Review: The Cruel Prince By Holly Black

The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Series:The Folk of the Air #1
Genre: Fantasy Young Adult
Published: January 2, 2018
Source: Hardcover
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Purchase:  Kindle  I  Amazon

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. 

I'll share my reasons as to why I gave this book such a high rating, the world. I loved the faeries in this book, they're mean, conniving, and treacherous and that's what I'm here for. I didn't like the characters, or the plot, just the twists lol. Yep you read that right. I've never read a book like this before where there are unlikable characters but I still like the story.

Jude, the protagonist in this story is a human is a faery world and she is trying to prove that she is no fragile human, she can face anything thrown at her and she goes to great lengths to prove that. the twists and turns of this story are seriously everything. Prince Cardan is a cruel spoiled royal brat and not even for a second is this story a romance novel. With Jude and Cardan it's like who hates who the most and who could do the most harm. One of the cruelest aspects of this novel is the fact that in Jude and her sister were made to live with their other sister's father who killed her parents. I thought that was absolutely insane and for a child to go through that it had to have been so traumatizing.

For a book named after a Prince, it's not in his perspective the story is more about Jude. This book has a trigger warning for bullying so intense that it's the worst bullying I've ever read about. I kept waiting for the book to get better and it did when the intense bullying stopped. I don't have a favorite character and the plot is ok as well but what keeps me reading the series is the magical world building and the political intrigue. I also love that the books are so short but filled with such a huge stories. I have to say that Holly Black is the Queen of faeries and this book as well as The Wicked King have gotten me to read many of her other books.  

Quotes:

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”

“What could I become if I stopped worrying about death, about pain, about anything? If I stopped trying to belong? Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”

“So I am to sit here and feed you information,” Cardan says, leaning against a hickory tree. “And you’re to go charm royalty? That seems entirely backward.”
I fix him with a look. “I can be charming. I charmed you, didn’t I?” 
He rolls his eyes. “Do not expect others to share my depraved tastes.”

Next book in the series is The Wicked King which I will be doing a review on really soon. These pictures are my own from my instagram account @bookishgirlreads


About The Author

Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare), The Darkest Part of the Forest, and her new series which begins with The Cruel Prince in January 2018.

She has been a a finalist for an Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award, the Mythopoeic Award and a Newbery Honor. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret door. 

Review: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: A Curse so Dark and Lonely

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Series: A Curse so Dark and Lonely #1

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Retelling

Published: January 29, 2019

Source: Hardcover

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blurb

Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

About The Author

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of dark, contemporary Young Adult romances like MORE THAN WE CAN TELL and LETTERS TO THE LOST (Bloomsbury), as well as paranormal YA novels like THE ELEMENTAL SERIES and THICKER THAN WATER (Kensington). Her next book will be her first foray into YA Fantasy, with A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, available January 2019 wherever books are sold. Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.

Review

Quotes

“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.” 

“Rhen,” she calls after me.
I pause in the doorway and face her. 
“I’m not going to fall in love with you,” she says.
Her words are not a surprise. I sigh. 
“You won’t be the first.” 

“We all make mistakes.  And she’s not innocent! She sought you out because of who you are.” Her jaw is clenched. “I hope she does come here. I hope she comes to this room. Because I don’t care what I have to do. I’m going to end her.”

“I do not understand how she can fill me with such hope and fear simultaneously. I pull her hand to my chest and lean in to her, until we share breath. My lips brush across hers. 
It is barely a kiss, but she is somehow closer to me, her body a pool of warmth against mine. 
I want so desperately to turn it into more, to see where this blossoming attraction will lead.” 

I just want to say that this book got 5/5 stars from me just because of the last few chapters because I read something I haven't read before and it was epically awesome. The rest of the book was 5 stars as well but those chapters took it off the charts for me. This was a fantastic read for me with a brave heroine, a beast I couldn't help but love instantly, and a royal guard that was perfectly loyal. Everything about this book was magical it seemed like it was well thought out and my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling. It was an original and refreshing tale that was it's own story as well as a retelling. I was enchanted by the story that I could not put it down.  

As Harper is pulled into a magical palace all she wants to do is go back home to tend to her dying mother and make sure that her brother is okay. She didn't just want to be in the castle all the time, she did want to explore and most importantly run away. She developed a lot, in the beginning she was headstrong and set in her ways but when she finds out more about Rhen's story and his kingdom she wants to help. Because of all she learns about this new land she finds herself helping and caring for the people and making friends. She wanted to feed them and give them shelter. I loved her! She didn't let her cerebral palsy get her down and damn whoever thought less of her because of it, she can do everything others can and sometimes better.

One of the things I loved about this book was that I found myself saying the same things Harper says things that would make me laugh out loud.

'Maybe the cold has frozen my brain cells. "I'm not- did you say wedding?"'

 "Jake said you two had to 'do something real quick' and then we'd be going home. Hilarious. Then he shows up with three dozen people with critical injuries."  

Rhen, I fell for him right away, his story really got to me early on and as I learned all about him I couldn't help but to love him more. He was arrogant and self absorbed in the beginning but he had a lot of character development. He sacrificed everything till the very end, I just wanted someone to help him because he was so tormented. When he met Harper as she makes her entrance with a bang, she's not like any other girl he's met. She is unyielding to his charms and determined to get her way but he has to keep trying to break the curse as she is his only hope.

"I've tried everything I can think of to break this curse. I would undo it if I could. I promise you."

"I don't know what I can do to her, but I won't stand by and watch it. I can't."

"Never offer blindly, my lady. Not for your family. Not even for yourself. Certainly not for me." 

Grey was such a wonderful character, so loyal and dedicated. He followed every orders without a second thought. A great guard for Rhen and a friend to Harper. And his weaponry expertise at it's finest.

'He turns my wrist and puts the hilt against the center of my chest, the point level with his own. "See? Now you have some defense when an opponent grabs you. If you were lucky, you could pull me right into your blade." Grey
"Can I do that right now?" Harper
"Perhaps another time." Grey

Lilith the villain, I hate her so much, she has caused so much suffering. She is a scorned woman who wanted herself a royal and when things didn't go her way she showed her true colors, and she's the worst.
This book is filled with action from the beginning, un-put-down-able. It has everything you want in retellings and then some. I loved that it was told with dual perspectives. The twist in the end I kind of knew it would happen and it made me excited for the next book. It's going to be so good. I am Brigid's new fan and I'll read anything she writes! 

Review: Toxic- ( Ruin 2 ) by Rachel Van Dyken

Toxic by Rachel Van Dyken
Published: March 4, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Bought Ebook edition
My Rating:

Reviews from other Rachel books:
Shame (Ruin 3) Review & Excerpt
Entice ( Eagle Elite 3 )

Elicit ( Eagle Elite 4 ) 

Everyone has a secret...

Gabe Hyde is on borrowed time. He's been hiding his identity for over four years-hidden from the world that used to adore him--obsess over him--driven to the edge of insanity by one poor choice. 
But that one choice, altered the course of his life forever. 
Pretending isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when pretending means hiding your real self from the people that care about you the most. But if anyone ever discovered the truth it wouldn't just be his life at risk--but hers. 

Saylor doesn't hate men. 
Just Gabe. 
Only Gabe. 
He's a reckless, happy-go-lucky, silver spoon fed pain in her ass. Everything about him makes her more and more confused. Unfortunately they both donate time at the same Group Home. If she wasn't afraid of flunking, she'd be long gone. She hates that she's attracted to him almost as much as he hates that he's attracted to her--and she can tell, especially since their first encounter ended up making her knees so weak she couldn't form coherent sentences for weeks afterwards. But the closer she gets to him, the more confused she becomes. He isn't who he says he is, and he's hiding something big. 

What happen when two worlds collide? Two worlds that never should have met in the first place? Some secrets are too big to be hidden forever--the only question? Will his destroy everyone he loves? Or finally bring about the redemption he's been craving for the past four years?

Everyone has a secret...What's yours?

That man could be the devil himself - and probably was if his earlier behavior was any indication - and all it would take would be one song and I'd be putty. That's why musicians were dangerous, they made you forget yourself. 

”I could be her friend. I could be Wes’s friend. Hell, I could even be a good cousin to Lisa, but I’d never end up with anyone. My soul mate? I’d already met her.”

”That…” He leaned in. “…is how you perform. Like every kiss is both your first and last – like you’re saying both hello and goodbye – like you’ve just been born…like you’ve just died.” 

“And you, little girl, better be careful. You’re dangerously close to getting me to fall for you, and I don’t do relationships, I do girls.”

This series man!! It is intense in the emotional department and this book was no exception. We met Gabe in the first book, he seemed like a carefree guy who was also a player with the ladies. I was not prepared for the discovery of his secret, it was a shocker and very sad. This book will have you laughing and definitely crying. In true Rachel style there are secrets to be revealed and other goodies to learn. I was at the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to find out more. This is the second series I read of hers and after it I've read almost all her books. She's incredible, I love her writing style and her ability to make you feel so much. I care about these characters and they have a special place in my heart. 

I really fell in love with Gabe and Saylor, I liked how they brought the best out in each other. They didn't have the best start to their relationship but it developed into something beautiful. Gabe was funny and caring but there was also his other side of being remorseful and depressed. He was having a battle within himself for four years. It really touched my heart because of everything that he had been through. His story left me with so many feels, I definitely cried in some parts. Gabe was such a wonderful person, there were many layers to his personality and that was written very well. Saylor was the good girl just trying to figure out the bad boy and getting closer to him, she got way more than she bargained for. 

This story was beautiful, heartbreaking, and an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it. The plot, the characters, the writing, everything was just brilliant. The twists and turns definitely what Rachel is well known for. I really enjoy seeing all the characters for the previous book, I like how she blends the books together that way. I can not recommend this book and series enough, it will capture your heart and you will become a Rachel fan forever. 

April TBR, Currently Reading, March 2019 Wrap up

April TBR!

I started this book last year and it's about time I finished it, my copy is signed along with book 2 The Fates Divide when I met Veronica at a signing. Pictures on my instagram @bookishgirlreads

 

 This one is another book that I started 2 years ago and it's about time I finish it. Some of my Sarah books are signed, I did meet her and pictures are up on my insta.

I also started this book awhile ago and I didn't like it but I'm going to give it another try.

This is the only book that I haven't started but I'm excited to finish this duology.

I also left myself room and time in case I want to do any rereads at any point within the month. I just got back into reading and I'm trying to take it slow. i usually start with a reread because I know I'll love the book and I'll pick one of my favorite books or series but I've noticed I never make a plan for the month as far as a TBR so this month I decided to and I hope to finish these and I hope to have a great reading year. I usually read whatever I'm in the mood for but I wanted to start fresh because I don't want to get into a reading slump. My TBR is ambitious for me at this time but I'm excited to read these titles this month.

I'm also doing 3 challenges on instagram this month, I haven't done them in awhile either but I think it will be so much fun.

What are you all reading this month? I'm interested to know what everyone is reading and enjoying. I hope you all have a wonderful reading month!

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading City of Heavenly Fire and thoroughly enjoying it, I'm so excited to finish this series and I'd love to continue to Cassies other series since she has written so much about this world and the awesome characters. I finished the 2 other previous books in the series and that's what gave me the idea of finishing other books/series that I had started.

March Wrap up

I reread this one because I wanted to finish the series right at the end of the month and the only thing I remembered about this book was the ending and nothing else. I mean the ending is hard to forget. Rating 4 stars.

I reread some of this book as well, only the beginning. This was my favorite book I've read in 2019, it was so good and I love Sebastian. I mean now we all know that I love villains since I confessed I love the Darkling, lol. Two of my favorite characters of all time. Rating 5 stars.

 

Review- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    

Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Published: June 5, 2012
My Rating: 5 Stars

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.

About the Author

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives fall 2015.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her web site, and downright giddy if you liked Shadow & Bone on Facebook.

Quotes:

“The problem with wanting," he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, "is that it makes us weak.”   -Alina

“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of you that loved him.”   -Mal

“I'm not like you, Mal. I never really fit in the way you did. I never really belonged anywhere."
"You belonged with me.”  

*Mild Spoilers- Synopsis is only for the first book
I was very intrigued to read this book and everything that was being said about "The Darkling" and it was all true. He's wonderfully gorgeous, tempting, has a super cool power but he's very, very evil. I feel like he could have been redeemed if someone would have loved him and been his companion. He lived for so long and he was so lonely, he just wanted to be accepted, and maybe if he did have someone then the story would have been different. I don't think there was enough of him, I want to know more, I want to experience more through his eyes. I loved this story, I fell in love with the Darkling and I want to have his babies except he's not a good person lol. But if he were just a little bit good that would be great. This is one of my all time favorite series and the Darkling is my favorite villain if you couldn't already tell.

While reading this trilogy I felt like I dove right into it, I wanted to be part of it because it was written so well. The characters were memorable, the plot was well thought out and the world was amazing.

**Major spoiler coming!
I wish that somehow Leigh could resurrect the Darkling and give him 5 more books at least, he thought he was so lucky that he found Alina and that she was so much like him but it didn't work out. We as readers need more of him.

                                                           

Spotlight: Eternal by Rachel Van Dyken

*This is a crossover novella featuring characters from both the Seaside and Ruin series*
Lead singer of AD2 Demetri Daniels only wants one thing...

To marry the love of his life and make the day perfect for her.

But perfect isn't exactly happening, not with his sister-in-law going into labor, or with rabid fans discovering their wedding location, or birds suddenly attacking the rehearsal dinner.

It doesn't help matters that his bride to be is starstruck as singer Ashton Hyde makes a drop in appearance to start recording his new album.

Nothing is going right.


And it's about to get worse.

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“What?” I tilted my head. “Chicken out? No striptease? Man, not even any boob. It’s like you’re too afraid to show me—“

She shoved something into my right hand.

Something lacey.

I looked down and almost passed out into the seal tank.

A black lace thong.

Her black lace thong.

Holy shit, it was still warm from her body.

“Ah—“ My voice cracked like I was twelve.

“So…” Alyssa wrapped her dainty arms around my neck. “…I gave a little. Eat the damn fish, Demetri. That’s how these things work, don’t they?”

I nipped her lower lip then pressed her against the closest wall, ready to strip off her jeans and lay claim to what had been just out of my reach. “If I eat two fish, what do I get?”

With a sultry grin, she leaned up and whispered in my ear. “Use your imagination.”

“My imagination tends to be graphic.”

“Good.” She winked. “Mine too.”

“So maybe I’ll eat three just to be safe.”

“Depends on how many surprises you want in the next few hours.” She lifted her shoulder and examined her nails like she didn’t care what I did.

I freaking downed the rest of the cup of fish — swallowed them whole — then almost died a slow death as the taste of fish permeated my mouth.

When I looked up through teary eyes, Alyssa had her phone pointed in my direction, laughing.

“Tell me—” My voice was hoarse. I had to hit my chest to keep from gagging. “Tell me it’s just a picture and not recording.”

“Say hi to your Instagram followers,” she said cheerfully.

I flipped the camera off.

She frowned.

I forced a smile then gagged again. “The things I do for sex.”

“That’s the best part, Dem.” Alyssa laughed. “You were getting it within a few hours regardless. Duh, we’re getting married.”

“But…” I shook my head. “…I thought this meant I skipped ahead a few steps, like when you get the free-pass card in board games.”

“Name the board game, and I’ll say yes.”

“Er, shit.” I was a total blank. “Monopoly.”

She gave me a thumbs-down. “But look on the bright side! You made me laugh and, honestly… taking me back here, one of the most romantic things you’ve done in the last few days. It’s where we argued, made out, talked—“

I nodded my head. “It’s where I fell for you.”

She giggled.

“It’s where my obsession with those eyes started,” I whispered. “It’s where I decided I wasn’t going to go another day, live another second, without learning everything I could about my taffy girl.”

“And so the whore married the pimp,” she teased.

“I’m the whore in this scenario, aren’t I?”

“Well, I’m the supplier, so technically, I’m the pimp, right?”

We both burst out laughing as an elderly lady walked by us and glared like we were sitting in church talking about prostitution.

“Clambake.” I held out my hand. “Then tomorrow…”

“Married.” She clenched my fingers and let out a happy sigh.

GET THE SERIES~

















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Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

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Review: Forgiving Gia by Gina Whitney

Forgiving Gia by Gina Whitney

Series: Rocker #2

Published: October 20, 2014

Source: Received for review
My Rating

Amazon | KOBO | B & N Paperback & NOOK

My review for Saving Abel

Abel Gunner is a rock-star with legendary skills both in and out of the bedroom. He swore he wouldn't fall for another woman after being schemed and manipulated by an ex-lover. He kept that vow until he met Gia Mastro. The Dom inside of him awoke the moment he set eyes upon the submissive beauty. His dark soul hungered for her submission and affection. The deep connection they share leaves him desperate for something he never expected – her love. Her pain brings him the pleasure he craves. Her smile calms the beast that rages within him. Gia loves Abel more than life itself, but Abel is disillusioned by love and wrecks Gia in the process. Her life hangs in the balance. His life depends on forgiving her. This couple must face many truths. Is love enough to overcome the damage that dwells within? Gia’s experiences with love have been nil until meeting the infamous bad-boy rocker, Abel Gunner. Swept up in a mind-bending, Dom/submissive love affair, she’s forced to make decisions that both help and hurt their relationship. They both have to face their demons before they can embrace a future together. In the end, they’re faced with two choices: Fight for their love, or die with their demons.

Book 2 of 3...Must read in order. 18+ BDSM themed Rock Romance.

I loved this book from the beginning! Able won my heart all over again. This man is so loyal and committed to Gia that it was incredible. We also learn so much about Gia and it was heart breaking, her mother was such a witch. I hated her, she definitely learned the title.

And the steamy scenes were definitely jaw dropping. Gina has done it again, gotten me hooked to her writing, obsessed with her characters and anxiously awaiting for the next book!

After the unexpected and surprising end to Saving Able the first book, I thought this book was going to be about Gia looking for Able and begging for forgiveness, but it wasn't, it was so much better. We get to see another side of Able which is what I always like to see, a sensitive side. Don't get me wrong, the man is rough, a rock star, and has piercings that want to make you look twice, the man is intense but he's got a sensitive side. Once you peel off all the layers, there's a wonderful, beautiful man under there.  And don't even get me started on his dom side, omg what a huge turn on!
And that is what I love, well rounded characters that you just love. I just didn't want the book to end. So much emotion and lots happening in this book. It was so good. It took me some time to get used to Gia and I understand her now but Able is one of my favorite characters. And this book added so much more for me, I loved him even more after reading this book.

Excerpt Reveal- Eternal: A Seaside Novella by Rachel Van Dyken

I'm so excited to be sharing this excerpt with you all. This is one of my favorite series as well as the Ruin series. I love Rachel's characters, they're so funny and well rounded. Her writing is also phenomenal! 

*This is a crossover novella featuring characters from both the Seaside and Ruin series*

Lead singer of AD2 Demetri Daniels only wants one thing...

To marry the love of his life and make the day perfect for her.

But perfect isn't exactly happening, not with his sister-in-law going into labor, or with rabid fans discovering their wedding location, or birds suddenly attacking the rehearsal dinner.

It doesn't help matters that his bride to be is starstruck as singer Ashton Hyde makes a drop in appearance to start recording his new album.

Nothing is going right.

And it's about to get worse.




ADD TO GOODREADS

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Something flashed by my window.

Awesome, the night before I’m going to get married a freaking bird was going to break into my room and kill me.

Well, I’d had a good run with her.

Something else flew by.

Holy shit, why were seagulls out this late?

Didn’t they have a curfew? Like all spawns of Satan?

I wasn’t making it up. Something else flew by and then landed on the windowsill.

Slowly, as to not scare it into attacking me, I turned on my side.

A bat.

A freaking bat.

Great. Another animal to add to my hate list.

“Shoo!” I waved my hand at it.

It stayed put.

Seaside had bats. Who knew? Or maybe this one had flown all the way up from South America just to haunt me. No really. If it could happen, it would happen to me.

“Yo,” I called. “You need to go.”

The bat stayed.

I needed a gun.

Or a giant-ass Tonka trunk to throw at it.

“Seriously…” I held my hands in front of my face. “…this is the moneymaker, all I got. Well, that and the voice. You ruin this, you disappoint women everywhere.”

The bat was unfazed. Maybe it was friendly? Like Dracula from Sesame Street?

I reached forward.

It lurched back just far enough for me to pull the window shut.

“Sucker!” I pointed at it and stuck my tongue out just as it took a dive toward the window.

Cursing, I fell backward on my ass.

My door jerked open. “Hey, you okay in here? I could have sworn I heard yelling… and why… are you on the floor?” Jaymeson cocked his head to the side.

“Why are you at my house?”

Jaymeson shrugged. “I live next door in that giant-ass beach house during filming, remember?”

“Which still doesn’t explain why you’re in my bedroom.”

“I watch you while you sleep then eat chocolate over your quiet body and take Polaroids to stash under my pillow. Why else would I be here? We’re out of popcorn.”

“Oh good, because that first explanation sounded way too detailed to be a lie.” I pushed up to my feet. “Now go home.”

“The girls are hanging out… watching movies. By the way, why are you in bed so early? It’s ten.”

“Easy. I’m so sexually frustrated and keyed-up. I figured a Nyquil-induced state would be the only thing to keep me from breaking down Lyss’s door across the hall.”

“It’s open.”

“Not helping.”

“No, seriously. She said she trusts you so much she’s leaving it open all night long…” Jaymeson did a little jig in front of me. “…all night long. All night.”

“Go be British elsewhere.”

“Aw, mate.”

“Not your mate.”

“Cheers.”

“Stop that!”

“Blimey.”

“Okay, now you’re just being annoying and saying words that people don’t even use in real life anymore.”

“Not true.” Jaymeson thrust his hand into the air. “One time—“

“Go home, Jaymeson.”

“I have an idea, though.” He shrugged. “Let’s have a bro night while the girls watch movies.”

“I’m sexually frustrated, and you want to sit next to me?”

“The man has a point.” He huffed. “Well then, good luck with...” He pointed at my body. “…that. And if all else fails, cold showers, friend.”

I cursed.

“Want me to sing you a lullaby with my accent? Does it for Pris every time. Then again, it’s not hard to—“

“Go.”

Chuckling, he lifted his hands into the air and backed up. “Fine. See you on the other side.”

The door slammed.

And I was left more wide awake than I was before.

I was just getting ready to jump back into bed when my door slammed open and Alyssa launched her tiny body in my direction like a lion attacking a zebra.

Her mouth was on mine.

Her tongue, touching my tongue.

Her breasts pressed against my naked chest.

I groaned.

And sadly, pushed her away.

“Whatcha doin?”

“Saying goodnight?”

“Say it again… I dare you,” I whispered against her lips.

“You ate three fish meant for seals today.”

I kissed her again. “I also sang One Direction. Give me my prize, woman.”

“Prizes come tomorrow night.”

“Can they come tonight too?” I joked.

She smacked me on the shoulder. “Goodnight, Dem!”

“Goodnight, love of my life, sexiest woman on the planet. Oh, and PS, Jaymeson offered to sing me a lullaby. He was going to fix the problem, and here you go…” I pointed down in exasperation. “…and stir things up again.”

She tilted her head, a seductive smile curving around those lush lips. “Mad because I’m good with my hands?”

“How good?” I croaked, not so sure I wanted to hear the answer, considering I was ready to explode on the spot.

Her voice dripped with sex. “Wanna see?”

I nodded, mouth dry. Hell yes.

With a saucy grin, she waved them in front of her face and winked.

“Cute. It’s like sign language for the lion to come out and play. Do it again. See if I don’t chase you down the hall and claim any prize I can get my hands on. Go ahead. Run antelope, run!”

“Ha.” She threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll see you in the morning… Just think. This is the last night you have to sleep all by your lonesome.”

“There was a bat!” I said in desperation.

Lyss’s eyes narrowed as she peeked under the covers. “In your bed?”

“No!” I coughed, swatting her hand away. “At the window. It taunted me, said… mean things.”

“The bat talked to you.”

“No, well…” I scratched my head. “…tt communicated with its eyes.” Yeah, that so wasn’t helping my case.

“And it said… ‘I’m going to kill you in your sleep’?”

Awesome. I could have really done without the cheesy Count Dracula voice.

“No, but—“

She crossed her arms. “Dem, was there really a bat?”

“YES!” I went over to the window. “It was right here.”

She squinted and walked over. “Wow, look at that bat-filled sky. It’s just… insane.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Cute excuse, a bat. Didn’t see that one coming.” She laughed. “Love you.”

The door closed.

With a curse, I glanced back at the window, only to see the bat sitting there again, freaking glaring at me like some demon-possessed creature. Swear, it’s eyes were even red.

“I’ll get you,” I vowed.

Really, that should have been my cue right there. Seeing a bat was like seeing a black cat, right? Because the next day… though I was convinced was going to go as planned…

Didn’t.

It just…

Didn’t.





GET THE SERIES~














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Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

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