Lawson by Diana Gardin

Lawson by Diana Gardin
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Blurb:

When a fake relationship turns real, this Navy SEAL learns that love can be deadly in this thrilling, fast-paced novel that proves "no one does romantic suspense like Diana Gardin" (Susan Stoker, New York Times bestselling author).

I'm a natural protector, whether I'm guarding political big shots or celebrity VIPs. It's true that I failed - once. When I was a SEAL, when it mattered most. But that's never going to happen again. Especially not during my first op with Night Eagle Security. So if there's one thing my new partner, Indigo Stone, should know, it's that she's safe in my hands....

Not that she wants my help. With amber eyes full of intelligence and a body covered in ink, Indigo is one of the toughest people I've ever met. But this job has us deep undercover, playing car thieves and lovers, and we'll have to become pros at faking it. But when feelings turn real, I'm reminded that emotions are dangerous... especially when one wrong move can be deadly.

Review 
4 out of 5 stars

Lawson and Indigo will be one of your favorite couples from this year. Lawson a trained, former-seal, turned FBI-esque level security does everything a certain way. He's calculated, and assessing--but nothing could have prepared him for Indigo.

Neither of them is looking to date--not looking to drag anyone into their troubled, complicated lives. But a mission helps them discover, they both want to be loved.

Lawson's character really appealed to my tastes. He was strong and hard-headed. He was aggressively passionate but tender-hearted. He was also fiercely protective--which I'm totally into!

I admired his ability to overcome his past. I appreciated that though he was closed off to relationships his heart wasn't. Indigo was pretty much the same.

She also was hardened by life but I liked the fact that she persevered. I admired that she allowed love and friendship to soften her heart. There was no unnecessary drama--and stupid arguments between the two.

I just loved these two and how quickly they came together without being insta-lovey.

A great solid read with sexy passionate moments. I mean the sex between these two--fan they self beforehand and after. Better yet grab a glass of water.

A nice addition to my slowly building repertoire of black romance. I might actually come back to this one when I'm in the mood.  

Pass Interference (Connecticut Kings, Book #6) By Christina C. Jones

Pass Interference (Connecticut Kings, Book# 6) by Christina C. Jones
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Blurb:

My bio might speak for itself, but I still have everything to prove. 
Everything to gain. 
Everything to lose. 
On the field, and off. 

I’m here for a reason, and Nate Richardson isn’t one of them… except, he won’t let me relegate him to a non-factor. Even knowing what’s at stake, he won’t let me pass him off. 

So I’ll adapt. 
Open myself up. 
Dominate my position. 
Defend my right to be here. 

Who says a woman can’t have everything? 
Or, better yet… who says a woman can’t be a King?

Review 
4 out of 5 stars

I never go wrong reading a Christina C. Jones novel, and as a mood reader that says a lot. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in, Christina always does me right with a cast of characters I hardly ever forget. 

Sloane and Nate are legit black love goals. A lot of people idolize the relationships out here in the real world, and their relationships are usually social media pretty—but that’s usually it—at least the ones trying so hard to convince us of otherwise. 

This fictional relationship is what these relationships out here aspire to be. Open, communicative, understanding of the other's shortcomings and just bomb, like give me more.

I loved me some Sloane. Strong, smart, business-oriented, knew football--knew her stuff, she was black girl magic personified--and these are the types of stories I love to see. I love seeing black greatness at the helm of businesses in fiction. We don't see it often enough. 

Nate was no slouch. He ran an important sector of his father's business--a liaison of sorts, ensuring the comfortability and respectability of the players. His role was as essential to the Kings' team as was Sloane's. 

I appreciated that the author didn't allow the story to be completely drowned in romance--and having the characters be solely caught up in the other. There was a nice distinction between their careers and their budding romance. This is one of this author's strong suits. It's not all lovey-dovey, it's real life. 

The supporting cast was a treat as always--giving the story that extra umph.

It was an all-around great read, with a solid easy-to-follow plot, engaging characters, subtle plot twists--and a nicely wrapped up HEA. I expected nothing different from this author. She never disappoints.

Get into this series and get into this book. 

Make sure to check out the other books in the series. This book can be read as a standalone--but make sure to read book two first--there will be spoilers for that book if you choose to read out of order.

So Done by Paula Chase ARC Review

So Done by Paula Chase

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Blurb:

When best friends Tai and Mila are reunited after a summer apart, their friendship threatens to combust from the pressure of secrets, middle school, and the looming dance auditions for a new talented-and-gifted program.

Fans of Renée Watson’s Piecing Me Together will love this memorable story about a complex friendship between two very different African American girls—and the importance of speaking up.

Jamila Phillips and Tai Johnson have been inseparable since they were toddlers, having grown up across the street from each other in Pirates Cove, a low-income housing project. As summer comes to an end, Tai can’t wait for Mila to return from spending a month with her aunt in the suburbs. But both girls are grappling with secrets, and when Mila returns she’s more focused on her upcoming dance auditions than hanging out with Tai.

Paula Chase explores complex issues that affect many young teens, and So Done offers a powerful message about speaking up. Full of ballet, basketball, family, and daily life in Pirates Cove, this memorable novel is for fans of Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish and Jason Reynolds’s Ghost.

Review + Rating
4 out of 5 stars

I’m not a middle-grade reader. It’s mostly because I’m old as hell, but also because I find myself unable to relate to these stories of youth, I’m so far removed from. I haven’t been a middle grader—since a middle grader has been me.

But, Chase told a story that’s relatable for ages 12-92, even me.

Tai and Mila aka Bean are best friends. At least they were before Mila went to visit her Aunt over the summer—returning quietly, wanting to shed her childish nickname—and the stigma that surrounds her neighborhood, and any drama that comes along with it.

She’s Jamila, more than the Cove, more than a girl from the improvised neighborhood of the Cove, just more.

But it’s the secret that she keeps that really drove and continues to drive her away.

Between her feelings of wanting out, and her beef with her best friend, Tai. This could have easily been switched with adult characters and been just as relatable.

The lingo and voices keep this story young, and current—but it will also appeal to adults with its underlying message of, it's okay to have a dream. It’s okay to want out, to not want to be friends with someone anymore, it’s okay to just be you.

Although I find we teach this message to the younger people, its definitely something that can extend to the older generation, myself included.

We have to learn to not be so hard on ourselves sometimes—and this book is a reminder of that. That you can mess up, and still redeem yourself. 

The book is slow moving, and filled with juvenile drama—but it’s one of those reads—that do something for the people reading it.

It’s culturally correct without being stereotypical.

It’s solid and down to earth, So Done is the kind of book you’ll want to hand to both your older and younger siblings.

Chase did a positive and eye-opening thing for our youngsters, and I think she got it right.