Book Review: The Storm by R.J. Prescott

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 21st March 2017

Pages: ??

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport

Main Characters: Kieran, Marie
Date Read: 8th March - 19th March 2017

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

From USA Today best selling author, R.J. Prescott...
Marie Kelly is a survivor who doesn’t know when to quit. Against all odds, she’s living a life she never dreamed she could have. It was enough…until a stubborn fighter makes her want more.
Irish charmer Kieran Doherty has been a fighter at Driscoll’s Gym for most of his life. He’s been content to let his best friend take the spotlight, now it’s his turn to make a name for himself in the world of heavy weight champions. Falling in love is the one thing he vowed never to do, but meeting Marie changed everything.
It’s easy to imagine a happy ever after when the sun is shining. But when the storm comes, and all hope seems lost, they both learn that if you want something badly enough, you have to be willing to fight for it.
The Storm is a stand alone companion novel to The Hurricane and The Storm. Heavy language and sexual content means that this book is intended for persons aged 18+.

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book from the author.

I love the cover and I especially love the way in which it ties in with the Hurricane series. I can really see this model as Kieran which is great as it gives me an idea of the look of him without even reading the book. Love the colours as it makes this particular cover/series stand out.

I was very nervous about reading this book as I was scared that I wouldn't love it as much as the others I mean how can you improve on perfection but that's what Prescott did. I don't know why I had to go and spoil myself by reading this book as the last time I read something by R.J. Prescott it was ages before I was able to get into anything else as it was just too good and I have a feeling that I won't be able to get into anything after this one. As soon as I started this book I knew I was onto a winner as I was consumed by it from the very beginning to the very end. In the first chapter I had already laughed out loud and nearly broke down but then towards the end I was in pieces, I haven't cried like that from a book in a long while. Whilst reading this book I felt like I was at home as the relationship between every character and not just the two main characters was beautiful to see I could feel through the pages the love for one another. The chemistry between Marie and Kieran was off the charts they where so good together and seemed to bring the best out in each other. What's great about this book is that it doesn't repeat the same outline as other contemporary romance novels which I think is rather refreshing as I never saw anything coming. I loved the end as everything felt wrapped up neatly as well as left it open for Tommy's book which I'm very excited about.

What I think this book does over any other book that I've read is that Prescott has been able to make the characters come alive and it felt like I could see them all right in front of me. I pretty much loved every character apart from one and even that person had me feeling sorry for him when we find out a bit more with his background. Marie was a great character as she was such a strong person especially going through what she did throughout her whole life. As for Kieran I had loved him from the previous books and I don't know how it happened but I loved him all the more as not only was he a fierce guy but he was also very funny and he showed a softer and vulnerable side to him. I loved getting to see how Con and Em where doing and then there was Tommy he was hilarious and I am so excited to read his next book especially after what had happened to him towards the end of this book. There was some great new additions to the story including Marie's family.

Overall, I could go on and on about how much I love this book. There was not one part of this book that I was engrossed in, it was just amazing and I know that R.J. Prescott is one of my all time favourite authors as she is always able to knock it out of the park and I for one can't wait to read more from her and not just from this series but anything that she creates I just know I will love it.

Book Blitz: The Storm by R.j. Prescott

The Storm
R.J. Prescott
(The Hurricane #3)
Publication date: March 21st 2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Sports

Marie Kelly is a survivor who doesn’t know when to quit. Against all odds, she’s living a life she never dreamed she could have. It was enough… until a stubborn boxer makes her want more.
Irish charmer Kieran Doherty has been a fighter at Driscoll’s Gym for most of his life. He’s been content to let his best friend take the spotlight, now it’s his turn to make a name for himself in the world of heavy weight champions. Falling in love is the one thing he vowed never to do, but meeting Marie changed everything.
It’s easy to imagine a happy-ever-after when the sun is shining. But when the storm comes, and all hope seems lost, they both learn that if you want something badly enough, you have to be willing to fight for it.

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EXCERPT:

When I finally plucked up a bit of courage, I peeped out of the curtains to see Kieran throwing stones at the window.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair,” he mock shouted, when he caught my eye. I opened the window to whisper loudly back at him.
“Are you high?” I asked. “Why didn’t you just ring the doorbell or call me?”
“I thought this would be more romantic,” he said.
“If I ignore the fact that my nipples probably have frostbite, I am feeling romanced,” I replied. He looked pained. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“You said ‘nipples’ and now I can’t think of anything else,” he replied, making me smile.
“Now I’m down here, what’s the chances of seeing an accidental nip slip?” he asked.
“Depends,” I replied.
“On what?” he asked.
“What’s in the bag?” I said.
“Hot chocolate and warm doughnuts,” he said, holding up the bag as if to barter.
“Well, I would have said slim to none, but fresh doughnuts might have just tipped the odds in your favour,” I replied.
“Yesss!” he said, fist bumping the air in victory.
I closed the window and ran to buzz him in. He bounded up the stairwell, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly in the hallway. When he got to my door, he looked me up and down, taking in my short royal blue, silk pyjamas. Dropping the sack, he speared his hands into my hair and pulled me into a kiss that had me melting. Kier didn’t kiss with just his lips; he did it with his whole body. Without shoes on, I was tiny in comparison, but inside of the cage of his huge arms, I felt protected and safe. Despite his size, his lips were so gentle. He didn’t treat me like I was fragile, but like I was precious, as though every touch was one that he was experiencing for the first time and memorizing for later.
Feeling bold, I traced the seam of his mouth with my tongue, and when he parted his lips and touched his tongue against mine, I groaned. Every sensation was too much, and not enough. Breathless, he pulled away from me to nuzzle his face in the crook of my neck. I reached up and gently stroked the short hair at the back of his neck, making him sigh.

Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author R.J. Prescott was born in Cardiff, South Wales, and studied law at the University of Bristol, England. Four weeks before graduation she fell in love, and stayed. Ten years later, she convinced her crazy, wonderful firefighter husband to move back to Cardiff where they now live with their two equally crazy sons. Her debut novel The Hurricane was an international bestseller and finalist in the Goodreads Awards in the category of debut author.

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To Love and to Cherish (The Wedding Belles, #3) by Lauren Layne

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Headline Eternal

Published: 18th October 2016

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Alexis, Logan,
Date Read: 29th November 2016 - 4th January 2017

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in To Love And To Cherish, the third witty contemporary romance in Lauren Layne's The Wedding Belles series, about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding - but their own. For fans of Jill Shalvis, Julie James and Rachel Gibson.
Alexis Morgan has spent the past six years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan's premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it's time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything else: with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who's been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan's all business, all the time-except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.
Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she's on the dating market-and equally clear that he's not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister's last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it's the perfect time to show Alexis that there's more to him than numbers and spreadsheets-and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida's sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan's out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...

I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With all of the covers in this particular series I've been in two minds about until this one. I love this cover and I think it has everything to do with the colours that have been used as it gives a seasonal feel about it and even though the season has nothing to do with the actual book I find myself not minding as for me it kind of sets the scene.

I was looking forward to reading this book especially after loving both of the previous books and no Lauren Layne book for me has rated under 4 stars that is until I read this one. I was so disappointed with this book as I just couldn't get into it which even though I didn't have as much time to read it with it being the Christmas period but also I found myself not even wanting to pick it up. I didn't believe in the romance between the two main characters as it felt for the most part very much one sided and felt Logan was far too good for Alexis. I understand why Alexis was so stand offish to a point but I think she let it affect every aspect of her life and made her an unlikable person. What I loved about this book is that we got to catch up with the previous couples. The ending was sweet and more enjoyable than most of the book.

Just about every character but the main female character was likable. Alexis was such a selfish person that didn't treat Logan the way in which he deserved. There was moments when I thought she was nicer but it wasn't until closer to the end when I started to like her. It was Logan that really saved this book as he was such a great character and I loved everything about him.

Overall, I felt let down by this book but I'm still excited about any future books by Lauren Layne in the hope that they are like the previous book that I've read by her.