No Kissing Allowed by Melissa West - Review

No kissing. No touching. And definitely no falling in love...

Armed with her besties, an embarrassing number of shots, and her list of 10 Wild Things To Do Before Adulthood, recent grad Cameron Lawson is partying it up before she starts her dream job at New York's biggest ad agency. Her last task? Hook up with a random guy. And while it's so not her style, the super-sexy guy sitting next to her is definitely game. No names. No details.

At least, that was the plan.

On her first day of work, Cameron discovers her hook-up is none other than Aidan Truitt—her new boss's boss. Talk about failing the “no fraternizing with coworkers” policy on an epic level. Especially when Aidan makes it clear their one night was only the beginning. Falling for him could cost her everything, but sometimes the only way to get what you want is by breaking a few rules...

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No Kissing Allowed is a dramatic, hilarious, and entertaining romance. A quick and swoon-worthy read, Cameron is a strong, independent woman who knows her flaws and is willing to risk everything to convince the man of her dreams that she's the woman of his. 

Cameron's voice is incredibly entertaining and believable. The loss of her father and her anxiety arise at the perfect moments and work to build a complex and interesting character. I liked that she was a good girl who never really gave up her dreams - for her career but, more importantly to the story, for her life and family. Both she and Aiden are compelling characters, each having to deal with what they want and what the other is unable - or isn't willing - to give. 

While the way she and Aiden meet seemed, to me at least, a little cliche, the way that Melissa builds the relationship is authentic and incredibly enjoyable to read. The way their personalities, pasts, and characteristics are revealed through their meeting and their budding relationship is a joy to read and I was rooting for them (despite Aiden's misplaced stubbornness) from the get go. They have wonderful dialogue and chemistry, having things in common and a passion for their jobs as well as for one another. While there is a lot of pull and tug (are they together or aren't they?!?!), the way both Aiden and Cameron grow and change make the two steps forward, one step back bearable. The funny times were hilarious, the cute times were adorable, and the sexy times were HOT. 

No Kissing Allowed is a wonderful story about a good girl breaking her rules to get her man. I loved Cameron and Aiden (as well as the best friend Lauren and Cameron's crazy family) and they way they grow throughout the story. Highly recommend for a quick, HEA romantic read! 

PLUS if you leave a review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble and email kissingisalwaysallowed@gmail.com, you can get a bonus scene between Aiden and Cameron! *grabby hands*

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Find out more about Melissa West and her work here: http://www.melissawestauthor.com/home.html

Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and teen sci-fi romance, all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn't like kissing? She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

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No Kissing Allowed by Melissa West - Review

Playing With Trouble by Chanel Cleeton - Review

The author of Flirting with Scandal presents her second book in a sexy contemporary romance series about three sisters in a powerful political family, the scandals that threaten to destroy them, and the passion that drives them…

The daughter of one of the Senate's most powerful figures, Blair Reynolds was ready to become the ultimate political wife—until she caught her fiancé cheating on her wedding day. Law school is a fresh start, her shot at putting the pieces of her life back together. That’s the plan, at least. Until trouble comes in the form of her Torts professor, the man whose arrogance infuriates her in class but haunts her private fantasies.

Graydon Canter had a fortune and a place on all the hottest "Thirty under Thirty” lists, until a series of personal missteps nearly destroyed his career. A year teaching at a D.C. law school is just the break he needs to get his life back in order, as long as nothing—and no one—trips him up.

When Blair and Gray are forced to work together, their explosive attraction becomes impossible to resist. But Gray’s demons have drawn him dangerously close to the edge, and Blair has spent her life playing by the rules. Will she break them for a shot at love?

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Fans of Chanel Clayton's Flirting With Scandal will love this return to the Jackie's world, this time with her sister Blair at the helm. 

Blair is a different kind of protagonist than I usually read - she is struggling to rebuild her life by doing something that makes her (and everyone around her) miserable. She is incredibly stubborn and has to continually prove that she isn't the fragile, docile woman everyone believes her to be. I liked seeing Blair's growth, though I wish that she had changed outwardly - to her friends, to her family, especially to her mother - slightly earlier in the story. 

Gray is also a compelling character, if not a little predictable. The successful lawyer with a dark past being forced to work at a college to pay his dues. I liked how much Blair got under his skin and his reactions to her and his attraction to her. Their romance seemed genuine and romantic. Their characters really worked off one another; both are trying to rebuild their lives but Gray still knows his passion, his focus, while Blair has to struggle with law school, her family, and figuring out what (and who) it is she really loves.

The beginning was a little slow for me, it being a lot of both characters just reminiscing on how sucky the last few years have been and how sexy they each find one another. However, when Blair and Gray begin to really interact with one another, the pace picks up and I couldn't wait to see where their relationship led. I felt there was a little too much of prolonged drama and wanton lust - again, when Blair and Gray really begin to communicate and play off one another (and kiss), it was a break from the (understandably but yet ever present) angst. While there are moments that lull and the blog posts are used more to hint at the third book (and Blair's sister, Kate) than to really move the plot, the issue of social media continues to plague these sisters. 

A fun, sexy, political read about rebuilding yourself when you don't even know where to start and you've already picked up the wrong kind of screwdriver, Playing With Trouble is a romantic, sexy book with two hot, stubborn characters not afraid to take on the courtroom, classroom, and bedroom to get what they want. 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Find out more about Chanel and her books here: http://www.chanelcleeton.com

Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband.

Chanel writes contemporary romances and women's fiction. She is published by Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the International School, Capital Confessions, and Wild Aces series.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

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Playing With Trouble by Chanel Cleeton - Review

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - Review

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

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I have a confession to make. I...am a Sarah J. Maas addict. 

But actually. 

I absolutely adore Sarah J. Maas. She's funny, her friendship with Susan Dennard cracks me up, and her books never, EVER fail to disappoint. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a faerie retelling of Beauty and the Beast and a slew of other stories, and while I felt those influences heavily throughout the novel, the world and characters that Maas has created speak for themselves. I fell headfirst into the fairytale land of Prythian and fell in love almost immediately with the fiery, incredibly strong Feyre. If there is anything that Maas does well, other than her wonderful world building, it is creating absolutely amazing characters. Feyre, Tamlin, Lucien, Rhysand - none of the them disappoint and they are all so complex and interesting. 

I loved seeing all the different lore and fairytales interwoven. I loved the touch of East of the Sun and West of the Moon and Beauty and the Beast. I thought Prythian was wonderfully developed and the political tensions really added another element of danger to the story (other than, you know, killer faeries and such). 

Oh, and Tamlin. Tamlin, Tamlin, Tamlin. And Lucien. And Rhys. Man oh man does Sarah know how to make a hunk of a guy. I loved seeing each character grow as Feyre herself grows. I loved her relationship with Tamlin and Lucien. I'm not too sold on Rhys yet, though, but I feel like he's going to have a big part to play in the second book. The romance is just as believable and great as the world building and much swooning was happening. This is a New Adult novel, not strictly YA, so there were sexy times. I really loved the maturity of this book, though, and thought it was handled beautifully. 

The thing that I respect most, though, about Sarah is her desire and ability to make amazingly strong, complex female characters. Feyre is a warrior, through and through, and seeing her realize her flaws, weaknesses, and feminine side (well as her feelings towards certain characters) is glorious thing to read. ACOTAR is told in the first person, unlike the Throne of Glass series, and I feel like we got to see a new side of not only Feyre, but Sarah, and it was just as beautiful and heartbreaking and inspiring as I could have ever imagined. 

Now all I have to do is wait for September and Queen of Shadows *dies*

Brava Sarah!

Find out more about Sarah and her books here: http://sarahjmaas.com
Also, I highly recommend her Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahjmaas/

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Queen of Shadows, the fourth book, will release globally on September 1st, 2015) and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (out starting May 5th, 2015). She currently resides with her husband and loyal canine companion in Pennsylvania. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing, and a minor in Religious Studies. Sarah is represented by Tamar Rydzinski of the Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - Review