2020 brought us many, many challenges. But the one thing that remained a constant reprieve for me from the challenges were books. I didn’t read as many as I hoped. I didn’t love as many as I usually do, but still the books were there when I needed them. I had a hard time coming up with this list for many reasons. The list doesn’t represent the “best” books but rather the ones I loved the most because they brought me joy and happiness while I read them. In no particular Continue Reading
Kini’s Mid-Year Update: What Books I am excited about July – December 2020
Much like Angela I have A LIST. There are just so many good sounding books coming out. And these are only the ones we know about. I am sure more books will be announced for October/November/December that will make it on my list. July: Boss in the Bedsheets by Kate Canterbary 6/26 Contemporary Romance Rapper's Delight by Kenya Goree-Bell 6/30 Contemporary Romance One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London 7/7 Women's Fiction A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee 7/14 Contemporary/Rom Com Dirty Continue Reading
Mid Year Update: Kini’s Favorites of 2020 So Far
I have been logging my books in a notebook. I haven’t been great about keeping up with the notes but I have managed to write down all the titles I have read this year. To date I have read 51 books and marked 19 as DNF’s, in total I have started 70 books this year. Last year I think I finished around 100, including DNFs so I am doing better than last year. Here is my list of favorites so far this year. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa- This feels like a cheat because Angela also had it, Continue Reading
Smexy’s May TBR
Angela- Thank goodness it's May. I've been mentally done with April for like the last 2 weeks. I know y'all know what I'm talking about. LOL. There are a bunch of books releasing this month that look fabulous, I'm pretty excited to dive in to my ARC list. Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1) by Sarah Morgenthaler 05/05 Contemporary Romance- Grumpy local falls in love with a spunky, kind tourist and it takes place in Alaska? Sign me up. The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Continue Reading
Smexy Rewind April 10
I have nothing fresh for y'all today so I thought I would take a look back and see what we were talking about on Smexy in years past. If I skipped a year it is because there was no post. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the past. 2018- Review: It Happened in the Highlands by May McGoldrick 2017- Review: At Attention by Annabeth Albert 2016- Smexy Scene Sunday Hard Ball by CD Reiss 2015- Smexy’s Top Ten – April 10th 2014- Review: Special Interests by Emma Barry 2013- Ten Continue Reading
Dream Maker by Kristen Ashley
Dream Maker doesn't release until May 26, but I wanted to share this review early so you know what decision to make :) I am not expert in Kristen Ashley’s books, but I have read over 30 of them. For me, Ashley is at her best when she doesn't go too far off course from her typical formula (damsel in distress/women in peril + alphahole + over the top drama + interesting cast of characters + overly long descriptions and conversations). I found that Dream Maker didn’t stray too far from Continue Reading
Kini’s Most Anticipated Reads 2020
First I want to mention that almost all of the books that I am excited about are from traditional publishers because they typically release information about new books several months in advance. If you are indie or self publishing a book, we would love to know about it sooner rather than later so we can get it on our radar! Our request form does not require an ARC. Second, most of these books are from the first half of 2020, with a few from the second half as publishing hasn’t released much Continue Reading
Throwback Thursday- Wild Man by Kristen Ashley
Over the past weekend, I was reminded that Kristen Ashley's new novel, Fast Lane was releasing and a tidal wave of nostalgia hit. Fast as I was able, I got my hands on one of my favorite KA books, from my favorite KA series, Dream Man- none other than Wild Man! After absolutely falling back in love with Tess and Jake/Brock/Slim all over again! While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O'Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within thirty Continue Reading
Kini’s Friday Kisses – White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter, Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane, and Lady Luck by Kristen Ashley
I’ve had a slow reading week, my co-worker has been on PTO so I’ve been so busy at work and too tired to read. But it’s Friday so I can read these weekend! Here’s some notes on books I have read recently. White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter- Here is a quick overview of this book: Black heroine, Mexican American hero, marriage of convenience, SOFT hero who is in his feelings, mutual masturbation scene, one bed at the hotel. This book is incredibly sexy, there is an oral sex scene that Continue Reading
Review: Quiet Man by Kristen Ashley
I’ve skipped the last couple of books by Kristen Ashley because I heard a lot of not great things about them. Plus I am still not over how disappointing Luci & Hap’s story was in Loose Ends last year. I wanted so much more for them. Anyway, when I heard about Ashley’s upcoming series with Forever Romance, out next year, that is a spin off of the Dream Man series, I had a renewed interest in her books. Quiet Man is a novella that serves as a nice introduction to the new series. It was 100% Continue Reading