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Flutters and Flails

I"m a girl who likes to read and tell - so I do :)  Make sure you check out my blog - and if you want to follow it, that would be awesome!  http://fluttersandflails.blogspot.com/

Fall Guy (Youngblood, #1)

Fall Guy (Youngblood, #1) - Liz Reinhardt 3 for the writing, 5 for the boy.

Calling the Shots (Long Shots)

Calling The Shots - Christine d'Abo Calling The Shots is the 4th book in the Long Shots series. Where Books 1-3 deal with a trio of siblings, this book tells the story of Mavericks owner, Josh and his developing relationship with manager Beth and bartender Oliver.Christine d'Abo wrote a healthy balance of erotica and plot and I found myself enjoying both elements equally...though obviously in different ways -- **blushes** What I particularly appreciated was that she addressed the emotional and realistic complications that come with a polygamous relationship and it wasn't just about who puts what part where and when and how. Each character has their flaws and through their relationship, they figure out how to make things work.The way the story ended left me feeling like this was maybe the end of the Long Shot series -- but I could definitely read more. At the very least, I look forward to reading other things by this author.

Long Shots: Books 1-3: Double ShotA Shot in the DarkPulled Long

Long Shots: Books 1-3 - Christine d'Abo I love variety in my erotica, so reading this was so much fun.Long Shots: Books 1-3 consists of 3 novellas, each one focusing on one of the Long Siblings - Sadie, Paige, and Ian. But while the stories were connected by the relationship of the siblings and their business, that is where the similarities end. Book 1 is m/f/m, Book 2 is m/f BDSM, and Book 3 is m/m - almost like an erotica buffet. And really, how can you go wrong with that? There is something for everyone...or, in my case, a little bit of everything for me :)What I really appreciated was that while these were 3 separate novellas, the characters continued to play parts in each of the other stories, so there was some consistency and depth that is typically found in stories of this length. Sometimes when a novella ends, there is an abruptness simply because of the restrictions that come with the length, but not with these.Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me the chance to read them.

Something Like Normal

Something like Normal - Trish Doller Absolutely amazing.

Ever (Ever, #1)

Ever (Ever, #1) - Jessa Russo Y'all...I really liked this. Really liked this.I'd been in a serious book funk for about a week, nothing was doing it for me. Until I started reading Ever and from page one, I couldn't put it down.Going in, I knew nothing about it except that I fell in love with the cover at first sight. I mean, look at it - absolutely gorgeous.But it was the story that hooked me. It was the perfect combination of paranormal and YA and suspense and mystery and swoon and "gah, I hate Ariadne" and heart flutters. This is when being an emotional reader is so difficult - because the gesturing and gushing I do in my head makes no sense typed out and it makes it so hard to write a review without giving anything away. I'm already wanting to reread because I know there are things I missed the first time because I was reading so fast - **guilty grin** I had to know what was going to happen!One word of warning -- there is a serious cliff hanger at the end. Like, almost to the point of being cruel. I hope Ms Russo writes fast because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!In the meantime, I'll be over here daydreaming about Toby...or Frankie. No, Toby. Or Frankie. Both?
No Reservations (Bad Girls Know #1) - Lilly Cain I had higher hopes for this. I mean, revenge smut...yes, please.Alicia and Travis (on a side note, I had to go back and look up his name because I had already forgotten...not a good sign) had a competitive relationship in college -- mostly academic, but there was some unresolved attraction thrown in. For whatever reason, he didn't respond to a message/invitation she sent him and she had felt like a woman scorned ever since.So of course, they run in to each other, have lots of sex and all is forgiven.Yup, that was it. I don't regret reading it, it helped me pass a rainy Saturday afternoon but that's pretty much all I can say about it. It was what it was. **shrugs**

Deep Desires

Deep Desires - Charlotte Stein Dark and deep and dirty and all the things I love

Where We Belong

Where We Belong - Emily Giffin I would have liked this a lot more if it wasn't tainted by author drama. Oh well...

Beyond Shame

Beyond Shame - Kit Rocha I received an advanced copy of this book from NetgalleyI felt a little bit like it was my birthday when I heard that there was an erotica story set in a dystopian world. Discovering an ink element withing the plot was like icing on the cake. **fans self**Noelle Cunningham was the daughter of an influential family in Eden. She was the perfect daughter in the perfect city being groomed to be the perfect wife - until she took the tiniest two steps out of line and was cast out into the sectors like she was nothing. All or nothing. Black or white. Good or bad.But what if "bad" is good?It can be.And that is what she discovers once fate intervenes and she is taken in by the O'Kane group. Boot-leggers and castoffs make up her new "family" and Noelle quickly figures out that ink is thicker than blood. While I won't go as far as to say she is truly independent since the O'Kane males (Dallas in particular) obviously dominate the pecking order, she is at last allowed the chance to figure out who she is. What she likes. How to live. I found myself proud of her by the end of the story - I also found myself blushing during the dirty parts. Who knew that was still possible?!? I may never look at pearls the same way again :) But good gawd, yeah...the erotica element is alive and kickin' in this book as is evident by the passages I have highlighted for um...further study. I do wish there had been a little more info given/world-building, but I grasped on to the bits and pieces as they were given. And as other books in the series come out, I'm sure I'll pick up on things that maybe I didn't realize were important the first time they were mentioned. I love ah-ha moments like that :) This series is full of promise and I can't wait to read more...Ace and Rachel, yes?

How Lucky You Are

How Lucky You Are - Kristyn Kusek Lewis I'm trying to figure out how to describe how I feel about this book without giving too much away. I've been staring at my screen for a bit with no luck, so I'm just going to jump right in. How Lucky You Are is a story of perception and truth and friendship. Waverly, Kate, and Amy are three friends who know everything about each other, except for the secrets each one manages to keep. We are all guilty of it, seeing friends or neighbors and comparing our lives to theirs...the perfectly manicured lawns, the children playing quietly together, the vacations...wondering how they got so lucky. But are they really?Why do we keep the truth from the people we love? If they are such good friends, why can't we be honest? Why are we ashamed? Why is it so hard to ask for help? If you can't rely on your friends, what do you have?But when the secrets inevitably start to come out, that's when you figure out what is truly important. I feel like my review is lacking, but it truly is one of those books where you read it and nod and agree and "get it". I don't typically read books like this, sticking to my YA and erotica because I read to escape and the "problems" in those books don't usually hit close to home, but I'm so glad I read this one. It made me appreciate my chaotic household a little bit more and also reminded me that I have a few friends to call.I'm lucky to have them.As a quick end note, I would feel remiss if I didn't talk about the ending. At first, I was a little bit miffed that it wasn't tied up with a pretty pink bow. But after thinking about it for a bit, I sort of feel like maybe it was the perfect ending for the message of the story.

On Dublin Street

On Dublin Street  - Samantha Young This is more like a 3.5 - and it is an average of 2 scores because I really want to rate this twice. The story, itself -- I really liked. A lot. I liked the characters and the world and Ellie was a hoot and Braden, when he wasn't going excessively caveman was nummy. Joss was a bit whiny and self-absorbed, but I guess that is understandable when you spend 8 years only relying on yourself and she did acknowledge her issues, so that was a plus. Anyway, I really liked the back and forth between Joss and Braden when they weren't over-thinking or misunderstanding. So yeah, the story was a solid 4-4.5.But then there were the little things. The outfit descriptions...I don't need brand names. All I need is silver dress. Crimson tie. Cufflinks. And not even that most of the time. The story isn't about what designers the characters wore, it has no purpose. The only thing it did was make me roll my eyes. It made them sound like the pompous kid in HS that has to tell everybody about their designer clothes to make themselves feel important. Less is more. I've said it before, I'll say it again. Then let's talk about "Babe". Over 60 times. Sixty. I don't know, maybe it's just me but there is something about a "babe" in a book that is sort of...slimy. So the little things knock it down a few stars for me. I'm not a picky reader and I'm lead by my emotions, so for me to notices things like this...yeah, I couldn't let them go.Still, it was a decent read and while I wanted more from it, I do think the writer has the ability to tell a story and I hope to read more from her in the future.

The Handmaids Tale

The Handmaids Tale - Margaret Atwood It is late and I have a lot of thoughts...will come back with a better review later.

The Angel

The Angel (The Original Sinners) - Tiffany Reisz I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. I have a confession to make - I was scared to read this book. More often than not, I find the 2nd book in a series to never live up to the first book and considering how much I loved The Siren, I was hesitant. I didn't want the love I felt for the characters to be diminished.I have another confession - I was stupid. This book. THIS BOOK! I said this on twitter already, but how do I review a book that managed to take every feeling I've ever had about anything ever and make it feel new again. How do I describe the expressions on my face or the flutters in my heart or the tickles in my belly or noodling in my legs when things got unffy -- because there was definite UNF. But there was so much more.Picking up a little over a year after The Siren ends, The Angel is a story of truth and discovery. Every "preference" I thought I had -- who I loved the most, who I wanted together, all of those things were rocked by this story. I still love Nora more than is probably healthy, but I love Soren. And Kingsley. And Griffin. And Michael. I even love Nora's mother.I'm gushing. I know this, but when a book, a story, a world is this grasping...I don't know if it is possible for me to compartmentalize the qualities in a succinct, organized review. I want to make everybody I know read this book. I want to walk around with a sign that says "Ask me about the book I just read!" I want to reread it already and I just finished it this morning.I've told a few people that TS has been the best book I've read this year...I'm adding The Angel and saying that this is the best series I've read this year. Books like this one remind me why I love to read. And there's more to come...Is it November yet?

Animal Attraction (Animal Magnetism Series #2)

Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis Loved this one -- so much so that I may go back and reread the 1st in the series because obviously I did it wrong the first time.

The Space Between Us

The Space Between Us - Megan Hart I liked this one...a lot. Like, really a lot - but I can't really tell you why. It isn't one of those books that leaves you with the warm and fuzzies. Quite the opposite, in fact. When I first saw this book and the blurb on Netgalley, I wanted it. Badly. I mean, threesomes and bisexuality...hello! And I was so excited when I got a galley to read -- but it wasn't the quick-read tingly erotica that I thought I was going to get. There was so much more to the story than I could have possibly imagined.Lets face it, I read erotica because I don't "live" erotica. Most of us don't. I read it for the escape, the fantasy. But this particular story doesn't focus on the fantasy, it looks at what would probably happen. The realistic outcome of bringing a third person (Tesla) into an established relationship, in this case, Meredith and Charlie's marriage.Interspersed with the present day story are bits and pieces from Tesla's quirky and free-spirited past. Events and relationships that make her who she is today and that allow us a little peek into maybe why she makes the choices that she does. All she wants (but maybe doesn't realize at first) is to be loved. To have that connection with somebody, that all encompassing emotion that completes the empty pockets and spaces you don't notice until they are filled. And once the layers are peeled away and you find that love, then what?So yeah, there was that emotional element that I love so much. Even though there were times where I felt like I was gut-punched, it was legitimate emotion and none of it felt contrived. Well. Done.Basically, what I've been trying so hard to say is that Megan Hart managed to twist my emotions up in knots and I got so much more from this book than I expected. I look forward to reading more by her.

Between the Lines (Between the Lines, #1)

Between the Lines (Between the Lines, #1) - Tammara Webber I'm not sure what was going on with me and this book...it was like pulling teeth to get through it, but I think it was more me than the book. I've been in a book funk for a couple of weeks now.Anyway, it took 82% but it did finally click between us and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.