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ONLY YOU (Adair Family 5) by Samantha Young-review tour

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ONLY YOU (Adair Family 5) by Samantha Young-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 21, 2023

Once upon a time, Monroe Sinclair was Brodan Adair’s best friend, but now he’s a stranger and one of Hollywood’s leading men…

It took Monroe Sinclair eighteen years to return home to Ardnoch after a fateful night that devastated her friendship with Brodan Adair. She fled her unrequited love for him, as well as her difficult family life, and tried not to look behind her. Only a daughter’s guilt could lure her back to the Highlands and the assumption that Brodan Adair rarely ever sets foot in their hometown. She can handle seeing the rest of the Adairs so long as she can avoid her ex-best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.

Nothing is more important to Brodan than family, and only his demons have the power to keep him from them. For years, acting was something he was lucky enough to be good at, yet it wasn’t his priority—Ardnoch and his siblings were. But when a ghost from his past returned out of the blue, Brodan tried to outrun its haunting, taking him further and further from home. When exhaustion finally forces him back to the family fold, the last thing he wants is to encounter another ghost. But that’s exactly what Monroe Sinclair has been to him.

When a promise to his nephew obliges Brodan to work with Monroe, it forces them to face their past. The explosive connection that has always existed between them resurrects truths long buried. Yet, just when they might be on the brink of a second chance, the ghost from Brodan’s past finally catches up to him and threatens not just their happiness, but their very lives.

•••••

REVIEW: ONLY YOU is the fifth (and final ?) instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult ADAIR FAMILY erotic, romance series focusing on the Adair siblings of Ardnoch, Scotland. This is thirty seven year old, actor Brodan Adair, and primary school teacher Monroe Sinclair’s story line. ONLY YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Monroe and Brodan) ONLY YOU focuses on the second chance relationship between childhood best friends actor Brodan Adair, and primary school teacher Monroe Sinclair. From an early age Brodan Adair and Monroe Sinclair were best friends; always having one another’s back, and in the case of Brodan, the consummate protector of our story line heroine. Monroe Sinclair grew up in an abusive family, and the Adairs would be there to pick up the pieces but as Brodan and Monroe reached young adulthood, Brodan became a bit of a man-wh*re, and Monroe watched from the sidelines as Brodan ventured onto bigger and better things. Eighteen years earlier, a drunken night with someone else, ripped Brodan and Monroe apart, neither one forgiving the other for destroying one another’s hearts. Fast forward to present day wherein Monroe has returned to Ardnoch as a teacher, in the wake of her mother’s surgery but never expected to come face to face with her past, a past that wants nothing to do with our story line heroine. Enter Brodan Adair, world famous Hollywood actor, and the man that is about to destroy Monroe’s heart all over again. Brodan Adair is tired of the Hollywood scene, and the result of an emotional break down finds Brodan coming home to Scotland in an effort to gain some perspective about his life going forward. What ensues is the acrimonious but rebuilding relationship between Brodan and Monroe, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, threatening our couple in the process.

Brodan Adair despises Monroe Sinclair to the point of animosity, bullying, aggression and emotional abuse. Misunderstanding and mistaken beliefs pushes Brodan to all but threaten the woman with whom he will fall in love but his disruptive and disrespectful attitude and behavior is nothing short of heart beaking, pushing Monroe to reconsider her return home. Having lived a life in fear at the hands of her abusive and neglectful parents, Monroe has no desire to live out the rest of her life, fearing the repercussions of a man who is unable to let go.

The relationship between Monroe and Brodan is a second chance; a rekindling friendship that will turn into something more but not before insults, scorn, heart break and raw emotion threaten the psyche that is out story line heroine. When Brodan is asked to help direct the local primary school play, Brodan ensures Monroe knows who is in charge, and his abhorrent behavior is enough to push Monroe out of his life. It will take plenty of grovelling from Brodan in an effort to seek forgiveness from the woman he loves but the past is determined to destroy any hopes of a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including all of Brodan’s siblings, their spouses and the next generation. We are reintroduced to baker Sloane Harrow, and security specialist Walker Ironside. Sloane and Walker’s story is next in BEYOND THE THISTLES, the first instalment in the Adair Family spin off The Highlands Series.

ONLY YOU is an emotional story of heart break and misunderstanding; power and control, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness, acceptance, family and love. The premise is dramatic, intense and edgy; the romance is spirited and spicy; the characters are broken, dynamic and wounded.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Here With Me
There With You
Always You
Be With Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Only You (Bachelor Brotherhood #1) by Denise Grover Swank-a review

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ONLY YOU (Bachelor Brotherhood 1) by Denise Grover Swank-a review

Only You

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-Release Date October 25, 2016

Never say never . . .

Romance isn’t an option for Holly Greenwood. With her wedding planner career on the line she needs to stay focused, and that means pleasing her demanding boss, not getting distracted by her mind-alteringly hot neighbor . . .

Ex-Marine Kevin Vandemeer craves normalcy. Instead, he has a broken-down old house in need of a match and some gasoline, a meddling family, and the uncanny ability to attract the world’s craziest women. At least that last one he can fix: he and his buddies have made a pact to swear off women, and this includes his sweetly sexy new neighbor.

After one hot night that looks a whole lot like a disaster in the light of day, Kevin and Holly are about to learn that true love doesn’t play by the rules

•••••••

REVIEW: ONLY YOU is the first installment in Denise Grover Swank’s contemporary, adult BACHELOR BROTHERHOOD romance series focusing on three friends (Kevin, Tyler and Matt) who call themselves The Bachelor Brotherhood. This is former-Marine Kevin Vandemeer, and events planner Holly Greenwood’s story line. The Bachelor Brotherhood series is a spin off from the author’s The Wedding Pact Series but you do not need to have read the previous series to enjoy The Bachelor Brotherhood.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Holly and Kevin) ONLY YOU follows Holly Greenwood as she struggles in both her personal and professional life-a demanding boss who thinks of Holly as her very own personal assistant; a bridezilla client who could make or break Holly’s career; a grandmother whose dementia and mind are quickly deteriorating; and a new neighbor who is everything Holly wants but is strictly off limits and insists on being part of Holly’s life-one way or another. What ensues is the building relationship between Holly and Kevin, and a series of misunderstandings and revelations that force Holly to push Kevin into the friend-zone.

ONLY YOU is a sweet, fun and humorous look at two people as they struggle with family issues, and well-meaning friends. Kevin is caught between trying to please his family as his sister Megan (The Wedding Pact #1) and his mother Nicole continue to meddle in the relationship department. As an events planner Holly is making a name for herself but struggles with a boss who refuses to acknowledge all of our heroine’s hard work.

The relationship between Holly and Kevin is one of immediate attraction but both have sworn off relationships for the forseeable future. Holly’s cousin Melanie is a pitbull as it pertains to Holly’s relationship and potential broken heart, and gives Kevin fair warning if something where to happen. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the over the top graphic imagery and text.

The world building looked at the frenetic life of a wedding planner-the clients, the rants, the back room drama when things don’t go according to plan. We are also up close and personal as Kevin enters the world of home renovations-broken pipes and all.

We are introduced to Holly’s cousin Melanie and their grandmother Barb. Holly and Melanie were raised by Grandma Barb, and they are both struggling, in different ways, with their grandmother’s deteriorating condition. Kevin’s well-meaning but interfering family continue to intrude in his ‘lack’ of a personal life-sister Megan whose impending baby shower throws another wrench into Kevin and Holly’s relationship status; and mother Nicole whose own plans for Kevin include a crazy woman who believes that Kevin is the one. Kevin’s friends and beer drinking bromance with Tyler and Matt add some comic relief as each reveals their disastrous dating relationships with no plans for the future. There is plenty of easy going, back and forth banter between the story line characters that will elicit a smile or two on every page.

ONLY YOU is a lighthearted and delightful story line. The premise is heartwarming and wonderful; the characters are playful and energetic; the romance is provocative. Denise Grover Swank invites the reader into the world of the Bachelor Brotherhood, and three men who never expect to find love.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Only You by Cheryl Holt-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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Only You by Cheryl Holt-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

Only You

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / itunes / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 1, 2016

CHERYL HOLT does it again with another fast-paced, dramatic tale of seduction, passion, and romance. This time, love blooms on a lazy, decadent trip down the Nile!

Lady Theodosia Postlewaite, known as Theo to her family and friends, has always had the worst luck. On the night her betrothal was to be announced, she was unwittingly caught in a compromising situation. With her engagement ended and her reputation in tatters, her incensed father demands she flee the gossip by accompanying her dour, grumpy aunt on a sightseeing trip to Egypt. Theo reluctantly agrees, and she’s determined to spend the months abroad proving she possesses the highest moral character. Most especially, she vows to never so much as speak to a handsome man ever again.

Soloman Grey has lived in Egypt for the past decade. His own scandal chased him out of London, and he’s built a new life for himself as an adventurer and explorer. Because of the gossip that ruined him, he doesn’t trust anyone, and he constantly vows that he’ll never so much as glance at a pretty woman ever again.

But when Soloman meets Theo, he’s dragged into her world in a dozen ways he never intended. She’s beautiful, funny, and lonely, and he can’t resist. Yet, he’s the bastard son of an earl, so he could never be worthy of her. When her relatives would do anything to keep them apart, dare he risk all to have her for his very own?

••••••

REVIEW:

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Ah .. nothing like a good book that delivers what I like to refer to as a lazy read. So easy to flip page after page (or in my case the e-reader screen) when a story just naturally captivates and flows so well. Only You by Cheryl Holt is a historical romance with maybe a side of erotica (some may think so) that collides two souls that were seriously made for one another. I can see reading this on the beach this summer, or swinging on a hammock in the breeze. Just pure indulgent reading. LOL

Lady Theodosia Postlewaite is an English lady who has had her life mapped out for her. She is going to marry (insert stuffy so wrong for her Englishmen) because her father says it’s so. On Christmas Eve, just before her betrothal is announced, Theo hears some ladies gossiping about her soon to be fiance, and his mistress he has no desire to give up. These mean girls rip Theo to shreds behind her back (little did they know they were heard), but they also open Theo’s eyes to the kind of life that is waiting for her with this marriage. Theo is naive, lonely, obedient and she is just going through the motions of life without thinking she is missing out on any thing special. When she is caught in a chance encounter with another man, her betrothal is broken, she is ruined and sent off with Auntie Dearest on what she believes is exile. It just so happens to be life changing and one heck of an adventure.

Soloman Grey … SIGH! I really like Soloman Grey. Soloman is considered a bastard in polite English society, but he is a recognized bastard. He is embraced by his father, loved by his father and before he his father passes away, Soloman is given guardianship of the estate on behalf of his legitimate baby brother. When Soloman’s baby brother disappears, everyone assumes Soloman took care of business in order to inherit the family fortune. He is completely shuned and in order to escape the assumptions and mutters and downright rudeness of polite society, he willingly leaves England, which to some, means he confirms his guilt.

Both Theo and Soloman paths cross in Egypt. I suppose this is a quest of sorts .. a quest of self discovery and healing. While Soloman tries his hardest to stay away from Theo he eventually just gives in to this incredible woman (although there is lots of taking and giving on both ends ..lol). It’s like neither of them knew that they needed the other until they experienced what it is like to have each other. Friendship and a one hot romance soon follows as we get a tour down the Nile River.

Add in some adventure, exotic foreign experiences and a big fat middle finger to polite society (when they get to that point, I swear I high fived my ereader ..lol) and you have one fantastic book. I love historical romance that throws anything proper out the door, and allows for characters to bloom in a strange setting, and this is exactly what Cheryl has allowed her lead characters to do. Both came into their own and brought out the best in the other. Of course there is some angst and danger, and some serious jerkfaces, but I will not go into any of that as you can find that out for yourself.

If you love the historical romance genre, and you are looking for a fantastic read this summer, I strongly recommend this book. You will get the action, adventure, suspense and hot steamy smexy here. I can’t wait for you to write more Cheryl Holt!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Rachel T.

 

About The Author Black and Blue

Follow: Goodreads / Website /Twitter /Facebook

Cheryl HoltCHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published over forty novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she
started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a
suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended
up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans.

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