The Unrated BookShelf

10 July 2020

Book Review: Crowd Pleaser by Marie James

Unrated Bookshelf July 10, 2020 0 Comments

Wow what a freaking story!!

This book had me hooked from the very beginning.

Jake and Randi’s back and forth was addictive, and their chemistry made me swoon.

I would go between being absolutely frustrated to laughing my ass off.

The best part, though, belongs to the Queens!!

Hunter, Jas, and Ellis rocked my freaking world!! They earned a star all on their own!

The ending is absolutely beautiful. It offers you all the closure you need, but again leaves you still wanting more.

Overall, this is a fresh must read, with enough steam to melt your panties clear off!!

This was a new-to-me author, and it's a true shame that I haven't discovered her sooner. I am an instant, and forever, fan.

Crowd Pleaser

by Marie James

I had one job.

Show up and rock his world.

So, I did just that.

I left him panting and begging for more.

Mission complete.

The next day, however, I’m told he was the wrong guy.

If that’s the case, why did it feel so right?

I had one job, and I blew it.

Read this book for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

07 July 2020

Book Review: New Jerk in Town by Sylvie Stewart

Unrated Bookshelf July 07, 2020 1 Comments

Milo Papatonis is grouchy bad boy with a HUGE--

HEART!

I was totally gonna say heart...

When Jill's car breaks down on her mission to discover herself, she's unfortunate to discover that it's in the one place where she'd experienced the most heartache and disappointment. She's forced to figure out a way to survive and replenish her wallet, so that she can escape this beach town, and her painful history with it. She hoped for a quick in and out, but circumstances quickly prove to do the exact opposite. She finds herself on the doorstep of the one person she'd hoped to never see again, a man that she was absolutely NOT attracted to.

This story was heartfelt, and sweet. It had layers that peeled away gradually, keeping you completely captivated with each turn of the page!

I wanted to know where these two characters, that had such intense sexual chemistry, could ever go wrong. Why were they always at each other's throats, when they had so much potential for something so intense and AMAZING?!

The past is revealed, while the present lingers through the hurdles Jill and Milo set before themselves.

Secrets are revealed, and new revelations come to light that will make these characters completely unforgettable.

I love how you get steamy hot moments, while swooning over how this bad boy turns out not to be that "bad" after all. The support characters are just as engaging, and unforgettable as the mains, and the overall story is completely unique, and not like anything I've ever read before.

This is the second book in this series, but it can be read as a standalone. I loved the first book, The Nerd Next Door, just as much though, so you should definitely need to check it out too!

New Jerk in Town

by Sylvie Stewart

Surly, rude, selfish, and inconveniently attractive. Meet Milo Papatonis, the king of all jerks.

I’m not normally one to judge, but I’ve been down this particular road before and I can unequivocally say he’s earned his title. It’s not enough that Milo crushed my dreams when we were kids, but now I’m somehow being forced to dwell under the same roof with his ill-mannered ass. If he thinks his sexy shower noises and ovary-imploding smile can tempt me into forgetting, he’s nuts.

This situation is strictly business and blessedly temporary. Because my dreams are still out there waiting for me, and they won’t be found anywhere near this town—or this guy.

Jerks do nothing but break hearts, of that I’m certain. But I’ve been known to be wrong a time or two...

This book is available through multiple platforms

30 June 2020

Book Review: Can I Come Over? by Whitney G

Unrated Bookshelf June 30, 2020 0 Comments

That. Was. So. HOT!!

Leave it to Whit G to knock another one right out of the park. I mean— OMG! I wish Dane was real, and wanted to come over to my place!!

I read this quick little naughty cover to cover. I absorbed these characters. I felt all the things, and fell in love with these insanely amazing characters.

I want more Dane!!!

Can I Come Over?

by Whitney G

It all started with a sex scene…

Well, I was failing to write a sex scene.

As an author of over fifty smut books, I was struggling to do what I did best. So, for fun, I asked one of my best online friends for some help.

I really shouldn’t have done that…

He wrote the scene far better than I ever could, and seven months of platonic, yet-flirty friendship were wiped away in ten minutes.

He asked to meet me in person…

We’d previously agreed to keep things digital, to remain faceless friends—since he was forty-two, and I was twenty-six, but neither of us could resist.

When I saw him at the airport, I was instantly attracted to him.

But I knew, right then and there, that we could never be.

It turns out that the man I’d been talking to for the past several months was the last person I expected.

The last person I should ever think about…

He’s my dad’s best friend.

Read this book for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Binge-Worthy: Rockstar Romance

Unrated Bookshelf June 30, 2020 0 Comments

How do you feel about broody bad boys?

Stupid question, right?

If you're like me, and I bet a lot of you are, then the more angst you slap into a story, the better!

They're tortured, they can sometimes be a little alpha, but they also have a sweet and sensitive side too. They're always dealing with something internally that drives them to write these amazing songs that eventually win over the hearts of their reluctant and spunky heroines, and helps them overcome some obstacle that makes them a better person, or more aware of who they are, in the end. Sometimes you get a little enemies to lovers action too, which is another trope that I'm a complete sucker for.

Your heart wrenches, you laugh, you cry, you swoon, and you fall hard for these rock stars.

That's what I love about this trope. Rockers make you feel all of the things with each turn of the page. You always feel like you can relate to these over the top stories, because you understand the strong emotions that they feel. If the book is written well enough you can even feel all what these characters are feeling right along with all of them.

I discovered rocker roms completely by accident. A friend actually suckered me into trying one out, back when I had zero interest in the romance genre. Rockers brought me over to the romantic side of reading, and I don't regret it one bit!

That all being said, I have read about quite a few rock stars, and I think it's time to share my list of rocker roms that I absolutely love.

Today you get a TOP TEN!!

How exciting is that?!

Not all of my favorites are in a series, so today you get a mix of series, duet, and standalone novels that give all the yummy broody bad boy rockers you need to ruin you for all other men!

Prepare to be slayed...

The Ransom Series

by Rachel Schurig

This Series focuses around the Ransome brothers, as they meet their girls, and overcome their own set of problems, as they work together on tour. Each book takes on a new brother, and ladies, let me tell you, these brothers couldn't be more different, but they all love their ladies so intently, and just as intensely when they get there in the end. Each story is different, each couple has their own set of issues, and their own obstacles standing in their way.

With this series, you get the sweet hot angst, but you get a charming family element. You get some backstory to see how these brothers came to be who they are. There's more to these brothers than what meets the eye, and I can't wait for you to see what it is!

This Series is currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

Read the rest of the Series:

PS: It's Daddy Ransome's story!!

The Blue is the Color Series

by Julia Wolf

You will not be able to put this series down once you've started it.

That's my warning. Do with it what you will.

With this series you get enemies to lovers, second chances, and love found where you least expect it. Each book is a about a different band member, and each book takes place directly after the book before it. These guys, a group of childhood friends turned band mates, all have completely different personalities. You'll love them all, but you will find your favorite-- Mine was Ian, by the way.

These books will make you laugh, frustrate you, and make you swoon all over the place. These men have their stubbornness in common, albeit in varying degrees.

This is an overall, well rounded series that gives you everything you want, but leaves you begging for more, and luckily, you do get more! This series has not one, but two spin-offs!! The spin-offs are just as amazing as the original series, and you get cameos!

This is a series, and an author to watch. She is an amazing storyteller, and she knows exactly how to get you hooked!

This Series is currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

The Cake Series

by J Bengtsson

This story will rip your heart out more than once. It will make you laugh, then in the next minute, make you wanna cry. The couple meet inside this story when they are both cast as members of a wedding party. They have an awkward start, but they leave unable to keep each other off their minds. I absolutely loved the banter these characters had between them.

This book also has deep suspense that has you unsure whether you're gonna love or hate it by the end, and I'll leave that up to you to decide.

I haven't read the rest of the series, but I fully intend to. This is actually the most recent rocker read for me, so I haven't even had time to move on to the others. From the descriptions, though, I understand that the series follows the siblings to the hero. I am excited to see this because these brothers and sisters are just as entertaining as the hero in this book. I can't wait to see what they are all about!!

This series is currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

Read the rest of the series:

The Lust List: Miles Riot

by Mira Bailee

This is actual a prequel trilogy with a twist!

What I absolutely love about this series, is that it is technically a mini series connected to an even bigger series. The reason I'm choosing to only highlight this part, is solely because it involves a rocker. The element that ties these books to the rest of the series is the Lust List, a gossip rag type blog list that ranks the top celebrities in a "hot or not" kind of way that instantly boosts our heroes into massive popularity. They characters are forced to dodge their fans, and the tabloids, while reluctantly falling in love each other. There is so much involved in these stories that you leave them wanting more, but also, very satisfied with the way things went.

The Miles Riot story involves a rocker and a music journalist. Even though sparks instantly fly, at least I think so, they fight being together with everything they have. We all know how this story turns out, but what we don't know is when it's all going to unfold.

I am obsessed with the Lust List books, and I highly recommend them to anyone that likes their books a little shorter, but still super packed with everything you need for a well rounded story, that completely steals your heart.

This series is available across multiple retailers.

The Heartbreak Chronicles

by Ali Novak

This is a Young Adult Romance.

This story is cute, and heartwarming. The heroine tries to get an autograph from her sister's favorite band. Her sister has cancer, and she wants to make her birthday truly special. When she meets our hero she lets him know that she thinks his music is crap-- haha...what?!

She ends up on tour with them, when they find out she like to take photographs, and the story takes off from there. Can a boy be with a girl that does't like his music?

I found this story refreshing, and cute, and slightly angsty. You can definitely sense the overwhelming teenage pressure and emotions that these characters feel. You will be rooting for this couple the whole way through, despite the obstacles they face.

This series is available across multiple retailers.

Read the rest of the series:

Book three: HEARTSTRINGS is releasing soon!

The Tragic Duet

by S.M. Shade

This is the only duet on this list, but it packs enough of a punch for an entire series.

These books involve a rocker and a secret baby he never new he had, or even wanted. A random hook up with a woman who doesn't tell him about their son, until after she dies, and the big bad rock star is thrust head first into fatherhood.

Insert hot nanny.

Our rocker will have to learn to be a daddy, while fighting his attraction to the woman that's taking care of his son. If you think that's all, though, you couldn't be more wrong. This duet is chuck full of secrets and mind blowing surprises. You will be on the edge of your seat, unable to put these books down. the emotions are strong, and the suspense and betrayals are thick.

This duet is a guaranteed book hangover that you'll be desperate to have!

This duet is currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

When it's Real

by Erin Watt

This is a Young Adult Romance.

When a Teenage pop star does a lot of naughty things to earn himself a bad reputation. it ends up being really bad for business. In order to fix this, his team decides a girlfriend with a sweet image will clean his look right up. Insert the fake girlfriend. Our heroine agrees to play the part to help her family out financially, and that's the only reason she would ever consider dealing with the rude and entitled hero. These two are the very definition of enemies to lovers. I loved every minute of this book. It was fiesty, and sweet where it needed to be. This story is completely unforgettable. I read this book two years ago, and it still crosses my mind from time to time. It may be time for a reread!

This book is available across multiple retailers.

Sustain

by Tijan

This author know how to write angst!

Our heroine finds herself in a bad situation, that leads to her twin brother trying to convince her to rejoin his band. She's a lady drummer!! She loves to drum, and would jump at the opportunity under normal circumstances, but there's a problem. The lead singer of said band is the one person she hopes to never see again. A twisted, and complicated past tries to keep these lovers apart, but true love doesn't see obstacles, just objectives to overcome. This story is deeply layered, and suspenseful, and filled with emotion. You will love and and hate these characters as they figure out how to get out of their own way, and root for the heroine as she finds her way back to two things she loves: drums and him!

This book is available across multiple retailers.

Midnight Blue

by LJ Shen

You will want to hate this hero so badly, but like every jerkwad hero this author dreams up, you will fall madly in love with them, despite their assface ways. This book circles around a British Rocker with a drug problem, and the girl hired to keep him clean. You get super angst and lots of frustrating moments, but you'll swoon, and beg for more. This author is beyond talented at making the assholes turn into dreamboats. They characters fall hard, and passionately for each other. It won't happen fast, and it won't happen easily, but the ride will be completely worth it!

This book is currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

Rock Me

by Carly Phillips

How about a lady Rocker?!

This is actually a rocker romance inside a non rocker romance series. The series is actually about a group of bodyguards-- I know, completely hot.

This book showcases an up and coming pop star that needs protection, and the bodyguard sent to protect her. There's only one problem... they have history, and it's complicated.

They aren't happy about being paired up, but their both professionals right?

This story is sweet. The attraction between these two is undeniable, and their second chance will have your heart floating for a long time. I loved these two together, and I know you guys will too!

This series is available across multiple retailers.

Read the rest of the series:

There's my HOT rockers!

What are your favorite rocker books? Do you have a favorite rocker rom author? Is this your first look at rock star romance? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Like music?

Here's a song that I'm absolutely obsessed about...

Warning: These guys are effing adorable!

24 June 2020

Book Review: Wicked Liars by Laura Lee

Unrated Bookshelf June 24, 2020 0 Comments

What a total mind f⭐️ck!!

This story will suck you in from the very beginning. Jazz is a bad@$$ chick with a rough past, and zero f*cks to give.

Her only weakness—

BAD BOYS.

And she gets that times three!!

She hates her new family, and pretty much everyone at her new school, but she hates the “Kings” the most. They’re entitled dicks, and what’s even worse, they’re smoking fracking HOT, irresistible, entitled dicks.

Jazz is instantly attracted to them, even though she wishes she wasn’t. She’s gotten the their full attention too, which puts her in an impossible position.

Are they exactly who they appear to be, or is there more to them than what meets the eye?

I’m gonna go ahead and leave this review off with a cliffhanger, because that’s exactly what this book does.

For the record, I actually enjoy a good cliffhanger-- when it’s executed just right, and this book does just that!

I highly recommend starting reading this book, because it will blow your mind!

Wicked Liars

(Windsor Academy #1)

by Laura Lee

Liars.

Every last one of them.

The kings and queens of my new high school.

The father and stepmother I never knew.

Each has more wealth and privilege than I could've ever imagined.

Each has a pile of wicked dirty secrets they'd do anything to protect.

These people have grown accustomed to getting what they want and what they want is to make my life a living hell.

Too bad for them, you can't break someone who's already broken.

Too bad for them, I won't give up without a fight.

Too bad for them, I'm going to make them pay...even if it's the last thing I do.

Wicked Liars is the first book in the Windsor Academy series. This is a dark high school bully romance that may contain triggers for sensitive readers. Due to mature subject matter, it is recommended for readers 18+ only.

Available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

Book Review: Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

Unrated Bookshelf June 24, 2020 0 Comments

Wow!

This story will mess with your mind!

She wakes up in a situation she can’t escape, and over time, she doesn't want to. She must learn to honor and obey her new master. Reluctance into willingness. This book is fantastic. I was fully invested the entire time. This book it so layered, you will instantly fall in love with it!

NOTE: This is my first time reading anything by this author. I’m excited to find such talent, and can’t wait to read even more by her!!

Comfort Food

By Kitty Thomas

Emily Vargas has been taken captive. As part of his conditioning methods, her captor refuses to speak to her, knowing how much she craves human contact. He's far too beautiful to be a monster. Combined with his lack of violence toward her, this has her walking a fine line at the edge of sanity.

Told in the first person from Emily's perspective, Comfort Food explores what happens when all expectations of pleasure and pain are turned upside down, as whips become comfort and chicken soup becomes punishment.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a story about consensual BDSM. This is a story about “actual” slavery. If reading an erotic story without safewords makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you. This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any behavior done to another human being without their consent.

Available at multiple retailers.

Book Talk: Dragon Shifters

Unrated Bookshelf June 24, 2020 0 Comments

Weird?

When I first heard about shifter stories, I thought that I would never get into them. I thought the whole concept, was a little out there, and that I wouldn't find these stories remotely romantic. Dudes that shift into animals could never be hot.

Boy, was I ever wrong!

I decided to tackle this genre, but I wanted to do it one species at a time. I started with dragon shifters, because I have a friend that loves dragons, and he inspired me to see what they are about. To be fair, when he told me that he loved dragons, I don't think he had these types of dragons in mind. But, I am me, and as we all know-- I never do anything the way you'd expect any normal person to.

I researched a ton of blogs that suggested their favorites, and read soooo many book descriptions, until I was able to find the right first book to try. I went in with an open mind, and I'm glad I did!

Dragons are fracking HOT!

That's right, not only did I realize that I liked dragon shifter stories, I fracking LOVED them!

I guess I love dragons too!

These men are alpha times infinity. They are strong, and intense, and are barely able to contain their passion, and instincts. They find their true mates, and they mark. their. territory--HARD! It's almost impossible to put these stories down, because you couldn't possibly imagine leaving their world until their stories end.

I spent two months reading over a dozen dragon shifter books, so I think I'm fully, and finally, ready to give you a list of my TOP FIVE FAVORITE DRAGON SHIFTERS.

My dragon loving guy friend might not be too interested in these kinds of dragons, but I am positive that some of you will. If you've never considered dragon shifters before, I suggest that you give them a try. I wasn't so sure about them, once upon a time, but now I'm an ultimate fan!

These heroes are guaranteed to make you swoon!

The Masters of the Flame Trilogy

by Elsa Jade

This is my absolute FAVORITE dragon shifter story-- so far.

Each book features a new couple inside the same group of friends, and even though they can be read as standalones, I wouldn't suggest it. Each book has their own individual story, but there is an even bigger story that runs the length of the entire series.

This trilogy starts out with three best friends from college that go to Las Vegas for a bachelorette party for one of the three ladies. But something's not right. Somethings aren't exactly what they seem.

These girls are thrust into a world bigger than they once imagined, and something evil is trying to destroy it all.

I was hooked instantly by these books, and I could not put them down until I was able to absorb all three! These heroes ate hot, and ansgty, and alpha AF! The suspense builds with each book, making this a truly amazing trilogy.

The first book to this trilogy if free, so you don't have to spend a single penny to try this world out, and all three books are available on multiple vendors.

The Hijinks Harem Trilogy

by Tate James & C.M. Stunich

What's better than one dragon shifter to call your own?

An entire HAREM of them!!

This trilogy mashes up two amazing tropes and gives you something unique, and spectacular!

This trilogy features a wine obsessed, former barista that has inherited a run down house with a cellar full of expensive wine from her grandmother. She hires plumbers to fix her pipes, but gets more than she's bargained for when she finds out that they are not exactly what they seem. She discovers that they are elemental "dragons", and now that she's seen them in their true form, she must marry them--all of them.

But wait, that's not all...

Our Heroine is shoved into a whole world she never knew existed, and discovers a whole smorgasbord of secrets that will change her world completely.

I love this trilogy because it takes the whole dragon shifter thing to a whole new level. You get the alphas, the suspense, the fantasy, and the heat, but you get it with a ton of quirk attached. The heroine is hilarious, stubborn, and slightly naive. The sexytimes are beyond hot, and these men will make you swoon. These books are like nothing I've ever read before.

This is more than a story--

It's a full on experience!

These books need to be read in order, because it builds so well, and because I'm pretty sure you would be a little lost if you didn't.

All three books are available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

ICE

by Skye Jones

I'll be honest. I've only read the first book so far, but I have purchased the entire series, and I do plan to read them all.

This book was amazing, because you get more than you expect. Ice is a lady MMA fighter. She's a tough girl, which is a HUGE plus for a lot of readers. It's not a deal breaker for me, because I feel like not all stories call for a strong female lead, but I do realize that it can be a deal breaker for a lot of readers.

For that fact alone, this book is a big suggest for those readers that require strong ladies to combat their men.

Ice is strong for a reason. Her past isn't so fantastic, so she hides behind the persona she's created, and the career she excels at. This is where our sexy dragon shifting hero steps in. He watches our girl in the ring, and instantly feels drawn to her, but there's a twist! He has to get his male mate on board, and the three of them must all accept each other.

That is not all...

There is soooo much more when it comes to this story, but I am afraid that if I reveal more than I already have, that I will have to flag this post for spoilers, and I would never do that to another reader. I want you guys to experience this magic exactly the way I did.

This story has a lot of fun dragon lore that is unique, and specific to this series, and the conflicts involved will keep you at the edge of your seat!

This book is available for free across multiple vendors, so you can test this series out before committing to purchase the rest of the books. I, myself, couldn't purchase the rest of the books fast enough, and I am super excited to read them all.

This is definitely a book you would want to read!

Read the rest of the Dragon Clan Series:

Available on Multiple Vendors

The Blood Dragon Series

by Mac Flynn

I am really excited to share this series with you, but first, a small disclaimer:

This is another series that I haven't completely finished, but fully intend to. I have, again, bought all the rest of the books, and I plan to finish them as soon as I can.

This series is not as steamy and romantic as the other recommendations featured in this blog post, but it is absolutely worthy of being one of my top five favorite dragon shifters list.

So, this series adds a whole other new twist to the stereotypical dragon shifter trope. The Hero is a Blood Dragon, which means, he is both dragon and vampire.

That's right-- another mashup!! And we all know how giddy I get over mashups.

Break those rules, Mac Flynn!

I am not speaking for the entire series, only because I haven't read them all yet, but so far, I would say these books are safe for adults and teens to read. The romantic elements are very slow burn-ish, but they are there is a slight kind of way. It's more implied, to be honest.

I will admit that I don't read ever steamy scene I come across, because I think they all are kind of the same, but if you toss a lot of intensity, and/or angst, I'll hang for a little bit. But all of that aside, these books give you something that easily makes up for it. The story is very well written, and the world building is beyond fantastic. The conflicts are intense, and multi layered, and the magical beings that live inside this world are unforgettable.

I really enjoyed the first two books, and I can't wait to read the other four!

The first book is free on multiple vendors, so you can again, try the series out first before you buy the rest. I highly recommend giving these books a try.

Read the rest of the Blood Dragon Series:

Dead Sexy Dragon

by Lolita Lopez

Last, but not least, I recommend a dragon shifter story with an obvious title.

Sometimes being obvious works, and in this case it does!

This dragon is absolutely dead sexy.

This story came highly recommended, and I can see why. It gives you a whole new set of dragon lore, and rules that the characters must live by, with an overall conflict that is very familiar with the paranormal romance trope. But this story is also very unique.

There is so much angst! I love angst in stories. Some may say I'm slightly addicted to it. With all of that alone, you can expect an unforgettable story, but this book gives you one more:

FORBIDDEN LOVE!!

Not only is the heroine the sister of the Hero's dead best friend, but she is also human. Humans and dragons should not be together.

He's sworn to protect her, but that's going to be proven difficult when she suddenly shows up, in a lot of trouble with some very dangerous people, at the worst possible time. He needs to save her, protect her, but he also needs to keep his truth a secret from her. They are drawn to each other in such an intense way that he needs to fight to keep their pull at bay.

This story has so many internal, and external, struggles that you will end up reading this book cover to cover. You will not be able to put this book down. It's only the beginning too, because its the start of a full series of books that take place in the same world. From reading the other descriptions, the other books seem to be about other couples, and could possibly be read as standalones, but don't quote me on that, because I haven't purchased or read the rest of the series-- yet! I fully intend to do just that.

This series is available on multiple vendors, and I do suggest that you check them out!

Read the rest of the Dragon Heat Series:

Well, that's it for today!

I really hope you enjoyed my words, and I hope it drives you to want to read the words by these amazing authors, and meet all of their sexy dragon shifters!

My eyes have been opened to an amazing new world, that I wasn't so sure about, but now truly love.

If you have any other dragon shifter suggestions, please post them in the comments below. In fact, post any shifter type story recommendations, I am excited to indulge in all things shifter from this point on!