Kristy Marie

This book is a Royal Flush.

One of my most anticipated books of this year. Since I first discovered this author, I have watched her steadily get better and better. From the get-go, this author had a gift at creating a story that resonated with me but this one might just be my favorite that she has written.

From the blurb, the cover, to the actual story, this book not only met my expectations but surpassed them. The premise of the story was unlike anything I had read before. It was fresh and unique and much needed in romancelandia where, like it or not, there seems to be a rehashing of the same old stories. That isn't to knock other romance books because no one is reinventing the wheel here but it is always a much needed reprieve to have something so unexpected; a palette cleanser of a sort.

Strong characters, a dash of mystery in regards to the IOU's and what they meant or when/if they would be cashed in, and chemistry galore. I loved Maverick, he was everything and then some, but perhaps the one that stole the show was Ainsley. Sweet holy hell, this little spitfire of a pyromaniac. Her quirkiness was refreshing. Watching her regain her purpose and self-identity was endearing. Together, these two were fire, only no fire-extinguishers were needed to put them out. There were twists to this story that I didn't see coming which made me like the book that much more.

From the first page to the last page this was a book that I couldn't read fast enough, even knowing that by reaching the end that it would be over. That is the true hallmark of a great book. Loved the secondary characters (I want more of them) including some tied to the CiB series (This scene; in particular; had me laughing for obvious reasons!), and I left feeling like this author could take me in several different directions and I would be more than okay with that.

I highly recommend this book. There is a reason that this author is one of my favorites.… (meer)

I read these and reviewed the books separately. I put the books in order of the series even though Pitcher came out after the others. When I first started this series, I wasn't sure where this was going to go. This was a new author to me, so it was a whole new experience. Watching her grow from the first book until the last has been one of my favorite things about being a reader. Commander, the first time I read it, was not my favorite but I definitely saw the potential. Now after reading the rest and going back and seeing the backstory of Theo and Ans my opinion has changed. These characters are life, and this series is worthy of all the praise that it gets. It truly is a one of a kind series and this author is one of my all-time favorites now. I cannot recommend it enough.

Pitcher (0.5)
I will be honest that when I first heard about this being a prequel to Anniston and Theo's story I was skeptical. For a couple of different reasons, the first being that I wanted new words from her, and secondly these were two characters that had their story told three books ago. However, I have changed my mind. This book was everything that I didn't know that I wanted. It was the backstory of what had made me fall in love with them in the first place. It filled in the history and the connection that had kept me from fully appreciating the first book, a book that while I loved I still had some issues with.

These characters, especially Theo, had me wanting to punch them both in the junk. They were two alpha's trying to prove their dominance in the relationship. In this story, though I was able to see how they truly were the better half of each other. They pushed themselves to be better people. They fumbled a lot of the time but in the end, they were only doing the things they were doing because they were afraid of ruining their connection.

In typical fashion, this author wove her magic and created a short story that was packed full of details that enhanced amazing characters and story that eventually paved the way for an amazing series of standalones. Well done. I would highly recommend this story and the entire series.

Commander
4.4 stars

This book was very different than I thought it was going to be. The author did an exceptional job creating characters that felt like family. I wanted to get to know all of their stories. For a while, I couldn't decide if I was #TeamTheo or #TeamCade. In the end, Theo won. That man was delicious.

Gorgeous
4.6 stars

What a delightful story. Cade is first seen in Commander in Briefs. For a while there I was team Cade until Theo won my heart. I am glad for that too because I wouldn't have wanted anyone else with him besides Breck. Breck truly was a warrior. I loved her tenacity, courage, and unwavering dedication to Cade. Cade sweet lord. This poor guy. The guilt that he feels truly made my heart ache.

The author did an exceptional job portraying what life is like for so many soldiers coming back from war. I loved the idea of what this book is doing to help soldiers. I wish there was more of this compassion in the world today. This book had a lot of build-up between Cade and Breck which was nice to see. When the steam did happen though... sweet lord. HOT. One of the hottest scenes that I have read this year (and I have read almost 700 books so far so that says something) was when Cade was in the workout room with Breck. Sweet Holy titfire.... and there is a Mortal Combat reference at the end of this scene that made me spew out my tea when I read it. TOO funny. Also, can I just mention that this author is the queen of proposals? I didn't think she could outdo Ans and Theo's. I was wrong. Speaking of Theo. This guy. He says some of the funniest stuff that I have ever read.

I hope that the other guys get their stories too. Great second book. It is a standalone but I would still read the first book. This author just keeps getting better and better.

Drifter
4.5 stars

So many things to say about this book. In her usual fashion, this author had me with the unique storylines that she is known for. In my years of reading a plethora of books, I can honestly say that this had one of the funniest and most unusual first chapters that I have ever read. From that moment on I had to find out more about these characters and how this situation would resolve itself.

This is a standalone in this series but I would recommend reading the previous books because these characters all overlap in the books and because each of these characters is multifaceted and important. I have fallen in love with the camaraderie and loyalty that they all share. They are proof that it doesn't take blood to be family.

Connor Hayes. This deliciously dimpled man could charm a nun out of her panties I swear. His slow and dedicated pursuit to make Bianca his was what all little girls want when they dream of a Prince Charming. Bianca didn't stand a chance when it came to him and his draw. This isn't a romance where there is a lot of scenes of steamy times. Yet, the anticipation and chemistry fuel the story.

I cannot recommend this author enough for creating stories that get the audience so invested in the outcome of characters that feel like real-life friends and or family. Great start to 2019.

Interpreter
Holy Swoonfest

With each additional book, I continue to be amazed by this author and her tenacity to giving each additional story that extra oomph. In every one, she meets the challenge and exceeds my expectations. I wondered how she would take Timaeus and Milah on the journey to finding love. I shouldn't have even wondered because this author just gave me a serious swoon fest. These two characters were incredible together.

The author did an exceptional job writing about what it was like for Tim not only losing his hearing gradually but also the effects after it is completely gone. As a music lover myself, I cannot imagine a world without sound, and especially sounds that were important, such as laughter or the music that was engrained into someone like Tim's soul. I felt his anger, sadness, and just overwhelming despair. Milah helped with that. She helped him see that behind his anger that he was still amazing. His deafness did not define him in any way other than to make him a true warrior.

Amazing, love story, amazing side characters that still make me laugh, and an important message that disabilities do not define us. Very good story. I recommend this entire series.
… (meer)

From the very first moment that I saw teasers for this book, I was 100% invested. Even if this had been an author that was new to me, the blurb and excitement from those teasers had me sold. Yet, having it be from one of my favorite authors of all time? Yeah, that just meant it was going to be a sure hit for me and would make me right about my assumption that this story was going to be a gem of a story. What I didn't realize is that there are a plethora of gems out there and this one, is most definitely a diamond. It not only exceeded my expectations but it crushed it.

From the dedication hashtags which made me bust up laughing, to the actual story, this was everything that I live for when I read romance. I found myself savoring every word as if it was the finest world delicacy. I caught myself smiling in certain parts and laughing out loud. The bantering between the characters and the secondary characters, especially because I could see some of the mannerisms of their parents made this book even more enjoyable. The beauty of it that was that for readers that hadn't read the Commander in Briefs (CoB) series would not be lost but those of us, like myself that have, it made it ten times more special. There is laugh out loud moments, literally and figuratively.

This book already was going to be a favorite because Valentina is the daughter of my favorite character in COB. I knew I was going to love this feisty mini Tim and Milah, and I was right to expect that. She is unconventional and snarky and a prankster. She is fearless in her approach to life. I felt everything that she did whether it be frustration, guilt, caring, or the dismay at falling in love with someone that is the supposed enemy. Sebastian, also, exceeded my expectations. There were many dimensions to his character that drew me in from the very beginning. He had a steeper road to climb in becoming my favorite. Even though he was in IOU, he didn't have the automatic loyalty that I save for the COB family. That was my mistake because he picked that gauntlet up and showed me who was the true king of my heart. I couldn't wrap my head around at what was this big prank that severed their friendship, and trust me I tried and tried to play out possible scenarios of what Vee could have done that would have been so bad. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for the twist of that prank.

The author weaved the story through another fresh and unique premise and told the story in a way that just the right amount of hints would be dropped to engage my mind as to what the prank possibly was until just the right time. It was blended perfectly and seamlessly executed. I loved that it tied in markers from Maverick and again meshed the old crew (yeah, Daddy Timeas was in the story) and the new IOU crew. I also loved the tie-in with Vee's job and Scarlett. How I wanted happiness for Scarlett.

I have been on this journey with this author since her very first book. She has always been amazing and with each book, she gets better and better. However, this book was in a whole new caliber and league because not only was this her best work, but this story is in my top five of the hundreds of books that I have read this entire year. For a year, such as 2020, any book that can make me lose myself and forget about the chaos and despair, such as this Hope diamond of a book, then it deserves all the accolades and stars that a book can get and then some. Kudos to this author for again reminding me why I am a HUGE fan, and why yet again I find myself rambling like a shiny squirrel.… (meer)