Good Boy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
Series: WAGS, #1
Romance Contemporary
January 31, 2017
Grade: B+

The first in Bowen’s and Kennedy’s WAGs series spins off their popular Him series. Him introduced us to Wes and Jamie and Us gave us their epic love story. Now the time has come for Wes and Jamie’s wedding and who better to pull it off then Jamie’s sister, Jessica? But Jessica has some problems. She is suffering from a career ennui and a certain obnoxious, happy go lucky hockey player has decided they are perfect for one another. What’s a girl to do when the good boy she wants ends up being the bad boy she needs?

Good Boy is a hilarious, sexy, and all around fun opposites attract that reunites us with Blake and Jessica. Witty banter and laugh out loud scenes will keep you in stitches as we watch Blake attempt to woo Jessica the best way he knows how-with bawdy come ons and lots of inappropriate touching. Personable characterization and a well developed storyline keeps the reader heavily engaged. Two subplots help us to see a more serious side to Blake and Jessica and goes deep behind the various speed bumps we see impeding their relationship. Fans will adore spending more time with Wes, Jamie, the family, and the entire hockey team as we watch Jessica and Blake score the biggest goal of their lives-true love.

F*ck Club: Riley by Shiloh Walker
Series: F*ck Club, #1
Romance Contemporary
January 27, 207
Grade: C

Riley Steele became a high-end prostitute in order to keep a roof over his siblings heads when their parents died heavily in debt. He has reached most of his monetary goals and is now looking for a way to ease himself out of the business for good when an ex-girlfriend calls him for help from an abusive boyfriend. Riley never found out why Brianna left him but he has never stopped loving her and offers her a place to stay. When trouble finds its way to Riley’s door, he will have to come clean to Brianna and risk losing her again.

The first in a romantic suspense series based on a trio of siblings, I admit I was a little startled to find the romance was far more subtle than the title implies. I expected an erotic fueled base but instead found the romance was more of an element then a central point of the story. An interesting premise starts out strong though I felt the story faltered in places, only giving us the bare bones of certain scenes. There was also some issues of contradiction-we’d be given one scenario and then it would change later on  The slow burn second chance romance is used to give props to Riley’s changing dynamics and the suspense plotline. Decent main character development through the secondary characters seemed to flesh out better and I found myself more curious to what’s in store for them. Looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Charli and Con.
Safe Bet by Monica Murphy
Series: The Rules, #4
Romance Contemporary
January 10, 2017
Grade B

Safe Bet takes us back into the lives of this series dream couple-Drew and Fable-with a few additions. Readers of the series will remember Wade (childhood friend of Owen’s) and welcome newcomer Sidney. Wade was recently signed to the SF 49ers and Sidney has been hired on as a nanny/personal assistant after her parent’s cut her off for lying about her activities. When a series of random circumstances set off rumors that Drew and Sidney are having an affair, Drew and Fable come up with the ultimate plan-Sidney and Wade will pretend date for a week and set the paparazzi straight. Only, when Sidney and Wade get to know each other better, all bets are off.

This is an adorable romance contemporary with a hint of spice. Little angst and steamy chemistry surrounds two young adults just starting out-one who questions the legitimacy of his dream and the other who is still discovering theirs. A faint coming of age feel to the narrative blends well with the storyline. I enjoyed the fact that while both characters had a past, neither were judged for it. Murphy spends ample time with previous heroes and heroines-letting us see how their lives have progressed since their stories. Fans may sense the recurring theme of fake relationships and find this HFN just as enjoyable though somewhat short.

Dirty Money by Jessica Clare
Series: Roughneck Billionaires, #1
Romance Contemporary
January 17, 2017
Grade: C-

Boone Price and his brothers are or rather were roughnecks-oil drillers. When they discover oil on their property, the money flows in as fast as the oil gushes out. Now a billionaire, Boone finds he’s more than ready for the respect that should come with his new found wealth. When it doesn’t, he decides what he needs is some class in his life. Enter Ivy Smithfield. Blonde, gorgeous, and intelligent with legs that don’t stop, Boone has found his trophy wife. But Ivy has a few secrets of her own. And she is positive that Boone will drop her in a heartbeat when he finds out the woman he wants doesn’t exist.

Dirty Money is the first in a romance contemporary series that follows the four Price siblings as they look for love in all the wrong places. This spirited romance requires a definite suspension of belief and some common sense as Clare introduces a rambunctious storyline with some raunchy lovin’ and characters who go all out and then some for love. Boone and Ivy come out strong but soon dissolve into a puddle of misunderstandings and temper tantrums. Ivy’s lying drags the storyline down and I found Boone’s attitudes on money and women tacky as the story wore on. I think the series has plenty merit, I’m just not sure it’s for me.