REVIEWED by Danielle

TITLE: IRL: In Real Life

SERIES: After Oscar #1

AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox & Molly Maddox

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 311 Pages

RELEASE DATE: February 5th 2019

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Conor:
It starts with a drunken text pic. The kind I would normally never send. Only, instead of it going to the flirty hotel bartender, it goes to some random stranger who actually responds. I tell myself an unexpected night of hot as hell back-and-forth is the perfect way to blow off a little steam while I’m in New York closing an important business deal. Little do I know the man on the other end of the line is none other than Wells Grange: the most controlling, egotistical, emotionless SOB I’ve ever met. I spend my days squaring off against Wells in the boardroom, and my nights succumbing to the sexy stranger’s commanding texts in the bedroom. Within days, I’m falling for someone I shouldn’t, and I have to remind myself that none of this is real.

Wells:

The first thing I notice about Conor Newell when he sits down in my high-rise conference room is how delightfully nervous he is. Then I see his tie. The same geeky tie that’s held hostage on my phone. The one that belongs to my anonymous late-night texter. And it changes everything. I should confess. Tell the truth about who I am. Instead, I decide there’s no harm in flirting. After all, once our business is concluded, he’ll be out of my life for good. The more I get to know Conor, however, the more I start to fall for him. Which is a problem, because I made a vow long ago to never let emotions interfere with my life, either business or personal. Except I can’t stop thinking about him night and day. If it’s only in my head, though, it doesn’t count.

After all, it’s not like we’re falling for each other in real life…

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Fake Out

SERIES: Fake Boyfriend #1

AUTHOR: Eden Finley

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 297 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2018

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Maddox

The reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I’m a liar.
When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.
Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend—the boyfriend who doesn’t exist because I’m straight.
At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I’m bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.

Damon

When my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy’s boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It’s because of guys like him people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m gay.
But Maddox has something I need.
After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I’m trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister’s best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.
I just wish he wasn’t so hot. Or that he didn’t kiss like he means it.
Wait … why is the straight guy kissing me?

Reviewed by Chris

TITLE:  How to Be a Movie Star 

SERIES:  How to Be #2

AUTHOR:  T.J. Klune

PUBLISHER:  Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH:  350 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 12, 2019

BLURB:  

Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he’s on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break. And that break may come in the form of a novelist who goes by the enigmatic name of Q-Bert.

Q-Bert, who is ready to make his directorial debut in a film Josy would be perfect for. Q-Bert, who Josy may or may not have a friend-crush on, and potentially something more. Being demisexual can be confusing.

From the City of Angels to the small mountain town of Abby, Oregon, Josy will give his all to make sure his dreams come true—even the ones he never thought possible.

Reviewed by Jess

TITLE: Behind These Doors

SERIES: Radical Proposals #1

AUTHOR: Jude Lucens

PUBLISHER: Greenwose Books

LENGTH: 449 pages

RELEASE DATE:  June 22, 2018

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Lucien Saxby is a journalist, writing for the society pages. The Honourable Aubrey Fanshawe, second son of an earl, is Society. They have nothing in common, until a casual encounter leads to a crisis.

Aubrey isn’t looking for love. He already has it, in his long-term clandestine relationship with Lord and Lady Hernedale. And Lucien is the last man Aubrey should want. He’s a commoner, raised in service, socially unacceptable. Worse, he writes for a disreputable, gossip-hungry newspaper. Aubrey can’t afford to trust him when arrest and disgrace are just a breath away.

Lucien doesn’t trust nobs. Painful experience has taught him that working people simply don’t count to them. Years ago, he turned his back on a life of luxury so his future wouldn’t depend on an aristocrat’s whim. Now, thanks to Aubrey, he’s becoming entangled in the risky affairs of the upper classes, antagonising people who could destroy him with a word.

Aubrey and Lucien have too much to hide—and too much between them to ignore. Rejecting the strict rules and closed doors of Edwardian society might lead them both to ruin… but happiness and integrity alike demand it.

Reviewed by Kimberley

TITLE: The Fight For Freedom

SERIES: The Journeyer #3

AUTHOR: J.P. Bowie

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 134 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2019

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Treachery and murder lead Jamie and Tanaka on the trail of a deranged deserter intent on personal revenge amid a looming war between the Choctaws and the English.

As the English army advances on the Choctaw nation, Jamie and Tanaka enlist the aid of a young Lieutenant, William McBride who is sympathetic to the Choctaw’s cause. Their quest for peace is thwarted by Captain John Davenport who orders their arrest then leads his men into a crushing defeat at the hands of the Choctaws. Court martialed for desertion under fire, Davenport seeks revenge on all those he holds responsible for his fall from grace.

As all these forces come together for the final struggle to survive, Jamie and Tanaka face their greatest challenge yet. Is their will strong enough to overcome those who seek to destroy them, and can their love protect them from the hazards of the wilderness itself?

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: HALO

SERIES: Fallen Angel #1

AUTHOR(s): Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

PUBLISHER: Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

LENGTH: 262 Pages

RELEASE DATE: February 23, 2019

BLURB:

Massive world tours. Over a hundred million albums sold. Groupies galore.
Every day is a party for Viper and the guys of TBD, the biggest rock band in the world. But it all comes to a screeching halt when the lead singer walks out of the studio one day and never comes back.

Ear-blistering vocals. Butchered lyrics. Fame chasers.
After months of lackluster auditions, Viper, the lead guitarist and resident bad boy of the group, is ready to find solace in the bottom of a bottle. Time’s running out and the pressure’s on to find a new singer, but it isn’t until an angel walks through the door that the band’s prayers are answered.

Charismatic. Talented. Magic behind the mic. Halo is everything they’ve been looking for.
With a voice to match his stunning good looks, it isn’t long before Viper’s taking notice. But there are several reasons this is a bad idea:

1.Interpersonal relationships in the band are discouraged
2.Viper has already broken rule #1—big mistake
3.Halo is straight

Too bad Viper’s body isn’t listening to his head—at least not the one on his shoulders. But you can’t fake chemistry, not onstage and certainly not off it, and Viper and Halo? They have it in spades.

As both men try to resist the fire blazing between them, and the band is forced to reinvent themselves, it’ll be a complicated rise back to the top. But from the ashes of what was, something beautiful is born. Something better. And when the world finally sees Halo stretch his wings, they’ll discover what it’s like to fall for an angel.

BOOK ONE OF THE FALLEN ANGEL SERIES
A ROCK ROMANCE