine and terrifying than Nero. I fell in love with King’s desire to make Savannah happy at all costs, as well as the way he owned her s3xually, playing her b0dy like a finely tuned instrument, but always with her c0nsent. (C0nsent is paramount for me -- and h0t!) I adored King's insane possessiveness (only in a book boyfriend. IRL it'd be a hard pass.) His stunt with Savannah's exes... Priceless. Who even thinks this way? Love it.

Savannah is a great FMC who stands her ground and does not take her lumps lying down. Sometimes she’s prone to insecurities but the more she’s around King the more confidence she gains.

I love that S.J. Tilly's FMC are curvy and full figured. I appreciate that they are described with thick thighs and butts that jiggle. As a plus size woman, it is so refreshing to read about characters who aren't all flat stomachs and skinny minis. Representation matters in all of its different forms.

The plot was solid. The tone and angst level varied to keep the listener engaged. It had medium pacing. The sp!ce was fabulous. There was just enough sm*t to keep me happy and mix well within the plot, without turning into an audiobook p0rn0. Have I mentioned the chemistry between King and Savannah yet?!

The narrators, Jack Calihan and Chloe Ryan, were the same for both Nero's and King's books. I enjoyed the way they played each character. They brought emotionality and depth to their performances, enhancing the reading / listening experience.

I highly recommend this book.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes - 2 epilogues is a bonus
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: He falls first, Mafia / Organized Crime, He falls first

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

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Hot Mafia Romance

Revisado: 02-13-25

Fast paced, suspenseful plot. Great action mixed throughout the story and fabulously engaging. Keeps you guessing about what surprising twist would happen next.

Sizzling s3xual tension between Aurora and Misha was to d!e for. His over the top possessive vibe had my toes curling. He literally couldn’t control himself when he went ham on anyone who harmed her. Then in the next moment his amazing tenderness and sweetness while taking care of Aurora (((chefs kiss))).

Also the world building — I haven’t read many mafia romances so I’m unsure if this is unique to the Destroy Me / Corrupted Royals series. The war college that trained criminals from across all walks of life and strictly enforced a no murder on the grounds (but all other forms of violence and torture were fair game) was a genius and novel idea. I loved envisioning it like an adult, dark and spicy version of Hogwarts. I mean they were both set in castles. 😊

The narrators, Samantha Cook and Duncan Cole, were perfect for this story. Normally I’m not a huge fan of accents because I think many narrators struggle to stay in character. That wasn’t the case and I AM HERE FOR IT. Soooooo s3xy. I think both Cook and Cole are new-to-me narrators so I definitely plan to find more books read by them.

Overall - fabulous story! Highly recommend it. I look forward to continuing with the series.

Check the TWs. There is copious amounts of extremely GRAPH1C VI0LENCE, including torture, awful detailed descriptions of violent acts of torture and injuries.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: mafia, touch her and unal1ve

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

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Different

Revisado: 02-06-25

Harmony is a club girl and we all know the role that club girls have in motorcycle clubs...

I was intrigued at the unique plot idea to write a MC novel from a club girl’s POV but honestly I was also prepared to hate it. I am addicted to MC books but I *loathe* club girls and the way women are treated in general (including the old ladies). Why is a club girl good enough to bang but never have a serious relationship with

Addison Jane did not disappoint with this novel idea. I enjoyed the even pacing and plot twists. The themes around found family, loyalty, honesty and trust were raw and beautiful.

I adored the fabulous characters and really took a shine to them. They were both fierce and tender, funny and crass. Kit and Harmony were fabulous together and had great banter.

With all the foreshadowing, I cannot wait to see where Optimus and Chelsea’s adventures take their relationship in book two of this series.

In summary, I laughed, gasped in surprise, huffed in frustration and even got teary eyed at one point. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it if you like MC books with a twist.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: motorcycle club, insta-love, he falls first, touch her and ☠️

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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Addictions Explored

Revisado: 02-05-25

Let me start by saying Addiction and Obsession by Vivian Wood REALLY NEEDS to come with a content warning. When I checked, I did not find any CWs or TWs in the beginning of the audiobooks, physical books, or even on the author's website. There are some very sensitive topics <spoiler>(eating disorders, alcohol addiction, miscarriage, and car accident / medical trauma)</spoiler> discussed in explicit detail. Given the depth and length that the sensitive topics are discussed, it is irresponsible to forego the CW.

This duet delves into two types of addictions while exploring the budding relationship between Sean, a tattoo artist, and Harper, a model. In Addiction, the story begins when Harper walks into Sean's tattoo parlor and he is filled with insta-lust. What comes next is more so a study in the two MCs addictions -- their inner dialogue and cognitive dissonance, convoluted feelings, physical sensations and experiences, as well as descriptive details -- than it is a spicy romance. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some spicy dark-ish scenes, including domination, restraints and pain for pleasure. However, there are also long stretches where the plot's sole focus is the MCs relationships with their addictions, not each other.

I went into this book relatively clueless, so I was conflicted as I began navigating the tough topics. As a person in the recovery community, the MCs inner dialogue, faulty reasoning, and selfish thoughts while under the influence resonated with me. Much of their struggles mirrored my struggles of deciding to get clean and then the challenges during early recovery. If nothing else, this novel nails what it is like to live under the oppressive feelings of addiction (until the end of the second novel when it gets a little too HEA too quickly. But it is a fictional novel, so I'll give the author leeway to deviate from real life and wrap up the story with a cute little bow / HEA.)

If you are in early recovery for <spoiler>alcoholism, drug use, or eating disorders</spoiler>, I highly recommend taking a step back from this story and evaluating where you are with your mental health and recovery. Parts of the story could absolutely be triggering and / or cause cravings.

Do I recommend this novel as a spicy romance novel? No. It doesn't hit enough on the couple's relationship enough for me. Do I recommend this novel as a study of addictive thoughts and actions? Absolutely.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet?
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Addiction, bad boy/good girl, rich MMC, BDSM

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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Different

Revisado: 01-28-25

This is probably showing my naïveness, but what does it mean when the author says a character “claps their a$$ cheeks” and “flutters their butt”. Like I can’t even picture what that would look like? Is it because I’ve never been to a strip club?

In any case, on to the actual book review — This wasn’t my normal read. I struggled to get through it because parts of the writing seemed repetitive. No shade intended but perhaps the author could’ve used a thesaurus to broaden the words she used to describe people, things or situations that she referred to on a regular basis.

The MCs were interesting and semi-unpredictable and this helped keep me invested enough to keep reading. The FMC was entirely too ready to throw hands (ALL.THE.TIME) and was always running her mouth. I didn’t love the chip on her shoulder but it was understandable because of the way her ex treated her. The MMC was also a hothead but had softer edges that made me like him more than the FMC.

Overall the read was okay, plot fairly predictable and pacing a happy medium. I doubt I’ll read further in the series. I need a break from motorcycle clubs for a while.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: HFN
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, pregnancy, single parent

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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Good

Revisado: 01-19-25

I read a fair number of motorcycle club books but I’ve never read one that focuses on a nomadic club. The Devil’s Due Club is about six “brothers” who wander around seeking vigilante justice when the legal system fails victims or their loved ones.

In the Red is a high octane novel with obnoxiously funny banter. Since it’s book one in a new MC series, the author takes a little bit of time introducing the readers to all of the club members. These teasers made me excited to see how the other stories will unfold. Collector (Dover) is a complex, alpha-hole MMC with childhood trauma still haunting him. Emerson (Sunny) is a kick a$s, strong FMC who shares that childhood trauma and grief, letting it affect her into present day.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: diet
HEA: yes
Cliffhanger: no
Tropes: motorcycle club, wounded hero

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book_Lover_IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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Enjoyable

Revisado: 01-19-25

Great story with entertaining plot, amusing main characters, a decent amount of action and nice spice. Nothing spectacularly earth shattering or unique about the book but still a satisfying read. Somewhat forgettable.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: diet
HEA: yes
Cliffhanger: no
Tropes: motorcycle club, wounded hero

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book_Lover_IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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Sweet & Enjoyable

Revisado: 01-16-25

I tend to avoid sports romances but I needed a book that started with Z for a book challenge and that’s not as easy to find as you’d think.

Zack by Sawyer Bennett was an easy, light read with some delicious spice. I appreciated the emotional inner reflections. I loved the strong willed and tender hearted FMC who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is and who legit embraced the “we listen and we don’t judge” ethos. It took the MMC a long time to get his head out of his arse but while he waffled and worked through things, at least he was truthful about where his head was (mostly).

Overall I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I sped through it. I would most likely read it again (if I were the type to ever reread any book).

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: nanny, sports romance,

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book_Lover_IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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