eARC Book review: Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1) by Erin Nicholas

Available August 28th 2018
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

As far as flings go, single dad Gabe Trahan is pretty sure that Addison Sloan is his best bet. Once a month, Addison comes to New Orleans and then…It. Is. On. Until Addison returns to New York, it’s just hot, happily-no-strings-attached sex. And beignets. And jazz. But lately for Gabe, it isn’t nearly enough.

Sure, maybe Addison’s gotten a bit hooked on Gabe. After all, who can resist a guy who’s so sexy, so charming, and so…available? But maybe he’s too available for her right now. Addison’s just moved to New Orleans, and relationships are definitely off the table. Besides, guys always bail when they learn her secret: she’s a single mom.

Only Gabe’s not running. Worse, he’s thrilled. But Addison never signed up for ever-after romance, and Gabe won’t settle for anything less. Now it’s a battle of wills—and when it comes to the woman he’s falling for, Gabe isn’t above playing a little dirty.

I'm going to start this off by saying this is my very first Erin Nicholas book.  I wasn't sure what to expect but i had heard good things about this author. This is book one in a new series about some great guys living in New Orleans. There is a prequel novella to this series that i have not read and i do not feel that really hampered this book at all. Gabe Trahan and Addison Sloan have been having a once a month weekend affair for a while. Addison coming to New Orleans for business once a month on a weekend trip has been hooking up with Gabe. It's supposed to be just a fling but it's been feeling like maybe it's not. Addison moves to New Orleans without telling Gabe and that's when things get real. Gabe wants more but Addison doesn't want to rock the boat with her  5 year old daughter to protect. Little does she know Gabe has a 5 year old son.  You would think this would make things easier but it doesn't. It's fun watching these two negotiate a relationship with kids. Addison as first doesn't want to have a relationship but once Gabe gets her on board it's him that bail's. A fun, sexy read full of romance even if now and then the kids steal the show. I'm looking forward to book two. 

Find out more about this series and Erin Nichol's here www.erinnicholas.com

eARC Book review: Making Chase (Chase Brothers #4) by Lauren Dane

Reissue available Aug 28th 2018
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Matt is an expert and the Chase is on. Tate doesn't stand a chance.

Tate Murphy is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up a million miles away from the easy life Matt Chase has had. She's spent her life pulling herself and her siblings up and out of that trailer by the railroad tracks and she hasn't looked back. 

Matt Chase is a dream of a guy and she's certainly not going to turn down a short fling with one of the most handsome men she's ever seen! Matt Chase has watched each one of his brothers find love and he knows he's ready for that too. It's all a matter of finding the woman who captures his heart. He's certainly sampled his fair share of them but none has moved him the way Tate Murphy does when he goes to her shop to thank her for some cookies and a thank you note. 

But as Matt gets to know Tate and appreciate her strength and unique beauty, he also realizes she's got some big self esteem issues about her past. To build a future, he's got to find a way past some big road blocks. 

Going to start with a reminder that this is a previously released book that is being reissued with a bit of tweaking by the author. Matt is the last of Chase brothers without a wife. He's got a bit of a reputation as a player too. Tate Murphy has had a hard life. An abusive dad and a mom who didn't care and looked the other way. Tate was forced  to be the parent to all her younger siblings as they grew up. The older they got the more of a unit the siblings became. Matt and Tate meet when she's knocked to the ground by a car and Matt helps her out in his firefighter capacity. I'm going to say i enjoyed parts of this story and parts had me scratching my head. I liked the two families but some of the story and actions by the characters was a bit over dramatic. Tate is supposed to be this smart woman and takes care of everything but still let her parents abuse her. She's supposed to be tough as they come and acts like it sometimes but then any little thing it seems she's shattered. While i get she was abused she's 31 years old and still let's it continue. Matt tries to help her and even when they decide they are in love she continues to hide it and he seems to always be the bad guy for wanting to help. I like how supportive both families were of each other and how the Chase family took in the Murphy's as their own. I don't know overall it was OK but something didn't exactly click. I got into it and was engrossed and then something would draw me out. A so so read. Not my favorite of the series.

Find out more about Lauren Dane and this series here www.laurendane.com

eARC Book review: Double Dog Dare (The Dogfather #6) by Roxanne St. Claire

eARC provided by author
Available now

The Dogfather has one more child to marry off…but Darcy Kilcannon has no interest in her father’s matchmaking shenanigans. The youngest Kilcannon is seeking one thing only, and it’s not a husband. Darcy is ready to launch her own business in town, move into her own apartment, and become her own woman. But when she walks into the gorgeous brownstone that her father just “happened” to help her find, Darcy takes one look at the hot landlord and she knows the Dogfather has been up to his old tricks. Sure he’s a hunk and a half, but his “no pets” policy is a huge turnoff to a dog groomer who won’t dream of living without her beloved Kookie.

Joshua Ranier moved to Bitter Bark to get out of the shadow of his overbearing stepfamily and keep his shattered heart securely on ice. His only focus is his construction business, and the brownstone he’s renting and renovating…until he meets the sexy, sassy blonde tenant sneaking a fuzzy white dog even though he’s banned them because of construction dangers. Then Josh starts thinking about things he shouldn’t. And it isn’t when the rent’s due.

But when a blind dog lands on Josh’s doorstep, he needs Darcy’s help. As they race to restore little Stella’s vision and solve a mystery that’s tearing his family apart, Josh and Darcy begin to see the light, too. It will take one double dog dare, two precious puppers, and the full power of the Kilcannon clan for this couple to find their happy ever after.

Darcy Kilcannon is the last single child of the family. So far she's avoided any matchmaking by her dad affectionately called the Dogfather be her family. He's known for his supposed matchmaking skills, but Darcy has sworn that she is not ready to settle down. As the youngest she's never really been taken seriously and she's determined to strike out on her own and and set up her new dog grooming business with no help from her family. Josh on the other hand has not had the same kind of family life as Darcy. His family might be rich but it doesn't mean they are loving. When he catches his step brother in bed with his almost fiance he's put off relationships for good. Darcy moves into the apartment building he's renovating and when they clash over his no dogs allowed policy they end up uniting in helping another dog whose blind and needs help. I have enjoyed this series right along and each time a new book has come out i thought it might be my favorite but i think that honor belongs to Darcy and Josh. They just clicked even when they clashed at the beginning. Both had set ideas on relationships and independence and didn't think they needed someone to share their lives with on a permanent basis. I'm loving the Kilcannon family. They aren't perfect but the are definitely there for each other. Looking forward to the Christmas novella and the Dogfather's book coming soon.

Find out more about Roxanne St Claire and this series here www.roxannestclaire.com

eARC Book review: The Billionaire Bull Rider (Morgan Ranch #5) by Kate Pearce

Available July 31st 2018
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

His long and winding road has brought him to a legendary western ranch—to the brothers he calls friends . . . and a woman who could change his roving ways . . . 

Turning his back on his American father’s business empire was the smartest decision Rio Martinez ever made. Now, after a high-flying career on the rodeo circuit, the world champion bull rider is ready for a change of pace. A summer hiatus working the Morgan brothers’ California ranch turns into the hope of forever when Rio meets a beautiful French baker who makes him realize what’s missing from his restless life. 

After her husband abandoned her, Yvonne Payet threw herself into running the café that was her dream. In the welcoming community of Morgantown, she found a place to call home. She cherishes her hard-won independence, and doesn’t need another handsome heartbreaker calling the shots. But Rio isn’t just the sexiest, most arrogant cowboy she ever met—he’s got great ideas for expanding her business. With a reality TV show on the horizon and her ex demanding a second chance, Yvonne has to decide which sunset she wants to ride off into . . . 

Rio Martinez  seems like just some cowboy to most people who don't get into the rodeo scene. He's actually the current world champion bull rider. He's spending his off season helping out the Morgan family on their ranch teaching bull riding to tourists. He's also got a complicated family history. A father he can't stand and a mother and sister he adores.  Yvonne Payet is running her cafe and baking up crazy amounts of goodies. Even though she's plenty busy she still makes time for her friends and some of those being the Morgan family. They accept her as one of her own. Then there's Rio and her attraction to him is undeniable.  There's a lot going on in this story. Rio and Yvonne swear they don't have time for a relationship but somehow they still have one. Yvonne has her cafe and plans for expansion and Rio has his hands full with family problems and he has to return to bull riding for at least one more year. I just love the Morgan's  and how they make everyone feel like family. I enjoyed watching Rio and Yvonne find their way to each other and find out about themselves as well. Love the fact you get to revisit with all the Morgan's from previous stories as well. 



Find out more about Kate Pearce and this series here www.katepearce.com