Review: The Vinyl Frontier by Lola West

The Vinyl Frontier by Lola West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, as always all opinions are my own.  This is the 4th book set in same world as the other books in the Lessons Learned series; however, it is a complete standalone.  It does features characters from the other books in the larger Universe, but you don't need to read them prior to diving in here.  I do recommend the other books in the series as well as the Hypothesis series by Penny Reid which introduced us to the university setting.

This was such a sweet opposites attract college romance.  It does have some steamy bits but for the most part it is pretty slow burn and on the tame side.  We have preppy and perfectly poised Zach who is trying to live up to the expectations of his senator father, but it is all an act.  Zach is miserable and lost on the inside.  Then there is Molly, she lives her life out loud despite being deaf.  She knows who she is and what she wants despite it being "unconventional" for her.  She is an aspiring and talented drummer, and she isn't going to let being deaf define her worth or stop her from achieving her dreams.  Zach on the other hand is always playing the part so his father doesn't get upset, until he meets Molly.  Molly  makes him want to let loose and be the person no one gets to see.

I really loved this.  I attended RIT which Molly mentions in the book and I grew up with a neighbor who  was deaf.   I don't sign very well anymore, but I have the utmost respect for the deaf and deaf culture.  Because RIT houses the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, interpreters, note takers, and other accommodations were common place in our classes and Rochester has a very large deaf community because of the university.  Much like anyone else with a disability or impairment, deaf people aren't any less because they can't hear, they just do things a little differently and they are some of the best people you will ever have the pleasure of getting to know.    That being said I really enjoyed the character development in this book.  Both Molly and Zach go through a self worth and self discovery journey as they navigate their budding romance.  They both have preconceived notions of how things are supposed to work in the world, but as they spend time together they realize that life is messy and things don't fit in neat boxes all the time.

I thought Molly and Zach had great banter as they learned to communicate with each other.  I especially liked the pop culture references to some of my favorite movie quotes.  It made my nerd heart happy!

This is my first book by the author, but it certainly won't be my last!

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Review: Letter Late Than Never by Lauren Connolly

Letter Late Than Never by Lauren Connolly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

As with all of the Smartypants Romance novels this reads as a standalone.  The other books in the Green Valley Heroes series are amazing and you should read them, but you can read them in any order you like.  

This follows Gwen, the local mail person after a run in with her high school crush, local EMT Sebastian.  They both liked each other back then but it never went anywhere.  Now after reuniting, they can't deny that there is still something between them.  There's only one problem, Sebastian has been engaged to his long time sweetheart so he's off the market, or is he?  Both of them are ready to take next steps in their lives, but they both have things that are holding them back.  With some fun adventures and baby steps they are able to find their adventurous spirit and courage to face what comes next.  

This was super fun, and I loved getting to know Gwen and Sebastian, they were really fun characters.  I don't want to spoil anything but the dynamics between Sebastian, his fiancé, and Gwen was kind of strange and not my favorite trope.  I think it was executed well, and it was important to the character arcs, but not my favorite type of storyline.  It didn't quite seem believable in the small town where everyone knows everyone's business, the author kind of did address that which added to the humor of it all.  This had good character development and banter, and was pretty steamy.  

I really enjoyed this.  The narrators did a great job brining Gwen and Sebastian to life.  They really brought the emotion and humor off of the page.  I'll never be able to look at glitter the same again.

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Review: Can't Fight It by Allie Winters

Can't Fight It by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.  This is book 3 of the Lessons Learned series but it is a complete standalone.  The other books in the series are great too, I recommend them as well, but you don't need to read them in order.

This was adorable!  I loved the college setting and the main characters were socially awkward and unsure of themselves, but they had great banter once they started to get to know each other.  This follows Tessa and Austin, who happen to be neighbors and unknowingly acquainted through mutual friends.  Tessa is a psychology major working on a study, and she is of course surprised when Austin shows up as a participant. She finds Austin intimidating because he rides a motorcycle and he's a bigger guy who looks like he can throw down in a fight.  Tessa lived through traumatic experience in her past that we learn about in the book and explains some of her anxiety and insecurities as we get to know her better.  Austin on the other hand has his own insecurities and as Tessa gets to know him better turns out to be a genuinely nice guy.  As the study progresses and they spend more time together inside and outside of the lab, they help each other deal with some of their anxieties and insecurities.  They also uncover a budding attraction 

This had really good character development and decent steam.  Tessa is a bit on the naïve side and she really comes along way with her inner insecurity.  The same goes for Austin, he is a bit more sure of himself, but when it comes to Tessa not so much.  I think they were a great support system for each other, and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  

I enjoyed the narration, both of the narrators did a good job brining emotion into the story.  

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RELEASE BLITZ: CAN'T FIGHT IT by Allie Winters & Smartypants Romance

 

Can’t Fight It, an all-new friends to lovers college romance from Allie Winters, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

Mousy bookworm. Psychology nerd. The kind of girl who constantly sticks her foot in her mouth.

The last thing I am is the type to attract the intimidating, motorcycle-riding guy in the apartment next door. Especially when that mouth of mine gets me in trouble and he overhears me talk smack about him…

So no one’s more surprised than me when he shows up as a participant in the psych study I’m running on campus. Or when he generously offers me some much-needed self-defense lessons. Or when we grow closer than I thought possible. It turns out some people aren’t at all what they seem at first glance. They can actually be everything you never knew you wanted in a man.

The thing is, Austin Langford is so far out of my league, it’s laughable. Muscled boxers don’t go for nobodies like me. I need to forget about this one-sided attraction.

Even when it feels like I can’t fight it.

‘Can’t Fight It’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

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RELEASE BLITZ: THE VINYL FRONTIER by Lola West & Smartypants Romance

 

The Vinyl Frontier, an all-new opposites attract college romance from USA Today bestselling author Lola West, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

What happens when an uptight preppy frat boy sets his sights on a punk rock princess? #superherolevelchaos

Zack Worthington’s life is a carefully curated performance. Controlled by his politician father, he stands on his mark and recites his lines. There’s no room for deviation, no time for comic books and no patience for obscure Trekkie facts. He’s all business, polished to a shine–the sparkling jewel in his father’s crown.

Then one night, Zack lays eyes on a girl he can’t unsee…

Open minded, self-sufficient, Deaf drummer, Molly Mills is working hard to find her rhythm in a competitive college music program. She’s driven to prove herself to nearly everyone, even while living off of packaged noodles and thrift-store clothing.

Watching her alone on the dance floor, punky, free and wild, Zack told himself that opposites attract was totally not a real thing. But a couple days later when he realizes he’s the teaching assistant in her research methodologies class, he can’t ignore his instincts. He has to know her.

Only Molly isn’t interested in his platitudes and superficial chit-chat.

Suddenly, all bets are off because this buttoned up, rule-following rich guy actually wants to be more than meets the eye…

‘The Vinyl Frontier’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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About Lola West

Lola West writes short, sweet, smart, silly, sexy romance. With a PhD in women’s studies and a flair for the dramatic, Lola likes to keep it real.  Her loves are cotton candy, astronomy, kitten heels and small-town hunks. Lola’s heroes make you swoon and her heroines talk back. Also, she believes that consent is always sexy, even in books.

You can learn more about Lola by visiting lolawestromance.com and find a FREE READ or  you can find her hanging out all over the internet.

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Review: Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young

Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

This is a a new spinoff series to the Adair Family series. This reads as a standalone, however we are first introducted to Walker and Sloane in Only You. If you want to get to know Brodan, Monroe, and the rest of the Adair family I highly recommend checking out the books in that series.

This follows Walker and Sloane, and if you have read Only You it is no surprise that they are the next couple featured in Young's romance set at Ardnoch Estate and the charming Scottish Highlands. Walker has been friends and bodyguard to Brodan Adair for many years, so when Brodan settles back at home Walker takes a position at the exclusive members only estate as part of the security team. Sloane has recently relocated to Scotland, but no one knows why except the new hospitality manager. Sloane is bubbly and vibrant as well as a talented home baker. She is the exact opposite of the broody bodyguard. There is no denying the chemistry between the two of them, but they both have secrets that are keeping them apart. When Sloane's past comes to Ardnoch, Walker steps in to make sure she and her daughter are protected. As they spend more time together the lines between professional and personal feelings begin to blur and they both will have to face the demons from their past.

I really loved Walker and Sloane. Sloane didn't let her trauma impact her ability to live her life. She was terrified and always trying to keep her child safe, but she was always fighting. Walker was a little bit of a caveman, but as Callie Sloane's daughter says he's like a Mento hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I loved that comparison! We learn Sloane's backstory fairly early on, but Walker's takes quite a while to reveal itself. Both of their stories are heartbreaking. I thought their character and relationship development was done really well.

If you are a fan of the Adair Family series this is a must read. It has a good level of spice and a nice suspense element to add to the romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I think I know who the next couple is going to be and I'm curious to see where their story takes us.

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RELEASE BLITZ: Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young

 

A grumpy vs sunshine, age-gap, romantic suspense set in the Scottish Highlands.

Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young is now live!

It's been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn't need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.

Sloane never imagined she'd get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she'd escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie's dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane's charm, but she can't help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.

However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane's life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.

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Meet Samantha

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She's been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

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