Wallbanger (by Alice Clayton)

Contemporary Romance

Caroline’s O (orgasm) has deserted her. It happened six months earlier after a less than impressive bedroom encounter with “machine-gun f_cker” Corey Weinstein. Now she has a new apartment, a faithful cat, good friends, but no O.

On her first night in her new apartment she is woken in the early hours by thumping. She quickly realizes her neighbor is getting himself some and the thin wall which separates their bedrooms is copping the brunt of his exertions.

Simon is not short of female company. He has three very different women who will keep him company on a cold night, and none of them want any strings which suits him just fine. When Caroline, sick of his very loud late night liaisons pounds on his door in her pink nighty he immediately knows she is a woman who will need more than he can offer. But she is so damn sexy that he just can’t stay away.

Wallbanger is great fun and completely addictive. In a market that is filled with books that are all trying to grab my attention, this one is somehow a little better. It’s a laugh-out-loud funny romp that manages to take a storyline I’ve seen a dozen times and make it refreshing and entertaining.

Much love for this book.

Recommended to me by Aurelija

A Lady Risks All (by Bronwyn Scott)

Historical Romance

Mercedes is a highly skilled billiards player. But as a woman she is denied entry into the halls where men play billiards and gamble. When her father takes on a new protégé he convinces her to train him in the hope he can become a champion.

As the second son of a nobleman little is expected of Greer and he spends his time playing billiards. He is a talented player but he lacks the subtlety and finesse to ever be a great player. He joins Mercedes and her father on a tour of billiards halls around the country. Though increasingly uncomfortable with the hustlers lifestyle, if he leaves he will lose Mercedes who he has grown to love.

I honestly don’t know all that much about historical romance. Google tells me this book is Regency, though only just. In some ways it doesn’t feel like an historical romance but that could just be my lack of experience with the genre showing. What it does, it does well. It’s likeable characters and a simple story well told. You don’t really need anything else.

Many thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.  

The Newcomer (by Robyn Carr)

Contemporary Romance

Mac is a single father of three children. Since his wife ran off with another man many years earlier, life has been one of financial hardship.  Now, though still not well off by any stretch of the imagination, he has finally found a measure of security for him and his family.

As a teenage girl Gina fell pregnant to the local bad boy. When she told him he ran off leaving her alone to raise their child. Money is tight but through hard work and determination she has managed to find a place for herself and her daughter in Thunder Point.

After many years of putting their families first Mac and Gina have finally taken the first steps towards a future together. But just when things are starting to look good for them, Mac’s ex-wife returns to Thunder Point and wants to reconnect. Adding to the dramas, Gina’s daughter Ashley has been dumped by her boyfriend for another girl and falls into a deep depression.

Robyn Carr writes in a mosaic style. Characters are introduced whose stories will be told in future books. Some stories are concluded within the pages of a single book while other stories will be revisited in future books. It’s a style that works well for Robyn Carr. I thought book one, The Wanderer felt a little busy, perhaps even clunky, but with The Newcomer Robyn Carr has definitely found her mojo.  It’s entertaining and polished and augurs well for this series.

Many thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

Lingerie Wars (by Janet Elizabeth Henderson)

Contemporary Romance

When former soldier, Lake Benson finds himself the owner of a lingerie shop in a small Scottish town, he sets about destroying the competition. The competition being the lingerie shop just across the road owned by Kirsty Campbell.

Kirsty’s career as an international model was ended when she was involved in a serious car accident.  Left penniless and with both physical and mental scars she returns to her home town to rebuild her life.  Her small lingerie shop is her last roll of the dice and when Lake threatens her business she needs to learn to fight or lose everything.

Lingerie Wars is cute and quirky contemporary romance, about a woman who has been kicked to the curb but with a little help from her rival starts to regain her confidence. It’s light, fluffy and good fun.

Many thanks to Janet Elizabeth Henderson and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.