ARC Review – Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection: (Eight Fun, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors)

Wow, these authors really hit it out of the park with this boxed set Love, Laughter, & Happily Ever Afters! Reviewed by Kitty Angel, Paige Turner, and Slick Reads there’s not a book in this set less than 4 stars and our reviews are more than happy to recommend this set priced for a limited time at 99 cents. So check out the reviews and then grab up your own set and sit down and enjoy some great contemporary romances perfect for long, summer day of reading! ~ Guilty Pleasures 

Description:
EIGHT full-length FUN, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors

An all-star collaboration by some of today’s most popular New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors. From the funny & sweet to the steamy & heartfelt, this collection has EIGHT full-length FUN, romantic love stories hand-picked to bring a smile to your face this summer.

At just ***99 CENTS*** for over 1,800+ pages, that’s a SAVINGS of over 95% off retail for the individual novels sold separately!

Note that this is a limited edition collection available until July only so get your copy today!

THE BOXED SET INCLUDES:

— ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE — USA Today Bestselling Author Marilyn Brant
— FINDING THE RIGHT GIRL — New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Violet Duke
— SWEET TO YOU — B&N, iBooks & Amazon Bestselling Author Jessie Evans
— UNAFRAID — USA Today Bestselling Author Melody Grace
— LOVE LOVE — Amazon Bestselling Author Beth Michele
— TEMPTING LOVE — Amazon Bestselling Author Melanie Shawn
— NOT OVER YOU — New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Marquita Valentine
— And in her indie debut, Amazon & Samhain bestselling author, Erin Nicholas w/a *new* novel GETTING OUT OF HAND

*All the books in this collection are standalones — NO Cliffhangers!*

(contemporary romance, beach reads, small town romance, sexy romance, sweet alpha heroes, romantic love stories, summer reading)

Review copy provided for an honest review 

Wow, these authors really hit it out of the park with this boxed set Love, Laughter, & Happily Ever Afters! Reviewed by Kitty Angel, Paige Turner, and Slick Reads there’s not a book in this set less than 4 stars and our reviews are more than happy to recommend this set priced for a limited time at 99 cents. So check out the reviews and then grab up your own set and sit down and enjoy some great contemporary romances perfect for long, summer day of reading!

On Any Give Sundae by Marilyn Brant (reviewed by Kitty Angel) 5 stars (True Gem)

What a good time I had reading “On Any Given Sundae”. Marilyn Brant took two totally opposite people and turned their worlds upside down. Frizzy Lizzy and Roberto have no idea what’s in store for them as they venture into territories unknown, pushed by people that they totally trust, into a relationship that will leave both of them breathless and scared.

Elizabeth loved Roberto Gabinarri for as long as she could remember. It’s been 10 long years since they graduated and he RAN from Wilmington Bay, WI. Small town life was not for him. Give him the big city –fast-paced, fun loving, no attachments – Chicago. But, small town life is the only thing that Lizzy ever knew and she has no desire to leave. All her memories are here, her friends are here and the only family she has left is here. She’s not going anywhere.

Roberto “Rob” Gabinarri has always respected and envied Elizabeth Daniels. She was smart, never treated him differently because of his superstar status as the star quarterback, shy, stutters and so adorable. Coerced into going back to Wilmington Bay, Rob has to make the best of things. But, how does he deal with his mother throwing every available girl his way in hopes that he falls in love, marries and settles down?

Lizzy is also surrounded by a bunch of friends that are so eclectic …Jacques (the French Chef), Gretchen (the German truffle maker) and Nick (our resident homosexual Greek). Uncle Pauly Carrera and Uncle Siegfried Finklehooper just blow this book away with their antics. Rob’s family is just as comical … absolutely LOVED his Italian Mother (hmmm, reminds me of someone I may know) and Miguel, well I don’t know if there are words for Miguel – maybe flamboyant, may be comical, maybe just Miguel.

Well, I think you get the drift of the story. But what you don’t get, if you don’t read “On Any Given Sundae” is the fun of watching them play with the Sundae’s, tease each other, give into their passion and Rob and Lizzy fall in love. You’ll miss the jugglers, the tasting contest, the strawberry Marguerita’s and Rob and Lizzy falling in love. You’ll miss the éclairs, the truffles, the cherry cheesecake and Rob and Lizzy falling in love. And, what a SWEET love that it was.

Finding The Right Girl by Violet Duke (review by Slick Reads (previously published) 4.5 stars (True Gem)

This is one of those reviews that is so hard to write because I absolutely loved Finding The Right Girl but there is only so much I can say so I don’t ruin this story for anyone who hasn’t read it. After reading the emotional trilogy Nice Girl to Love, I expected another journey of sorts in this book but I never expected one that would tear me up yet fill me with such joy and hope. I love this author’s voice, I love the way she weaves real life into her fictional characters, and I applaud her for tackling issues most authors wouldn’t think of using in a romance book.

From the first set of books, I was in love with Brian Sullivan. The man had been through so much and yet still remained optimistic and hopeful. So when he finds himself attracted to a woman who makes him feel alive despite the fact that same woman drives him crazy and offers his daughter advice he’s not sure he wants her to hear, he faces a dilemma of epic proportions.

Tessa Daniels knows she shouldn’t want this man that pushes all of her buttons but she just can’t help it. The more she’s around him and his family, the more she wants that type of life for herself. She’s never had anyone to rely on and letting him in is one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do and considering the life she’s led that’s saying a whole lot.

I really loved watching these two get under each other’s skin and work their way through the land mines that filled their relationship. Finding The Right Girl was an emotional roller coaster and I’ll admit I was a little bit shocked by the revelations made in it, but I wouldn’t have changed a moment of it.

Sweet To You by Jessie Evans (review by Slick Reads) 4.5 stars (True Gem)

One great thing about a boxed set is finding a new to you author who delights you right off the bat and for me that is Jessie Evans. While this is the third book in her Fire and Icing series, it was easy to read as a stand-alone story. This is a sexy yet fun friends to lovers story that captured my attention and my heart right from the start.

Friends since childhood Jamison and Maddie connect on a single’s camping weekend and begin a secret affair. Secret only because Jamison’s brother is marrying Maddie’s sister in a few weeks and they don’t want to take the spotlight off them by announcing their relationship especially since Maddie is a little gun-shy following a somewhat messy divorce and Jamison’s last relationship didn’t end well at all.

It was so easy to like both of these characters; Maddie is witty, kind, a great friend, and uninhibited when she’s had whiskey and Jamison is loyal, persistent, charming, and sexy as all get out especially with Maddie. The great thing was because they had this long history and know each other so well, they are comfortable with each other from the start and while they have moments of doubt with help from their friends they manage to realize what a good thing they have.

Don’t let the title fool you, Sweet to You is a sweet romance but it’s also incredibly sexy and without a doubt Jessie Evans is an author I’ll soon be scooping up and reading her entire backlist!

Unafraid by Melody Grace (review by Paige Turner) 4 stars

I love a good coming of age novel and this book drew me in immediately. A good boy who has his future planned out falls for the town bad girl.
Brittany was born and raised trying to avoid her family’s stereotype. My heart broke for her over and over again. She was really a sweet girl. The family and friends she had definitely had her back. They were there to support her and help her succeed.

At first glance, you may think Hunter is your typical society snob coming from money and power. His family history fits the type but he’s different. He breaks free from his family’s hold and starts to life his life the way he wants.

I thought the author did a great job with both characters. They had chemistry and a connection that kept them fighting for each other. The story was great without a lot of overblown or made up drama. I also liked the secondary characters. They didn’t over shadow the main players. I’m looking forward to read the past and the present books in this series.

Love, Love by Beth Michele (review by Kitty Angel) 4 stars

Well, “Love Love” started off a little slow for me. I was a bit confused as to how the story was going to progress and what the Prologue was alluding to. But, once I got into the story, I realized that it really did set the tone and the pace for the book. Especially as we are dealing with Gabby’s emotions and her inability to trust or love anyone.

As the story goes forward and we watch Gabby jump into bed with the hottest piece that she’s ever seen, we realize that she is running away from her past and just looking to scratch the itch. Dane is hot, sexy and just what she needs at this point. But, then there is Brad –quirky, fun, superhero Brad. After being stood-up by Dane, Brad comes to her rescue and she has a hell of a good time and doesn’t miss Dane at all. Makes her stop and think about what she’s doing. Then, all the memories start coming back … a name here, a look there, a scent … she can’t stop loving Clarke. It’s up to Brad to get her to see him for what he could mean to her, to get her to let go of her past and move to the future, to assure her that he’s not going anywhere. And, it’s up to Clarke to set her free.

I enjoyed “Love Love” … to a point. There was a side story having to do with her best friend that had me a little baffled as to why. There was lots and lots of angst and tears throughout the book. If it wasn’t Gabby crying, it was Fran. I felt like they consoled each other throughout most of the book which did distract me a little bit. I guess I enjoy seeing strong woman taking charge of their life and moving forward. Two weak women kind of threw me off. The only thing that came to mind is that this side-story is possibly setting up the next book in the series since we were introduced to Brad’s brother towards the end.

But, all in all, the HEA, the way Brad proposed, how Gabby finally came to her senses and admitted her love for Brad, was beautifully written by Ms. Michelle. She painted a beautiful picture of a man willing to go above and beyond and fight the ghost that is haunting the woman he loves to get her to see him for what he is … a romantic, fun, loving man that made this whole story worthwhile.

Tempting Love by Melanie Shawn (review by Paige Turner) 4.5 star

The beginning of the book was a bit cliche for me. The main character Haley was secretly in love with her neighbor, and childhood crush, Eddie. She would watch his daughter so he could date. A term I use loosely. Just when I was about to give up on the book, it took a turn for the better. After years of wanting Eddie, Haley decided to throw caution to the wind. Nothing was going to stop her from her main desire. I loved her take charge attitude in her personal life. She was also a strong and goal orientated woman. Haley shows you can be both a caretaker and have a career. Eddie was a single parent trying to do right by his daughter Emily. Since she was his main concern, he decided he had to put relationships on hold. Unfortunately, Haley kept getting in his way. His revolve could only last so long. Every where he turned she was there.

I thought the author did a great job connecting the reader to Haley and Eddie. Their lust and wanting was palpable. It was a faced paced read without unnecessary drama. The book and relationships in it were realistic. The secondary characters didn’t over take the book, they enhanced it. I know that it’s part of a series but you don’t have to read the others to enjoy the read.

Not Over You by Marquita Valentine (review by Kitty Angel) 4 stars

This story in the Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters left me a little bit at a loss. I am sure, if you’ve read the first four books in the series, you would absolutely enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I’m reading it as a stand-alone and feel at a total loss thrown into the middle of a story. But, that said, “Not Over You” had a unique and promising storyline. Makes me wish that I had read the other books to see all that led up to this unusual story.

Summer honestly got on my nerves. I had to keep trying to put myself in her place. How would I feel if everyone I grew up with thought that I was the town whore? How would I react when everyone compares me to my mother who jumped from man to man? How would I live my life after giving up my child for adoption because I didn’t feel that I could raise her and love her the way she should be? Would I live up to the rumors and give the attitude that I really didn’t give a damn or would I pick myself up by the boot-straps, prove everyone wrong and live my live proudly and with the man that I have always loved? Well, throughout this book, Summer chose option number one ….woe-is-me throughout the story. She always counted on Gabriel and, now that she wants to get her daughter back from her sister, she turns to him again – marry me so that I could get my daughter, then divorce me so that you could get on with my life. Selfless or Selfish?

Gabriel is a saint … literally. Summer calls him Angel. He’s a preacher’s son and lives by the good book. In fact, he’s a virgin –determined to not have sex until he is married. Okay, I’ll admit it, this is the first book that I have ever read where the man is a virgin, never having had sex but knows exactly what to do when the time comes? Okay then! He is a wonderful, patient, loving man who has always been there for Summer. But, he has to stop being her knight in shining armor. She’s used and abused him too much in the past and he needs to try to make a life with Elise, the town librarian. That is, until Summer challenges him again and offers him something that he has always wanted with her – marriage.

So, the Saint and the Sinner coming together. As I said, I was a little confused since I really don’t know the history leading up to them finally being together. Gabriel was doing everything in his power to try to get Summer to be less self-depreciating throughout the book. Summer just kept pushing him away and ignoring her feelings. The back and forth between them was a little bit grating. The story, I think, also alluded to some kind of magic being in their past which confused me more. I think reading the series up to this point would have greatly helped me in understanding all that went on between them.

But, this much I have to say … Marquita Valentine did make the story flow. Her writing was spot on and I could picture everything as she described it. She was articulate in describing Summer’s self-hatred and Gabriel’s need to help her. She helped me understand why they were the people they were.

Getting Out of Hand (Sapphire Falls Book 1) by Erin Nicholas (review by Slick Reads) 4.5 stars (True Gem)

I’m a sucker for small town romances, I can’t help it. Honestly I think it comes from my love of watching the Andy Griffith show back when I was a little kid. While I know small town life can be hard with everyone knowing your business, to me there’s just something soothing about it and I am more than ready to head to Sapphire Hills and get to know the town and it’s crazy, intrusive residents. Mason Riley however isn’t so sure he wants to return to the town where he felt like an outsider. Despite his success and notoriety, he has memories of being the geeky kid that didn’t fit in but the chance to turn down the cheerleader turned mayor who wants a huge financial commitment from him not to mention the land he owns, has him returning to the one place he thought he never return. So how come the minute he sees Adrianne Scott it feels like he’s come home? Getting Out of hand has it all; sizzling chemistry, an entertaining cast of characters, and a fun yet full plot making it a spectacular start to a new series by author Erin Nicholas.

Mason, Mason, Mason oh how I love a geeky, yet sexy hero especially one who really has no clue how special he is and that describes Mason perfectly. Sure he knows he’s a genius but he doesn’t realize how sweet and sexy he comes off especially to someone who appreciates his mind as much as his body. It was so fun to watch him waltz back into town all successful but what I loved most was while he still found Hailey just as attractive as back in high school he couldn’t take his eyes off her assistant Adrianne. I truly believe Adrianne was already a little bit in love with Mason before she met him, having done the research on him for their business proposal she admired his work and everything he had accomplished. So when she meets him she knows she’s in trouble because he arouses something in her she hasn’t felt in a long time and he’s business for her, but she is so drawn to him that she can’t stay away.

These two throw sparks off each other from the time they meet and they have several “almost moments” getting interrupted by various town members so when they finally do get together, it’s amazingly explosive and yet, you just know there’s more to them than sex. That’s not to say their relationship was a bed of roses because they had some serious obstacles to overcome but it’s amazing what someone will do for love.

A well rounded story that will have you laughing out loud, feeling a little pent up, and crying both out of frustration and joy don’t miss Getting Out of Hand because I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the town of Sapphire Falls and all of its residents.

4.25 Stars Overall