Amy's Romance Reviews: ex bullying

Showing posts with label ex bullying. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Beautiful Mistakes (Second Chances #3) by Felice Stevens

Title: Beautiful Mistakes

Series: Second Chances #3

Author: Felice Stevens

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: August 25, 2021

Goodreads

Amazon

Wolf

Desire: What Wolf struggles with from the moment he sees Spencer Hawkins the first day of college.

Fear: Not a word in Wolf’s vocabulary except when it comes to facing his feelings for Spencer.

Lust: What he gives in to that changes everything between them. And his life forever.

Denial: Something Wolf is all too familiar with—denying who he is and who he wants. It’s better this way, even if it’s tearing him and his friendship with Spencer apart.

Spencer

Hide: What Spencer does best. He hides from everyone, especially himself and the crazy attraction to Wolf he can’t shake.

Walls: Spencer throws them up to protect himself from all the hurts life heaps on him—his mother’s death, his father’s indifference, and the men who share his bed and walk away.

Betrayal: Not by just anyone. By Wolf. The one man he can’t forget. Or forgive.

Want: Spencer wants to live in the moment, but he can’t stop thinking about that night. And it doesn’t help that he and Wolf keep knocking heads…and locking lips.

Love: What these two idiots need to realize is happening between them. What started out as their ugliest regret could end up being the most beautiful mistake they ever made.

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Lelyana’s Reviews - “Beautiful Mistakes has easily become my favorite of this series.
Cannot wait for another surprise from Felice!
Highly recommended :)”

Goodreads Review - “This was a brilliant second chance, friends (frenemies, at times!) to lovers story beautifully told as usual by Felice and it made my heart very happy.”

Goodreads Review - “Amazing and beautiful love story with some angst… I cried, smiled and had all the feels.”

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Beautiful Mistakes is a fabulous romance by Felice Stevens. The third book in the Second Chances series, it's easily read as a standalone.

I was quickly drawn into this heart warming tale and couldn't put it down. The characters are complex and their storyline is multi-layered. Basically, it's everything I've come to expect from this author.

Wolf and Spencer's story is amazing. They knew each other way back when as roommates in college, when the group of best friends/roommates totaled four. For these two though, there was always a little bit of animosity that caused a lot of banter and fights.

Their connection is strong, as happens with someone you have so many years of being friends with. But they each have a lot of baggage that creates a messy relationship between them.

And damn, I love these two together. Their connection and chemistry is fantastic.

Their story includes secrets and past hurts. But it's when they start to let one another truly in that everything gets great. It's wonderful when they let down their guard and start to understand one another better.

God, I love that these two have so much keeping them apart, and keeping them at odds. It made things extra special when they finally open up and give into their feelings.

This is a story full of bullying and abuse. These men know pain, hurt, and betrayal first hand. It's tough to read at times for sure.

The writing is great, and the characters are extra special. The author excels in creating these two and the backgrounds that made them the way they are.

Beautiful Mistakes is a deep and emotional friends to lovers story. This Felice Stevens read is truly an impressive story. I can't recommend it enough. Definitely check it out the next time you're in the mood for some serious characters.

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Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy, and that includes love.

She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe yet can't stop buying "just one more pair" of black pants. Felice is a happily addicted Bravo and Say Yes to the Dress addict and proud of it. And let's not get started on House Hunters. Her dream day starts out with iced coffee and ends with Prosecco, because...why shouldn't it? You can find her procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice's Breakfast Club.

You can find all my books, grouped by series in proper reading order on my website located here: Website

Follow me on social media to keep up with all my news of releases, sales and exclusive content!

Discover my character inspirations for all my books on my Pinterest Boards here:

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Sunday, April 11, 2021

MF - This Boy (This Boy #1) by Jenna Scott

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Nothing in Camilla's life will be the same after This Boy...

Camilla dreams of the day she can leave her life behind. Saying goodbye to the mother she's never been good enough for, to the bottles there's always money for, to the bills there's never money for—and most of all, to being the help in someone else's dream home.

But the scholarship to her new private school that gives her a real chance at a future comes with one big catch—Hunter Beck.

It's his home her mother cleans. His little brother that Camilla babysits. It's his face that she dreams of at night, and his cruel voice that taunts her every day. Hunter is the most popular boy in school, and she's his favorite target. She hates him, but even more, she hates how drawn she is to him. Becoming his debate partner seems destined to end in disaster.

As she's drawn further into his world, he alternately pulls her close and pushes her away. But behind the roller coaster, Camilla senses true emotion. A man she wants to know hiding inside the boy.

She's so close to getting everything she wants. Getting into college. Leaving this town forever. She’s let nothing get in her way so far.

So why does it feel like Hunter Beck might be the boy who ruins it all?

Book One of Three

My Rating - 4 Stars!

This Boy is one of those books I probably enjoy more than I should. But, damn it, sometimes one just wants to fall into a world of anger and anger. This Jenna Scott book is just such a world.

I definitely enjoy this young adult book.

Mila and Hunter are a hot mess. With Mila and her mom working for Hunter's family, he certainly treats her like shit.

As the layers unfold, we learn that not only is Mila's life a mess, but so is Hunter's.

And together, the chemistry is explosiveness.

The good? Mila is wonderful. And I adore her relationship with Hunter's brother.

The bad? Omg. Pretty much every one else is a total jackass. Horrific parenting. Cheating. Alcoholism. Bullying. And more.

But it's the riveting kind of bad and I didn't want to put it down

This Boy is just the start of Mila and Hunter's story. I am excited to dive into the next book in this Jenna Scott series.

Monday, July 6, 2020

REVIEW TOUR - Separated (In Midsummer #2) by Jessica Frances

Title: Separated

Series: In Midsummer #2

Author: Jessica Frances

Genre: MM Romance

Release Date: July 6, 2020

Goodreads Link

One jealous sheriff. One pushy Hollywood hunk. One threat. One undeniable attraction. One messy situation. One chance to fix it.

I’ve guarded my heart the same way that I’ve guarded my hometown of Midsummer—with unwavering compromise and integrity. I’ve never even once been tempted to let my guard down. That is … until I met Conner Sherwood.

It didn’t matter that I swore off all romantic relationships. Or that I wasn’t interested in opening myself up and likely getting hurt. Like a moth to the flame, I can’t resist him. I can’t stop myself from wanting something I shouldn’t. Even pushing him away didn’t stop me from wanting him. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants Conner. He has caught the eye of a Hollywood heartthrob.

How can I compete with that?

But when Conner starts to receive death threats and an attempt is made on his life, I begin to realize that there is more at stake here than having my heart broken. Conner is in danger being in Midsummer, and whoever is threatening him won’t be satisfied until Conner is no longer breathing.

What I know for certain is that I won’t stop until I catch the person responsible for harming the man I’m coming to realize that I cannot live without.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Separated, the second book in the In Midsummer series by Jessica Frances is a great addition to the story of Connor and Rocky.

And River. Oh how I adore River. If you enjoy stories with cute kids, you will love this book. She's cute, funny, and adds a lot to the storyline.

In this part of their journey, Connor is getting threatening notes and Rocky is out to solve the mystery.

This is a story that spends time focusing on bullying. Both with River being bullied, and the lifelong effects of Connor being bullied. As a parent, Rocky's thoughts on River being bullied resonated with me. My heart hurt for him.

This is a story with some ongoing mysteries, a romance, and plenty of humor. Overall, Connor and Rocky are a delightful couple, who are perfect for one another but first they have some obstacles in their way.

I definitely am enjoying the In Midsummer series. The writing is great, fast paced with some superb characters. Separated is another wonderful story in this series.

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“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to figure out who is threatening you.” Even I hear the frustration in my voice.
Why can’t this one just be easy? Why can’t I have this cleared up for Conner so he doesn’t have to keep suffering?
“I know you’re doing your best.”
“But it isn’t good enough.”
“Rocky,” he breathes my name, and I hate how much I love hearing it caress his lips. “Unless you can read minds, then I’m not sure there is any catching whoever it is. Everything they’ve done so far has led to a dead end.”
He’s not wrong. There was zero evidence to be found on his car that could lead us to anyone. The generic black spray paint could have come from multiple stores in any town or city. There was nothing unique about it, and whoever did it had worn gloves, since there were no foreign prints and the few smudges indicated as much. Of the very few security cameras in the area, nothing caught a thing out of place. And no one saw or heard anything.
The one thing I was able to narrow down from a witness recalling Conner’s vehicle without the vandalism is that it happened sometime during the night after eleven, which gave the perpetrator a blanket of darkness to keep themselves hidden from easy view.
“Still, this is my town, and I hate that someone is trying to drive you out of it.”
“According to you, I’m not staying anyway, right?”
My heartrate picks up immediately, dread settling inside me, despite expecting this. “Is that your way of saying you’re leaving?”
“I have no plans to leave anytime soon, Rocky. I like it here. Well, apart from being threatened and living in fear; that is.”
I’m not sure I’m ready to face Conner leaving, mainly because I know it means facing a lot of things I’ve been ignoring, but I’m unable to feel any relief, because outrage boils through my bloodstream that he’s being made to live in fear.
“I don’t care how long it takes; I’ll make whoever is doing this pay. I’ll bring them to justice.” I have to take several deep breaths to calm down.
Conner doesn’t comment, but when his hand brushes mine, the connection is enough to ease my anger.
“I’m glad you’re staying.”
I hear a rustle as I assume he turns to face me. My eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness enough yet for me to know for sure.
“I’m staying. Not even death threats have run me out of here. It makes you wonder what else I would have been willing to stay for.” There’s heat behind his words, an anger that is justified.
“You’re saying that I misjudged you as someone who would just travel through town and leave me?”
“Yes.”
“And, are you also saying I’m too late now?”

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My Review

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Born and raised in South Australia, Jessica spends her days working in a bakery, afternoons catching up on lost sleep, and nights reading and writing. Writing has always been a passion of hers, however it wasn’t until recently that she decided to put pen to paper and make things official.

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Friday, February 14, 2020

See Me by T.L. Travis

🔥🔥 NEW RELEASE 🔥🔥

See Me By TL Travis

Goodreads Link

BLURB:

For Raphe Lombardi, life hasn’t been easy.

Permanently disfigured by a car crash at the age of nine that claimed the lives of his parents, set him on a never ending path of doctors and painful procedure.

“Never judge a book by its cover, Il mio piccolo,” Aunt Sophia would always say, tapping the space above her heart. “Trust what’s inside. Even beauty sometimes has an evil lurking beneath.” Over the years her nickname for me, my little one, was shorted to Mio. Calling me little when I now towered over her five foot frame by more than fourteen inches made it even more adorable to hear her say.

Is it best to see someone for who they truly are, or is it safer to hide in the shadows and avoid risking it all?

This book is different than what's come to be expected of me. This one is an emotional journey, and not as erotic as what I usually write. I hope you'll enjoy watching Raphe work through his troubles and find the love he felt he'd never have.

Start reading See Me today!

Amazon

Review

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wow, TL Travis has managed to leave me mesmerized by See Me.

Raphe is a complex, sympathetic character who I fell in love with instantly. Physical pain, emotional pain, and lifetime of scars are what he is used to. Having been burnt in a car crash that killed his parents, he is used to hiding away, being held hostage by his demons. He's had a lifetime of being laughed at, bullied, and misunderstood.

A second chance with Cooper, after Raphe saves him, leads to unexpected changes. When Raphe saves Cooper, he has no idea it's one of former bullies.

What follows is an amazing story of understanding, forgiveness, and a whole lot of love. The way that they slowly chip away the other's armor is so darn compelling.

This is a story with nightmares, and a man so completely lost in his own pain, he's unable to see other's. It's a story of healing, love and acceptance. And it's wonderful!

Their story delves into self-harm, which is impressively written in a careful way. But avoid if that's a big trigger for you.

See Me is a riveting tale that left me absolutely impressed. This TL Travis read pulled at my heartstrings throughout. It's a must read the next time you're in the mood for a riveting hurt/comfort read.