Cassia LeoBesprekingen

Finished Reading July 21, 2015

I hate books like this. So much innuendo but absolutely nothing explained.
Just too weird.
Like a bad drunk or a bad acid trip.

Rating: ★★★✬☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
Title: Cash
Author(s): Cassia Leo
Character(s):
― Kara Langley: Dark Purple, Brown Eye
― Cash Westbrook: 27 years old
Setting: Las Vegas, Nevada
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV:Alternates between Heroine/Hero
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “You can’t know somebody if you’re keeping secrets from them.”
― “I know your type. You’re afraid of letting anyone in because you’re afraid anyone who gets close enough to see the real you will realize they don’t like what they see.”
― “You’re never going to shake me. I’m gonna be on you like a bus of retirees on a casino buffet. I’ll milk you dry.”
Overall Opinion:
If you have read one fake relationship trope novel, you’ve read them all. “Cash” features Kara Langley who is in need fast cash to pay her ailing father’s gambling debts which accumulated over $140,000. Her big break comes when she goes to an interview and begs for a position as a Blackjack dealer at the world renown Billionaire Club despite it being known that her father was ban from every casino on the strip for reading cards. Cash Westbrook, multi-billionaire and the same man who is responsible for the termination of Kara’s father job takes notice of her spit fire attitude. After a one-night-stand with Cash turns into a million-dollar bet, the bad boy billionaire asks Kara to be his fake fiance when his future business plans are at risk of collapsing. Agreeing to the arrangement to pay off the debt that is owe, Kara finds her life in danger when someone from her father’s past comes to collect. Coming to her aid when no has ever, Kara’s one step closer to being able to share her heart to Cash but would it be enough to heal their damaged hearts?

Kara and Cash were really good developed characters with decent backstories that help define who they are. Despite that, there wasn’t anything in particular that stood out from the series. There was definitely some inconsistencies with the story and the romance seem like a little middle schoolish (instant romance, come on!), which I’m not a fan of unless the novel falls in the erotica genre. Speaking of erotica, the smexy scenes were probably the best about this series, considering that, the author should've just made this into an erotica instead of a romance novel. There was barely any real romance in it anyway. Overall, it was a good read but nothing to brag about. I've rated the series a good 3.5 stars but I opted to give it a 3 star Goodreads rating instead of rounding it off to 4 stars since there were more than a few things that bother me about the series content.

I loved this book. First off it was very well written and well researched. The world building was pretty stellar. The time travel element was believably done. The book was written in first person POV and that was also well done. Sometimes that POV can be very clunky and obtrusive. Here it was pretty seamless. I liked the heroine and I loved her True. The one person in all of history who is your perfect match. The book ended on a extremely big cliffhanger and while I can't wait for the next one, I am apprehensive about where it is going. Still, hurry up and bring it on.

This book has been my favorite of the series! i liked both main characters.

this series is just awesomeness!! I read all 3 in about 48 hrs. couldn't put 1 down, 2 down and 3 for sure.

3.5 though there were lots of things I didn't like. But I liked Kade so it gets that extra .5

'This aint our last goodbye. It's our last hello. I can feel it in my shattered heart; all through my weary bones. You're the missing piece, the final scrap. Someday we'll fit together; someday I'll bring you back.'

Plot

Claire Nixon and Adam Parker each have their own troubled pasts. Claire once tried to push Adam away, but his relentless pursuit soon had her carefully constructed walls falling down.

But now Claire is attending college a hundred miles away from Adam, and to make matters worse, Adam is sent to Hawaii for business, and it doesn't take long for doubts to creep into their hearts.

With their relationship on the verge of falling apart, Clare's ex-boyfriend Chris Knight, is back on the scene. He knows Claire betters than anyone, and knows just how to push all her buttons. Chris holds the key to fixing the last broken piece of Claire's heart.

How will she ever choose between her new love, or a second chance of having a home, and a family?

My thoughts

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, alongside the first and third in the series. I really enjoyed the first book, so I wasted no time in getting stuck into this one. The ending of the first book made it impossible not to read this one right away, so I was lucky that I had the second book ready on my Kindle.

If you haven't read the first book, I strongly suggest you read that one first, as it's really important to setting up the story in this book.

In the first book, Claire falls hard for her new neighbour,Adam. Although she at first has doubts about him, and tries to push him away, it doesn't take long for her to fall for his charms. But Claire was holding onto a painful secret, a few months earlier, she'd given up her baby for adoption, without the father, rock star Chris Knight, knowing.

When this secret comes to the surface, it damages the bond between Adam and Claire, making things especially difficult for Adam, with Claire's ex-boyfriend back on the scene.

This book was told through alternating points of view, between Claire, Chris, and Adam. I found this interesting, as the first book was only told through Claire, with Adam being a mystery. Seeing everything through Chris and Adam's eyes, alongside Claire, was great, as I could really get an insight into their characters, and how they were affected by Claire.

Claire is incredibly conflicted; she loves Adam, but the love she feels for Chris is different, and powerful. He knows her better than anyone, he's her best friend, and he knows just what she needs. This of course makes thing very hard for Adam, knowing that while he's away from Claire for two months, she's spending time with Chris.

Unfortunately, this uncertainty between Adam and Claire, only seems to make things easier for Chris, as he's there to comfort her when she needs him. He doesn't hesitate when his chance to win her back arises, and Adam could lose Claire forever.

I really enjoyed this book and it didn't take me long to finish it. I loved the alternating points of view, and I can't wait to read the next book. This was a great page-turner, suitable for all Romance lovers.

'I've endured the stench and agony of my mother's death. I've battled the loneliness of not having a home. I've survived willingly handing over a piece of my soul to two complete strangers after losing the love of my life. I will survive this.'

Plot

Claire Nixon is a college student with a past full of painful secrets. When Claire was 15 years old, she was saved by her first love, rock star Chris Knight. When Claire persuaded Chris to leave town and pursue his dreams, neither of them knew that it would be the biggest mistake of their lives.

After spending a devastating year apart, Claire met Adam, her sexy new neighbour. Adam found a way to fix the shattered pieces of Claire's heart for the second time, but now Chris is back on the scene.

Chris is willing and determined to make all of Claire's dreams come true, and he's the only one who can fix the last shattered piece of her heart.

With Adam's former girlfriend in the picture too, Claire must make the difficult decision between the new and passionate love she shares with Adam, and the love and family she shares with Chris.

My thoughts

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, along with the first two in the series. I loved the first two and couldn't wait to get stuck into this one, and see who Claire will choose to spend her life with. This book certainly didn't disappoint, and it was full of yet more heartache, love, and tough decisions for Claire.

After getting to know Claire in the last two books, I was really excited to see what this one would have in store for her. There were parts of this book that were sad to read, and there were parts that left me with a huge grin on my face.

The book starts five weeks after the last one finished, which I thought was nice, as Claire started the book by telling us what's happened in the past five weeks. I enjoyed this, as it felt like I was catching up with Claire, even though I'd only finished the second book the day before.

As with the second book, the story is told through alternating points of few. Once again, it's told through Claire, Adam and Chris, but there is also a chapter each from Jackie, Chris' mum and from Lindsay, Adam's ex-girlfriend. I loved Jackie's chapter. It was great to see Chris and Claire's relationship through her eyes, as to her, they are both her children. She reflects on how she felt when she was first asked to take Claire into her home, and the doubts that she originally had. Lindsay's chapter was also interesting, as we'd only previously heard about her through Adam, and he didn't always have the nicest things to say about her.

There were three epilogues at the end of the book, one each from Claire, Adam and Chris. I thought that the epilogues tied the story up nicely, and really finished it off for me.

I've enjoyed this whole series so far, and I'm looking forward to reading the forth in the series when it's published. I'm glad I requested all three books from NetGalley, as I've discovered a beautiful new series.

'The minute you glimpse a future that isn't entirely filled with loneliness and despair, the world becomes a different place. Maybe the world isn't black. Maybe it's more like a murky gray with flashes of color here and there. Blink and you'll miss them.'

Plot

Mikki and Crush have crossed paths three times over the course of five years. Their first meeting changed Mikki's life forever, but the second scarred them both with memories of a violent attack. Mikki is left with more grief than she can handle, and questions that she can't find the answers to, while Crush must try to forget the girl that saved his life.

Now Mikki has had enough of numbing herself with meds, and decides to end her life in Los Angeles, far away from her loving family. Crush is flying to Los Angeles to record the only song he's ever performed live; Black Box. Crush has never felt that his life has any purpose, until he meets Mikki in Terminal B.

When their paths cross for the third time, neither of them realise who each other is, until they start to piece together their histories. They'll come to realise that this is more than just a love story.

My Thoughts

Having read a few of Cassia Leo's books, and seeing a lot of people recommending this book on Facebook and Goodreads, I decided to buy it. I've loved everything I've read by Cassia Leo so far, and this book was no exception. In fact, this was one of my favourite books of the year so far.

I was immediately drawn into this book. The story was told through alternating POV, between Mikki and Crush. As I started to learn more about their pasts, I started to realise that their pasts were linked, and I couldn't wait to find out exactly how. It only took me a few days to read this as it was impossible to put down for more than a few hours.

From the start of the story we're told that Mikki has had some problems in her past, and an 'accident' was often referred to. I was really curious about what could have caused Mikki so much upset that she wanted to take her own life. When I did discover what had happened to Mikki, it was truly horrifying and I immediately felt for her and admired her strength for carrying on for so long.

I loved Crush's character. He was so gentle and understanding with Mikki, never pushing her or expecting more than she was willing to give. He really helped her to open up and start to see that she can still enjoy her life despite the horrors of her past.

This story was incredibly emotional, and had me coming back for more time and time again. This was a lovely standalone from Cassia Leo, and I'll definitely be reading some more of her books.

'These jagged lies I've told myself for the past year have rested comfortably beneath the delicate skin of truth. I can't allow them to pierce through to the surface. I can't allow myself to become a bloody mess again.'

Plot

Claire Nixon is a 20-year old college dropout who carries a secret that she'll never tell. Then she meets Adam Parker, and a seemingly innocent comment starts a bet between them; if Adam can get Claire to tell him why she quit college, she has to go back.

As she's perfected the art of hiding her past, Claire is sure she can win. But she isn't prepared for Adam's relentless pursuit, and she definitely isn't prepared for her first love, rock star Chris Knight, to come banging at her door, bringing her heartbreaking secret out into the open.

My thoughts

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd heard a lot of good things about Cassia Leo's books, but hadn't actually got around to reading any myself, so when I saw that the first three books in Cassia Leo's Shattered Hearts Series were available on NetGalley, I didn't hesitate to request all three. Luckily for me, I was approved for all three of them, and I soon started reading the first one.

Claire Nixon is seemingly alone in the world, apart from her best friend Senia. From the start of the book, I could see that she was carrying a dark and painful secret around with her, and as I got into the book, parts of the secret started to unfold. It wasn't until the end of the book however, that the full extent of Claire's pain is revealed. This revelation was a massive shock to me, and I wasn't expecting it at all. In fact, I hadn't really made any guesses about what was going to happen, and just let the story take me on it's ride.

Claire and Adam's relationship is definitely insta-love, so if this is a peeve of yours, then this book might not be for you. Personally, I thought that this was needed in this book, as it wasn't a long book, and it was quite fast paced. The insta-love didn't bother me at all, as when I read a Romance book, I try not to read too much into how long it took them to fall in love, and just let myself enjoy the story.

As I said before, this book wasn't very long, and I managed to read it in a few sittings. Of course, if I hadn't been so engrossed in the lives of Adam and Claire, I probably wouldn't have read it as quickly. As it was, I really enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the romance, the shocks, the twists and turns; everything about this story just added up and made this a great story. Highly recommended.

'For eighteen years, I've known one part of me. The part that was raised by Brian and Lynette Jensen. But now, seeing how similar I am to my biological parents, I understand why there was a huge part of me that always felt disconnected.'

Plot

It's been eighteen years since Abigail Jensen was born with a hole in her heart. Five years since she collapsed on the soccer field. And it's been five years, six months and eight days since she found out that she was adopted.

Abigail has spent five years wondering about the family she never knew, and why she wasn't good enough for them. When she turns eighteen, it's time for her to decide if she wants to know her biological parents, and why they put her up for adoption.

After an argument with her adoptive parents, Abigail arrives on the doorstep of her biological parents, Chris and Claire Knight. She's astonished to discover that they never stopped thinking about her and have been waiting for this day for eighteen long years.

They get one summer to make up for all the lost years. But that one summer becomes the best, and worst time in Abby's life, as once again somebody makes the ultimate sacrifice for her.

My Thoughts

This is the fourth and final book, excluding novellas, in the Shattered Hearts series by Cassia Leo. I'd never read anything by Cassia Leo when I saw that the first three books in this series were available on Netgalley. I read the first three books in the space of a few months and when I found that Abby was getting her own book I couldn't wait to read it.

I absolutely loved seeing her meet Chris and Claire. Although Abby's adoptive parents have loved and cared for her for eighteen years, I knew from the previous books how hard losing her was for Chris and Claire. Claire in particular as it was her decision to give Abby away in order to give her a good life, and she never stopped blaming herself.

Now Abby is eighteen, and her father has given her the key to a safety deposit box at the bank, filled with information about her biological parents, including their address. When Abby argues with her parents, she decides there's no time like the present to meet her biological family, and she soon arrives on their doorstep.

I was so happy for Chris and Claire when they finally get to meet her. I found Chris amusing as he couldn't decide how to behave with Abby's long term boyfriend Caleb. Chris has never been a part of Abby's life, so he's unsure if he has the right to dislike Caleb for dating his daughter, but at the same time he still sees her as his little girl and he's very protective.

He's got nothing to worry about with Caleb though. Abby is his sunshine and he would do anything to make her happy. He takes care of her, he makes sure she takes her medication, and he knows the signs when she's overdone it and needs to rest. Everybody needs a Caleb in their life, especially somebody like Abby with her fragile heart.

The best part for me is that fact that Abby got to meet her siblings. She always felt out of place with her adoptive parents, like she didn't quite belong. Surrounded by her biological family, she finally feels like she belongs, and quickly becomes comfortable around them.

However, I had a feeling that this happiness couldn't last forever, and I knew that tragedy was bound to strike soon. And it really did strike. It was completely unexpected, it was heartbreaking, but it was also heartwarming at the same time.

I've loved the whole Shattered Hearts series, and I plan on reading the other novellas too. This was a lovely ending to the series,and I recommend the whole series to lovers of Romantic stories.

I bought #2 immediately after #1, and would have bought #3 if it was available (out in August 2015). Great main character with a wonderful and fun relationship with the mayor. Sure a lot of crime in a little town, but the ghosts will help solve it!

The author does a terrific job of multiple plots at once - it makes the entire book very entertaining and interesting.

Nothing to offer that hasn't already been said, except....

I LOVE this series!

This was an easy read that kept me from anything productive at work today. I was involved enough in each of the main characters and it made me want to keep reading to find out what it was from their pasts that was haunting them. And although I am considerably older than Adam and Claire, I could understand and relate to their angst without wanting to shake them and tell them to get over themselves as I have done with other authors' characters. Well done Cassia.

PIECES OF YOU is the second book in Cassia Leo's SHATTERED HEARTS series. It picks up right where RELENTLESS leaves off. Whereas the first book is all about secrets, I think PIECES is about choices. Cassia's writing style is different in this second book as she devotes each chapter to her main characters points of view. So as you're reading this book you are treated to what Claire, Adam and Chris are thinking and reacting to events. For me, that makes it all that much harder to root for who get's the right to hold the key to Claire's heart. And that makes the love triangle much more heart wrenching. Neither Adam or Chris are inherently bad. Both seem to want what is best for Clair and are willing to give her the space needed to make her choice. You really want them both to win. And I for one, will be heartbroken regardless who she chooses. I'm looking forward to what Cassia has in store in the next installment of the SHATTERED HEARTS series.

BRING ME HOME is the third and final installment in the SHATTERED HEARTS trilogy. In this book the reader finally gets resolutions for Claire, Adam and Chris. Unbelievably there is a happy ending for everyone. Although there are probably some readers who will be disappointed, I feel the majority of readers will find closure and satisfaction by the time the last page is read.

No friendship, no love.

Houston, we have closure. Get it?

They're back, they're better than ever, and they're just friends. Rory and Houston have so much to deal with, to put behind them, and to move forward in their own personal lives. Liam is out of the picture he died, Tessa isn't messing with Houston anymore, Rory's dad is making amends, and yet Rory and Houston don't know how to have a relationship and still have all this baggage. Rory's book is gone and she's lost without it, floating along in life, but Rory's dad has a plan. His amends involve the creation of Hallie's Hope, a nonprofit to help others dealing with the same situation. Rory agrees to head up the foundation, especially after learning even more about Hallie's struggles in life. All the family and friends of Houston and Rory team up to bring them together, to help them along the way of dealing with their past, planning futures, and hopefully a happily ever after.

I cannot tell you how hard it was to put this book down when I finished it. Houston is my new book boyfriend, how can you say no to this man? The friendship between Houston and Rory is tantalizing, you're waiting for them to lose control, to fall back into the same pattern. Instead, they talk, they learn from each other, they grow, and in due time, they come together. Their relationship has been my favorite from the start of The Way We Fall. They're meant to be. There are a lot more laughs in this book than the previous two, the air seems lighter and the words less heavy. While all the characters deal with their individual parts in the massive puzzle there are moments of sadness, despair, anger, and hurt, but it all works out in the end. The ending, of course, is my favorite. How everyone comes together to work together for one cause, to look at the past in a positive light, it's just heartwarming. Then Cassia Leo delivers this beautiful epilogue that closes out the story in the best way possible. I can't even.

Unfortunately, the switching characters POV adds up to more than two. It's past, present, Rory, Houston, Patricia, etc. That got so confusing for me. It really made the story make more sense, but it was easy to forget who I was reading, especially when the present/past switched in the middle of a character's POV. At some points, the secrets get overwhelming, it's hard to keep finding out more bad news. It works out in the end, I promise you, hang tight for the good.

You won't want to put this series down when you start it and you'll be totally happy you read it once you get to The Way We Rise. Everything comes full circle and it's all meant to be.

3.5 stars, being a middle book is so hard.

Rory and Houston. Houston and Rory. Once again, they're torn apart by Houston's sister, Hallie. Hallie committed suicide and the truth of why has finally come out, but Rory and Houston can hardly handle it, let alone handle everything else happening in their lives. Suddenly family is involved, their parents, their friends, and Houston's wife. Rory uses the big explosion from book one, Hallie committed suicide because of her love for Rory's father, Houston's wife attacked Rory, and Houston went after her, to make a quick decision to go with Liam to California. Liam was the gentle, handsome, lumberjack of a man that stood by as Rory's friend as she tried to figure out what she wanted. California is not just sunny and golden however, there's jealousy, a book to finally complete, and Houston working behind the scenes to help Rory out. Liam is not all he seems to be and Rory may find that listening to her heart is better than listening to her head.

If you think you know what is coming in this book, you don't. Cassia Leo has done it again with even more twists you wouldn't expect, both the good and bad kind of twists. The characters are even better in The Way We Break, the relationships are more believable, the tones of voices different, and they all have such a specific role in the plot you wouldn't believe any are considered secondary. Rory has grown in leaps and bounds since book one, her thought process is different, her reactions make more sense, and the way she carries herself, even with indecision on her mind, is so much more realistic. I really rooted for Rory in this one, I didn't like Liam at all at first, but I wanted Rory happy. Of course, Liam is a jerk, Rory isn't happy, and Houston gets to be a hero. I loved watching the progress of the book, the relationship between Hannah and Rory as authors, and the blooming friendship between Patricia, Kenny, and Houston was so cute. Yes, cute.

Unfortunately, middle books are just hard to make the best. They're stuck between an awesome first book and the knowledge that all the answers are found in the third. Cassia Leo did an excellent job of wrapping up plot holes from The Way We Fall in The Way We Break and introduced new plot lines. Unfortunately, some of the unbelievable stuff that happens seems too good to be true, or too bad to be true. Liam's change is the most drastic, and while believable in book two, I couldn't see him being like this in The Way We Fall. The relationship between Rory and Liam was the hardest for me, even before the twist. Rory doesn't seem to like Liam much, except when they have sex, and even then she's comparing. I know she made a split second decision to move to California, but it doesn't seem like she committed to it more than used it as a way to run away. The jumping around in this book was still difficult at points, especially in two different locations now.

Overall, The Way We Break was a good connection between book one and book three. The new plot will hold you in, because it answers a lot from book one, but not everything. You'll root for Rory and Houston and you'll root for Houston the most, he's been through so much.

Rory has been broken up with her first love for five years. She's graduated from college, works in a retail job, has an apartment, owns a beautiful dog, and she's writing a book. It isn't just any book though, it's the book of her life when she had Houston, her best friend's older brother. Except Houston is suddenly there in person, he's at her job, he's at her apartment door, and he's finding ways to wiggle into her heart. Houston has moved on, he's married, owns a successful business, and is holding onto a truth he's finding he needs to share. Houston has to choose between the life he's built up or the life he let go. Rory and Houston can't ignore what is happening, they have to face it, but there is a chance they won't be able to make it through it together. The past could be too much, a mountain between their great love.

This is the second chance story that couples yearn for when they know they've made a mistake breaking up. It's the opportunity to try again, to put the past behind you and accept the love that is there, but we all know it doesn't always work that way. I was drawn to Rory and Houston right away; they're raw, realistic, and they're so similar to my boyfriend and I that I laughed out loud at some of the moments I shouldn't have, because I've heard the words out loud before. Rory is a tortured soul, it's like she never dealt with the sadness of her past, not about Houston and certainly not about Hallie, Houston's little sister. I appreciated that Rory was so realistic, so in love with Houston that his presence in her life causes a chain reaction. I particularly loved the way that Cassia Leo wound the twist in the story so eloquently that I never once saw it coming. The characters are incredibly well-written, with detailed descriptions, pasts, and emotions that play off one another. The secondary characters bring history to the relationship, allowing us to see into the relationship from an outside perspective. They also have the funniest comments, the most useful advice, and the best shoulders to lean on when Houston and Rory need it. The witty dialogue reads like you're watching an improvised play rather than a book. It's just too good; The Way We Fall sucks you in, toys with your emotions, and then ends with a cliffhanger you just won't see coming.

I admit, I am too in love with this book to give much effort to write about some of parts I didn't like. It is a bit hard to keep up with where in the past and present the characters are in, not only are the POV's changing, but the date does too. I had to go back and forth between chapters while I got used to it, but the transitions get more comfortable as it goes. I will admit that this is a book that has cheating, suicide, and a love affair that pushed some serious boundaries. This is not normally something I would like about a book, but the way Cassia Leo approaches it is done very well. While I didn't rate down for it, I think it's worth noting for others considering reading the series that might have serious problems with it. There is some serious insta-love, Rory is immature with relationships, but as you read she matures and I can confirm that as you continue reading the series the character growth is massive for every character, even the most minor.

If you have ever wondered what a New Adult novel is, I want you to read this book. It has all the parts I love about a young adult novel, a coming of age novel, and an adult romance rolled in one. There's talk of college, becoming a grown up, insufferable parents, curse words, immature moments, and tastefully sexy sex scenes. Cassia Leo has blown my mind with The Way We Fall and the relationship of Rory and Houston is one I'd love to see in the big screen.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't avoid cliffhangers like my life depends on it, but I don't actively seek them out either. However, being a fan of Cassia Leo means I recognize that I will be reading cliffhangers often. Anti-Romance is no different, except that this time I was actually an angry blonde full of hatred. Not the kind of hatred that's real, but the kind where I kept trying to turn the page expecting more to come up and growing increasingly more frustrated, even though I knew about said cliffhanger before I even opened the book. Don't let my anger fool you into thinking I didn't like the book though, it's kind of the perfect cliffhanger, because I would throw all my money at Cassia to get the next book right now.

Filled with self-depreciating humor, hot smut, characters who are real, and a great playlist, Cassia Leo has done it again with Anti-Romance. Main character, Laney, is as relatable as they come, in fact I'm positive I have a romance hating friend just like her. She's witty, doesn't really have it all figured out, and she gets herself into quite the situations! I really loved being inside her head, because she wasn't some drop dead beauty with every ounce of confidence in the world, she constantly questioned things and felt the full scale of emotions by the time I finished the last chapter. Plus, she dates for work and is having lots of monkey sex, even if it does lead to gonorrhea. On top of Lainey, the secondary characters were awesome as well. George, the best friend, reminds me of someone I know, which is just a testament to how realistic this entire book is. Their friendship is not a unique one, but definitely didn't feel like anything I'd read before. Then there's neighbor, Kade, who I want to be my real life boyfriend, but I'll settle for adding him to my book boyfriend pile. Cassia does such a great job of giving every character, even those we just see a couple times, unique voices and personalities, making this book really come to life.

The twists in this book will leave you questioning everything, just like Laney you won't know what could possibly come next, but you'll also really enjoy the ride. I definitely stopped taking things at face value, but that made it all the more fun. It isn't a romance, that's for sure, but it's a humorous love story about a girl, her friends, and getting through some shockingly hilarious awkward moments. I have no idea what I want to see in the next book, but I can tell you I am desperate to find out what does. My reaction faces, gasps of surprise, and obvious feelings are exactly what I love about this book, I felt like I was right there. You'll probably say "oh my gosh" a few times, maybe even blush (I did), but you won't be able to put this book down.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I am so excited to have a new Cassia Leo book, she writes romance like no one else and The Heiress is no different. The Heiress introduces us to Kristin and Daniel, two strangers from opposite sides of the track who have a chance meeting. Kristin works hard to take care of her mom, she'll do anything to keep a roof over there head and food on the table so when Daniel stands up for her and helps her make that happen she agrees to a date. She notices he's a little moody and seems to be hiding a Bronx upbringing under his wealth, but she feels comfortable and finds herself trusting him. Daniel falls for Kristin under the guise that he's a wealthy businessman, but the truth is far worse. He started everything with his family in mind, but as he gets to know her he knows he has to do what is right. The stakes are high and he's putting it all on the line, but protecting her is worth it.

If I was in over my head, I didn't care. He was worth it.

The Heiress is told from the alternating perspectives of Kristin and Daniel, each giving a glimpse into their relationship and how it blossomed so quickly. We get to see Kristin's past, starting with her move to the Bronx at the young age of eleven until present day at twenty-two. We get to know her family and friends, but there's secrets in her past even she tries to ignore. Kristin is a firecracker of a character, she has some fantastic one-liners, but she's also an excellent damsel in distress. Daniel, from the start, was obviously keeping something from Kristin. He really is perfect on paper, but like Kristin the reader too catches onto his shifting moods and the reader also sees just how coincidental their meetings are. It's hard to deny them once they're together though, they're sweet, they're romantic, they have a pile of sexual chemistry between them, and they seem to bring out the best in each other. Getting to see into both of their perspectives as they recognize what they feel for one another was so interesting. Then there's the twists, and oh are they good. I wondered for a while where the title of the novel came into play and it's perfect. Cassia Leo manages to write a fairytale romance story that doesn't feel over the top, is cushioned by quite a bit of suspense, and has an incredible message about forgiveness.

I didn't know how long this thing with Daniel would last. The beautiful things in my life were never permanent.

I think I liked this story so much that I just wanted more. There's some great secondary characters that I wish had more page time, I felt like they brought so much more to who Kristin was and who Daniel was. I also, selfishly, want more after everything plays out. Like always, I wanted more than the epilogue, though it was fantastic too.

If Daniel and i were on a collision course, from this moment forward, I was going to close my eyes and remain blissfuly ignorant until the moment of impact.

The Heiress is a fantastic new release from Cassia Leo and a much needed fresh story in the romance genre. It's a unique, fun story that was fun to read and absolutely the HEA romance story I dreamed of. Romance readers are going to love Kristin and Daniel's chemistry.

Dirt is book one in the new Evergreen series from Cassia Leo and it's the kind of book where you can't talk about much without giving the plot away. It features massive heartbreak and angst, the kind Cassia Leo is famous for. It's sexy, unique, and impossible to put down. Laurel is one of three main characters, her life in tattered pieces after a disastrous evening that has left her struggling to pick up the pieces. Her husband, Jack, won't let go of that night, hell bent on discovering the truth and lost to their marriage beyond their destructive fights and emotion-driven passion. They want to save their marriage, save their memories, but distance is growing between them. Laurel finds independence in her mother's house, distracted from the past and her crumbling marriage by gardening, a blossoming career, new friendships in Dylan and isaac, the handsome, kind man next door her mother was so fond of.

Talk about a book that you can't walk away from. I started it and realized within just a few pages that this was the kind of book that required all my attention. Two days later I set aside a few hours and I ignored everything to power through Dirt. I immediately connected with Laurel and her desire to find life again. The events leading to her anxiety, to her struggling marriage, were difficult to read through, but really well written. I could feel her depression, her barely there hope through the words. Jack is the kind of character with a POV that feels unreliable, leaving me unsure of his character and his true intentions. Isaac is sweet, the friend that Laurel needs during it all, but also the keeper of his own messed up tale. It's a twisted book filled with questions and passion, the true story not yet revealed. It's a darker book from Cassia Leo, but one her fans should take a chance on.


I really struggled with my final rating of Dirt, my enjoyment leaning towards a 5 and my struggle with the detail taking it into the 4 star range. I read this book in one sitting, finished it desperate to get the next book right away and also a bit disappointed in how much more complex it could've been and wasn't. The storyline is so unique, the characters aren't like others I've read, and yet the chemistry and the push-and-pull between them is classic Cassia Leo. It's the type of book I love to read, but it didn't bring the heat. There were times when I was reading that I felt like it could've been a tad sexier, a bit darker, and a whole lot more fleshed out. I could feel the electric energy between Laurel and Jack, but I didn't quite feel like Isaac ever moved out of a secondary character role, even with his own POV chapters. I am looking forward to how the next book in the series takes the questions we are left with and moves us into a storyline that dives deeper into the tie between Laurel, Jack, and Isaac. Love triangle, anyone? I know Cassia Leo's writing really well though and I have no doubt that the mind-blowing cliffhanger from Dirt will lead into an incredible story in book two, Seed, and I can't wait for it.


Dirt is the much hyped new release from Cassia Leo and the first in a new, darker series titled Evergreen. It features a beyond-sexy cover, an intriguing blurb, and a twisted, angst-driven story inside its pages. It was a must read for me, the promise of darkness and secrets just what I wanted from one of my favorite authors.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

Seed is the follow up to the dramatic, emotion-wrecking novel Dirt, a book that stayed with me after finishing it. It was true to life in many ways, an example of the push and pulls in relationships that lead you to your breaking point in the face of disastrous events. Seed is the aftermath, the world already unraveled for Laurel and Jack, their lives taking different directions, a new man threatening it further. Divorce seems to be in the cards and Laurel finds escape in methods that leave her in inappropriate situations. Jack hasn't given up yet, not on his marriage, but while he's off trying to solve past crimes Isaac is in the picture more and more. Seed is just as dramatic as Dirt, but with a little less suspense and angst. It's definitely a middle book, missing the meat Dirt has, but promising there's even more to come in Bloom.

This may have been a case of it's not you, it's me, but I struggled with the character's changing personalities. It felt like more time had passed between Dirt and Seed than really had, all three characters very different than the previous novel. We do get to see their weaknesses, their struggles, more about their pasts, and how their thought process works in the present. Laurel is very damaged, which is to be expected, but Jack is finding his role as a husband again and Isaac, well he's seeing all the opportunities open up in front of him. Though we get a lot of answers, and a significant amount of character information, we don't get enough to see how this story is going to play out yet. There is a lot that transpires and some twists that really shocked me. There is one big event that I really wish had been developed further, it almost felt too easy, but I know there is more to come on that storyline. For me, Cassia Leo gives us enough to know more is coming, but not enough to really hold onto. I ended up giving the book two reads and while I am beyond excited for the big reveals to come, I wish that the series would've been combined together into longer length books to allow for Seed to be something more.

ARC provided.

Now this book was exciting and I have to say I didn't know it was part of a series however I was not lost and since I enjoyed this one I plan on getting the previous books when am I going to read them I do not know since I have so many books to catch up to. So we meet Kara who is struggling to pay off her fathers gambling debt and his medical bills, poor thing inherited quite the problem. She meets Cash a hottie billionaire playboy who all want a piece of, but Cash has some secrets will they be their downfall? When these two get together it is combustible and truly entertaining, so grab a copy and enjoy!

Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions

The plot was kind of stupid-I mean, really, Q was a serious jerk who treated her and everyone else like garbage and she kept fighting for him. If they had known each other for years, I totally would have bought it. But, to say she kept chasing after him when she had only known him a week, and after what he did...no way. It was just so annoying.