Review: End Game by Adriana Locke

End Game by Adriana Locke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided the audiobook for free via the author, all opinions are my own.

I've had this on my TBR forever, since it was originally published as Lucky Number Eleven in 2017.  I love the rebrand and think the new cover is adorable.  That being said this is not my favorite of Adriana's books.  The audiobooks is well narrated, which is not a surprise as both narrators are very talented.  While I am a huge fan of the author, I'm not a fan of pregnancy tropes in books in general and I probably would have skipped this one had I realized.

I didn't really feel the chemistry between Layla and Branch, it was more insta-lust, also  not my favorite but it can be redeemed.  I prefer more development in the couple's relationship especially when you say they are End Game.  Their story stays more physical and in my opinion never gave me what I wanted from a romance.  If you are here for the spice this might be for you, but this one didn't work for me.  

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Review: Show Me by Adriana Locke

Show Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the series, however it can be read as a standalone.  I highly recommend reading the previous two books as you will meet Audrey's two best friends Astrid and Gianna and their significant others.  They are mentioned often and are wonderful friends you will want to get to know if you haven't already.

Audrey is in a bit of a funk.  She has always been a bit sweet and innocent, but she wants to walk on the wild side but she isn't quite sure how to tackle being unpredictable and impulsive.  Fortunately for her, Brooks knows all about being impulsive and a bit wild.  He is Gray's childhood best friend and often barges into Astrid and Gray's cabin where Audrey is staying while she is on her self-discovery journey.  He offers to help Audrey with whatever she needs with no strings attached.  They quickly find that they get along easily and they have great chemistry.  There is only one issue, Audrey's brother Drew and Brooks hate each other.  They are both MMA fighters and Drew is not a fan of Audrey's budding relationship.  

I really enjoyed this!  I really liked Audrey's whimsy list and I'm all for female empowerment.  All of her goals were achievable and reasonable.  Everyone has things that they are scared of no matter how silly they seem to other people or things that they want to do but can never bring themselves to do for one reason or another.  I thought she and Brooks had good chemistry and I'm glad that the angst didn't last very long and liked the way the conflict was handled and resolved.  I would have liked if the interaction with Audrey and Drew and her family story arc in general had been explored a bit more, it felt a bit glossed over, but they weren't key to the main romance storyline.  If you are looking for spice this has some great scenes once things heat up.  This was really fun and a great addition to the series overall.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, I hope its Hartley!

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Review: Play Me by Adriana Locke

Play Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This reads as a complete standalone, however it is connected to the Brewer Series.  You don't need to have read any of the book in that series to read this, but if you want to understand who Renn is you will want to read The Proposal.  Astrid has been present in several of the Brewer books in the past as she works her magic as their assistant who can organize an event and have anything delivered at the last minute.  If you've read the Brewer series you know she likes to give them crap for bothering her with their crazy request at the last minute, but she secretly loves the challenges they throw her way.  She loves making order from chaos, and her new assignment is no different.   Now that Renn owns his own rugby team, he has given Astrid a new assignment.  He wants her to assist a new player who comes to the team surrounded by rumors but full of talent.  Their first meeting does not go well, and they immediately hate each other.  Gray is looking forward to a fresh start under Renn's guidance, but he does not want Astrid as his babysitter.  Unfortunately for them both, they have to learn to work together.

Unbeknownst to each other, both Gray and Astrid have some baggage from the past the grate on each others nerves, but when a trip to Gray's hometown has them both relaxing into their natural personalities and sharing some truths they realize they don't have to be enemies.  They are able to break down each others walls and find comfort in each other.  I really appreciated that this wasn't an insta-love connection.  Their relationship built from an enemies situation, to a pseudo friends situation, to something more.  This was filled with all the things I love about Addy's books, it had good banter, a fun friend group for both characters, an emotional connection between the characters.  This has some spicy scenes but it isn't over the top.  I really enjoyed getting to know Gray and Astrid.  I'm hoping the side characters mentioned in the book get books in the future.

This was a such a fun enemies to lovers book with a grumpy rugby player and his super organized assistant.  

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Review: The Situation by Adriana Locke

The Situation by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ALC via the author, all opinions are my own.

I really felt old when Tate didn't know who Kelly Kapowski was, but it was really funny when finally figured it out.  Saved by the Bell was such a big part of my childhood.  Aurora has not been lucky in love, so when gorgeous Tate Brewer sits down next to her on a flight to a conference she is not interested in his charm.  Tate is used to getting what he wants, and right now he wants her.  She gives him a fake name and they have some witty banter until their flight lands, but she turns him down when he asks her to dinner.  Undeterred, Tate meets her for dinner anyway and they have a night to remember.  Aurora returns to her life in marketing, only to reunite with Tate when she finds out his family owns the hockey team she is working to rebrand and he is taking over the marketing efforts.  He also isn't backing down on his efforts to woo her.

Tate is a little over the top with his overtures and spoiled brat mentality.  Then again he's still in his twenties and the baby of his family.  He is used to getting his way and is rarely told no in any situation.  Aurora on the other hand is while not old, older than Tate and has had more experience with relationships and knows what she wants and doesn't want.  She has been burned by men in the past and is willing to ask for what she wants.  Their relationship moved a bit fast for my taste, but they were entertaining.

Can I say how much I loved Mimi?  I'm a sucker for a good grandparent character and Mimi was such a great one?  She gave great advice and was hilarious.   I miss my grandmother so much, so when I see a character like this where there is such a loving and genuine connection it fills my heart.  I also love that she loves to bake and they bake together!

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Review: The Merger by Adriana Locke

The Merger by Adriana Locke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ALC via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the 4th book int he Brewer Family series, however you can read it as a complete standalone.

I love Adriana's books, and this pains me to give it 3 stars.  They have all been instant favorites.   It took me until the latter half of the audiobook to finally connect with Gannon and Carys.  That isn't the norm, I am normally connected within the first chapter or two.  Grumpy sunshine, opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes too.  I feel like for the first half of the book, the main characters spent most of the time objectifying each other and having sexy times before we got to the plot.  I never felt the chemistry develop between them and I felt like the family interactions that I love so much within Locke's interconnected series was missing.  Tate is present and Gannon's other siblings were in a few scenes here and there but far less than we have seen in other installments in the past.  As the story develops Gannon and Carys didn't feel like strangers to me any longer and I started to enjoy the storyline.  I wanted more character development (aka background story) earlier on in the book interspersed with their inner monologues about how hot each other were and their banter and innuendos.  

Overall, while this had some humorous moments and in the end Carys and Gannon get the happy ending they were meant to have, this one isn't my favorite.  The narrators did a good job with the dual POV narration.

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COVER REVEAL: The Merger by Adriana Locke

THE MERGER by Adriana Locke

The Merger is the next interconnected standalone in the Brewer Family series, and is filled with heat and humor, spice... and secrets.

Releasing: February 10, 2025

Model Cover Design: Kari March Designs

Model Photographer: Julia Mindar

Special Edition Cover Design: Books & Moods

Crushes are harmless—unless they involve your best friend’s grumpy, off-limits
brother.

Gannon Brewer is the epitome of my type. He’s at least ten years older than me, emotionally unavailable, and highly disagreeable—a walking red flag in a tailored suit. But do I listen to that? No. In fact, when his office plants start dying, I convince myself that I can ignore the pheromones and save the philodendron.

Now I’m in his office every week, dodging sinful smirks and heated stares, reminding myself to reach for the watering can—not him. But one late-night “ivy incident” changes everything. Suddenly, we’re sneaking around, indulging in a steamy, forbidden fling that’s supposed to be nothing more than (a lot of) fun.

After all, he swears he’ll never fall in love. I assure him that I only want one thing, and it’s not his heart. But the closer we get, the more lines we blur, and the harder it becomes to keep 
our promises …

Especially when the secret I’m keeping threatens to shatter everything.

Amazon Preorder: https://geni.us/TheMergerPO

Goodreads: https://geni.us/TheMergerLocke

RELEASE BLITZ: Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke

 

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke is now live! 

Neighbors to lovers can be a risky proposition in this funny, sexy, and swoony romantic comedy between a single mother and the grumpy man next door by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel—right in front of her sexy new neighbor.

Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering—not with his emotional train wreck of a past.

Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says.

Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes.

Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NjPdPn

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/BNandF

     

Audible: https://bit.ly/4fZY5G7

Narrated by: Rachel Vivette & Oliver Clarke

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4eENe4k

Meet Adriana

USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

 

Connect with Adriana 

Website: www.adrianalocke.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adriana-Locke/author/B00NPBY8FE/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

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Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/adrianalocke

Review: Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided  both an ARC an ALC of this book via the author and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is a complete standalone and doesn't connect with any of Adriana's prior series.  If you are a fan of hers you know she is well known for her interconnected family series.  She also has some excellent standalones, and this one is amazing!  I wouldn't be surprised if we get spinoffs from this one for the friends in the future.

This follows single mom Gabrielle, who has just moved back to her hometown from Boston.  Her new neighbor is a grumpy carpenter, but he is nice to look at.  They have an interesting first meeting, and he does not want to get involved.  Since Gabrielle likes to do DIY projects and her house needs some TLC, and Jay just happens to fix houses for a living, he finds himself offering to help her out more often than he probably should.  They quickly develop and attraction to one another, and he quickly becomes invested in the lives of her two boys.

Both Jay and Gabrielle have some hang ups when it comes to relationships, and neither one of them want to hurt the two boys who are still grieving the loss of their dad and trying to settle in their new town.  Jay and Gabrielle fall for each other fairly quickly, but we get alot of sweet moments between the two of them and alot of good conversations about hard topics like relationships, family, grief, and more in the short time they get to know each other.  Gabrielle also has some great friends in her corner who are hilarious and she is a wonderful mom who like all moms is asking if she is doing the right thing or did she just screw up royally.  I really enjoyed Jay's interactions with Dylan and Carter, the sons, they were genuine and realistic.  This is on the shorter side, so if you are looking for a grumpy sunshine romcom that you can get through pretty quickly this is a great one to pick up.

The narrators were excellent.  They both did great handling the various characters within their chapters and I really enjoyed how they brought Gabrielle and Jay to life.  There are some really emotional scenes and some great comedic scenes and I thought they both did a good job with the emotional side of the narration.

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Review: The Invitation by Adriana Locke

The Invitation by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Valentine PR, all opinions are my own.

I was also provided an ALC of this book via the author, and the narrators were fantastic in the audio version! They captured the banter, emotion and humor between Ripley and Georgia perfectly.

This was hilarious! I love a good enemies to lovers, and this did not disappoint. Ripley and Georgia have known each other since senior year of high school. Something happened that made them fight like cats and dogs every time they see each other, which is fairly often as their best friends are engaged. Georgia's best friend needs a female lead in a reality dating show when the actors she hired pull out at the last minute. Unfortunately, Ripley has been slated as her date to film the pilot. Both of them are too stubborn to back out, and they both have their reasons for wanting to make the show a success. As they "fake" date for the cameras and actually talk to each other for once, they finally get to know each other and begin to wonder why they have been fighting all these years.

This had great banter and it was so fun getting to know Ripley and Georgia. They both have some baggage to work through, but they are there for each other. They also both get to the bottom of why they started fighting all the time back in high school. I always appreciate when couples actually talk about what is bothering them and support each other.

As with all of the books in the Brewer family series, you can read this as a standalone. If you want to get to know the rest of the family, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series and to understand what is going on with their dad as those events have taken place in other books and are only mentioned briefly here.

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RELEASE BLITZ: The Arrangement by Adriana Locke

 

The Arrangement by Adriana Locke is now live! 

The gorgeous CEO of Brewer Air is my boss and, thanks to a bet, my new husband for six months.

Why? Because I begged.

I have a grandmother to support, a stack of bills higher than my five-foot frame, and as a cherry on top, I need to find a new place to live. Soon.

Sure, Jason Brewer’s bright green eyes and chiseled jawline steal my breath. His smirk makes me weak. The former military hero’s protective nature is as sexy as watching him control a boardroom or fly a plane.  

But none of that matters. I’m desperate—not foolish. I know forever-level commitments aren’t real. This is simply a business transaction with a billionaire.

It’s too bad we didn’t consider all contingencies.

Our first kiss was to seal the deal. The second was in front of an Elvis impersonator. The third kiss led to a honeymoon that was so hot it burned into my memory.

I tell myself it’s okay because there’s an arrangement in place. It’s a—very—enjoyable means to a much-needed end. There’s nothing to worry about.

Except there is …

Jason is determined to prove that we could be more. When he proposes a new arrangement, it changes everything in ways I never saw coming. 

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a new age-gap workplace romance featuring a former military hero who falls first and hard for his heroine. You will swoon over this spicy standalone romance. 

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cKdskO

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/ALTheArrangement

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Y93Prp

Meet Adriana

USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

 

Connect with Adriana 

Website: www.adrianalocke.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adriana-Locke/author/B00NPBY8FE/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianalockewrites 

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Other: https://www.youtube.com/adrianalocke

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/adrianalocke

Review: This Much Is True (audiobook) by Adriana Locke

This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided provided an audio arc of the book and the narration by Shiloh James and Lance Greenfield was wonderful! They do a great job bringing Luke and Laina to life. I really enjoyed their narration and could listen to them both all day. You could feel their emotions come through. You may want to grab some headphones as this is NSFW.

This was such a heartwarming book. It was sugar, and spice, and everything nice. Laina is a pop star and on the day of her gigantic, carefully curated wedding she goes into hiding. She goes to the one place she has always felt safe because right now she knows that getting married is the wrong choice and she is exhausted from playing pop-star Laina and never getting to turn off the act and be herself. Her life has become nothing but a business proposition to those around her, and she just wants a bit of the small town life she had before she was famous, surrounded by people who love her and care about her. Enter Luke Marshall, Laina's former best friend and boyfriend. They were the prime example of right people wrong time. They parted way when her dreams took her away from the small town, and his dreams kept him there. He finds Laina sitting on his couch in her wedding dress hiding from everyone she knows, and promises to help keep her hidden and safe until she decides what to do next. The pair quickly rekindles their friendship as if a day hasn't passed and it is clear that their past feelings have never died. I appreciated that they have a history and a past relationship, so it doesn't feel like they instantly fall for each other. Luke treats Laina with respect and tries to give her the normalcy she craves. He puts her to work in his horse barn, tells her stories about his family and the people in town, and listens to her as she tries to figure out her life.

I thought the character development in this was great! There is some miscommunication but it is quickly resolved as level heads prevail. Laina decides what she wants and needs, and while she doesn't have all of the answers, she takes the first big steps to do what is best for her not what is best for her image and the pocketbooks of her team. I really liked that Luke went to his older brother for advice. The sibling chat was hilarious and endearing. I hope we see more Marshall group chats in the future. This was awesome and I loved it!

This does read as a standalone despite being labeled the second book in the series. If you enjoyed getting to know Luke's family, his brother Chase also has a book. I am hoping that all of his siblings get books! I love Adriana's family series, they are so fun and you quickly get invested in the characters! This also features characters from the Mason family series, and I highly recommend those as well.

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Review: Pulse by Adriana Locke

Pulse by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an audible code via the author via Valentine PR, all opinions are my own.

This does read as a complete standalone, however it does mention characters previously mentioned in other books. It isn't necessary to read any of the previous books to follow along here. Longtime fans of the author have been asking for Troy's story for years, and now he has finally gotten a starring role.

I loved Troy and Dahlia, they had great chemistry. Dahlia and Troy work together at Landry Security, which if you have read some of Adriana's other books you will have noticed it mentioned. She receives a very disturbing and threatening email indicating that she may have a stalker. Troy is between bodyguard assignments and is due for a vacation, so when his favorite assistant is threatened he decides to finally take some time off and take her with him. Dahlia thinks her ex is behind it and doesn't think she needs a security detail, but Troy and their boss decide she needs to get away for a few days while they figure things out. She and Troy are left to their own devices for a few days and sparks fly. She is a ball of energy and she doesn't put up with much, while Troy is a complete grumpy alpha protector. They offset each other nicely in this fast paced story. This has a nice little suspense element to it, and I hope we get more romantic suspense in the future from the author.

If you are looking for a spicy book, this delivers. This is definitely NSFW, so make sure you have headphones handy or are in a place where you can listen to racy scenes because some of them are downright dirty. The narrators both did an excellent job.

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AUDIO RELEASE BLITZ: Pulse by Adriana Locke

 

Pulse by Adriana Locke is now live in audio! 

USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke delivers a spicy, age gap, grumpy sunshine, workplace romance in the first book in the brand new Landry Security series. 

Troy Castelli acts like it’s my fault that we’re cooped up together in a room with one bed overlooking the ocean. I didn’t ask for a stalker to break into my house and then send me a threatening email detailing my demise. And I sure as heck didn’t request that my boss send Troy and his uber elite bodyguard skills to accompany me out of town—although I’m not mad about it. 

A paid tropical vacation with a grumpy, gray-eyed bad boy in a suit isn’t exactly a burden. 

But it is a giant test of my willpower. 

Troy’s alpha protector tendencies drive me wild. His arrogant smirk gets under my skin. But it’s his not-so-innocent touches, heated looks and touch-her-and-die vibes that are the final strike that ignite our explosive chemistry.  

The longer we’re together, the more his broody exterior slips, and I get a glimpse of the real man beneath the sculpted muscles. I’m determined not only to unearth his mysterious past but also to make him realize what we have is more than just a fling in paradise.

That is, unless my stalker gets me first.

  Download today and listen with Amazon and Apple!

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0D5J4G2RS

Apple: https://bit.ly/pulseaudioapple

Narrated by: Connor Brown & CJ Bloom

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VphWqM

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vIBdJD

Meet Adriana

USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

 

Connect with Adriana 

Website: www.adrianalocke.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adriana-Locke/author/B00NPBY8FE/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authoralocke

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianalockewrites 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoradrianalo

Other: https://www.youtube.com/adrianalocke

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/adrianalocke