BOOK RELEASE/REVIEW: The Good Guys Box set by Jamie Schlosser

 ~Now Available~

This box set includes the last three novels from The Good Guys series (Outcast, Magic Man, and Loner) as well as a bonus novella. 

The first three novels of the series (Trucker, Dancer, and Dropout) are in a separate box set.)  

This is a great series and one I’d recommend. You can find my reviews of the first five novels by clicking on the titles above. The sixth book is in my TBR pile. I’m more than a bit behind so review to come once I have more romance reading time.

The bonus novella, The Last Bachelor in Tolson, is available exclusively in this box set. Sadly, it’s not one I can say I’d recommend. 

~Review~

The Last Bachelor in Tolson is the romance of Hank (Colton’s dad from Dancer) and Karen (Travis’s mom from Trucker) who are both widowed and have known each other for years but have held back getting involved.

Set on Christmas Eve and during the wedding of Beverly (Jimmy and Ezra’s grandmother) and Ernie, I opened this expecting a sweet and light-hearted Christmas read. And if you are looking for a feel-good, leave you with a smile on your face quick story, you're going to want to skip the epilogue.  I can't tell you how much I wish I would have stopped before it (or that I wish it would have just ended up on the editing room floor.) It is somber and depressing and not the ending I was expecting. While it technically gives the hero and heroine of this tale their HEA, I’m not sure I can say it does the same for the series as a whole. If anything, it takes away from it. I don’t know I could re-read Dropout now and enjoy what is some of the funniest parts without feeling sad.

I think this is a situation where the epilogue went too far in the future (it can happen), and it wasn’t needed. It didn’t add anything to the story or the series. In fact, I would have much preferred the time and pages to have been spent on the Christmas story at hand, adding more development between Hank and Karen (I can’t quite say I felt as warm and fuzzy about them as I have the previous couples) and more holiday good times. There was definitely missed opportunities for some holiday humor (Sweatpea is mentioned but never gets a real cameo).

I’ve always been a romance reader for a little escape. I can read other things for life’s realities.  We’re living in a real-world pandemic where loved ones (especially elderly and vulnerable loved ones) are lost every day. I was frankly kinda shocked to have to read about the deaths of beloved fictional characters too, in a holiday novella. It’s much more fun to just imagine them going on with their lives.

This is still a good bundle as the bonus story is only the last 5%.  Just be aware that if this is a trigger or reading hard pass for you, to bow out before the end. 

Safety Recap: 

No cheating. No sex scenes w/OP. No OW/OM drama. H is not a manwhore/h is not a virgin. No rape or sexual abuse. Triggers: Death of significant supporting character.  HEA? For the H&h— yes. For the series as a whole—debatable.

GOODREAD         AMAZON 

*Title purchased from Amazon. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. 

BOOK REVIEW: IOU by Kristy Marie

4.35 Stars

Rumors run rampant at Havemeyer college, but it’s no lie that Ainsley James has been blacklisted from college living complexes after earning an unfair arsonist reputation.  

Maverick Lexington’s reputation keeps people at bay, and he gets by feeding off that mystique. He definitely doesn’t want a roommate, but when his “favor” business encounters a challenge he can’t meet, his solo reputation gets a test. 

“What I wanted was ice-cream and dick with a side of mac and cheese. So here we are.”

Ainsley is beyond quirky, but Mav definitely intrigued me from the start. He has that cool, aloof bad boy aura, but a genuineness to him as well. He’s not exactly your ordinary college student, and I related with him, sharing a similar health issue. Despite his surface surliness, you could tell he was a good guy underneath.

“Confused. Pissed. Happy. I’m like a hormonal teenage girl.”

Much like Mav’s initial response to Ainsley, she had to grow on me as well. In some of the earlier chapters, her monologues drug on and I did some skimming.  I also wanted her to get over her douchey ex as much as Mav.

I think the story could have benefited from some pacing adjustments. For example, it takes several chapters till they even meet in the beginning, while at the end, there’s a bit of an abrupt jump to the epilogue. Also it’s a slow burn romance. The smexy times don’t arrive till about the last quarter of the book, and there’s only one or two sex scenes. I would have liked more steam.

However, there is palpable sexual tension long before that and the first kiss….oh that was one of the best I’ve ever read. Major points for originality and if this was a movie—definite Best Kiss winner.

I like romances where the hero and heroine complement each other and provide something the other one needs or is missing. And that’s how Ainsley and Mav ultimately operated as Ainsley learned to live for herself, and Mav learned to lean on someone and not take on all his problems by himself.  I adored the complete absence of OW drama from Mav’s side (he’s wonderfully celibate and most definitely not a manwhore).

Told via Mav and Ainsley’s first person POV, it’s a cute, safe, and light-hearted feel-good story, which I always enjoy. The genie/IOU theme also had a sweet and original touch.

“I had to grant a favor. #genielife”

  Lawrence was endearing as well.

Some side characters appear to have their own books now so I might have to check them out.  This story is a stand-alone with connections to a Rumors series and other series. 

 Safety Recap:

No cheating. No sex scenes with OP. H is not a manwhore/h is not a virgin. No OW drama. Some OM drama from h’s ex. No rape or sexual abuse. Possible triggers: medical issues. HEA.

 

GOODREADS     BOOKBUB     AMAZON

*Title purchased from Amazon during a .99 cents sale. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions.

BOOK REVIEW: Driven Wild by Kim Linwood

4.35 Stars

Race car driver Brandon Graves was Zoe Chandler’s celebrity crush till her best friend fell in love with his brother and she got to met him. Then he became a real-life annoyance. Still, that doesn’t stop the trouble-making pair from getting drunk and married in Vegas.

“'Because if you’re looking to get this annulled, we consummated the fuck out of this marriage.’”

But to avoid steeling the spotlight during Carter and Sadie’s wedding preparations, Brandon and Zoe agree to keep things quiet—well about the marriage anyways. Everything else they do isn’t so silent.

“G-spots or G-forces, who cares when it feels this amazing?”

This is the second book in the Graves Brothers series, but it can be read as a standalone. Brandon’s brother Carter was adorable in the previous title so I was a little worried that Brandon could live up, but it turns out he’s just as entertaining and hot too. Though a no-strings-attached guy, Brandon’s head, hard-on, and soon heart are all in for Zoe as the pair trade snarky barbs, sexy innuendos, and stir up mischief that proves just how well suited they are for each other.

"I gasp as her fingers circle my shaft like a cock ring made of ice.”

I honestly thought they were closer to two peas in a pod than opposites attract when it came right down to it.

“‘I won’t crush what make him him, but I won’t let it drag him down, either.’”

And I didn’t think Brandon was the screw-up his family pegged him as. That award had to go to Sadie’s parents, who kept things on the edge as to what mishap these retirees would land themselves in next. Meanwhile, I side-eyed Cousin Ethan a few times. I think Grandma Gladys better keep an eye on him.

 Told via Brandon and Zoe’s alternating first person POV, this is a funny and steamy tale. I had several laugh out loud moments.

“‘On a horror scale from Saw to The Great Pumpkin, we’re solidly in Charlie Brown territory,’”

 Oldest brother and workaholic Axton is next in the series. I can’t wait to read Frisky Business, while also keeping my fingers crossed that there’s a book for Dani to come.

Safety Recap: 

No cheating. No sex scenes with OP. Not really any OW/OM drama—there’s a minor scene where girls are heard in the background while the H is at a bar and on the phone with the h, but the H appears to blow them off. This is where I think cousin Ethan is to blame. Otherwise, no presence of any OW/OM.  h is not a virgin/h was a ONS kind of guy in the past till he hooks up with the h. My impression was that he was a bit of a player, but not necessary a manwhore. He has a line where he said he sleeps alone more than people think.  No rape or sexual abuse. HEA.

*I volunteered to review this ARC from the author. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating. To the best of my knowledge, this title was presented to the blog without any conditions or stipulations.

GOODREADS     AMAZON     BOOKBUB

~Also in the Series~

#1

Book Review

BOOK REVIEW: Stiff Competition by Kim Linwood

4.35 Stars

If this casket is rocking, don’t come a knocking!

Sadie Williams, 23, is left in charge of her family run funeral home and deciding the fate of the business when her parents take an early retirement vacation.

Carter Graves, 26, is also looking to the future of his family’s funeral home chain, and top on his priority list is sealing the deal—professionally and personally. He wants the business and the girl too. But till he gets Sadie to trust him, he won’t be scoring either.

“Carter’s smooth on the surface, rough around the edges and drives me crazy and wild in equal measure, but he’s also kind, useful in a pinch, and not nearly as superficial as his blustery negotiator act might lead people to believe.”

Carter was cute, playful, and likable.  He was a full of himself at times but still a total good guy.  There’s plenty of banter between them as well as the supporting characters to keep things interesting. The setting was unique while largely still feeling upbeat.

Told via their dual alternating first person POV, it’s a pleasing blend of sweet and lighthearted with a moment of touchingly sad, while never sacrificing those all import steamy scenes.

“‘Whatever you want and as many ways as you want it. Standing up or on all fours. You can be on top. Really, I’m open to anything, so long as it involves you, me and as much dirty, filthy, time as you’ll give me.’”

Fans, like myself, of low angst, sexy, safe reads will enjoy this one.

There’s also an unexpected cameo from One Flight Stand, which almost derailed me as I flipped back to one of my favorite reads for a quick refresh that made me want to read it again. But next up is Driven Wild, Carter’s brother Brandon’s book with resident embalmer Zoe. I’m definitely intrigued by all of the Graves brothers and sister so looking forward to all of their stories as well as hopefully more appearances from Grandma Graves.

Safety Recap:

No cheating. No sex scenes w/OP. No OW/OM drama. No appearances of OW/OM at all. h is not a virgin/H is not a manwhore. No rape or sexual abuse. HEA.

*Title purchased from Amazon. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions.

GOODREADS      AMAZON     BOOKBUB

~Also in the Series~

#2

BOOK REVIEW

2021 Update

(*Dusts off blogger*) Hi Everyone! (*dust continues to fly*) Wow, it’s been a long time. Specifically, it’s been nine months since my last review. (*counts on fingers just to be sure*) Yep, tomorrow it will be exactly nine months since my last post.

You may ask, where did you go? (*song pops into head* It's a good song so let's take a moment to enjoy it....) 

First, I apologize for not getting back to a number of email inquiries and requests for review.  It's not that I'm not reading; I'm just not reading much romance. Those blocks on the old calendar have been slim to none in the past few months.  And so time flies as I’ve been busy in other aspects of my life. I do miss leisure reading, but priorities and all that. Today though I’m taking a little break from nineteenth century British literature where orphans and monsters have been occupying my summer to creep back into Romancelandia momentarily. Thanks to the great invention of author newsletters, I’m not completely out of the loop when it comes to my favorite steamy reads... I think. (*ponders what else is new that I might have missed*)

Anyways, here’s what I now know I missed and what new is on the horizon:

Kim Linwood is back with a new release in her Graves Brothers series. Driven Wild hits Kindle screens on August 10th, and pre-order for .99 cents is available now.

If you missed the first book, like me, (*hides in shame*) well maybe we can buddy read. Stiff Competition is at the top of my TBR pile. 

Also coming this month, the latest and possibly final(??? Jamie, say it isn’t so!) book in The Good Guys series by Jamie Schlosser. Loner drives into town August 12^th.  Check out the cover:

And if you haven’t read the previous stand-alone titles in this enjoyable series of sweet and sexy good guys, you can get acquainted with them from their earlier centerfold appearances on the blog: HERE!

And finally, Annika Martin teased a few months back a new installment in her Kinky Bank Robbers serial.  If you haven't one-clicked the freebie first installment, definitely give it a try. That's how I got hooked! Learn more: HERE!

In the meantime, read a book you've never read and stay tuned....😜