Contemporary Romance – Page 5 – Talk Nerdy Book Blog

Combust (Everyday Heroes, #2) by K. Bromberg

February 22, 2018

C

Series: Everday Heroes*

Release Date: January 29th, 2018

Synopsis:

From New York Times Bestselling author, K. Bromberg, comes a new standalone book. Just how hot will firefighter Grady Malone turn up the heat?

Songwriter Dylan McCoy has been burned.

By her boyfriend she found in her bed . . . with someone else.
By the contract she signed that obligates her to work with him until the songs for his new album are complete.

By her agent when she asked Dylan to keep their breakup on the down-low.

When she finds herself in Sunnyville, she refuses to let her new roommate burn her too. Still . . . a rebound has never looked so good.

That’s her first thought when she sees firefighter Grady Malone.

Sexy. Charismatic. Unapologetic. He’s a man who carries his own scars—the ones on his back, the survivor’s guilt on his soul, and the fear in his heart. When an unexpected visitor puts their roommate status to the test, will their undeniable attraction burn out, or will they both take a chance and play with fire?

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Severe PTSD
• Body-image insecurities
• Cheating

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM… but
– The 1st time the heroine met the Hero (they’re roommates) the hero brought an OW home and had sex with her. The heroine heard them.
– Heroine saw the hero and OW kissing. After noticing the heroine’s attention, the hero ‘joked’ about other places on his body he had OW’s lipstick. The heroine got slightly aroused.
– The hero asked the heroine if she wanted to join him and the OW.
– The heroine also gets with an OM–at the hero’s encouragement.
– The hero jacks off to the heroine and OM getting together–they share a bedroom wall and the hero can hear them.
– When the hero and heroine are a couple they are completely faithful
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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Pride & Joie: #MyNewLife, A Series by M.E. Carter

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Series Review

February 1, 2018

P

Series: #My New Life

Release Date: December 22nd, 2017

Synopsis:

Joie Stevens put all her dreams on hold the day she became a mom. As a natural caretaker, it never bothered her. But now that her son is grown, she has some new goals in sight and nothing is going to get in her way.
Except maybe an attractive football coach. Who very literally gets in her way.

As assistant football coach for the Flinton State University Vikings, Jack Pride really has nothing to complain about. He has a job he loves and friends he enjoys. Certain he had his one true love in his late wife, the last thing on his mind is dating.

Until he runs into a beautiful non-traditional student. Who he very literally runs into.

This second chance romance reminds us love can be better the second time around. And that it’s not just players in the game…

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• Addresses ageism
• BIPOC side characters

Possible Triggers

• The Hero’s dead wife plays a big role in the Hero and Heroine’s relationships development.
• Hero’s wife died from cancer

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OM/OW (but the Hero’s dead wife does strongly influence the Hero and Heroine’s relationship)
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Hero hasn’t dated (or slept) with anyone since his wife died from cancer 3 years ago
• Heroine has been single for 18 years and hasn’t been with anyone sexually for 10 years
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Note: Initially published as a serial series.

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Ride Wild (Raven Riders, #3) by Laura Kaye

By Sarah

In 5-stars, Book Review

January 18, 2018

R

Series: Raven Riders*

Release Date: October 31st, 2017

Synopsis:

Insert Here

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Rape (off-page: the Heroine recounts her rape to the hero)
• The Heroine’s father raped her–there was no flashback but it is described
• PTSD
• Allusions to death by cancer
• Gun violence
• Dogfighting (off-page; the hurt dogs are on-page)

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
– The Hero is still dealing with the death of his wife (who died from cancer)
• Does have the Hero pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 5/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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Becoming a Vincent (The Wild Ones, #1) by C.M. Owens

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

January 4, 2018

B

Series: The Wild Ones*

Release Date: June 19th, 2017

Synopsis:

When you live in a place where “turbo speed” internet is a slight step above dial-up, men carry on nine-year beard-growing challenges out of stubborn pride, and your brothers do things like nail all your panties to the outside of your cabin just for funsies, you tend to be a little crazy. You can call it a “locational” hazard, if you will.

That’s Tomahawk for you.

We rank people based on just how crazy they are. And the four craziest families in town are called the Wild Ones.

I’m on the bottom tier of those, so technically I’m not as crazy as the other Wild Ones. In fact, if it wasn’t for my brothers and their endless antics, I wouldn’t be considered a Wild One at all. Ahem. Sure. We’ll go with that.

Anyway, I have a best friend who endures it all with me. Benson Nolans is my one, constant favorite person.
Without him, I’d probably go really crazy, and not the fun kind. It’d be ridiculous, after three years of a flawless friendship, to mess that all up by falling for him.

I mean, even if we did get a little too close one night, it’d be reckless endangerment. Even if we did suddenly feel the chemistry that’s always been there and stop toeing the line, it’d be a foolish risk to take.
It’d be stupid to start hoping a really fun, but completely irrational, night with zero inhibitions might accidentally happen.

Really stupid… Right?

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• No abuse.
• No OTT sad parts.

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have OW drama
– Hero proposed to OW in his past because she was pregnant
– He thought the kid of the OW was his, but he found out she was cheating on him with his twin brother the whole time and another OM
– The child is the OMs
– The OW is the hero’s step-sister (his mother married the OW father)
– The Hero didn’t tell the Heroine that the OW is his step-sister, so she finds out from the OW
• Does have unrequited OM drama
– The Heroine’s aunt consistently attempts to set up the Heroine with OM, and it makes the Hero jealous
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Book Review

November 23, 2017

T

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 9th, 2016

Synopsis:

Insert Here

Ending

 HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Emotional abuse
• No OTT sad parts.

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• Does have OW and OM drama
– The Hero’s ex-girlfriend marries his brother. But he makes it very clear he isn’t pining for her. (The Heroine only finds this out at the wedding; she’s the Hero’s date.)
– Lucy goes out on a date with OM, at the Hero’s insistence. But, it never goes beyond the first date.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

(more…)

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Stalk Me (The Keatyn Chronicles, #1) by Jillian Dodd

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Book Review

October 5, 2017

S

Series: The Keatyn Chronicles

Release Date: January 7th, 2014

Synopsis:

Gossip Girl meets Hollywood in this steamy new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd.

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most-coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore. Because, really, things aren’t all that perfect. Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam. Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to. It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect. And, deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom has a creepy stalker. A hot, older man flirts with her and tells her they should make a movie together.

And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.
But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Ending

 Cliffhanger

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Stalking, including predation of children (16 yo girl)
• Stalker of the Heroine is in his late 20s, early 30s – he flirts with her. The Heroine doesn’t realize how creepy he is.

Mature Themes

• (Non-descriptive) sex scenes
• Underage drinking
• Severe lack of parental supervision–teenagers vacation without their parents
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

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Sidebarred (The Legal Briefs, #3.5) by Emma Chase

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

September 21, 2017

S

Series: The Legal Briefs*

Release Date: April 24th, 2016

Synopsis:

There was a time when Jake Becker had it all together. He was controlled, driven, ruthless—in and out of the courtroom.

Then, six irresistible orphans and their heartbreakingly beautiful aunt crashed into his perfectly ordered life. They changed everything. They changed him. Now he’s a husband, an upstanding member of society, a father figure—a family man. And he’s pretty damn good at it.

Sure, he has to referee sibling smackdowns, re-learn algebra, ensure his clients stay of jail, and keep his wife happy—but it finally feels like he’s got it together again….
So, of course something has to screw it all up. It’s huge. Life-changing. Kind of terrifying.

And it will be the most amazing, perfect thing he’ll ever do.

Ending

  HEA
– Sidebarred is 4 years after Sustained
– There’s an extended epilogue 17 years later at the end of this novel (We get to see where all the kids end up)

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers: None

• No abuse
• No OTT sad parts

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Note: This is a review of the epilogue to the second book in the series; therefore, there will be spoilers from the second book below. Click Here to read my review of the second book in the series.

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Sustained (The Legal Briefs, #2) by Emma Chase

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

September 14, 2017

S

Series: The Legal Briefs*

Release Date: August 25th, 2015

Synopsis:

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal’s office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

• Brazilian side character

Possible Triggers

• Grief
• Death of parents and sibling
• Allusions to domestic abuse
• STD scare

Safety Rating: Not Safe

• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM drama
– The Hero goes on many dates before and after he meets the Heroine
– The Heroine goes on dates with OM after the Hero breaks up with her
• Does have a descriptive sex scene with OW
– The book opens up with the Hero having sex with a one night stand.
– Hero decides to give up ONS because the OW tells him she has an STD. The Hero–although he doesn’t have an STD–becomes paranoid. He decides to give dating a try.
– There’s a brief scene with the Hero and OW that is interrupted when the Hero needs to go help the Heroine–the Heroine calls which interrupts them.
• Does have the Hero pushing away the Heroine
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
– The Hero and Heroine briefly break-up because the Hero doesn’t want to help raise six kids
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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Tempting the Crown (The Crown, #3) by Violet Paige

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Book Review

July 27, 2017

T

Series: The Crown*

Release Date: June 27th, 2017

Synopsis:

Temptation is king. And so am I.

As an ex Royal Navy Captain, I should be prepared for anything. And I am, for anything but her.

The instant I see Molly on The Titan’s elite auction stage, I know I have to be the highest bidder. No price is too high, hell I have more money than God.

But, she’s everything I’m not. Sweet, innocent, pure. It’ll only take one night with her lips wrapped around my king-size c-ck to convince her she’s under my command.

But one night with Molly isn’t enough. I want her to be mine forever. Screw chivalry. Screw centuries of royal law. I’m the King, I always get what I want. And I want her.

But is she willing to give up her normal life to share the king’s bed?
Nobility demands it. I demand it.
It’s time Molly learns to come when her ruler calls.

Only having her could cost me everything I’ve ever known. Even the crown.

Tempting the Crown is a super hot royal romance. It has a HEA and NO Cliffhanger. There are a few bonus books for your reading pleasure. Hold onto your crowns girls, this one is going to be fun. Enjoy!

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Alcholism

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OW/OM
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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What’s Left of Me (What’s Left of Me, #1) by Amanda Maxlyn

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

January 27, 2017

W

Series: What’s Left of Me

Release Date: December 12th, 2013

Synopsis:

Life works in mysterious ways.

Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.

I refuse to cry.

And I refuse to give in.

A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.

He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.

But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.

What if it changes everything?

Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.

Love found me when I was twenty-one.

My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.

Ending

  HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• Does have OTT sad parts
• Heroine has had cancer for the past 4 years
• No abuse

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OW/OM
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

(more…)

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TagContemporary Romance

Combust (Everyday Heroes, #2) by K. Bromberg

Pride & Joie: #MyNewLife, A Series by M.E. Carter

Ride Wild (Raven Riders, #3) by Laura Kaye

Becoming a Vincent (The Wild Ones, #1) by C.M. Owens

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Stalk Me (The Keatyn Chronicles, #1) by Jillian Dodd

Sidebarred (The Legal Briefs, #3.5) by Emma Chase

Sustained (The Legal Briefs, #2) by Emma Chase

Tempting the Crown (The Crown, #3) by Violet Paige

What’s Left of Me (What’s Left of Me, #1) by Amanda Maxlyn

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